Frequently asked
questions

Adviser Radar is an independent platform that helps UK businesses compare R&D tax advisers using clear, structured information.

It brings together adviser profile information in one place so users can carry out more informed initial checks before deciding which advisers to contact.

No. Adviser Radar is not an R&D tax adviser and does not prepare R&D tax claims.

The platform is designed to help users compare information and build a better-informed shortlist of advisers to approach.

No. Adviser Radar does not recommend, endorse or guarantee any adviser.

Any decision to appoint an adviser remains the responsibility of the business using the platform.

Adviser Radar is mainly for UK businesses looking for an R&D tax adviser, reviewing an existing adviser or carrying out initial due diligence before making contact.

It may also be useful for accountants, finance directors, investors and others who want to understand the R&D adviser market more clearly.

Yes. Businesses can search and compare adviser profiles free of charge.

Some advisers may choose to claim or enhance their profile through paid adviser options, but this does not mean Adviser Radar recommends them.

Users may be able to compare information such as adviser trading details, company status, profile information, website links, claimed credentials and other publicly available or adviser-provided details.

The exact information shown may vary between profiles.

No. Adviser Radar should be used as an initial research tool only.

Before appointing an adviser, users should still carry out their own checks, ask questions, review engagement terms and consider whether the adviser is suitable for their specific circumstances.

Businesses may wish to ask about:

• who will prepare the claim
• relevant experience in their sector
• how eligibility will be assessed
• how costs will be identified and apportioned
• how the technical report will be prepared
• what happens if HMRC opens an enquiry
• fee structure and cancellation terms
• professional memberships, insurance and complaint routes

Adviser Radar may show information about professional memberships, claimed credentials or publicly available records where available.

However, not all R&D tax advisers are required to hold a specific qualification. Users should check any credentials directly with the adviser or relevant professional body.

R&D tax advice is not subject to a single dedicated adviser regulator in the same way as some other professional services.

Adviser Radar may display relevant public information where available, but users should still ask advisers about supervision, professional memberships, insurance and complaint routes.

Adviser profiles may include information from publicly available sources, adviser websites, public registers, third-party datasets and information provided directly by advisers.

Where an adviser has claimed a profile, they may also have had an opportunity to review and correct certain details.

A claimed profile means that a person authorised to manage the profile on behalf of the adviser has taken control of it.

It does not mean Adviser Radar has verified the quality, competence or suitability of that adviser.

The Verified Profile badge means the profile has been claimed by a person authorised to manage it on behalf of the adviser, and the adviser has had an opportunity to review and correct relevant profile details, subject to Adviser Radar review.

Yes. Advisers can request updates to their profile and may be able to claim or enhance their listing.

Adviser Radar may review changes before they are published.

If a user or adviser believes information on a profile is inaccurate or outdated, they can contact Adviser Radar and request a review.

Where appropriate, Adviser Radar may correct, update or remove information.

Adviser Radar seeks to balance transparency, fairness and legal obligations.

Requests relating to opt-outs or data removal are considered on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the nature of the data, its source and applicable legal requirements.

The Radar Score is a summary indicator designed to highlight certain observable governance, compliance and transparency signals about an R&D tax advisory business.

It is presented on a scale from 0 to 100 to allow broad comparison across firms using a consistent framework.

The Radar Score is designed to:

• surface signals that may not be obvious from marketing material
• highlight issues that may merit further questions
• present complex information in a simpler format
• support more informed discussion between businesses, advisers and referrers

It is not designed to rank advisers by technical ability.

The Radar Score focuses on how an advisory business appears to operate, based on observable information. This may include indicators such as:

• corporate and filing behaviour
• business stability and structure
• transparency and disclosures
• regulatory and compliance-related signals
• other objective indicators drawn from available data

The emphasis is on consistency, governance and risk signals rather than client outcomes.

The Radar Score does not assess:

• the technical strength of R&D claims
• sector-specific expertise
• value for money or fee competitiveness
• client service quality
• the likelihood of an R&D claim being accepted by HMRC

The Radar Score is generated using a structured scoring framework applied consistently across advisers. At a high level, the process involves identifying relevant data points within defined categories, assessing those data points against standard criteria, applying weighting to reflect relative significance and aggregating the result into a single summary score.

Not all signals are treated equally. Some indicators may be considered more significant based on factors such as persistence, recency and relevance to governance or compliance risk.

