Bookkeepers Bentley South Yorkshire (DN5): Irrespective of whether you are a sole trader, run an online store or operate a small business in Bentley, you are responsible for keeping "true and fair", accurate financial and accounting records for at least six years in compliance with the 2006 Companies Act. If you cannot produce such records you may face a fine of thousands of pounds and possible Company Director disqualification. It can be more cost-effective to employ a professional bookkeeper or accountant to do this for you, because according to the magazine Accounting Today over forty percent of small business owners spend 80 plus hours every year doing their accounts, which is a large investment of time, and could be better spent on actually running your business.
The time has come to contact a bookkeeper in Bentley for guidance and advice, if you are overcome with a sense of terror just thinking about the possiblility of producing balance sheets, preparing profit, loss and financial statements, writing out ledgers or tracking liabilities and assets.
BOOKKEEPER OR ACCOUNTANT?
The first question many folks ask is "Precisely what is the difference between an accountant and a bookkeeper?" The truth is that while in past times a lot of accountants considered the task of bookkeeping to be beneath their qualifications, experience and skill set, a lot of accountancy firms in the Bentley area will now undertake the task of bookkeeping, because of software improvements over the past decade or so. For many accountancy firms it is now common practice to charge a set rate for bookkeeping services, so that they are comparable to the normal charges of a dedicated bookkeeper in Bentley. This makes the cost of bookkeeping much more manageable than it once was, and is good news for small businesses in Bentley as it offers a wider range of competition within the industry.
When thinking about the big difference between a bookkeeper and an accountant in Bentley, it is the level of training and qualification that is needed for each discipline. An accountant will normally a least hold a degree in accounting with specialist training in taxation and other financial and business management. While probably not holding the same financial qualifications, or having this level of training and experience, a bookkeeper in Bentley will still have a fair grasp of all these disciplines.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF A BOOKKEEPER IN BENTLEY
In the simplest of terms, bookkeeping involves the logging of day to day financial transactions of any business or enterprise in Bentley. This can include;
- Monthly reporting and reconciliation.
- Payroll services.
- Documenting of all financial incomings; including card, cash and electronic payments.
- The billing of customers for work completed or goods.
- Recording the receipt of invoices and making sure payment is completed punctually.
- Making sure that accounting and double-entry bookkeeping practices are followed.
- Highlighting and rectifying any discrepancies in financial accounts.
- VAT submissions and recording.
Whilst it is dependent on the type of service you are looking for, if you are able to undertake the vast majority of bookkeeping work yourself, a bookkeeper might only be needed to double check your accounts periodically. This should really be on a monthly basis as a bare minimum, since this will allow any problems or mistakes to be detected and amended promptly. If you're confident of keeping on top of your day to day financial transactions and trading activities, this trade-off can often be the most affordable compromise.
Whatever your situation, if you're looking at hiring a bookkeeper there's a fair chance that you might be fretting over the financial recording aspects of your small business in Bentley. Offering assistance with everything from invoicing, preparing expense reports and stocktaking, a good bookkeeping service will also be able to guide you through the process of linking your business accounts with the most suitable computer software to enable the seamless processing of your business's data.
The ability to reconcile accounts payable with cash flow, is an extremely important element of a good bookkeeper. Which means that by arranging bill payments to a time when your accounts are in good shape, your bookkeeper will avoid the thing that many small businesses are guilty of i.e. paying a bill immediately, or waiting for an overdue notice. This not only keeps you in good stead with suppliers and the businesses who supply you with services, but also makes sure that your business or enterprise is on a good financial footing. This is a juggling act that can be difficult to perform as an individual when you are purely focussed on running your business.
If you're a sole trader, or run a small business, employing an experienced bookkeeper in Bentley, also gives them the opportunity to cast an unrelated eye over the running of your business. It may be that business trends and patterns that you have overlooked will thus be brought to the fore. A situation where a keen eyed bookkeeper flags up an area where profits are falling, or spots an opportunity that may be lucrative, is not at all an unusual occurrence. Such key performance indicators are crucial in the success and growth of any business in Bentley.
If your business sends out invoices it can often be humiliating having to pursue a late payment. Having an independent person from outside your normal business bubble, can take away the apprehension of visiting your client or making that telephone call. If you are troubled with a consistent late or non-payer there are legal methods a bookkeeper can make use of to help resolve the issue before the situation winds up in claims court proceedings.
SOLE TRADER'S BOOKKEEPING REQUIREMENTS
The requirements for bookkeeping by a sole trader, as laid out by law, are reasonably straightforward and easy to understand. This involves saving all receipts and invoices in relation to the business, and tracking income and expenditure on a monthly basis. Now, this doesn't seem too hard does it? However, it's still good practice to hire the expertise of a bookkeeping company to make sure that it is all done properly. A specialist sole trader bookkeeper in Bentley will be able to advise you on what you can claim back from HMRC as genuine business expenses. This might include stationery goods, items such as computers, rent and bills if you work from home, printer ink and promotional advertising. For more in-depth advice, chat to a trusted bookkeeper, and learn how they can help your small business to flourish and grow going forward.
