Bookkeepers Banstead Surrey (SM7): As stated by the Companies Act, if you own a small business, are a sole trader or run an online store in Banstead, you're entirely responsible for keeping accurate, "true and fair" financial and accounting records for at least 6 yrs. If you cannot produce such information you could face a fine of thousands of pounds and possible Company Director disqualification. There is a large time investment involved with keeping such financial recordings yourself, and it can be more cost-effective to employ a professional bookkeeping service or accountant, especially when you consider the fact that according to the trade magazine Accounting Today over 40% of small businesses spend over eighty hours per year doing their accounts.
The time has come to contact a bookkeeper in Banstead for advice, if you're overcome with a sense of dread merely thinking about preparing profit, loss and financial statements, tracking assets and liabilities, writing ledgers or compiling balance sheets.
BOOKKEEPER OR ACCOUNTANT?
The very first question that most small business owners ask is "Just what is the distinction between a bookkeeper and an accountant?" In the old days it was generally deemed to be beneath the qualifications, experience and skill-sets of an accountant to do the work of a bookkeper, but due to improvements in software over the past 10 years or so, many bookkeeping procedures will now be carried out by accountancy firms in the Banstead area. Most accounting firms now have a flat rate for bookkeeping services, to keep them in step with what a typical bookkeeper in Banstead would generally charge. Business owners are now cashing in on this, since it generates a wider variety of competition within this sector and can make bookkeeping far more affordable than it would have been in the past.
It is basically the standard of training and qualification that's required for each discipline, that demonstrates the biggest difference between an accountant and a bookkeeper in Banstead. An accountant will, at a minimum, hold an accounting degree, and will have also had specialist training in business and fiscal management, and taxes. A bookkeeper in Banstead will undoubtedly have a good grasp of these fiscal skills, but may not necessarily have the same levels of training and experience, or hold these qualifications.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF A BOOKKEEPER IN BANSTEAD
In simple terms, the act of bookkeeping is to record the daily transactions of any business enterprise in Banstead. This will include, but is not limited to;
- Recording the receipt of invoices and making sure that payment is completed by the due date.
- Billing of clients for goods or work completed.
- Payroll services.
- Making sure that double-entry bookkeeping and accounting practices are followed.
- Recording of all financial incomings; electronic, cash and card payments included.
- Highlighting any discrepancies in the financial accounts and rectifying them.
- Monthly reconciliation and reports.
- VAT recording and submissions.
Based on service level you are looking for, e.g. you are able to carry out the majority of bookkeeping work; a professional bookkeeper may only be necessary for double-checking your accounts on a set schedule. To allow for any problems or mistakes to be found and corrected promptly, this should really be every month at the bare minimum. This can be an extremely cost-effective trade-off, so long as it's possible to stay up-to-date with your financial transactions without impacting on your daily business operations.
It's fairly likely that if you're considering hiring a bookkeeping company, you are currently stressed with the financial recording aspects of your business in Banstead. A good bookkeeping service will be able to provide advice and guidance on everything from creating expense reports, stocktaking and invoicing, to linking your business accounts with the latest software to enable the seamless organisation of financial data.
Being able to reconcile cash flow with accounts payable, is an extremely crucial element of a good bookkeeper. This means that rather than paying a bill straight away, or waiting on an overdue notice, which a lot of small businesses in Banstead are guilty of, your bookkeeper will arrange bill payments to a time when your accounts are buoyant and in good order. This does not just keep your business or enterprise on a sound financial footing, but keeps you in the good books of suppliers and the businesses who supply you with services. Unfortunately, this is just one of those juggling acts that can be difficult to accomplish when you're primarily focussed on the streamlined running of your daily business operations.
If you are a sole trader, or operate a small business, employing a professional bookkeeper in Banstead, also gives them the opportunity to cast an unbiased eye over the financial dealings of your business. It is entirely possible that an independent appraisal such as this will pinpoint business patterns and trends that have previously been missed. A bookkeeper identifying a brand new opportunity or flagging an area of the business which is dropping off in profits, is not at all unusual. Such key performance indicators are crucial in the success of any business enterprise in Banstead.
If invoices are sent out by your company it can sometimes be uncomfortable to pursue a late payment. Some of that awkwardness can be removed by having a professional outside your business situation make that phone call or visit to your customers. There are legal solutions a bookkeeper can use, if you have a persistent late payer, and they can help to resolve the situation before the issue ends up in claims court proceedings.
SOLE TRADER'S BOOKKEEPING REQUIREMENTS
The legal requirements for bookkeeping if you're a sole trader, are relatively straightforward and basic. This involves keeping all receipts and invoices in relation to the business, and tracking income and expenditure on a month by month basis. Whilst this may sound simple enough it is still recommended to retain the expert services of a competent bookkeeper. Advising you on what bonafide business expenses you can claim back, a dedicated sole trader bookkeeper in Banstead will look after your financial dealings with HMRC. This might include stationery, consumables, advertising, bills and rent if you work from home and items such as computers. To see how to help your business to grow and prosper, talk to your bookkeeper for more detailed advice.
ONLINE TRADERS
Specialised bookkeepers are occasionally needed for specific niches in bookkeeping. You'll need a bookkeeper in Banstead who is familiar with multi-currency processing, cross-border and international taxes, online payments and exchange rate transfers, if you run a store online for example. As the internet never sleeps, if that same shop sells goods that you produce or hold then overseeing your stock on a 24 hours a day basis is a huge priority which will need to be dealt with.
