Bookkeepers Leatherhead Surrey (KT22): If you are a sole trader, operate an online store or own a small business in Leatherhead, you are responsible for maintaining accurate, "true and fair" accounting and financial records for a minimum of 6 years in accordance with the 2006 Companies Act. Failure to produce these records could leave you facing Company Director disqualification, along with a fine of thousands of pounds. It's often more cost-effective to employ a professional accountant or bookkeeper to undertake this for you, because according to Accounting Today magazine over forty percent of small business owners spend over eighty hours annually on their accounts, which is a substantial time investment, and may be better spent on your core business activities.
The time has come to contact a bookkeeper in Leatherhead for advice, if you're filled with dread just thinking about preparing profit, loss and financial statements, tracking assets and liabilities, writing ledgers or producing balance sheets.
BOOKKEEPER OR ACCOUNTANT?
The first question that many people ask is "Precisely what is the distinction between an accountant and a bookkeeper?" While in the past a lot of accountants considered the task of bookkeeping to be beneath their qualifications, experience and skill-sets, many accountancy companies in Leatherhead will now undertake the task of bookkeeping, due to substantial improvements in software over the past 10 years. A lot of accountancy firms now charge a set rate for bookkeeping services, to keep them commensurate with what an independent bookkeeper in Leatherhead would routinely charge. This makes the cost of bookkeeping cheaper than it previously was, and is good news for business owners in Leatherhead as it generates a wider range of competition within the marketplace.
When you're considering the differences between an accountant and a bookkeeper in Leatherhead, the most notable one is the amount of training and qualification that's needed for each discipline. Generally holding a degree in accounting, a professional accountant should also have had further training in tax preparation and have qualifications in fiscal and business management. A bookkeeper in Leatherhead may not necessarily have the same levels of training and experience, or hold these qualifications, but will still have an understanding of such skills.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF A BOOKKEEPER
In the simplest of terms, bookkeeping involves the careful recording of day by day transactions (financial) of any business in Leatherhead. This can include;
- The billing of clients for work completed or goods.
- Recording invoices received and ensuring that payment is completed promptly.
- Monthly reporting and reconciliations.
- Making sure that double-entry bookkeeping and accounting practices are implemented.
- Logging of all financial incomings; card, electronic and cash payments included.
- VAT submissions and recording.
- Highlighting any discrepancies in the financial accounts and rectifying them.
- Payroll services.
While it depends on the type of service you're looking for, if you are willing to undertake most of the bookkeeping work yourself, a bookkeeper may only be needed to periodically double-check your accounts. So that any problems or mistakes can be discovered and amended promptly, at the bare minimum, this ought to be monthly. This trade-off can sometimes be the most cost-effective compromise if you're confident of remaining up-to-date with your day to day trading and financial transactions.
It's a good bet that if you are looking to hire a bookkeeping company, you are currently getting stressed about the financial recording aspects of your business in Leatherhead. Offering assistance with everything from generating expense reports, stocktaking and invoicing, a good bookkeeping service will also be able to walk you through the process of linking your accounts with the most up-to-date computer software to facilitate the seamless processing of your business's financial data.
The ability to reconcile accounts payable with cash flow, is an extremely crucial aspect of effective bookkeeping. This means that instead of waiting on an overdue notice, which many small businesses in Leatherhead are guilty of at some time or other, or paying an outstanding bill straight away, your bookkeeper will organise the payment of bills to a time when your finances are in good shape. This does not just keep your business on a sound financial footing, but keeps you in favour with suppliers and those businesses who supply you with services. When you are primarily focussed on running your business, this is a juggling act that you may find hard to perform as an individual.
Using an experienced bookkeeper in Leatherhead, if you're a sole trader, or for your small business also gives them the opportunity to cast an expert eye over your financies. It might be that business trends and patterns that you have overlooked will therefore be highlighted. It's not uncommon for a bookkeeper to recognise a new opportunity or flag up an area which is dropping in profits. Spotting these KPI's (key performance indicators) is essential for the future growth of any enterprise in Leatherhead.