ONLINE TRADERS
Specialised bookkeepers are required from time to time for particular bookkeeping niches. As an example, if you run an online store, you'll be better off employing a bookkeeper in Bentley who is familiar with exchange rate transfers, multi-currency processing, international and cross-border taxes and online payment procedures. If the same outlet sells goods that you produce or hold, then supervising your inventory and stock on a 24 hours a day basis is a major concern, as I'm sure you will be aware the internet never sleeps, therefore neither should your bookkeeping software or services.
A remote virtual office can also be supplied together with bookkeeping services. Offering a physical connection to their clients, this enables an online only business or sole trader to have a postal address and telephone service. Not all bookkeeping businesses in Bentley will supply this solution, however it's worthwhile talking about the possibilities if it's something that could benefit you.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS AND AFFILIATIONS
It is not mandatory for a qualified Bentley bookkeeper to hold a university degree, and many of the bookkeeping industry qualifications are held at Diploma or Certificate level. Bookkeeping qualifications can be gained through further education universities and colleges but there's also an ever-increasing choice of courses offered online.
To provide training and certification for bookkeepers, there are basically two primary organisations of interest:
The ICB or Institute of Certified Bookkeepers: The ICB or Institute of Certified Bookkeepers is the largest bookkeeping organisation on the planet and offers accreditation to qualified bookkeepers, along with reference material and training to keep their associated members up-to-date.
The Association of Accounting Technicians or AAT: The AAT or Association of Accounting Technicians provides a training schedule with advanced qualifications entitling a fully certified member to use the letters AATQB after their name. They then become registered AAT bookkeepers, approved by this organisation, which assures a certain standard of service for their customers. To preserve the trustworthiness of AAT membership, if a bookkeeper who's associated with the AAT has a complaint filed against them or is found to have violated the code of practice they may be liable to tribunal and disciplinary processes.
It's possible to check the qualifications of any bookkeeper in Bentley on the register of AAT or ICB members on their respective websites. Before you hire any professional bookkeeper in Bentley it is advisable to carry out this check.
Cash Flow Analysis
Cash flow analysis is an important instrument for businesses to gauge their financial wellbeing. A vital task for bookkeepers is to conduct cash flow analysis on behalf of businesses. To do this, it is necessary to track the inflow and outflow of cash for the business over a specific time frame, usually quarterly or monthly. Through this, the bookkeeper can help the businessperson to comprehend their current financial status, identify any cash flow issues, and prepare for the future.
The analysis involves categorizing and reconciling all cash transactions, such as expenses, investments and sales, to create a clear picture of the company's financial health. Additionally, cash flow analysis can also entail forecasting cash flow for the upcoming months or years to assist the company in making educated decisions and avoiding cash flow difficulties.
Additionally, the bookkeeper can advise on ways to improve cash flow, such as refining payment processes or reevaluating pricing strategies. Managing finances effectively is impossible without a thorough and accurate cash flow analysis, which is a necessary tool for any business.
Tax Returns
If you're self-employed or have a small business in the UK, you may have to file a self-assessment tax return. This task can be challenging, as the process can be complex if you're not familiar with it. A bookkeeper can help you to prepare your tax return accurately and on time, as well as keeping your records organised.
For your tax returns, using a bookkeeper can be beneficial in many ways. They will make certain that your return is completed correctly, with their expertise and experience. This will help you avoid any problems with HMRC, such as penalties or interest charges. Secondly, bookkeepers can save you a lot of time and hassle. You can leave the paperwork and calculations to them so you can focus on your business. Third, invaluable advice on tax planning can be provided by bookkeepers in Bentley. This can help to minimise your tax liability and maximise your profits. (70193)
Bookkeepers Near Bentley
Also find: Newton bookkeepers, Bentley Rise bookkeepers, Scawsby bookkeepers, Adwick le Street bookkeepers, Cusworth bookkeepers, Wheatley Park bookkeepers, Intake bookkeepers, Carcroft bookkeepers, Kirk Sandall bookkeepers, Arksey bookkeepers, Edenthorpe bookkeepers, Woodlands bookkeepers, Toll Bar bookkeepers, Shaftholme bookkeepers, Rostholme bookkeepers and more. In the majority of these towns and areas, individuals who offer bookkeeping services are available. This level of accessibility makes it straightforward for individuals and businesses to secure the financial help needed for managing their accounts successfully. Bookkeeping estimates are available to area residents with a click here.
Bentley Bookkeeper Tasks
Most Bentley bookkeepers will be ready to offer you the following services: financial statement preparation, bookkeeping for restaurants, payment services, general bookkeeping services, Kashflow bookkeeping Bentley, Xero bookkeeping, Self-Assessment tax returns, bookkeeping for tradesmen, off-site bookkeeping services, bookkeeping for organisations, cash flow analysis, letting agent bookkeeping, invoice processing, accountancy packages, mobile bookkeeping services Bentley, assistance with registering for self-employment in Bentley, double-entry bookkeeping Bentley, landlord bookkeeping, bookkeeping for shops, credit control, bank reconciliations, bookkeeping quotes, partnership tax returns Bentley, bookkeeping services Bentley, independent bookkeeping services, tax preparation, charity bookkeeping Bentley, management reports in Bentley, Sage bookkeeping services, accounting and bookkeeping, and more. These are just some of the duties that are accomplished by local bookkeepers. Bentley providers will inform you of their entire range of services. If there happen to be other Bentley bookkeeper requirements that you want but cannot see here, you can easily list them on the QUOTE FORM provided. We will get back to you with specifics just as soon as we are able.
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