Together with bookkeeping services, it is also possible to supply a remote virtual office. This can be handy in allowing an online only business or sole trader to have a phone service and postal address to provide a physical connection to their client base. If this sort of service could be helpful, it's certainly worth talking about the possibilities, although this option won't be provided by all Banstead bookkeeping companies.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS AND AFFILIATIONS
A qualified bookkeeper in Banstead need not have a degree and a lot of the industry qualifications are at Certificate and Diploma level. If the chosen route to qualification is through further education colleges and universities, this is still a possibility, whereas there there is an ever-growing range of online bookkeeping courses.
There are essentially 2 main organisations that offer certification and training to bookkeepers:
The Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT): Providing advanced qualifications and a training schedule, the AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians), enables a fully trained bookkeeper to use the letters AATQB after their name. This then entitles them to become a authorised AAT bookkeeper and guarantees a standard of service which is backed by the organisation. If a bookkeeper who is a member of the AAT is found to have breached the code of conduct or has a complaint filed against them, they can be subject to tribunal and disciplinary processes to preserve the integrity and values of the aat.
The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB): The largest organisation of its kind anywhere in the world is the the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers or ICB, and it provides certification for qualified bookkeepers, in addition to reference material and training to ensure their members are current with the latest trends.
By going to their websites, it is possible to examine the register of AAT or ICB members, to verify the accreditations of any professional bookkeeper. Performing such checks is generally a good idea before you actually hire any professional bookkeeper in Banstead.
VAT Returns
For small business owners in Banstead who wish to stay on top of their tax obligations while minimizing administrative tasks, outsourcing VAT return preparation to a bookkeeper may be a wise decision. With the assistance of a bookkeeper, your VAT return can be expertly taken care of, encompassing every element, from calculating the amount of VAT you owe or are entitled to, submitting your return to HMRC, and ensuring that all your transaction records are up-to-date. Moreover, a local bookkeeper can offer valuable advice on ways to reduce your VAT liability and ensure that you are claiming all of the allowable VAT that you are entitled to. With the assistance of a bookkeeper, you can rest easy knowing that your VAT returns are being managed efficiently and precisely, providing you with the opportunity to focus on the growth of your business in Banstead. Choosing to hire a bookkeeper can offer you a cost-effective strategy that can help you steer clear of any HMRC penalties or fines resulting from late submissions or incorrect vat returns, potentially resulting in savings over the long run. All in all, engaging a bookkeeper in Banstead can offer small business owners a dependable, budget-friendly, and effective approach to managing their VAT returns, helping them adhere to tax regulations, reduce their tax burden, and focus on expanding their business. To summarise, small business owners in Banstead can enjoy a reliable, cost-effective, and efficient way of managing their VAT returns by hiring a bookkeeper, which can help them stay compliant with tax regulations, reduce their tax liability, and allocate more time to growing their business.
Using a Bookkeeper for Tax Returns
In Banstead, self-employed people or those with small businesses may be required to file a self-assessment tax return. The task can be challenging, especially for those who are not familiar with the process. A bookkeeper can help you to prepare your tax return on time and accurately, as well as keeping your records in order.
Many benefits can be gained by using a bookkeeper to do your tax returns. First, they will have the expertise and experience to make certain that your return is completed correctly. This should help you avoid any penalties or interest that HMRC may charge. Secondly, bookkeepers can save you time and effort. All of the calculations and paperwork will be taken care of by them, so you can concentrate on your business. Third, bookkeepers in Banstead can provide you with invaluable advice on tax planning. This enables you to reduce your tax liability and increase your profits. (70193)
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Bookkeepers Near Banstead
Also find: Hooley bookkeepers, Motspur Park bookkeepers, Morden bookkeepers, Woodmansterne bookkeepers, Belmont bookkeepers, Nork bookkeepers, Stoneleigh bookkeepers, Chipstead bookkeepers, Carshalton on the Hill bookkeepers, Burgh Heath bookkeepers and more. Individuals specialising in bookkeeping services are available across all of these locations. With this level of accessibility, finding the needed financial support to manage accounts effectively becomes easy for both individuals and businesses. For bookkeeping quotations, residents and businesses in the area simply need to click here
Banstead Bookkeeper Tasks
Most bookkeepers in Banstead will be willing to offer you the following bookkeeping and accounting services: landlord bookkeeping, bookkeeping for societies, cash flow analysis Banstead, bank reconciliation Banstead, bookkeeping for the self-employed, general bookkeeping services, independent bookkeeping services, bookkeeping services for small business Banstead, bookkeeping for retail outlets Banstead, bookkeeping for home-based businesses, double-entry bookkeeping, bookkeeping for pubs, bookkeeping services for freelancers Banstead, bookkeeping services for organisations, tax return preparation, financial statement preparation, Kashflow bookkeeping services Banstead, bookkeeping for payroll Banstead, partnership returns Banstead, bookkeeping services for charities, mobile bookkeeping services, maintaining fixed asset registers, charity bookkeeping Banstead, small business tax returns Banstead, Self-Assessment tax returns, Xero bookkeeping services, business bookkeeping Banstead, accountancy packages, assistance with registering for self-employment in Banstead, invoice processing, and more. These are just a small portion of the tasks that are undertaken by local bookkeepers. Banstead professionals will keep you informed about their whole range of bookkeeping services. If there are some other Banstead bookkeeper requirements that you want but don't see here, you can list them on the QUOTE FORM provided. We will be in touch with specifics as soon as we can.
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