Who are Sova Assessment?
Sova Assessment was founded in 2015 to disrupt the world of virtual assessment. Its digital assessment platform provides a fully customisable solution enabling users to make accurate and fair, data-driven decisions on recruitment.
Why ForrestBrown?
Sova instructed ForrestBrown after an enquiry into its 2021 R&D claim was opened by HMRC:
“We initially used a Top 15 accountancy practice for our R&D claim, which continued to support us through various stages of the enquiry. Unfortunately, following several rounds of correspondence, we were unable to satisfy HMRC that our development activities qualified for R&D purposes.
Our accountants recognised the need for specialist software expertise to enable us to progress the enquiry and both they and our chairman recommended that we work with ForrestBrown.” Hazel
Strong technical expertise
A multi-skilled ForrestBrown team that included a technical lead, sector specialist and senior tax adviser reviewed the claim and were able to draw on in-house software expertise to translate it into more accessible language:
“The initial meeting with ForrestBrown’s technical lead and software sector specialist was reassuring. They understood our business and felt that we had a claim, but that the R&D hadn’t been expressed very well.
Their experience in dealing with software claims would enable our R&D to be reframed in language that would help HMRC’s caseworker to understand our work.” Jarret
“Before the technical call with HMRC and their own software specialists, we had a call with a senior tax specialist at ForrestBrown to prepare Jarret. It was brilliant to have an insight from someone who is a former HMRC inspector and could give practical advice. You couldn’t ask for more.” Hazel
A positive outcome
A successful outcome was achieved and Sova instructed ForrestBrown on two further R&D claims, which, owing to the previous enquiry, were also enquired into:
“The experience was such a contrast. I was more confident that these claims would be accepted and that it wasn’t going to be the drawn-out process that we’d experienced previously.
ForrestBrown were supportive, calm and kept us fully updated. They helped us with the words that were used to ensure that our R&D was properly translated”. Hazel
“Having been through the process, I knew that I would have the necessary preparation and support from ForrestBrown. That the call with HMRC went well was a testament to the preparation I received beforehand and the professional care and attention given to the initial communication with the caseworker.” Jarret
A lasting relationship
Those positive outcomes have given the client reason for optimism:
“We are already planning the 2024 claim. We feel confident that we have a claim and, with ForrestBrown helping us, we can ensure that HMRC understand our R&D.
We continue to work collaboratively with our Top 15 accountancy practice and ForrestBrown has kept them up to date throughout the enquiry and claim processes. I would recommend ForrestBrown to anyone looking for help with R&D claims.” Hazel
Hazel Naik, CFO and Jarret Hardie, CTO, Sova Assessment Ltd
Need support with an HMRC enquiry?
Our FB Consulting practice supports innovative businesses through the enquiry process, doing the heavy lifting, so that you don’t have to. If your business would benefit from our advisory services, do get in touch.