Bookkeepers Kidsgrove Staffordshire (ST7): In accordance with the Companies Act (2006), if you operate an online store, run a small business or are a sole trader in Kidsgrove, you are responsible for keeping accurate, "true and fair" accounting and financial records for a minimum of 6 years. You could face a fine of thousands of pounds, and perhaps disqualification as a Company Director, if you can't produce these records. According to Accounting Today over 40% of small businesses spend at least eighty hours per year on their bookkeeping, therefore while you can perform these financial records on your own, it can pay you to employ a professional accountant or bookkeeper to do them for you.
If the idea of preparing profit, loss and financial statements, writing ledgers, tracking liabilities and assets or producing balance sheets brings you feelings of panic, then it is high time to contact a bookkeeper in Kidsgrove for assistance.
BOOKKEEPER OR ACCOUNTANT?
The first question many small business owners ask is "Exactly what is the distinction between an accountant and a bookkeeper?" The truth is that whilst at one time the bookkeeping process, was considered beneath the qualifications, experience and skill set of an accountant, due to massive improvements in software over the past 10 yrs or so, a lot of accountancy companies in Kidsgrove will now undertake bookkeeping. For many accountancy firms it's now fairly common to charge a flat rate for bookkeeping services, so that they are in line with the standard fees of an independent bookkeeper in Kidsgrove. Business owners are now cashing in on this, as it offers a wider range of competition within this sector and can make the cost of bookkeeping much more affordable than it would previously have been.
The level of training that's necessary is the main difference between an accountant and a bookkeeper. At least a degree in accounting with specialist training in taxation and other business and financial management, will generally be held by an accountant. Whilst having a good understanding of such disciplines, a bookkeeper in Kidsgrove may not have the same levels of experience and training, or hold these qualifications.
A BOOKKEEPER'S RESPONSIBILITIES
The bookkeeping process in the simplest of terms, is to record the day to day transactions (financial) of any enterprise or business in Kidsgrove. This will likely include, but is by no means limited to;
- Making sure that accounting and double-entry bookkeeping practices are followed at all times.
- VAT submissions and recording.
- Monthly reports and reconciliations.
- Recording invoices received and ensuring payment is completed promptly.
- Billing of customers for goods or work completed.
- Highlighting and rectifying any discrepancies in financial accounts.
- Logging of all financial incomings; card, cash and electronic payments included.
- Payroll services.
Whilst it is dependent on the kind of service you are looking for, if you're able to perform most of your own bookkeeping work, a bookkeeper might just be needed to periodically double-check your accounts. This ought to be done on a monthly basis at the bare minimum, since this will allow any mistakes or problems to be found and corrected quickly. This may be the most cost-effective trade-off, provided that you are confident of keeping up-to-date with your monetary transactions without compromising your day by day trading activities.
There is a fair chance that if you're considering hiring a bookkeeper in Kidsgrove, you're currently getting stressed about the financial recording aspects of your small business. A decent bookkeeping company will be able to provide advice and guidance on everything from creating expense reports, stocktaking and invoicing, to linking the most suitable software with your business accounts to allow the seamless arrangement of data.
Being able to reconcile cash flow with accounts payable, is an especially important aspect of a good bookkeeper. This means that your bookkeeper will schedule bill payments to a time when your accounts are in good order, instead of paying off a bill right away, or waiting on an overdue notice, which most small businesses in Kidsgrove are guilty of doing. This is not simply to ensure your business or enterprise is financially secure at all times, but also to keep you in the good books of those businesses who provide your services or materials. When you are inevitably focussed on running your company, this is a balancing act that can be tough to perform as an individual.
Having a person who isn't associated with the business cast an unbiased eye over your financial transactions, is another benefit of using a qualified bookkeeper in Kidsgrove if you are a sole trader, or for your small business. It may be that business patterns and trends that might have otherwise gone unnoticed will therefore be pinpointed. It isn't unheard of for a bookkeeper to identify an opportunity or flag an area of the business which is plummeting in profits. Such key performance indicators are important in driving growth for any business in Kidsgrove.
If you send out invoices in your business operations, needing to chase up late payments can be fairly awkward. If that visit to your customers or phone call is carried out by a person outside your business situation, it is possible for most of that awkwardness to be taken away. To help with resolving the issue, if you have problems with a repeating late or non-payer, there are legal procedures that can be employed by a professional bookkeeper, so legal proceedings can be averted.
