Bookkeepers Northam Devon (EX39) Area: You are responsible for keeping "true and fair", accurate financial and accounting records for at least 6 years, if you are a sole trader, run a small business or operate an online store in Northam, according to the Companies Act (2006). If you can't produce such records, you may be disqualified as a Company Director and face a fine of thousands of pounds. You can carry out these financial recordings on your own, although when you think about the fact that according to Accounting Today over forty percent of small businesses spend at least eighty hours every year doing their accounts, it can be more cost-effective to employ a professional accountant or bookkeeping company.
The time has come to contact a bookkeeper in Northam for guidance, if you're filled with dread simply thinking about filling out ledgers, compiling balance sheets, preparing profit, loss and financial statements or tracking assets and liabilities.
BOOKKEEPER OR ACCOUNTANT?
Just what is the distinction between an accountant and a bookkeeper is the first question that a lot of small business owners in Northam ask. The truth is that while in past times many accountants considered the bookkeeping process to be beneath their qualifications, experience and skill-sets, a lot of accountancy companies in Northam will now undertake the task of bookkeeping, because of improvements in software over the past 10 years or so. It's common practice for many accountancy firms to have a flat rate for bookkeeping services based on a typical bookkeeper's fee. Because it generates a broader range of competition within this sector, this is good news for business owners in Northam, making their bookkeeping costs cheaper than they previously were.
It is basically the standard of training that's needed for each discipline, that reflects the big difference between a bookkeeper and an accountant in Northam. An accountant will, at the very least, hold a degree in accounting, and will have also had additional training in financial and business management, and taxes. A bookkeeper in Northam may not have the same levels of training and experience, or hold these qualifications, but should still have a decent understanding of these disciplines.
A BOOKKEEPER'S RESPONSIBILITIES
Essentially, the process of bookkeeping is to record the day to day fiscal transactions of any business enterprise in Northam. This may include;
- Monthly reports and reconciliations.
- Ensuring double-entry bookkeeping and accounting practices are followed at all times.
- Recording invoices received and making certain that payment is completed on time.
- Payroll services.
- Billing of customers for goods or work completed.
- Highlighting any discrepancies in financial accounts and rectifying them.
- VAT recording and submissions.
- Documenting of all financial incomings; electronic, cash and card payments included.
Whilst it is dependent on the extent of the service you are interested in, if you're in a position to carry out the majority of your own bookkeeping work, a bookkeeper may only be needed to double check your records periodically. As a bare minimum this should be done on a monthly basis, to enable the swift identification and correcting of any problems or mistakes. This might be the most cost-effective trade-off, providing that it is possible to stay in control of your financial transactions without affecting your day by day trading duties.
It's a good bet that if you are considering hiring a bookkeeping company, you're currently struggling with the financial recording aspects of your business in Northam. A professional bookkeeping service will be able to provide assistance with everything from invoicing, stocktaking and producing expense reports, to linking your accounts with the latest, most up-to-date software to enable the seamless arrangement of financial data.
An extremely important aspect of a good bookkeeper is the ability to reconcile accounts payable with cash flow. This means that your bookkeeper will schedule bill payments to times when your finances are in the best possible position, rather than paying off a bill immediately, or waiting for an overdue notice, which most small businesses in Northam are guilty of at some time or other. Together with keeping your business enterprise financially secure, this also keeps you in favour with service providers and suppliers. When, as an individual, you're firmly focussed on the smooth running of your business, this is a juggling act that can be hard to perform.
Using a competent bookkeeper in Northam, if you're a sole trader, or for your small business also gives them an opportunity to cast an expert eye over your financial situation. Business patterns and trends that you may have overlooked could be highlighted by this kind of dispassionate assessment. It is by no means uncommon for an astute bookkeeper to flag an area which is decreasing in profits, or spot an opportunity which may be worth looking into. These KPI's (key performance indicators) are essential in ensuring the growth of any business enterprise in Northam.
Chasing up late payments can be an uncomfortable situation for you, if you send out invoices as part of your business operations. Some of that embarrassment can be removed by having an individual outside your normal business situation visit your clients or make that phone call. To help deal with the issue, if you have a persistent late payer, there are legal techniques that can be employed by a professional bookkeeper, so court proceedings can be avoided.
SOLE TRADER'S BOOKKEEPING REQUIREMENTS
There are some comparatively uncomplicated sole trader bookkeeping requirements, that are set out in law. This involves keeping all receipts and invoices in relation to the business, and tracking income and expenditure on a monthly basis. Even though this may initially sound fairly easy, retaining the services of a bookkeeper is still good practice. So that you will be able to claim back all bonafide business expenses from HMRC, a specialised sole trader bookkeeper in Northam will be able to advise you on what you should do. This might include items such as computers, stationery goods, printer ink, promotional advertising and rent and bills if working from home. If you would like to get more comprehensive advice, and see how your small business can develop and grow in the future, speak to a trusted bookkeeper.
