Bookkeepers Rochdale Greater Manchester (OL11): Whether you operate a small business, run an online store or are a sole trader in Rochdale, you're entirely responsible for maintaining "true and fair", accurate financial and accounting records for a minimum of 6 yrs in accordance with the 2006 Companies Act. Failing to produce these records might leave you faced with Company Director disqualification, along with a fine of thousands of pounds. It can pay to use a professional bookkeeping company or accountant to undertake this for you, given that according to Accounting Today magazine over 40% of small business owners spend at least eighty hours annually on their accounts, which is a substantial time investment, and may be better spent on your primary business activities.
It is time to get in touch with a bookkeeper in Rochdale for advice, if the idea of tracking assets and liabilities, producing balance sheets, preparing profit, loss and financial statements or writing out ledgers fills you with terror.
BOOKKEEPER OR ACCOUNTANT?
For many small business owners in Rochdale, the first question that springs to mind when faced with this dilemma is "What exactly is the distinction between an accountant and a bookkeeper?" The truth is that while in past times a lot of accountants considered the bookkeeping process to be beneath their skill-sets, qualifications and experience, a lot of accountancy firms in the Rochdale area will now undertake bookkeeping, because of software improvements over the past decade or so. It is common practice for many accounting companies to charge a set fee for bookkeeping services as per a typical bookkeeper's fee. Business owners are now benefiting from this, because it gives a broader range of competition within the industry and can mean that the cost of bookkeeping is way more manageable than it would previously have been.
It is basically the level of training that's required for each of these disciplines, that reflects the main difference between an accountant and a bookkeeper in Rochdale. At least a degree in accounting with additional training in the field of taxation and other fiscal and business management, will usually be held by an accountant. A bookkeeper in Rochdale will certainly have a decent understanding of these skills, but might not necessarily hold the qualifications or levels of training and experience.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF A BOOKKEEPER IN ROCHDALE
The process of bookkeeping put simply, is to record the day to day monetary transactions of any enterprise or business in Rochdale. This will likely include, but is by no means limited to;
- Highlighting and rectifying any discrepancies in financial accounts.
- The billing of customers for goods or work completed.
- VAT recording and submissions.
- Monthly reconciliation and reporting.
- Making sure that accounting and double-entry bookkeeping practices are implemented.
- Logging the receipt of invoices and ensuring payment is completed by the due date.
- Payroll services.
- Logging of all financial incomings; including card, cash and electronic payments.
While it is dependent on the extent of the service you are interested in, if you are happy to do most of the bookkeeping work yourself, a professional bookkeeper might only be needed to double check your records periodically. This ought to be each month as a bare minimum, since this allows for any mistakes or problems to be found and amended speedily. If you're confident of staying on top of your everyday financial transactions and trading, this compromise can often be the most affordable solution.
If you're currently thinking of hiring a bookkeeper in Rochdale, whatever your situation, it's a good bet that you may be fretting over your tax and financial procedures. A professional bookkeeper will be able to help you to link the latest software application with your business accounts to enable the seamless arrangement of transactional data, and will offer assistance with such things as producing expense reports, invoicing and stocktaking.
The reconciliation of accounts payable with cash flow is one of the most crucial elements of a good bookkeeping service. This means that rather than paying a bill straight away, or waiting on an overdue notice, which many small businesses in Rochdale are guilty of at some time or other, your bookkeeper will arrange bill payments to a time when your finances are buoyant. This doesn't just keep your enterprise or business on a sound financial footing, but keeps you in good stead with suppliers and those businesses who supply services to you. This is a balancing act that you may find hard to perform as an individual when you're firmly focussed on the smooth running of your company.
If you're a sole trader, or own a small business, employing a qualified bookkeeper in Rochdale, also gives them the opportunity to cast an unrelated eye over the financial dealings of your business. This independent appraisal can allow them to discover business trends and patterns that you may have overlooked. It's not unheard of for a bookkeeper to identify a new opportunity or flag an area of the business where profits are decreasing. Such KPI's (key performance indicators) are vital in driving growth for any enterprise in Rochdale.
If invoices are sent out by your business it can often be embarrassing to chase up late payments. If that telephone call or visit to your customers is carried out by a person from outside your normal business situation, it's possible for most of that awkwardness to be eliminated. There are legal techniques a professional bookkeeper can make use of, if you've got a consistent late or non-payer, and they can help to clear up the situation before the matter ends up in a claims court proceeding.