Recent and repeated issues may be treated differently from isolated or historic events.

The Radar Score is primarily data-driven. However, limited judgement may be applied in areas such as data interpretation, categorisation and exception handling.

This is intended to improve fairness and accuracy, not to favour or disadvantage individual firms.

Newer or smaller firms may have less available data. Where this is the case, the score reflects what can be observed, rather than making assumptions.

A lower score does not necessarily imply poor practice, and users should consider the profile context alongside the score.

The Radar Score reflects observable signals rather than intentions. Where improvements are made to underlying factors — such as filings, disclosures or governance practices — those changes may be reflected over time as data updates.

Advisers may also be able to clarify or correct factual information where appropriate.

No. A higher score may indicate that fewer issues were identified in the data points reviewed, but it does not mean the adviser is necessarily suitable for a particular business.

Generally, a higher score is preferable, but this is not a guarantee. Users should still ask their own questions and consider whether the adviser is appropriate for their circumstances.

No. A lower score may indicate that certain issues or missing data points were identified, but it should not be treated as a final judgement.

It may simply highlight matters that users may wish to ask more about.

The Radar Score is based on available data at a point in time. Data may be incomplete, delayed or later corrected.

The score highlights signals, not conclusions. Different users may reasonably interpret the same information in different ways.

The Radar Score should be used as a starting point for understanding and comparison.

Users are encouraged to review the underlying indicators, ask advisers questions where issues are flagged and combine the score with their own judgement.

The score is most useful when used as part of a broader decision-making process.

Adviser Radar includes firms that appear to offer R&D tax advisory services in the UK. The aim is to provide consistent visibility across the market, rather than focusing only on a small number of well-known firms.

No. Adviser Radar does not assess the technical quality of R&D advice, claim preparation or sector expertise.

The Radar Score focuses on governance, compliance and transparency-related signals at a business level.

Most information displayed on Adviser Radar is sourced from public or third-party datasets, such as corporate registers and published disclosures.

Advisers may also choose to verify, clarify or add to their profile information. Adviser-supplied information does not automatically override independently sourced data but it may be used to clarify, supplement or correct profile information where this is appropriate.

Advisers can contact Adviser Radar using the details provided on the website to raise questions, flag issues or request clarification.

Adviser Radar is funded primarily through optional adviser subscriptions and related services.

This approach helps keep core access free for users and supports the ongoing maintenance of the platform.

Yes. All advisers listed on the platform may have a basic profile at no cost.

This helps users compare the market more consistently and allows advisers to review or correct core factual information where appropriate.

Paid subscriptions may allow advisers to add more detailed profile information, improve presentation and make it easier for users to contact them.

Premium features are designed to improve presentation, credibility and usability. They are not intended to create preferential scoring.

No. Payment does not directly improve a firm's Radar Score. The Radar Score is based on the scoring framework and relevant data points, applied consistently across advisers.

However, subscribing advisers may choose to provide more complete information or verify certain details. Where those details are relevant to the scoring framework, improved data quality may affect how a profile appears over time.

No. Paid adviser subscriptions do not determine search ranking or improve Radar Score.

Adviser Radar may limit certain contact features — such as live website links or direct enquiry options — to paid profiles. This helps to ensure that advisers receiving enquiries are actively engaged with the platform and supports a sustainable funding model.

Adviser Radar aims to present information clearly and fairly, but no database can guarantee that every item is complete, current or error-free.

Users should check important details directly with the adviser before making a decision.

Some information may be updated periodically, while other details may be updated when new information is provided or identified.

Adviser Radar focuses on incorporated companies so comparisons can be more consistent. Company-level data is publicly available through Companies House, which allows users to review information such as filings, directors, company status and business continuity.

Users may still choose to work with a self-employed consultant, but some background checks may be less straightforward where comparable public company data is not available.

Detailed adviser profiles require users to log in. This helps protect data integrity and improve understanding of how the platform is used.

Users may be asked to identify whether they are an adviser, claimant or other user type when registering.

Users and advisers can contact Adviser Radar using the contact details on the website.

Where possible, please include the adviser name, website, company number if available and the specific information you want reviewed.

If a user or adviser has a complaint about information shown on Adviser Radar, they should contact Adviser Radar with details of the profile, the issue and the outcome they are seeking.

Adviser Radar will review the matter and respond as appropriate.

Users and advisers can use the contact form or email address shown on the website.