Bookkeepers Aylesford Kent (ME20) Area: For anybody in Aylesford who operates an online store, acts as a sole trader or owns a small business, it's their sole responsibility to maintain "true and fair", accurate accounting and financial records for at least six years. This is outlined by the Companies Act (2006). Failure to produce such records may leave you faced with Company Director disqualification, as well as thousands of pounds in fines. According to Accounting Today magazine over 40% of small businesses spend over eighty hours annually doing their bookkeeping duties, so while you can accomplish these financial records on your own, it can be more cost-effective to employ a professional bookkeeping company or accountant to do them for you.
It is time to get in touch with a bookkeeper in Aylesford for advice, if the idea of compiling balance sheets, tracking assets and liabilities, writing ledgers or creating profit, loss and financial statements brings you feelings of panic.
BOOKKEEPER OR ACCOUNTANT?
For many small business owners in Aylesford, an obvious question when facing this dilemma is "Exactly what is the difference between an accountant and a bookkeeper?" The truth is that while in the past a lot of accountants considered the task of bookkeeping to be beneath their qualifications, skill-sets and experience, a lot of accountancy firms in Aylesford will now take on the task of bookkeeping, because of substantial software improvements over the past decade. To keep their bookkeeping services in line with an independent bookkeeper's fee, it's now fairly common for many accountancy firms to charge a set fee for such services. This makes the cost of bookkeeping cheaper than it once was, and is fantastic news for small businesses in Aylesford because it offers a wider variety of competition within the marketplace.
When you are considering the differences between an accountant and a bookkeeper, the most notable one is the amount of training and qualification that is needed for each discipline. At least an accounting degree with additional training in taxation and other business and fiscal management, will usually be held by an accountant. Whilst not necessarily having this level of experience and training, or holding the same financial qualifications, a bookkeeper in Aylesford will still have a good understanding of all these skills.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF A BOOKKEEPER
The recording of daily fiscal transactions of any enterprise or business in Aylesford, describes the act of bookkeeping in the simplest of terms. This can include, but is not limited to;
- Highlighting and rectifying any discrepancies in the financial accounts.
- Documenting of all financial incomings; including electronic, cash and card payments.
- Ensuring accounting and double-entry bookkeeping practices are implemented.
- Billing of customers for goods or work completed.
- Documenting the receipt of invoices and ensuring that payment is completed by the due date.
- Payroll services.
- VAT recording and submissions.
- Monthly reports and reconciliations.
Based on service level you are looking for, e.g. you're willing to undertake the bulk of bookkeeping work; a professional bookkeeper might just be necessary for double-checking your accounts on a fixed schedule. To enable any problems or mistakes to be identified and amended promptly, this needs to be every month as a bare minimum. Providing that it's possible to stay in control of your monetary transactions without affecting your day by day business operations, this solution can be an extremely cost-effective trade-off.
Whatever your scenario, if you're looking to hire a bookkeeper in Aylesford, there is a fair chance that you may be struggling with the financial recording aspects of your small business. Offering advice on everything from producing expense reports, invoicing and stocktaking, a professional bookkeeping service will also be able to help you link your accounts with the most suitable software to enable the seamless processing of all your business's data.
The correct reconciliation of accounts payable with cash flow is one of the most crucial elements of good bookkeeping. Which means that by organising bill payments to times when your finances are in good shape and buoyant, your bookkeeper will avoid the mistake that a lot of small businesses are guilty of i.e. paying off a bill immediately, or waiting on a final notice. This does not just keep you in favour with suppliers and the businesses who supply you with services, but also ensures that your business or enterprise is on a good financial footing. When, as an individual, you are firmly focussed on the smooth running of your business, this can be a balancing act that's tricky to perform.
Having somebody who isn't associated with the business cast an impartial eye over your financial dealings, is another added advantage of using a competent bookkeeper in Aylesford if you are a sole trader, or for your small business. It could be that business patterns and trends that you have overlooked will thus be pinpointed. A situation where an intelligent bookkeeper flags up an area of the business which is plummeting in profits, or spots a new opportunity that could be lucrative, is by no means an unusual occurrence. For the economic growth of any business in Aylesford, it is essential that such KPI's (key performance indicators) are spotted as early as possible.