BOOKKEEPING FOR ONLINE TRADERS IN NORTHAM
Specialist bookkeepers are needed now and again for particular bookkeeping niches. If, for instance, you manage an online store, you're going to require a bookkeeper in Northam who is familiar with multi-currency processing, online payment procedures, international and cross-border taxes and exchange rate transfers. If that same outlet sells goods you produce or hold, then monitoring your stock on a 24/7 basis is a massive concern, as I'm sure you're aware the internet does not sleep, so nor should your bookkeeping services and software.
A virtual office can also be provided in conjunction with bookkeeping service. This can be useful in enabling a sole trader or online only business to have a postal address and telephone service to offer a physical link with their client base. It is definitely worth talking about this possibility if it is required, although not all bookkeepers in Northam will supply this service.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS AND AFFILIATIONS
A number of the bookkeeping sector qualifications are at Certificate or Diploma level, and it is not necessary for a professional bookkeeper in Northam to hold an accounting degree. Bookkeeping qualifications can be obtained via further education universities and colleges but there's also a number of courses offered online.
There are two key certification and training organisations representing bookkeepers:
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 on the planet, providing accreditation to qualified bookkeepers, along with training and reference material.
The Association of Accounting Technicians or AAT: Entitled to use the letters AATQB, a certified member of the AAT or Association of Accounting Technicians will have undergone a training schedule and advanced qualifications in bookkeeping practice. They can then become accredited AAT bookkeepers, backed up by this respected association, which promises a decent standard of service for their customers. To preserve the integrity and values of AAT membership, if a bookkeeper who's affiliated with the AAT is found to have breached the code of conduct or has a complaint against them, they can be liable to tribunal and disciplinary procedures.
By going to their respective websites, you can determine the qualifications of any professional bookkeeper on the register of AAT or ICB members. It is generally a good idea to carry out this check, before retaining the services of any local bookkeeper in Northam.
Bookkeeping services are available for those living in in Northam and also in: Appledore, Weare Giffard, Roundswell, Instow, Bideford, Lydacott, Yelland, Newton Tracey, Abbotsham, Newton Tarcey, St Johns Chapel, Westward Ho!, Fremington, Handy Cross, and also in these postcode areas: EX39 1BT, EX39 1TD, EX39 1TU, EX39 1JH, EX39 1SP, EX39 1NR, EX39 2RZ, EX39 1DZ, EX39 1UA, EX39 1ER. Local Northam bookkeeper services will most likely have the dialling code 01237 and the postcode EX39. Verifying this will confirm that you are accessing locally based bookkeepers. Northam sole traders and business owners can benefit from these and countless other similar services.
Sales and Purchase Ledger Management
When a bookkeeper manages sales and purchase ledgers, it brings structure to everyday financial admin. Sales invoices are entered promptly, customer payments are matched accurately, and outstanding amounts are easy to identify. On the purchase side, supplier bills are recorded, reviewed, and scheduled for payment. The process often involves integration with accounting or invoicing software to ensure information flows smoothly between systems. This reduces manual errors and duplication. Well-kept ledgers support better cash flow awareness and fewer surprises. Business owners benefit from knowing their records are up to date at all times, making reporting and planning far less stressful. (Tags: Sales and Purchase Ledger Management Northam)
Year-End Tax Return Preparation
A bookkeeper's role in year-end tax return preparation is mainly about accuracy and organisation. They'll go back through the year's transactions to confirm figures are complete and consistent. Expenses are reviewed, income totals checked, and records brought fully up to date. Any issues are flagged before they become bigger problems. By doing this ahead of time, the tax return process becomes far more efficient. It also helps businesses understand their position before figures are finalised. Without this level of prep, year end often turns into a rush, with mistakes more likely to creep in under pressure. (Tags: Year-End Tax Return Preparation Northam)
Cash Flow Analysis
Cash flow analysis is a crucial tool for any business to understand its financial health. Bookkeepers are tasked with the important job of conducting cash flow analysis for companies. It requires monitoring the cash movements of the company during a specific period, commonly quarterly or monthly. Conducting a cash flow analysis enables the bookkeeper to help the businessperson understand their current financial situation, detect any cash flow problems, and make plans for the future.
The analysis involves categorizing and reconciling all cash transactions, such as investments, sales and expenses, to create a clear picture of the company's financial health. It also involves forecasting the business's cash flow for the next few months or years to help the business make informed decisions and avoid potential cash flow difficulties.
