Creative & digital
MTD software for architects and surveyors.
A sound structure for your practice finances.
Site inspections, design revisions and staged professional fees bring paperwork beyond the drawings. Avona helps independent architects and surveyors organise income, registrations and project spending in one clear routine.
- Who it is for
- Architects and surveyors working as sole traders, managing their own business records and MTD for Income Tax updates.
- Available now
- Digital records, bank feeds, statement imports, transaction categorisation and quarterly self-employment updates. Pro adds customer invoicing, VAT accounting and reporting.
- Monthly price
- From £15/month for Lite. Pro is £20/month.
- Free trial
- Full access for 7 days. No credit card required.
- Annual-return limitations
- Quarterly updates do not replace your annual tax return. HMRC lists annual-return items including PAYE income, interest, dividends and pensions as in development. Check the listing and confirm support for your income sources before relying on Avona for your annual return.
Making Tax Digital
It’s what comes in.
Before costs go out.
Professional fees and retainers can exceed MTD thresholds even before the next project is complete. Software, insurance and survey equipment reduce profit rather than the gross-income measure.
Understand Making Tax Digital →When does MTD apply?
Combined qualifying self-employment and property income, before expenses:
- Over £50,000 in 2024/25
- From 6 April 2026
- Over £30,000 in 2025/26
- From 6 April 2027
- Over £20,000 in 2026/27
- From 6 April 2028
Eligibility and exemptions matter. These are income thresholds, not tax-free allowances.
Check HMRC’s eligibility guidance ↗From the work to your records
Clear records for your property survey.
Bring the evidence into Avona, review the suggested categories and check the figures before submitting. These three examples show the records behind your property survey, shared purchases and staged design fees.
| What you bring | How you use Avona | What you check |
|---|---|---|
| £950 for your property survey £160 spent on specialist inspection-equipment hire | Connect your bank or import the payment, then upload the invoice or receipt for specialist inspection-equipment hire. Review the income and the purchase as separate records. | Keep £950 as the sale and the £160 cost separately. The £790 left after this cost is not turnover. Check that the spending is eligible for your business. |
| £100 mixed purchase £80 for survey consumables; £20 for supplies for personal DIY | Upload the itemised receipt and review the suggested category. Identify survey consumables separately from supplies for personal DIY. | Only the eligible £80 business portion belongs in business costs. Exclude the £20 personal purchase, and check that importing both the bank transaction and the receipt has not counted the spending twice. |
| £200 received, then £400 £600 of agreed fees covered by the payments | Keep the supporting invoices and payment breakdown for staged design fees. Match each receipt to the work it settles during your review. | Together the receipts settle £600. Do not count the same invoice and payment twice. Keep unpaid balances and any credits identifiable, and follow your accounting method for when income is recorded. |
Keep supporting documents alongside your figures, review business use and apply your accounting method consistently. HMRC: keeping business records ↗
The costs behind your work
Six expenses worth
keeping records for.
Examples for architects and surveyors. Claim only eligible business costs; mixed use, equipment and your accounting method can change the treatment.
Relevant ARB or RIBA fees
Professional indemnity insurance
CAD and BIM subscriptions
Survey equipment calibration
Site protective equipment
Business studio rent
One thing to watch
Equipment purchases need more than a bank category
Keep invoices identifying the kit, its cost and business use. Survey equipment and computers may need different treatment from calibration or rental charges, depending on your accounting basis.
HMRC: office, property and equipment ↗Fit the admin around the work
A routine around your property survey.
Review staged fees, attach professional renewals and keep survey-kit purchases separate from everyday project spending for your accountant to check.
Capture the supporting documents
Upload receipts or invoices for specialist inspection-equipment hire. Keep the date, supplier and amount legible, and distinguish survey consumables from supplies for personal DIY.
How document capture works →Reconcile your property survey payments
Review each customer receipt against the work it covers. Keep the breakdown for staged design fees available alongside the bank entry, so fees, refunds or timing differences can be explained.
How bank review works →Review before you submit
Review Avona AI’s suggested categories, check that your property survey income is complete, and remove duplicate or personal spending. Keep the evidence for staged design fees ready for your annual-return review too.
Before you get started
Questions from architects and surveyors.
Does MTD apply to everyone in this profession?
No. This page covers architects and surveyors working as sole traders. Your start date depends on combined qualifying self-employment and property income before expenses, and any exemptions. Employment and limited-company work have different reporting arrangements.
What if a survey payment arrives well after the report is delivered?
Keep both the invoice and receipt date. Your accounting method governs when the income is recorded; the completed report date alone does not establish that timing.
How do I record staged design fees?
Example: £200 received, then £400 (£600 of agreed fees covered by the payments). Together the receipts settle £600. Do not count the same invoice and payment twice. Keep unpaid balances and any credits identifiable, and follow your accounting method for when income is recorded.
Which bookkeeping issue should I watch for?
Equipment purchases need more than a bank category. Keep invoices identifying the kit, its cost and business use. Survey equipment and computers may need different treatment from calibration or rental charges, depending on your accounting basis.
Can I keep using my existing spreadsheet?
Yes. Bring your property survey income records and evidence of specialist inspection-equipment hire into Avona using supported spreadsheet uploads. Check dates, categories, personal spending and duplicates against the original documents before you approve the records.
Do quarterly updates complete my annual tax return?
No. You still need the annual tax return and any relevant adjustments or other income. HMRC currently lists annual-return items including PAYE income, interest, dividends and pensions as in development for Avona. Confirm support for your own income sources and circumstances before relying on Avona for the annual return.
Built for the way you earn
Give your professional records a stronger structure.
Choosing Avona
Your questions, answered.
Can I create customer invoices?
Yes. You can create customer invoices with Avona Pro.
What if I am VAT-registered?
Full VAT accounting is available with Avona Pro, so you can manage your VAT-registered business with Avona.
Can my accountant review my records?
Yes. You can connect your Avona account to your bookkeeper or accountant so they can review your records.
Can I use my phone on site?
Yes. Every feature has a mobile-friendly version, so you can manage your accounts from your phone while you are on the move.
Can I keep using my personal bank account?
Yes. Avona supports Open Banking connections and PDF bank statement uploads. You can clearly separate personal and business transactions to keep your business records organised.