If invoices are sent out by your company it can sometimes be uncomfortable having to pursue a late payment. If that phone call or visit to your customer is made by someone outside your business situation, it's possible for most of that embarrassment to be taken away. If you have a repeating late payer there are legal techniques that a bookkeeper can use to help resolve the situation before the matter ends up in claims court proceedings.
SOLE TRADER'S BOOKKEEPING REQUIREMENTS
There are some reasonably straightforward sole trader bookkeeping requirements, which are laid out by law. Sole traders are required to track income and expenditure on a monthly basis and retain all receipts and invoices. Now, this doesn't sound too tough does it? Yet, it is still advisable to hire the services of a bookkeeper to ensure that it's all done accurately. So that you'll be able to claim back all valid business expenses from HMRC, a dedicated sole trader bookkeeper in Leatherhead will be able to give you advice on what you need to do. This may include consumables, advertising expenses, stationery goods, items such as laptops and rent and bills if working from home. For more comprehensive advice, speak to your bookkeeper, and discover how they may be able to help your business to thrive and grow moving forward.
BOOKKEEPING FOR ONLINE TRADERS IN LEATHERHEAD
Specialised bookkeepers are often required for particular bookkeeping niches. You will need a bookkeeper in Leatherhead who's familiar with online payment procedures, international and cross-border taxes, multi-currency processing and exchange rate transfers, if you run a store online for example. If you produce or hold the merchandise that you sell on that outlet, then it's going to be a major concern for your bookkeeping services and software to maintain your stock on a 24 hours a day basis, since the internet doesn't sleep.
A virtual office can also be supplied together with your bookkeeping service. Offering a physical connection to their buyers, this allows a sole trader or online only business to have a postal address and phone service. It is worth discussing this possibility if it is required, although not all bookkeepers in Leatherhead will offer this service.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS AND AFFILIATIONS
A professional Leatherhead bookkeeper need not hold a degree and a lot of the industry qualifications are at Diploma and Certificate level. Qualifications can be gained through further education colleges and universities but there is also an ever-growing choice of courses offered online.
There are two key training and certification organisations representing bookkeepers:
The AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians): Entitled to use the letters AATQB after their name, a certified member of the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) will have undergone a training schedule and advanced qualifications in bookkeeping. This then permits them to become a approved AAT bookkeeper and guarantees a standard of service which is backed by the association. If a bookkeeper who's a member of the AAT has a complaint filed against them or is found to have contravened the code of conduct they will be subject to disciplinary and tribunal processes to preserve the integrity and values of the AAT membership.
The ICB or Institute of Certified Bookkeepers: Keeping their members up-to-date with the latest trends and developments, the ICB or Institute of Certified Bookkeepers is the largest organisation of its kind in the world, providing accreditation to certified bookkeepers, in addition to training and reference material.
You can check the qualifications of any professional Leatherhead bookkeeper on the register of AAT or ICB members on their websites. Undertaking such checks is usually advisable before actually employing any local bookkeeper in Leatherhead.
Bookkeeping services are available in Leatherhead and also in nearby places like: Westhumble, Ranmore, Brockham, Mickleham, Martyr's Green, Headley, Fetcham, Langley Vale, Burgh Heath, Betchworth, Givens Grove, Ranmore Common, Downside, as well as in these postcodes KT22 0BZ, KT18 6BX, KT22 0BJ, KT22 2ER, KT22 2AL, KT22 0BT, KT22 0BB, KT22 7GF, KT18 6JW, and KT22 7BU. Local Leatherhead bookkeeping services will most likely have the telephone dialling code 01372 and the postcode KT22. Verifying this will confirm you access local bookkeepers. Leatherhead sole traders and business owners will be able to benefit from these and many other bookkeeping related services.
Tax Returns
If you are self-employed or have a small business in Leatherhead, you may be required to file a self-assessment tax return. This task can be especially daunting if you are not familiar with the process. A good bookkeeper can help you with keeping your records in order and preparing your tax return accurately and on time.