If your business sends out invoices it can often be embarrassing having to pursue a late payment. Some of that apprehension can be removed by having a person outside your business bubble make that phone call or visit to your customers. To help with resolving the matter, if you have problems with a repeating late payer, there are legal methods that can be made use of by a bookkeeper, so that court proceedings can be averted.
SOLE TRADER'S BOOKKEEPING REQUIREMENTS
The bookkeeping requirements for a sole trader, as laid out by law, are reasonably uncomplicated and easily understandable. This involves saving all receipts and invoices concerning the business, and keeping track of expenditure and income on a month by month basis. It is still recommended that you hire the expertise of a bookkeeper, although this might sound simple enough. A specialist sole trader bookkeeper in Aylesford can advise you on what you might be able to claim back from HMRC as business expenses. This may include stationery goods, bills and rent if working from home, printer ink, items such as computers and advertising expenses. If you would like to get more comprehensive advice, and discover how your business can grow and develop going forward, chat to a trusted bookkeeper.
BOOKKEEPING FOR ONLINE TRADERS IN AYLESFORD
Certain businesses that operate in niche markets, might need to use a specialised bookkeeper. If you run an online store for example, you're going to need a bookkeeper in Aylesford who's familiar with multi-currency processing, exchange rate transfers, online payments and cross-border and international taxes. If that same outlet sells goods you hold or produce, then monitoring your stock on a 24 hours a day basis is a crucial priority, after all the internet never sleeps, therefore neither should your bookkeeping software or services.
In combination with your bookkeeping service, a remote virtual office can also be provided. Offering a physical link with their buyers, this allows an online only business or sole trader to have a phone service and postal address. If this kind of service could be useful, it is certainly worth discussing, although this solution will not be provided by all Aylesford bookkeepers.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS AND AFFILIATIONS
A number of the bookkeeping industry qualifications are at Diploma or Certificate level, and it isn't necessary for a qualified Aylesford bookkeeper to have a degree in accounting. There are a array of online courses available, although bookkeeping qualifications can still be gained through further education universities and colleges.
There are two key training and certification organisations which represent bookkeepers:
The Association of Accounting Technicians or AAT: Able to use the letters AATQB, a fully trained member of the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) will have undergone advanced qualifications and a training schedule in bookkeeping practice. They are then entitled to become registered AAT bookkeepers, which assures their customers a level of service which is backed up by the association. To protect the credibility of the AAT, an AAT bookkeeper can be subject to disciplinary and tribunal procedures if they are found to have broken the code of practice or have had a complaint against them.
The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers or ICB: Providing accreditation to qualified bookkeepers, together with training and reference material to keep their members informed about the latest trends, the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB) is the largest organisation in the world.
By going to their websites, it's possible to verify the accreditations of any bookkeeper in Aylesford on the register of ICB or AAT members. Performing such checks is generally advised before you actually hire any bookkeeper in Aylesford.
Bookkeeping services are available in Aylesford and also in nearby places like: Boxley, Quarry Wood, Eccles, Larkfield, Penenden Heath, New Hythe, Leybourne, Barming, Snodland, East Malling, Ditton, Allington, Burham, Birling, Mill Street, Maidstone, West Malling, Sandling, together with these postcode areas: ME20 7SP, ME20 7BL, ME20 7AD, ME20 7JQ, ME20 7NL, ME20 7AX, ME20 7JW, ME20 7PP, ME20 7BQ, ME20 7AQ. Local Aylesford bookkeeper services will likely have the postcode ME20 and the telephone code 01622. Checking this out should guarantee that you access local bookkeepers. Aylesford sole traders and business owners can utilise these and countless other related services.
