When you hear the word bookkeeper, what do you picture?
Entering invoices?
Reconciling the bank?
Keeping your financial records up to date?
Those are certainly important parts of bookkeeping, but a qualified bookkeeper can do much more.
Many small business owners assume that they need an accountant for everything from keeping their records to dealing with their tax returns and accounts. However, depending on their qualifications, experience and professional authorisations, a qualified bookkeeper may be able to provide a much wider range of financial services.
So, what can a qualified bookkeeper help with?
The answer depends on the individual bookkeeper and the services they are qualified and authorised to provide.
At Mays Accounting Services, I provide support to small businesses and sole traders across a range of financial and tax requirements.
Bookkeeping
Good bookkeeping is about much more than entering invoices.
It means keeping your financial records organised and up to date, recording transactions correctly, reconciling accounts and making sure your records provide a reliable picture of your business finances.
Self Assessment
A qualified and appropriately authorised professional can prepare and submit Self Assessment tax returns on behalf of clients.
This can be particularly useful if your tax return involves more than straightforward employment income, such as self-employment, property income, pensions, dividends or savings.
VAT
VAT involves more than simply submitting a return every few months.
Your underlying records need to be accurate and up to date, and the correct VAT treatment needs to be applied to your transactions.
Mays Accounting Services can help with VAT records and VAT returns.
CIS
For businesses working within the Construction Industry Scheme, keeping on top of CIS deductions and submissions can become another regular administrative task.
Mays Accounting Services can provide CIS support for contractors and subcontractors.
Payroll
Payroll involves more than calculating wages.
PAYE, deductions, reporting and workplace pension requirements all need to be dealt with correctly.
Payroll support can take another regular administrative responsibility away from a busy business owner.
Accounts
A qualified bookkeeper may also be able to prepare accounts and financial statements, depending on their qualifications and professional licence.
At Mays Accounting Services, I can provide SME and partnership accounts.
Corporation Tax
This may surprise some people.
A suitably qualified and authorised professional can also deal with Corporation Tax requirements on behalf of clients.
A bookkeeper isn’t just someone who enters invoices
The important thing is not simply the job title “bookkeeper”.
It’s the individual’s:
- Qualifications
- Experience
- Professional membership
- Practice licence
- HMRC registrations and authorisations
- And the specific services they are permitted to provide
That’s why, if you’re considering using a bookkeeper, it’s worth asking what they are actually qualified and authorised to do.
Where does Mays Accounting Services fit?
I am an ICB qualified bookkeeper and an HMRC tax agent, providing accounting, bookkeeping, tax and payroll support to small businesses and sole traders.
My services include:
Bookkeeping | Self Assessment | VAT | CIS | Payroll | SME & Partnership Accounts | Corporation Tax
My aim is simple:
To provide the financial support your business actually needs, without making things more complicated than they need to be.
And if something falls outside my qualifications or authorisations, I’ll tell you.
You may not need an accountant for everything.
You may simply need the right qualified professional for the services your business requires.
If you’re not sure what support your business needs, get in touch with Mays Accounting Services for a chat.
Mays Accounting Services
ICB Qualified Bookkeeper
Supporting small businesses & sole traders