Using a bookkeeper to do your tax returns has many benefits. First and foremost, they will have the expertise and experience to ensure that your return is completed correctly. This will help you avoid any penalties or interest that HMRC may charge. Secondly, bookkeepers can save you time and hassle. All of the paperwork and calculations will be taken care of by them, so you can focus on your business. Third, essential advice on tax planning can be provided by bookkeepers in Leatherhead. This can enable you to minimise your tax bill and maximise your earnings. (83543 - Tax Returns Leatherhead)
Leatherhead Bookkeeping Tasks
Most Leatherhead bookkeepers will be able to offer you the following bookkeeping and accounting services: bookkeeping for limited companies, accounting and bookkeeping services, small business tax returns, franchise bookkeeping, Self-Assessment tax returns, bookkeeping for home-based businesses, credit control, bookkeeping for retail outlets, Xero bookkeeping services, profit & loss reports, bank reconciliation, letting agent bookkeeping services, bookkeeping for self-employed in Leatherhead, financial statement preparation, management reports, partnership tax returns, bookkeeping for pubs, bookkeeping for freelancers in Leatherhead, bookkeeping quotes, bookkeeping for shops, tax preparation in Leatherhead, VAT returns, bookkeeping for tradesmen, bookkeeping services for societies in Leatherhead, payment services in Leatherhead, mobile bookkeeping services, professional bookkeeping services, bookkeeping and accounting, company cash books, bookkeeping for restaurants, and more. Listed are just a handful of the tasks that are conducted by local bookkeepers. Leatherhead professionals will be happy to inform you of their whole range of bookkeeping services. If there are other Leatherhead bookkeeper requirements that you need but don't see here, you can easily mention them on the QUOTE FORM provided. We will be in touch with specifics just as soon as we can.
Leatherhead Bookkeeper Questions
A couple of months ago I decided to check out the questions that folks ask in relation to bookkeepers in Leatherhead. A few of our visitors have posted some obvious queries that I thought would be applicable to this discussion. The most germane ones appeared to be, Why does a bookkeeper prepare a trial balance? Does bookkeeping require a degree? Is bookkeeper and accountant the same? How do bookkeeping services work? What do bookkeeping services charge? What makes a good bookkeeper? Are bookkeeping fees tax deductible? What are the advantages of a bookkeeper over an accountant? Why is bookkeeping important to any business in Leatherhead? Most of these queries will have hopefully been answered on this page, and if some remain unanswered a bookkeeping "Questions and Answers" section is the next thing we're going to introduce. Our gratitude goes out to Elijah Powell, Darius Hayes, Emerson Hutchinson and Grace Holden from Leatherhead, for taking the trouble to present their excellent questions. Questions were also submitted by Eliana Hooper in Burgh Heath, Gael Storey in Mickleham and Jessica Street in Givens Grove.
Bookkeepers Near Leatherhead
Also find: Betchworth bookkeepers, Mickleham bookkeepers, Brockham bookkeepers, Ranmore Common bookkeepers, Langley Vale bookkeepers, Martyr's Green bookkeepers, Downside bookkeepers, Ranmore bookkeepers, Westhumble bookkeepers, Headley bookkeepers, Givens Grove bookkeepers, Fetcham bookkeepers, Burgh Heath bookkeepers and more. Bookkeeping services are provided to all these locations by local professionals. This level of accessibility makes it straightforward for individuals and businesses to secure the financial help required for managing their accounts effectively. Clicking here allows area residents to receive bookkeeping estimates.
Bookkeeping Services Leatherhead
- Self-Assessment Bookkeeping
- PAYE and Wages
- Payroll Services
- Invoice Processing
- Sole Trader Bookkeeping
- Tax Preparation
- Double-Entry Bookkeeping
- Cheap Bookkeeping
- Cash Flow Solutions
- Profit and Loss Reporting
- Bookkeeping Quotes
- VAT Returns
- Bookkeeping Services
- Small Business Bookkeeping
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To find out local Leatherhead info look here
Bookkeepers in KT22 area, and dialling code 01372.
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