Bookkeepers Gillingham Kent (ME7): In accordance with the 2006 Companies Act, if you are a sole trader, own a small business or run an online store in Gillingham, you are entirely responsible for keeping "true and fair", accurate accounting and financial records for at least 6 yrs. If you cannot produce such information, you may face disqualification as a Company Director and receive a fine of thousands of pounds. There is a considerable investment of time involved with compiling such financial recordings yourself, and it can pay you to employ a professional accountant or bookkeeper, since according to Accounting Today over forty percent of small businesses spend at least eighty hours per year on their accounts.
If just the thought of creating profit, loss and fiscal reports, tracking assets and liabilities, compiling balance sheets or writing ledgers fills you with a sense of panic, then it is high time to contact a bookkeeper in Gillingham for guidance.
BOOKKEEPER OR ACCOUNTANT?
A frequent question that is asked by many business owners in Gillingham is "Exactly what is the difference between an accountant and a bookkeeper?" The truth is that while in past times many accountants considered the task of bookkeeping to be beneath their qualifications, skill-sets and experience, many accountancy companies in the Gillingham area will now undertake the task of bookkeeping, because of huge software improvements over the past decade. Many accounting firms now charge a flat rate for bookkeeping services, to keep them consistent with what a dedicated bookkeeper in Gillingham would normally charge. Because it provides a broader range of competition within this sector, this is good news for small businesses in Gillingham, making their bookkeeping much more affordable than it previously was.
The biggest difference between a bookkeeper and an accountant is the amount of training needed. At least a degree in accounting with further training in the field of taxation and other financial and business management, will usually be held by an accountant. A bookkeeper in Gillingham might not necessarily have the same levels of training and experience, or hold these qualifications, but should still have a decent understanding of such disciplines.
A BOOKKEEPER'S RESPONSIBILITIES
To explain in the simplest of forms possible, bookkeeping involves the logging of day by day financial transactions of any business or enterprise in Gillingham. This will include;
- Documenting the receipt of invoices and making sure that payment is completed on time.
- Billing of clients for goods or work completed.
- VAT recording and submissions.
- Ensuring accounting and double-entry bookkeeping practices are followed at all times.
- Highlighting and rectifying any discrepancies in financial accounts.
- Logging of all financial incomings; card, electronic and cash payments included.
- Payroll services.
- Monthly reporting and reconciliation.
Whilst it depends on the kind of service you're interested in, if you are prepared to undertake the majority of your own bookkeeping work, a bookkeeper may only be needed to double check your accounts periodically. This ought to be done from month to month at the bare minimum, since this allows for any problems or mistakes to be detected and corrected speedily. This could be an extremely cost-effective trade-off, providing you are confident of staying in control of your financial transactions without impacting on your day by day trading activities.
Whatever the circumstances are with your business, if you're currently looking to hire a bookkeeper in Gillingham, there's a fair chance that you might be having problems with the process of financial recording and taxes. Offering assistance with everything from stocktaking, invoicing and creating expense reports, a good bookkeeping service will also be able to walk you through the process of linking your accounts with the most up-to-date software to enable the seamless processing of your business's data.
An extremely important aspect of a good bookkeeper is being able to reconcile accounts payable with cash flow. This means that by scheduling the payment of bills to times when your accounts are buoyant and in good shape, your bookkeeper will avoid the mistake that many small businesses are guilty of at some time or other i.e. paying off a bill right away, or waiting for a final notice. This not only keeps your business or enterprise financially sound, but keeps you in good stead with suppliers and the businesses who provide you with services. This is just one of those balancing acts that can be hard to perform when you're focussed on the smooth running of your daily business activities.
Having an individual who is not associated with the business cast an eye over your financial transactions, is another good thing about using a competent bookkeeper in Gillingham if you are a sole trader, or for your small business. It could be that business patterns and trends that you have overlooked could thus be highlighted. A situation where a clever bookkeeper flags an area of the business which is dropping in profits, or identifies an opportunity which could prove lucrative, is by no means an unheard of occurrence. These key performance indicators (KPI's) are vital in driving growth for any business in Gillingham.
It can sometimes be humiliating to chase up a late payment if your company sends out invoices. Having an independent person outside your business bubble, can take the awkwardness out of making that phone call or visit to your customer. If you've got problems with a repeating late or non-payer there are legal procedures a bookkeeper can make use of to help to clear up the issue before the matter ends up in claims court proceedings.
SOLE TRADER'S BOOKKEEPING REQUIREMENTS
The legal requirements for bookkeeping if you are a sole trader, are comparatively straightforward and simple. It's stipulated that a sole trader should keep a record of expenditure and income on a month by month basis and retain all invoices and receipts. While this may sound simple it is still a wise move to retain the expert services of a bookkeeper. So that you can claim back valid business expenses from HMRC, a specialised sole trader bookkeeper in Gillingham can give you advice on what you have to do. This may include rent and bills if working from home, consumables, advertising, items such as computing equipment and stationery goods. If you would like to get more detailed advice, and see how your business can grow and develop moving forward, talk to a trusted bookkeeper.
BOOKKEEPING FOR ONLINE TRADERS
There are niche areas in bookkeeping where the expertise of a specialist could be necessary. You'll need a bookkeeper in Gillingham who's familiar with cross-border and international taxes, multi-currency processing, online payment procedures and exchange rate transfers, if you operate an online store for example. If the same store sells goods you hold or produce, then keeping track of your inventory on a 24 hours a day basis is a vital priority, as I'm sure you will be aware the internet doesn't sleep, therefore neither should your bookkeeping services and software.