Sales and Purchase Ledger Management
Sales and purchase ledger management requires steady attention, which is where a bookkeeper adds value. Sales invoices are logged carefully, customer payments are allocated correctly, and balances are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Supplier invoices are recorded, verified, and marked as paid once settled. The bookkeeper will also review ledger activity regularly to flag anything that seems out of place. This extra level of scrutiny supports good financial control. Accurate ledgers make reporting simpler and less stressful. Over time, this consistent approach helps businesses stay financially organised. (Tags: Sales and Purchase Ledger Management Aylesford)
Year-End Tax Return Preparation
Year-end tax return preparation is where a bookkeeper helps pull everything together so nothing important gets missed. They'll make sure all income and expenses have been recorded correctly, check figures line up with bank records, and tidy up any loose ends before submission. This often includes reviewing receipts, allowances, and making sure categories have been used properly throughout the year. A bookkeeper doesn't usually submit the final tax return themselves, but they prepare the information so it's clear, accurate, and ready for an accountant or HMRC. Having this done properly saves a lot of stress, reduces errors, and helps avoid last minute panics when deadlines are creeping up and you realise somethings been overlooked. (Tags: Year-End Tax Return Preparation Aylesford)
Bookkeeping Tasks

Most bookkeepers in Aylesford will be prepared to offer you the following bookkeeping services: independent bookkeeping services, invoicing customers & tracking payments, VAT record-keeping & VAT return preparation, accounting and bookkeeping services, wages & PAYE, bookkeeping for self-employed, preparing balance sheet information for accountants, personal tax returns in Aylesford, credit control & chasing overdue invoices, professional bookkeeping services, Sage bookkeeping services, double-entry bookkeeping, landlord bookkeeping, off-site bookkeeping, Xero bookkeeping, bookkeeping for pubs, payroll bookkeeping, data entry & cleanup of historic records, month-end & year-end bookkeeping, payroll processing & payslip preparation, general bookkeeping services, liaising with accountants & tax advisers, invoice processing, corporation tax returns, producing basic profit & loss reports, maintaining fixed asset registers, and more. These are just a selection of the duties that are undertaken by local bookkeepers. Aylesford companies will let you know their full range of bookkeeping services. If there are some other Aylesford bookkeeper requirements that you want but can't see here, you can list them on the QUOTE FORM provided. We will be in touch with specifics as soon as we can.
Bookkeepers in Nearby Areas
Also find: Maidstone bookkeepers, Allington bookkeepers, Eccles bookkeepers, Quarry Wood bookkeepers, Penenden Heath bookkeepers, Sandling bookkeepers, New Hythe bookkeepers, Birling bookkeepers, Burham bookkeepers, Ditton bookkeepers, West Malling bookkeepers, Snodland bookkeepers, Leybourne bookkeepers, Larkfield bookkeepers, Mill Street bookkeepers, East Malling bookkeepers, Boxley bookkeepers, Barming bookkeeper and more. The majority of these villages and towns are covered by local bookeepers. Aylesford residents can get pricing for bookkeeping services by going here.
Bookkeeping Services Aylesford
- VAT Returns
- Bookkeeping Price Quotes
- Double-Entry Bookkeeping
- Cash Flow Solutions
- Cheap Bookkeeping
- Sole Trader Bookkeeping
- Bookkeeping Services
- Tax Preparation
- Small Business Bookkeeping
- Profit and Loss Analysis
- Wages and PAYE
- Self-Assessment Bookkeeping
- Bank Reconciliations
- Self-Assessment Tax Returns
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Bookkeeper Aylesford
Bookkeeping Services Near Aylesford
Bookkeeping AylesfordIf you would like to get local info relating to Aylesford, Kent look here
Bookkeepers in ME20 area, 01622.
Bookkeepers Near Me - Independent Bookkeepers - Bookkeeping Services - Double-Entry Bookkeeping - Bookkeeper Aylesford - Bookkeepers ME20 - Small Business Bookkeeping Aylesford - Self-Assessment Tax Returns - Bookkeeping Quotations



