How I Turned My Creator Hustle into a Real Business with the Right Accountant

I still remember the first time I made £500 from a brand deal. It was a skincare brand, and they wanted a carousel post and an Instagram Reel. It felt like a dream, getting paid for something I’d post anyway. At the time, I didn’t think twice about it. I was just excited.

But a year later, I had invoices from five companies, gifted products stacking up at my door, and money coming in from YouTube ads and affiliate links. That’s when I realised, I wasn’t just a content creator. I was running a business.

And I had no clue how to handle it.

The Untold Truth of Influencer Income

What nobody tells you when you start as an influencer is how complicated the financial side can get. You're juggling multiple income streams—some paid directly to your bank, others through PayPal, Patreon, or even foreign platforms. You get paid in money, products, and sometimes in exposure.

But HMRC doesn’t care how you got paid. If you're making over £1,000 per year from influencing in the UK, you need to register for Self Assessment. And if you pass £90,000 annually, you might need to register for VAT. It gets even trickier when you start paying for ad spend, video editors, equipment, and travel, what can you claim? What counts as a business expense?

And let’s not forget the pressure of chasing payments, keeping up with invoices, and trying to organise receipts when your “office” is a laptop in your bedroom.

That’s when I searched for accountants for influencers, and everything changed.

Why Traditional Accountants Didn’t Get Me

I reached out to two local accountants at first. They were polite, professional, and... completely confused when I mentioned I get paid in PR gifts or that I had income from TikTok’s Creator Fund. One even asked, “Wait, do you need to pay tax on gifted items?”

That’s when I knew they weren’t the right fit.

I didn’t blame them. Influencing is a new industry, and it’s evolving fast. But I needed someone who understood the space—someone who knew how creator contracts worked, what counts as revenue, and how to keep me out of HMRC’s bad books.

Finding the Right Fit

After weeks of research and a few painful phone calls, I stumbled across a site that focused solely on this niche. Their entire service was built around creators—accountants for influencers, not just for traditional businesses. They had packages designed for small creators, side-hustlers, full-time YouTubers, and even podcasters.

They didn’t ask what TikTok was, they already knew. They understood the Creator Fund, PR gifting, income through Twitch, and the difference between UGC and personal brand sponsorships. That’s when I realised I’d been doing everything the hard way.

What Changed for Me (and Why It Matters)

With the right accountant on board, I finally understood what I could and couldn’t expense. My camera equipment? Deductible. Editing software? Covered. Business use of my home? Proportionally allowed. Even part of my mobile phone bill was considered a business cost.

They helped me put together a better invoicing system, track income from all platforms in one place, and even prepare for VAT registration before I crossed the threshold. I stopped worrying about deadlines or penalties and finally felt like I had a proper grip on the “business” part of being a content creator.

Best of all? I stopped feeling like an imposter. I wasn’t “just someone who posts on Instagram.” I was a business owner.

Lessons I Wish I’d Known Earlier

If you're a UK influencer, here’s what I wish someone had told me at the start:

• You’re self-employed: Even if it feels like a side hustle, HMRC sees it as a business.
• PR products may be taxable: Yes, even free gifts might need to be reported.
• Track everything from day one: That includes receipts, mileage, software subscriptions, and invoices.
• VAT isn’t just for big companies: Once your turnover hits £90,000, you’ll need to register.
• Use accountants who actually understand creators: Don’t settle for generic advice.

Influencing is a Business Start Treating it Like One

Being a content creator is exciting, but it’s also real work. You’re managing a brand, building an audience, negotiating contracts, and marketing products. You deserve support that understands the world you're navigating.

That’s why finding accountants for influencers made all the difference for me. Not just for peace of mind—but because it allowed me to focus on creating, growing, and actually enjoying the career I’ve built.

If you’re serious about being a full-time creator, don’t wait until tax season to sort out your finances.

Trust me, future you will thank you.