SOLE TRADER'S BOOKKEEPING REQUIREMENTS
There are some fairly straightforward sole trader bookkeeping requirements, which are set out in law. This involves keeping all invoices and receipts in relation to the business, and tracking income and expenditure on a monthly basis. Now, this doesn't sound that hard does it? However, it's still recommended that you hire the expert services of a competent bookkeeper to make sure that it's all done accurately. When preparing your Self-Assessment tax returns, a specialist sole trader bookkeeper in Kidsgrove will be able to advise you on what your legitimate business expenses are, and make certain these are claimed back from HMRC every year. This could include advertising expenses, rent and bills if working from home, items such as computing equipment, stationery goods and printer ink. For more in-depth advice, speak to your bookkeeper, and discover how they may be able to help your small business to thrive and grow moving forward.
ONLINE TRADERS IN KIDSGROVE
There are particular business niches where a specialist bookkeeping service might be needed. For instance, if you run a store online, you'll want to employ a bookkeeper in Kidsgrove who's familiar with multi-currency processing, cross-border and international taxes, exchange rate transfers and online payments. If you hold or produce the goods that you sell with that shop, then it will be a massive priority for your bookkeeping services and software to manage your your inventory on a 24 hours a day basis, because the internet never sleeps.
In conjunction with bookkeeping services, a remote virtual office can also be supplied. This enables a sole trader or online only business to have a telephone service and postal address to offer a physical connection to their buyers. It's definitely worth talking about this possibility if it is required, although not all Kidsgrove bookkeeping companies will supply this service.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS AND AFFILIATIONS
Many of the qualifications in the field of bookkeeping are at Diploma and Certificate level, and a qualified bookkeeper in Kidsgrove doesn't need to hold a degree. There is a array of courses available online, although bookkeeping qualifications can still be obtained via further education colleges and universities.
Training and certification for bookkeepers is mostly provided by two organisations:
The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB): The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers or ICB is the largest on the planet and offers certification for bookkeepers, along with reference material and training to keep their associated members up-to-date with the latest trends.
The Association of Accounting Technicians or AAT: With fully trained bookkeepers being able to use the letters AATQB after their name, the AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) provides advanced qualifications and training. They are then permitted to become registered AAT bookkeepers, which promises their clients a level of service which is backed up by the organisation. To safeguard the credibility of AAT membership, an AAT bookkeeper can be subject to tribunal and disciplinary procedures if a complaint is made against them or they are found to have breached the code of practice.
By visiting their respective websites, it's possible to examine the accreditations of any professional bookkeeper on the register of ICB or AAT members. It is always a good idea to perform this check, before retaining the services of any professional bookkeeper in Kidsgrove.
VAT Returns by a Bookkeeper in Kidsgrove
In Kidsgrove, small business owners can enlist the services of a bookkeeper to handle their VAT returns, which can provide them with peace of mind about tax compliance and allow them to prioritize other business priorities. With the help of a bookkeeper, you can delegate all the responsibilities of your VAT return, such as determining the amount of VAT you owe or are due, submitting your return to HMRC, and maintaining precise records of your transactions. Furthermore, a bookkeeper can supply you with insightful suggestions on how to decrease your VAT responsibility and make sure that you are obtaining all the admissible VAT reimbursements. With the assistance of a bookkeeper, you can rest easy knowing that your VAT returns are being managed precisely and efficiently, providing you with the opportunity to focus on the growth of your business in Kidsgrove. 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. In conclusion, engaging a bookkeeper in Kidsgrove 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. All in all, Kidsgrove-based small business owners can opt for a bookkeeper's reliable, affordable, and efficient services to manage their VAT returns, enabling them to comply with tax regulations, minimize their tax obligation, and dedicate more time to expanding their business.
Kidsgrove Bookkeeper Tasks
Most bookkeepers in Kidsgrove will be willing to offer you the following bookkeeping services: bookkeeping for clubs, bank reconciliation, maintaining fixed asset registers, small business tax returns, double-entry bookkeeping, bookkeeping services for limited companies, tax return preparation, landlord bookkeeping, bookkeeping for startups, cheap bookkeeping services, mobile bookkeeping services, profit & loss reports in Kidsgrove, bookkeeping services for societies, bookkeeping prices, charity bookkeeping Kidsgrove, VAT returns, management accounts, financial statement preparation, bookkeeping services for tradesmen, Quickbook bookkeeping, small business bookkeeping, independent bookkeeping services in Kidsgrove, bookkeeping for organisations, bookkeeping for payroll, bookkeeping for pubs Kidsgrove, letting agent bookkeeping, bookkeeping for charities Kidsgrove, bookkeeping services for small business in Kidsgrove, credit control Kidsgrove, invoice processing, and more. Listed are just a handful of the tasks that are accomplished by local bookkeepers. Kidsgrove companies will let you know their entire range of bookkeeping services. If there happen to be some other Kidsgrove bookkeeper requirements that you want but don't see here, you can easily mention them on the QUOTE FORM provided. We'll get back to you with details just as soon as we can.
Bookkeepers Near Kidsgrove
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