SOLE TRADER'S BOOKKEEPING REQUIREMENTS
The bookkeeping requirements for a sole trader, as laid out by law, are reasonably straightforward and easy to understand. It's stipulated that sole traders must keep a record of income and expenditure from month to month and retain all invoices and receipts. It is still recommended that you retain the services of a bookkeeping company, even if this might sound simple enough. When preparing your tax returns, a dedicated sole trader bookkeeper in Rochdale can advise you on what your valid business expenses are, and make certain these are claimed back from HMRC each year. This may include consumables, advertising expenses, rent and bills if working from home, stationery and items such as computers. For more comprehensive advice, speak to your local bookkeeper, and learn how they may be able to help your business to grow going forward.
BOOKKEEPING FOR ONLINE TRADERS IN ROCHDALE
Certain businesses that work in niche areas, might need to employ a specialised bookkeeping service. You'll require a bookkeeper in Rochdale who's familiar with exchange rate transfers, online payment procedures, cross-border and international taxes and multi-currency processing, if you run an online store for example. Supervising your inventory on a 24/7 basis is also an important priority, if that same shop distributes goods that you produce or hold, after all the internet doesn't sleep, therefore neither should your bookkeeping services and software.
Together with your bookkeeping service, a remote virtual office can also be provided. This enables an online only business or sole trader to have a telephone service and postal address to provide a physical link with their buyers. Not all bookkeeping businesses in Rochdale will be in a position to supply this option, but it's worthwhile discussing if it is required.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS AND AFFILIATIONS
It is not necessary for a certified bookkeeper in Rochdale to hold a university degree, and many of the bookkeeping industry qualifications are held at Certificate or Diploma level. Bookkeeping qualifications can be obtained through further education colleges and universities but there is also an ever-increasing selection of courses offered online.
There are essentially 2 principal organisations that offer training and certification to bookkeepers:
The Association of Accounting Technicians or AAT: With fully certified members being able to use the letters AATQB after their name, the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) provides a training schedule with advanced qualifications. They then become registered AAT bookkeepers, backed up by this organisation, which promises a high level of service for their customers. If an AAT bookkeeper has a complaint filed against them or is found to have broken the code of conduct they can be subject to disciplinary and tribunal procedures to protect the integrity and values of the AAT membership.
The ICB or Institute of Certified Bookkeepers: The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers or ICB is the largest in the world and supplies accreditation to certified bookkeepers, in addition to reference material and training to keep their associated members up-to-speed with the latest trends and developments.
By visiting their websites, you can determine the qualifications of any professional bookkeeper on the register of ICB or AAT members. Before getting involved with any professional bookkeeper in Rochdale it is advised to carry out this check.
What Are the Main Advantages of Using a Bookkeeper in Rochdale Over an Accountant?
The following are some reasons why you may prefer to use a bookkeeper in Rochdale, rather than an accountant:
- Time Savings: By outsourcing their bookkeeping tasks, businesses can save a bit of time and concentrate on other aspects of their business, such as sales and marketing.
- Expertise: Bookkeepers frequently have a more specialised focus on day-to-day financial record-keeping and transaction management, which can make them more efficient and effective in such tasks.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Bookkeeping services are normally more cost-efficient when compared with accounting services, which makes them a smart choice for sole traders, start-ups and small businesses looking to save on expenses.
- Customisation: Bookkeepers can provide services that are tailored to a business's particular needs, unlike accountants who might have a more standard approach.
- Availability: Bookkeepers are normally more accessible and ready to provide support and answer questions compared to an accountant, who may sometimes be difficult to reach.
It's important to note that even though bookkeepers offer some amazing services, they might not have the same level of qualifications or expertise as an accountant in aspects such tax preparation or financial planning. In these cases, seeking the specialised services of an accountant might become necessary.
Bookkeeping Rochdale - Outsourcing Options
All businesses in Rochdale should understand the significance of bookkeeping. It helps business people monitor the money left in their bank, their incomings and outgoings, the sum total of their assets and liabilities, and the like. With the business owner having to deal with the concerns and issues of running a business, the task of carrying out the bookkeeping is frequently outsourced to freelance bookkeepers or a bookkeeping company in Rochdale.
If a company in Rochdale employs a bookkeeper in order to join their ranks, the company will be required to commit a substantial sum of money in training the person for the purpose of doing the bookkeeping duties. Furthermore, there is no guarantee that the individual will stay after the training is concluded. In that situation, the company will lose a significant amount of money. Aside from that, businesses will have to look for ways and means to offer benefits and incentives to keep the employee in place. These are just some of the reasons why business organisations often enlist the services of professional bookkeepers and bookkeeping companies in Rochdale.
