Bookkeeping Services in Kent

Why regular bookkeeping matters

Good bookkeeping is not just about the year end. Up-to-date records tell you who owes you money, what you owe, how much tax to put aside and whether the business is making a profit. They also make VAT returns, Making Tax Digital updates and year-end accounts much faster and less expensive to prepare.

Many owners start out doing their own books and find that, as the business grows, the time adds up and the gaps grow. Handing it over lets you get back to the work you are paid for.

What our bookkeeping service includes

• Bank and card reconciliation, matching every transaction in your software to your statements.
• Receipts and bills captured and posted to the right accounts, with VAT coded correctly.
• Sales invoices and customer payments matched, so your aged debtor list is accurate.
• Supplier bills recorded, with a clear view of what is due and when.
• Payroll and pension journals posted from your payroll reports.
• Regular checks on the VAT control account, loan balances and the director's loan account.

Choosing a frequency

The right frequency depends on how many transactions you have, whether you are VAT registered and how closely you want to follow your figures. Most clients choose monthly bookkeeping, which keeps the figures current and works well alongside management accounts. Smaller businesses often find quarterly bookkeeping, timed around VAT periods, is enough. Weekly support suits higher-volume businesses such as retailers and online sellers.

How we work with you

1. We review your current records and software, and agree what we will do and how often.
2. You invite us to your software using its accountant or advisor access, and connect your bank feeds if they are not already set up.
3. You send receipts through the software's app or email-in feature as you go.
4. We process and reconcile everything for the period, and send you a short list of any items we could not identify.
5. You receive up-to-date figures, ready for your VAT return or year-end accounts.

We work with FreeAgent, QuickBooks, Xero and Sage, among others. If you are still on spreadsheets or paper, our cloud accounting migration service can move you over first.

What we'll need from you

Access to your accounting software and bank feeds, receipts and bills as they arrive, and quick answers to the occasional question about what a payment was for. Companies must keep accounting records for 6 years from the end of the financial year they relate to, as explained in the GOV.UK guidance on company and accounting records, and good digital bookkeeping makes that easy.

Bookkeeping for businesses across Kent

We keep the books for sole traders, partnerships and limited companies throughout Kent, from Dartford to Dover. If your records have already fallen months behind, start with our bookkeeping rescue service. Get in touch to talk about what you need.