New research unveiled by Cloud2Me at Accountex North has shone a light on the more eccentric side of business expenses, uncovering a range of surprising and sometimes jaw-dropping claims. From wedding dresses and cosmetic surgery to £42,000 football hospitality packages and doggy daycare, the findings highlight just how far some individuals are willing to stretch the definition of a legitimate business cost.
Accountants and bookkeepers are accustomed to questioning unusual transactions, yet the survey illustrates just how inventive expense claims can become when personal spending is presented as a professional necessity.
Cloud2Me — the fastest-growing UK-based hosted desktop provider serving the accountancy sector — invited accountants and bookkeepers to share the strangest, funniest and most unexpected expense claims they had encountered. The responses painted a picture of luxury purchases, extravagant travel and highly questionable “business” justifications.
The submissions ranged from the extravagant to the downright baffling. Accountants reported seeing claims for items and experiences that stretched credibility well beyond accepted business use, including:
- Luxury accessories such as a Rolex watch, justified as necessary “to get to meetings”
- Major life purchases, including wedding dresses and engagement rings
- Overseas travel to destinations such as Ibiza, Paris and Las Vegas, often accompanied by limousine services
- A racehorse recorded in the accounts as “work equipment”
- High-end corporate entertainment, including £42,000 spent on a private box at Manchester City
- Elective cosmetic procedures, including a boob job
- Large fast-food expenditures, with one claim totalling £500 at McDonald’s
- Ongoing personal services, such as doggy daycare and related accessories
- Private school fees submitted as business costs
- Leisure trips combining a ski holiday with a visit to a strip club
- Unexpected office “assets”, including an aquarium alongside a packet of Werther’s Originals
While the majority of these claims were rejected, the survey highlights the imagination — and boldness — shown by some when attempting to merge personal indulgence with business expenditure.
Helen Brooks, Head of Commercial at Cloud2Me, commented on the findings:
“Accountants really do see it all - from Rolexes and wedding dresses to pet daycare and ski trips. While these examples might make us smile, they’re also a reminder of how important accountants are in guiding businesses through compliance and making sure things are done properly. Behind every bizarre claim is a serious responsibility… keeping companies on the right side of HMRC.”
Expense claims often expose how easily personal spending can be misrepresented as business-related. Although most organisations take compliance seriously, accountants report that claims testing the boundaries of acceptability are far from rare.
These grey areas reinforce the crucial role accountants play in safeguarding businesses and their clients against unnecessary exposure and potential HMRC penalties.
Helen adds:
“We know the accountancy sector can be incredibly serious and high-pressure, especially around tax deadlines. But there’s also room to celebrate the lighter moments. This survey shows the human side of the profession, and we’re proud to be part of that conversation.”
The findings underline that accountants are not simply financial technicians, but trusted advisers and custodians of good governance. At a time of heightened financial scrutiny, their role has never been more critical — even when that involves explaining why a racehorse doesn’t quite qualify as essential office equipment.
About Cloud2Me
Cloud2Me is the fastest-growing UK-based hosted desktop provider dedicated to the accountancy sector. Founded in 2013, the company provides secure, scalable, and high-performance hosted environments for accountancy firms of all sizes.
With UK-based support and deep expertise in accountancy software, they help firms run smoothly, securely, and confidently.
