The R&D Community exists to help R&D advisors learn from each other, stay up-to-date with the latest rules, and provide convenient training and support. We believe in continuous improvement and the power of professional qualifications, offering certification programs to test and enhance knowledge in a friendly and supportive environment.

Facing new challenges in R&D tax relief

Like all R&D firms, Minerva faced major challenges posed by the Government’s introduction of the Merged R&D Scheme, and HMRC’s changes to their guidance and approach. They turned to the comprehensive training materials they found inside The R&D Community. These resources proved invaluable, saving the team a massive amount of time and providing a solid foundation for understanding the new rules.
The biggest impact for the team was their exposure to new perspectives offered by the training.

Adam Pearce, director at Minerva, highlighted the impact membership has had on his team:

Because the R&D guidelines are subject to interpretation, if you give them to 10 different people they may interpret them in 10 slightly different ways. The cool thing about The R&D Community is that there are different people leading the courses, answering the helpline and providing support. That means the team are better now at considering different angles, instead of simply relying on one point of view. It’s led people to challenge themselves and each other more robustly before concluding whether or not a project qualifies.

Establishing credibility as an R&D advisory service

Being listed in The R&D Community Members Directory, while not a primary lead generator, has served as a crucial credential for Minerva. It validated their expertise alongside their academic qualifications and awards. For them, it’s played a key role in establishing credibility with clients.

Adam shared his perspective:

We’re not a sales-led company, we’re consultant-led. Without a large business development team, we have to find other ways to stand out. Instead, we promote the expertise of our consultants and their actual training. With The R&D Community being the leading player in R&D training, it’s just a no-brainer for us to have it is as a form of sales ammunition.

R&D Helpline and Claim Support

The helpline and claim support provided by The R&D Community became integral to Minerva’s process, especially for niche and complex cases. Kevin Bailey and Richard Edwards provide the majority of the Claim Support and answer the R&D Helpline for all members of the R&D Community – they each have more than 15 years of experience in R&D tax relief. They provide invaluable insights along with references to legislation, case law, and guidance, helping the team navigate the complexities effectively.

Adam discussed the benefits of the claim support and helpline services:

When it comes to international structures or sort of multi-company relationships in R&D projects, it’s invaluable. For example, with software and architecture projects, there are often multiple companies involved, and layers of subcontractors. With specifics like these, a second opinion is really useful because they’re rarely straightforward. Kevin and Richard were able to provide references and insights that helped us navigate these complexities.

“They reference specific legislation or case law, but they also give insights based on other members’ experiences. This helps us determine trends and understand how HMRC is interpreting guidelines, which is crucial for our work.

Moving forward in R&D Tax Relief

Adam’s team continues to thrive, leveraging the lessons learned and resources found in The R&D Community. They faced challenges like understanding navigating complex new R&D guidance and legislation. But with the support of The R&D Community, they overcame these obstacles and improved their processes. The diverse perspectives and comprehensive resources provided by the training, support team and the wider community have been instrumental in their success.

If you’re also looking to enhance your R&D expertise and stay ahead of the curve, we invite you to watch a free demo of The R&D Community membership. Discover how our training and support can benefit your team and help you achieve your goals.