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Construction finance teams pay subcontractors, follow the Construction Industry Scheme and track costs job by job. Many job adverts ask for CIS knowledge by name.
Entry-level roles
Typical full-time UK figures
A construction business may have many projects running at once, each with different suppliers, labour costs and payment stages. Small errors can quickly affect cash flow.
Subcontractor payments also follow specific tax rules. That's why many construction job adverts ask for CIS experience by name, as well as Sage skills.
Typical full-time UK figures, rounded. Pay varies by employer, location and experience. Sources: National Careers Service, AAT, PayScale and Prospects, checked November 2026.
£27k
Often advertised as Construction Accounts Assistant
Handles invoices, reconciliations and CIS paperwork.
£26k
Also called Subcontractor Ledger Clerk
Checks and processes supplier and subcontractor invoices.
£27k
Also called Site Payroll Administrator
Processes weekly pay for site and office staff.
£28k
Common in smaller building firms
Keeps the books for a small contractor or trade business.
Common requirements in UK construction adverts. They vary by employer.
Systems differ, but the accounting tasks carry across.
Sage 50Sage Payroll
Xero
QuickBooks
ExcelA short introduction, not legal or tax advice. Rules can change, so check the sources below.
Contractors usually deduct 20% from payments to registered subcontractors and 30% from unregistered subcontractors. Those with gross payment status have no advance deduction.
Contractors must register. Subcontractors don't have to, but those who don't face the higher deduction. Employees don't register.
Since 1 March 2021, the domestic reverse charge has applied to many building and construction services between VAT-registered and CIS-registered businesses.
You'll build the ledger, reconciliation, VAT, payroll and software skills these roles need. We can also introduce sector basics such as CIS, so you understand the terms employers use. Detailed job costing and contract rules are usually learned in the role.
Later on: With more experience, people can move into assistant accountant, quantity surveying support or commercial finance roles. Those roles usually need further experience or qualifications.
Accounting100 hrsBeginner
Develop practical skills in bookkeeping, VAT, financial transactions and record management, giving you the knowledge and confidence to support day-to-day accounting and finance operations.
XeroQuickBooksSage 50
Accounting100 hrsIntermediate
Develop advanced payroll skills in processing, compliance, tax, National Insurance and payroll software to confidently manage accurate payroll operations.
Sage Payroll
BrightPayQuickBooks Payroll
Accounting100 hrsBeginner
Build practical accounts skills covering financial records, invoices, payments, reconciliations and essential accounting processes for the workplace.
XeroSage 50QuickBooksWe offer group bookings and can tailor training to your team.
Can't find your answer? Our consultants usually reply on WhatsApp within an hour, Monday to Saturday.
CIS is the Construction Industry Scheme. Contractors deduct money from subcontractors' payments and pass it to HMRC as advance tax and National Insurance.
It is usually 20% for registered subcontractors and 30% for unregistered subcontractors. Those with gross payment status have no advance deduction.
Many adverts prefer it, but good ledger and Sage skills are the foundation. Learning the basics of CIS shows that you understand the sector.
Checked November 2026. Job advert requirements are based on a sample of UK adverts and vary by employer.
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