What's more, a thorough cash flow analysis can aid businesses in securing financing by providing lenders with insight into the company's financial health and repayment capabilities. Any company that desires to manage their finances effectively must have an accurate and complete cash flow analysis as a crucial tool.
Bookkeeping Questions

Over the last few weeks I've been going over the questions that folks ask with regards to bookkeeping in Northam. Many of you tendered some obvious queries which are worth mentioning here. Those that stuck out were, Does a bookkeeper do payroll? Does a bookkeeper need to be registered? How is bookkeeping different from accounting? Who would a bookkeeper work with? How does bookkeeping help a business in Northam? Where can a bookkeeper work? How can I get bookkeeper in Northam? How much is a bookkeeper per hour? What are the benefits to hiring a bookkeeper? The majority of these enquiries will have hopefully been dealt with on this webpage, if there are any left to be answered a bookkeeping "Questions and Answers" section is at present being developed. Our thanks go out to these folks in Northam for taking the trouble to present these questions; Lucas Jones, Brayden Bates, Drew May and Aubrey Connolly. We were also grateful to receive appropriate enquiries from Mya Milne in Lydacott, Roman Myers in Instow and Jordyn Nicholas in Yelland.
Bookkeeping Tasks

Most Northam bookkeepers will be able to provide you with the following bookkeeping services: payroll bookkeeping, assistance with registering for self-employment in Northam, bookkeeping for societies, professional bookkeeping services, expense tracking & categorisation, double-entry bookkeeping in Northam, CIS record-keeping & submissions (for construction businesses), payroll processing & payslip preparation, charity bookkeeping Northam, preparing balance sheet information for accountants, bank & credit card reconciliations, producing basic profit & loss reports, bookkeeping quotations, letting agent bookkeeping in Northam, Quickbook bookkeeping, financial statement preparation, sales & purchase ledger management, cheap bookkeeping services, bookkeeping for clubs, bookkeeping services for self-employed people, Xero bookkeeping, off-site bookkeeping services, small business tax returns, bookkeeping for restaurants, processing supplier bills & payments, partnership returns, and more. Listed are just a selection of the activities that are handled by local bookkeepers. Northam companies will inform you of their entire range of bookkeeping services. If there are additional Northam bookkeeper requirements that you want but don't see here, you can easily list them on the QUOTE FORM provided. We'll get back to you with details just as soon as we are able.
Bookkeepers in Nearby Areas
Also find: Yelland bookkeepers, Handy Cross bookkeepers, Appledore bookkeepers, Newton Tarcey bookkeepers, Instow bookkeepers, Bideford bookkeepers, Abbotsham bookkeepers, Weare Giffard bookkeepers, Roundswell bookkeepers, Newton Tracey bookkeepers, Fremington bookkeepers, Lydacott bookkeepers, Westward Ho! bookkeepers, St Johns Chapel bookkeeper and more. Most of these villages and towns are covered by local bookeepers. Northam businesses and traders can get pricing for bookkeeping services by clicking here.
Bookkeeping Services Northam
- Payroll Services
- Profit and Loss Reporting
- Credit Control
- VAT Returns
- Sole Trader Bookkeeping
- Bookkeeping Services
- Tax Preparation
- Bookkeeping Quotes
- Double-Entry Bookkeeping
- Cheap Bookkeeping
- Self-Assessment Returns
- Small Business Bookkeeping
- PAYE Wages and CIS
- Cash Flow Analysis
More Local Services: Not surprisingly, when you're in need of a bookkeeper in Northam, Devon, you will likely be in need of all types of different services and as well as a bookkeeper you might additionally need a business consultant in your locality, card processing in the local area, PPC advertising in the immediate area, HR consulting in the immediate area, phone system services in the vicinity, a marketing agency in your local area, telemarketing in the vicinity, cloud & hosting services in Northam, promotional videos in the area, digital marketing services in the area, network, database & IT support in the immediate area, Ecommerce in the immediate area, website design in your local area, social media marketing in your locality, financial advice in your local area, EPOS in the vicinity, an accountant in your locality, and other different local specialists.
Bookkeeper Northam
Bookkeeping Services Near Northam
Bookkeeping NorthamBookkeepers in EX39 area, phone code 01237.
Self-Assessment Tax Returns - Bookkeepers Northam - Bookkeeping Quotations - VAT Returns - Cheap Bookkeeping Northam - Bookkeeper Northam - Small Business Bookkeepers Northam - Double-Entry Bookkeeping - Bookkeepers EX39



