Businesses have a lot to do and keeping on top of accounts and finance matters is just one of those tasks.  It is often the task that gets put to one side because it doesn't generate income or move the business forward.  However it is still important to have a handle on how your business is doing and your accounts need to be kept up to date especially if you have VAT deadlines or you will be required to submit quarterly returns to HMRC under MTD ITSA from April 2026.

We have supported businesses with their accounts for many years now.  They come to us for different reasons

  • Just starting out and want to get it right from the start
  • Just starting out and knowing that accounts is something they just don't want to go
  • A growing business that needs more time than they have to keep the accounts up to date
  • The bookkeeper left and they haven't been able to replace them
  • Accounts are in a mess
  • Moved to Xero software but have got in a muddle trying to use it
  • Want to move to Xero software

We provide different solutions to businesses depending on their need.  Mostly we provide bookkeeping services on a monthly basis but for small businesses which don't have a lot of transactions we do the bookkeeping quarterly.  VAT returns are always prepared well in advance of the due date so that our clients know how much VAT they have to pay.  Where we do accounts monthly we can advise of the VAT due cumulatively each month if required so that it doesn't come as a surprise every three months.

Bookkeeping is fundamentally recording business income and expenses to enable reporting for business knowledge and for the requirements of HMRC.  Bookkeeping must be accurate otherwise the view you have of your business will be pointless and the reporting to HMRC will be incorrect.

When we take on a business there are often errors in VAT caused by duplicate entries or VAT claimed on items which don't have VAT.  We also see errors in allocation of transactions, both income and expenses.  

With MTD for ITSA just around the corner it is more important than ever that businesses are recording transactions accurately, whether VAT registered or not.  MTD ITSA applies to businesses with an income of £50,000+ from April 2026 and HMRC will have advised those businesses that they need to submit quarterly returns from that date from compatible software.  

If your accounts aren't being done accurately and transactions recorded consistently then the quarterly reports submitted will be inaccurate and will require your accountant (or yourself if you do your own self assessment tax return) to correct these when they complete your final accounts and the 5th submission to HMRC.  This could create a lot of work - more time for you and more time for your accountant - and therefore a greater cost.

We use Xero for the businesses we work with which is compatible software for MTD ITSA.  If you are currently keeping your accounts on spreadsheets but need to move to software for April 2026 for the quarterly returns, then we can help. If you just need more support with your bookkeeping, we can help.  We don't just do the fundamentals; we can provide regular useful management reports, prepare and submit VAT returns, provide telephone and email support and liaise with your accountant.  And, by the way, we are very friendly and helpful!

Contact us on 01722 341820 and talk to one of our bookkeeping team.