Rural businesses are built on hard work, resilience and adaptability — and often on generations of experience.

Whether you run a family farm, agricultural contracting business, holiday accommodation, equestrian enterprise or diversified rural business, you will know that the financial side rarely fits neatly into a standard template.

Alongside the day-to-day work, there are accounts to manage, tax deadlines to meet, staff to pay, records to keep and important decisions to make about the future of the business.

Draig Accountancy provides practical, straightforward accountancy and tax support for agricultural, rural and family businesses across Ammanford, Carmarthenshire and the wider UK.

Based in Penygroes, near Ammanford and Cross Hands, I work with rural businesses locally throughout Carmarthenshire and remotely across Wales and the UK.

My aim is to help you keep the financial side of the business organised, understand your numbers and have someone reliable to turn to when questions arise.

Rural business isn’t just a sector I work with — it’s where I come from

I grew up on an organic family farm in Carmarthenshire.

Long before I became an accountant, I understood that rural businesses rarely operate nine to five.

They involve early mornings, late nights, seasonal pressures, unpredictable costs and often several generations of the same family working together.

I also understand that the business and the family behind it can be closely connected, making financial decisions particularly important.

Today, alongside Draig Accountancy, I have experience across professional consultancy, business operations, compliance and management, hospitality and agriculture.

That combination of professional accountancy knowledge and first-hand business experience means I understand many of the practical pressures rural and family businesses face.

Modern rural businesses are diverse

The modern rural economy extends far beyond traditional farming.

Many businesses now combine several income streams, including:

• farming and agriculture
• agricultural contracting
• livestock and arable enterprises
• holiday cottages and accommodation
• bed and breakfasts
• camping and glamping
• equestrian businesses
• farm shops and rural retail
• environmental and ecological services
• renewable energy projects
• woodland and countryside enterprises
• contracting and machinery services
• other diversified farm activities

Diversification can create valuable new opportunities, but it can also make bookkeeping, VAT, tax and financial management more complicated.

Good records and a clear understanding of each part of the business can make it much easier to see what is working and plan ahead.

Who I work with

I support:

• farmers and farming families
• agricultural contractors
• rural sole traders
• farming and business partnerships
• owner-managed limited companies
• family businesses
• holiday accommodation providers
• tourism businesses
• equestrian enterprises
• environmental and ecological consultancies
• diversified farms and rural enterprises
• new rural businesses and start-ups

Whether your business has been operating for generations or you are starting something new, the service can be tailored to the way your business actually works.

How I can help

Annual accounts and tax returns

Preparation of accounts and relevant tax returns for sole traders, partnerships and limited companies.

Self Assessment

Support for individuals with farming, business, property and other sources of income.

Bookkeeping

Helping you maintain accurate records throughout the year so you have a clearer picture of the business rather than trying to reconstruct everything at year end.

Payroll

Payroll support for businesses employing family members, seasonal workers or other employees where required.

VAT

Support with VAT registration, bookkeeping, returns and ongoing compliance.

Making Tax Digital

Help with digital record keeping, suitable software and adapting existing systems to meet relevant MTD requirements.

Accounting software

Support with Xero, Sage, QuickBooks and other suitable systems, including helping you choose something that works for the business without making it unnecessarily complicated.

Business and management information

Where useful, I can help you look beyond the year-end accounts and understand areas such as income, expenditure, profitability and cash flow.

New ventures and diversification

If you are considering adding another income stream or starting a new rural enterprise, I can help you think through the accounting, record-keeping and tax implications at an early stage.

Managing different income streams

One of the challenges of a diversified rural business is understanding how the different parts of the operation fit together.

A single family business might include farming, contracting, property income, holiday accommodation or another commercial activity.

Keeping those income streams organised can help you understand:

• which parts of the business are performing well
• where costs are increasing
• what cash may be needed for future expenditure
• what tax liabilities may be developing
• whether bookkeeping systems need to change
• when VAT or other reporting requirements may become relevant

The aim is not to create unnecessary administration.

It is to give you information that is useful enough to support the decisions you are already making.

Cash flow and seasonal businesses

Rural businesses often experience significant changes in income and expenditure throughout the year.

There may be periods of substantial expenditure before the associated income is received, seasonal tourism income, machinery costs or unexpected repairs.

Good bookkeeping and forward planning can make it easier to understand what the business can afford and prepare for known tax and financial commitments.

For many rural businesses, having a better picture of cash flow is just as valuable as knowing the year-end profit.

Investment and business changes

Rural businesses regularly face decisions about investing in the future.

