How to Start a PR Consultancy in the UK

PR consultancy is a natural move for experienced communications professionals who want to work with a variety of clients on their own terms. Startup costs are minimal, and the earning potential is strong. Here is how to get the business fundamentals right.

Qualifications

No mandatory qualifications, but professional credentials help:

• CIPR membership (Chartered Institute of Public Relations) — the leading UK PR professional body. Chartered PR Practitioner status demonstrates expertise.
• PRCA membership (Public Relations and Communications Association)
• CIM qualifications — if your PR work overlaps with marketing

Sole Trader or Limited Company?

Most PR consultants start as sole traders. A limited company becomes worth considering at higher profit levels or if clients prefer to contract with a company.

Registering with HMRC

Register for Self Assessment within three months. VAT at £90,000 turnover. If your clients are businesses, voluntary registration can be worthwhile.

Insurance

• Professional indemnity — essential. Covers claims if your PR advice causes a client loss or reputational damage.
• Public liability — if you visit client premises or organise events
• Cyber insurance — if you manage client social media accounts or handle data
• Media liability — covers defamation, copyright, and related risks

Expect £200–£500 per year.

Claimable Expenses

• Media monitoring services — Cision, Meltwater, or similar
• Software — CRM, project management, social media management, email marketing
• Professional memberships — CIPR, PRCA
• Training and CPD — conferences, courses, workshops
• Home office costs
• Travel — to client meetings, press events, media briefings, at 45p per mile
• Client entertainment — note: not tax-deductible but a legitimate business cost
• Marketing — your own website, LinkedIn advertising, networking events
• Photography and videography — for client campaigns (if you pay directly)
• Phone and broadband
• Accountancy fees
• Subcontractor costs — freelance writers, designers, videographers

Accounted handles expense tracking automatically.

Pricing

• Monthly retainer — £1,000–£5,000+ depending on scope
• Day rate — £400–£800 for experienced PR consultants
• Project-based — campaign launches, crisis management, product PR — priced per project
• Hourly rate — £60–£150

Retainer-based income provides stability and should form the foundation of your revenue model.

Building Your Consultancy

• Your network — journalists, former clients, and industry contacts
• Media relationships — your contact book is your most valuable asset
• LinkedIn — essential for B2B professional services
• CIPR events — networking with potential clients and peers
• Case studies — demonstrate results with measurable outcomes
• Content marketing — write about PR strategy and communications trends
• Partnerships — marketing agencies, design studios, event companies

Bookkeeping Tips

• Separate business and personal finances
• Track retainer vs project income
• Invoice promptly — corporate PR clients often have 30-day payment terms
• Record media monitoring and software subscriptions
• Set aside 25–30% of profits for tax

Accounted connects to your bank and categorises transactions with AI.

Key Deadlines

• 31 January — Self Assessment and payment
• 31 July — second payment on account
• Quarterly — VAT returns if registered

Getting Started

PR consultancy offers excellent flexibility and earning potential. Your expertise and relationships are your business — get the financial side right and focus on delivering great results.

Ready to manage your PR consultancy finances? Sign up for Accounted and let Penny handle the bookkeeping while you handle the headlines.