The business owner in Rochdale can look for the following options with the bookkeeping company that offers outsourcing services. Check and find out how much savings he can enjoy by outsourcing the bookkeeping work. Since the expenses related to hiring and training the in-house staff is an enormous concern, it would be wise on the part of business owner in Rochdale to look for an outsourcing company that can offer good savings. Try to get first hand information regarding the methods and systems employed by the company involved in bookkeeping services. It's very important to get top quality accounting services and greater security for your financial data. By quality, one means reliable, precise, and real-time bookkeeping data delivered within the agreed time. In short, the company that offers bookkeeping services in Rochdale should have a well protected system that can be relied on and trusted.
These specialist bookkeeping companies in Rochdale should be able to customise their bookkeeping services with that of the client company's current bookkeeping system. They should be able to ask for assistance from these bookkeepers as and when they need the necessary support and backup.
VAT Returns in Rochdale
Getting your VAT returns done by a bookkeeper in Rochdale can be a great option for small business owners who want to ensure their tax compliance while freeing up their own time to focus on other important aspects of their business. 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 provide you with valuable guidance on how to minimize your VAT liability and ensure that you are taking advantage of all eligible VAT claims. With a bookkeeper on your team, you can be at ease knowing that your VAT returns are being managed with efficiency and accuracy, freeing up more of your time to focus on the growth of your business in Rochdale. Employing a bookkeeper can provide you with a cost-effective solution as it can help you avoid any HMRC penalties or fines caused by incorrect VAT returns or late submissions, which can lead to significant savings in the future.
Cash Flow Analysis
A significant tool that businesses must use to understand their financial health is cash flow analysis. As a bookkeeper, one of the key responsibilities is to perform a cash flow analysis for a business. The task involves keeping tabs on the amount of cash entering and leaving the business within a particular period of time, generally quarterly or monthly. Helping the businessperson to comprehend their present financial status, identify cash flow problems, and plan for the future is among the bookkeeper's duties.
In the analysis, the bookkeeper categorizes and reconciles all cash transactions, such as sales, expenses and investments, to offer a clear picture of the company's financial health. Part of the analysis also involves predicting the company's cash flow for the forthcoming months or years, allowing the business to make informed decisions and avoid potential cash flow problems.
Any company that wants to manage their finances effectively must have a comprehensive and precise cash flow analysis.
Rochdale Bookkeeper Tasks
Most Rochdale bookkeepers will be able to provide you with the following bookkeeping services: company cash books, bookkeeping estimates, Xero bookkeeping, bookkeeping services, cash flow analysis, bookkeeping services for retail outlets, mobile bookkeeping services, bookkeeping services for small business in Rochdale, maintaining fixed asset registers, bookkeeping for sole traders in Rochdale, wages & PAYE, business bookkeeping, bookkeeping services for societies Rochdale, bookkeeping for the self-employed, bookkeeping and accounting, bank reconciliation, payment services Rochdale, double-entry bookkeeping, letting agent bookkeeping Rochdale, bookkeeping for clubs, bookkeeping services for tradesmen, management reports Rochdale, professional bookkeeping services, cheap bookkeeping services, invoice processing, bookkeeping for startups in Rochdale, bookkeeping for payroll, tax return preparation, corporation tax returns Rochdale, bookkeeping services for freelancers in Rochdale, and more. Listed are just some of the activities that are conducted by local bookkeepers. Rochdale professionals will be happy to tell you about their entire range of bookkeeping services. If there are different Rochdale bookkeeper requirements that you want but cannot see here, you should mention them on the QUOTE FORM provided. We will get back to you with information just as soon as we are able.
Bookkeepers Near Rochdale
Also find: Denshaw bookkeepers, Belfield bookkeepers, Sudden bookkeepers, Marland bookkeepers, Mitchell Hey bookkeepers, Smithybridge bookkeepers, Balderstone bookkeepers, Buersil bookkeepers, Syke bookkeepers, Firgrove bookkeepers, Smallbridge bookkeepers, Lower Place bookkeepers, Shawclough bookkeepers, Crimble bookkeepers, Castleton bookkeepers and more. Companies specialising in bookkeeping services are accessible across the majority of these areas. With this level of accessibility, finding the required financial support to manage accounts effectively becomes easy for both businesses and individuals. By clicking here, residents and businesses in the area can obtain quotes for bookkeeping.
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