This might include:

• machinery and equipment
• vehicles
• buildings and infrastructure
• diversification projects
• renewable energy
• expanding accommodation or tourism activities
• employing additional staff
• changing business structure
• bringing another family member into the business

The accounting and tax implications can vary considerably depending on the circumstances.

Where a decision requires specialist tax, legal or financial advice, I can help identify that early so the appropriate advice can be obtained before the transaction takes place.

Planning for the future

For many rural and family businesses, decisions are not only about the next tax year.

They can also involve:

• bringing younger family members into the business
• changing ownership or partnership arrangements
• succession between generations
• retirement planning
• restructuring parts of the business
• separating different income streams
• preparing for major investment or diversification

These decisions can have accounting, tax and legal implications, so it is often worth considering them before changes are made.

I can help you understand the financial and accounting side of the decision and identify when more specialist legal or tax advice may be needed.

Family businesses

Family businesses have their own dynamics.

The business may have been built over generations, several family members may be involved and long-term decisions can affect both the business and the family behind it.

My approach is practical and straightforward.

I take the time to understand how the business operates, who is involved and what you are trying to achieve rather than treating every rural business in the same way.

Why work with Draig Accountancy?

Many accountants can prepare rural business accounts.

What I bring is a combination of professional accountancy knowledge, practical business experience and a genuine understanding of rural life and family enterprise.

When you work with Draig Accountancy:

✓ You’ll deal directly with me, Fay Hancock MAAT
✓ You’ll receive friendly, jargon-free advice
✓ I understand farming, rural businesses and family enterprises
✓ Your service will be tailored to the way your business operates
✓ I can support your bookkeeping, payroll, VAT, tax and annual accounts
✓ I’ll help you understand your numbers rather than simply prepare them
✓ You’ll have someone to turn to as the business changes
✓ You’ll have year-round support rather than only hearing from your accountant at year end

My aim is to build long-term relationships with rural businesses and become a trusted part of the wider support network around them.

Rural & Agricultural Accountant in Ammanford & Carmarthenshire

Draig Accountancy is based in Penygroes, near Ammanford and Cross Hands, in the heart of Carmarthenshire.

I support farming, agricultural and rural businesses across Ammanford, Cross Hands, Llandybie, Llanelli, Carmarthen, Llandeilo, Swansea and surrounding areas.

I also work remotely with rural businesses throughout Wales and across the UK using cloud accounting software, secure document sharing, telephone calls and online meetings.

Whether you are looking for a local agricultural accountant in Carmarthenshire or simply want someone who understands the realities of rural business, you can access the same personal service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you only work with farms?

No. I work with a wide range of rural businesses including agricultural contractors, tourism businesses, holiday accommodation, equestrian enterprises, environmental businesses and diversified rural businesses.

Can you prepare accounts for farming partnerships?

Yes. I can support partnerships as well as sole traders and limited companies, depending on the circumstances of the business.

Can you help with VAT?

Yes. I can provide support with VAT registration, bookkeeping, returns and digital record-keeping requirements.

Can you run payroll for a farm or rural business?

Yes. Payroll support can be provided for businesses employing staff, including smaller and seasonal businesses where appropriate.

Can you help with farm diversification?

Yes. If you are considering a new income stream, I can help you think through the bookkeeping, accounting, VAT and tax issues that may need to be considered.

Can you help with succession or bringing family members into the business?

I can help with the accounting and financial implications and identify where specialist tax or legal advice may be appropriate before changes are made.

Can you help with accounting software?

Yes. I work with Xero, Sage, QuickBooks and other suitable systems and can help you choose something that fits the business.

Can you work with our existing records or bookkeeping system?

Yes. I can review how your records are currently maintained and suggest improvements where they would make things easier or provide better information.

Do we need cloud accounting software?

Not every rural business needs the same system. The right approach depends on the business, transaction volume, VAT position, digital reporting requirements and how you prefer to work.

My preference is to use the simplest system that meets your needs properly.

Can you support us if we are outside Carmarthenshire?

Yes. Although I am based in Carmarthenshire and have strong roots in the rural community here, I work remotely with businesses throughout Wales and across the UK.

Looking for an accountant who understands rural business?

Whether you run a family farm, agricultural business, rural start-up or diversified enterprise, I’d be happy to talk about how Draig Accountancy could support you.

I offer a free initial consultation with no obligation.

📍 Based near Ammanford, Carmarthenshire
🌍 Supporting clients throughout Wales and across the UK
📧 fay@draigaccountancy.com
📱 07914 848874