A virtual office can also be provided together with your bookkeeping services. This can be handy in enabling a sole trader or online only business to have a postal address and phone service to offer a physical connection to their client base. Although this solution might not be provided by all Gillingham bookkeepers, it's definitely worth a discussion if this service is something that is required.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS AND AFFILIATIONS
It is not mandatory for a qualified bookkeeper in Gillingham to hold a university degree, and a good number of the bookkeeping qualifications are held at Certificate and Diploma level. Although there is an ever-increasing range of online bookkeeping courses available, qualifications can still be gained via further education colleges and universities, if that's the preferred route.
There are two primary certification and training organisations representing bookkeepers:
The AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians): The Association of Accounting Technicians or AAT provides a training schedule with advanced qualifications entitling a fully certified member to use the letters AATQB. This assures a minimum standard of service to their clients which is backed up by the organisation, and entitles them to become a certified AAT bookkeeper. If an AAT bookkeeper has a complaint against them or is found to have contravened the code of practice they will be subject to tribunal and disciplinary procedures to protect the credibility of AAT membership.
The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB): The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers or ICB is the largest bookkeeping organisation on the planet and provides accreditation to certified bookkeepers, along with training and reference material to keep their associated members up-to-date.
The accreditations of any professional bookkeeper can be verified on the register of ICB or ATT members on their websites. Performing this check is highly recommended before retaining the services of any local bookkeeper in Gillingham.
Bookkeeping services are available for people living in in Gillingham and also in nearby places like: Wouldham, Walderslade, Wainscott, Grange, St Marys Island, Hartlip, Wigmore, Brompton, Hempstead, Frindsbury, Chattenden, Blue Bell Hill, together with these postcodes ME7 1BF, ME7 1AU, ME7 1FU, ME4 4XD, ME7 1FY, ME7 1HX, ME5 7BB, ME7 1BS, ME7 1HT, and ME5 7EJ. Local Gillingham bookkeepers will likely have the postcode ME7 and the telephone dialling code 01634. Checking this will make sure that you access locally based bookkeepers. Gillingham sole traders and business owners will be able to benefit from these and numerous other similar services.
What Are the Main Advantages of Using a Bookkeeper in Gillingham Instead of an Accountant?
There are a few benefits to using a bookkeeper rather than an accountant, including:
- Cost-Effectiveness: Bookkeeping services are frequently more cost-efficient compared to accounting services, which makes them a sensible choice for start-ups, sole traders and small businesses looking to save money.
- Customisable Services: Bookkeepers often provide customised services that are tailored to a business's specific needs, whereas accountants might have a more general approach.
- Time Savings: By choosing to outsource their bookkeeping tasks, businesses can save time and concentrate on other aspects of their business, for example sales and marketing.
- Accessibility: Bookkeepers are usually more available to answer questions and provide support on a regular basis than an accountant, who may only be available at specific times.
- Expertise: Bookkeepers sometimes have a more specialised focus on day-to-day financial transaction management and record-keeping, which can make them more efficient and effective in these tasks.
It is important to note that even though bookkeepers offer valuable support, they may not have quite the same level of qualifications or expertise as an accountant in areas such tax preparation or financial planning. In cases like this, seeking the specialised services of an accountant may become necessary.
Gillingham Bookkeeper Tasks
Most Gillingham bookkeepers will be ready to offer you the following bookkeeping services: bookkeeping for restaurants, bookkeeping services for small business, cheap bookkeeping services, maintaining fixed asset registers, VAT returns, partnership tax returns, corporation tax returns, payment services, charity bookkeeping Gillingham, bookkeeping for retail outlets, Quickbook bookkeeping services, Xero bookkeeping, personal tax returns Gillingham, assistance with registering for self-employment in Gillingham, cash books in Gillingham, bookkeeping services for organisations in Gillingham, accountancy packages Gillingham, invoice processing, bookkeeping for tradesmen Gillingham, independent bookkeeping services, general bookkeeping services, landlord bookkeeping, small business tax returns, financial statement preparation, Sage bookkeeping services, letting agent bookkeeping, off-site bookkeeping services, payroll bookkeeping, tax preparation, bookkeeping for societies, and more. These are just a small portion of the tasks that are undertaken by local bookkeepers. Gillingham providers will inform you of their entire range of bookkeeping services. If there happen to be some other Gillingham bookkeeper requirements that you want but can't see here, you can mention them on the QUOTE FORM provided. We will get back to you with information just as soon as we can.
Bookkeepers Near Gillingham
Also find: Wainscott bookkeepers, Grange bookkeepers, Wouldham bookkeepers, Brompton bookkeepers, Frindsbury bookkeepers, Chattenden bookkeepers, Hempstead bookkeepers, Wigmore bookkeepers, Walderslade bookkeepers, Hartlip bookkeepers, Blue Bell Hill bookkeepers, St Marys Island bookkeepers and more. Almost all of these areas has access to local bookkeepers. This level of accessibility makes it straightforward for businesses and individuals to secure the financial help needed for managing their accounts effectively. Bookkeeping estimates are available to area residents and businesses with a click here.
Bookkeeping Services Gillingham
- Self-Assessment Returns
- Cash Flow Management
- Wages PAYE and CIS
- Double-Entry Bookkeeping
- Bookkeeping Estimates
- Profit and Loss Reports
- Cheap Bookkeeping
- VAT Returns
- Bank Reconciliations
- Bookkeeping Services
- Sole Trader Bookkeeping
- Credit Control
- Payroll Services
- Self-Assessment Bookkeeping
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Bookkeepers in ME7 area, (dialling code 01634).
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