FAQs
Below you’ll find answers to the questions I’m asked most often.
If there’s anything you’re unsure about, or something I haven’t covered, just send me a message – I’m always happy to help.
How do I get started?
Have a look at the Become a Client page. It walks through exactly what happens, from the first free call through to getting set up, so there are no surprises.
If you already know you'd like to talk, you can book a free 30-minute call, or send me a message if you'd prefer And if you just want a rough idea of cost first, the instant quote takes a few minutes and doesn't ask for your email address.
There's no pressure and no obligation. Once I've heard from you, I'll confirm whether I'm the right fit and which package makes the most sense before we go any further.
What happens after I enquire?
Once I've heard from you, I'll come back and confirm whether I'm the right fit and which package makes the most sense for your business.
If I think you'd be better suited to a different option, I'll explain why and let you decide. My aim is always to make sure you're getting the right level of support.
If you decide to go ahead, the Become a Client page sets out each step, what you'll need to send over, and roughly how long it takes.
Do I need to have everything figured out before getting in touch?
No – not at all.
A lot of people worry they don’t know what to say or what information to give at this stage, and that’s completely normal.
You don’t need to overshare or have all the answers. Just give me a general idea of where you’re at and I’ll guide you from there.
I’m not sure which package I need – is that a problem?
Not at all.
Choosing the right package is something we’ll work through together. If I think a different option would suit you better, I’ll explain why and let you decide.
Do I need to be local to work with you?
No – I work remotely with clients all across the UK. Everything can be handled online, including ID checks, bookkeeping updates, and reviews.
I’ve never used a bookkeeper or accountant before. Will you explain things clearly?
Yes, absolutely.
I specialise in supporting people who’ve never worked with a bookkeeper before. I explain things in plain English and make sure you understand what’s going on – no confusing language or assumptions.
What if I’ve fallen behind on my bookkeeping?
You’re not alone – this is really common.
I offer a catch-up service to bring everything up to date before moving you onto a monthly package. We’ll agree the scope and cost upfront so there are no surprises.
How do payments work?
Monthly packages are collected by Direct Debit using GoCardless at the end of each month. It’s quick, secure, and you don’t need to remember to pay invoices.
Are your fees fixed, or will there be extra charges?
All my packages are fixed fee, so you know exactly what you’ll pay each month.
The only time there may be an additional cost is for one-off work (such as a catch-up), and this is always agreed in advance.
Is there a minimum commitment?
No. My monthly packages run on a rolling basis, and if you decide to cancel I just ask for 30 days' notice.
There is one thing worth understanding before you start, though, and it's the part people find least obvious.
Your tax return, year-end accounts and corporation tax return are all included in your monthly fee, and they're filed after the year has ended. But the work towards them happens all the way through it, in the bookkeeping, the reviews and the support along the way. The monthly fee pays for that work as it happens, not for the filing at the end.
So:
- Your return or accounts are completed once the full year has been paid for
- If you cancel partway through, they won't be completed as part of the package
- There's no refund for the months you've already paid, because that work has already been done
For sole traders, that's the tax year to 5 April. For limited companies, it's your own financial year, whenever that falls.
If you do leave partway through and still need a return or a set of accounts, that's not a problem. I'll quote for it separately.
Whenever you go, I'll make sure everything is up to date and handed over clearly.
Do you work with limited companies as well as sole traders?
Yes. Most of my clients are sole traders, but I also support limited companies.
Do I need to use Xero?
My main software is Xero, but I also support FreeAgent and spreadsheets.
If you’re currently using something else and are happy to switch, I can arrange the changeover for you and make sure everything is moved across properly.
If you’re not sure what’s best for your business, I’ll talk it through with you and help you decide.
How quickly do you reply to messages?
I aim to reply within 24 hours during the working week, so you’re never left wondering where you stand. You can contact me by email, and for any quick questions just send me a WhatsApp.
What information will I need to send over?
I’ll keep things as simple as possible and only ask for what I actually need.
If I’m doing your bookkeeping:
I’ll set you up with bank feeds in Xero so transactions come through automatically. Bank feeds are read-only, meaning I can see transactions but can’t move any money.
If you’d rather not use bank feeds, you can send a PDF or CSV bank statement each month instead – that’s absolutely fine.
For receipts and invoices, you’ll get access to Hubdoc or Apron. You can snap photos of paper receipts or forward email invoices, and they’ll link straight to your accounts.
If anything is missing, I’ll send you a clear list so nothing gets overlooked.
If you’re doing your own bookkeeping:
I’ll need access to your accounting software. You don’t need to share login details – just send me an invite. If you’re unsure how, I can guide you through it.
It also really helps if you let me know about any one-off or bigger changes, such as taking out a loan, buying a large piece of equipment, or anything unusual for your business. Having the paperwork for these makes a big difference in making sure your figures are accurate.
I still need to register for self-assessment or VAT – can you help?
Yes. I can register you with HMRC, explain what applies to your business, and make sure everything is set up correctly.
Once registered, I can also handle ongoing submissions and reminders so nothing gets missed.
Are your packages Making Tax Digital (MTD) compliant?
Yes. All of my packages are MTD compliant. I’ll make sure you’re signed up correctly and set up to meet MTD requirements when they apply to you.
Can you handle Making Tax Digital (MTD) for me?
Yes. If you're on a package where I manage your bookkeeping, or on Your Books: Checked, I can handle MTD for you. This includes signing you up with HMRC, making sure you're compliant, submitting the required quarterly updates, and completing the final declaration.
For sole traders moving onto MTD, this is a small additional monthly fee on top of your package, currently £15 per month, since it's genuinely new ongoing work beyond the annual tax return. I'll always confirm this with you clearly before anything changes.
Is my data secure?
Yes – keeping your information safe is really important to me.
I use a secure online client portal for document sharing, and all accounting software I use is encrypted and industry-standard. Your data is kept completely confidential.
I’m also registered with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) and follow strict data protection rules.
Am I too small to work with you?
No. Some of my clients are just starting out, and some have been going for years without ever getting the bookkeeping straight. There's no minimum size and no minimum turnover.
If I genuinely think you don't need me yet, I'll tell you that too.
Are you qualified and regulated?
Yes. I'm AAT-qualified and licensed and regulated by AAT under licence number 1006311.
That means I'm held to professional standards, carry professional indemnity insurance, and am supervised for anti-money laundering. It also means there's a proper complaints route if you're ever unhappy with something. I'm registered with the ICO for data protection as well.
What if I've been doing it wrong for years?
Then we sort it out. This comes up more often than you'd think and it's rarely as bad as people fear.
I'll look at where things actually stand, tell you honestly what needs correcting, and agree the cost of putting it right before doing anything. No lectures.
Can you teach me to do my own accounts and tax returns?
No, and that's not something I offer at any price.
I'll happily show you how to use your software and keep your own records properly, which is what the Xero training and power hours are for. But preparing accounts and tax returns involves far too many complexities and specifics to cover in a session, and it's not something I'd want someone acting on unsupervised. If you need that side handled, I can take it on for you.
What's a power hour?
A one-to-one hour focused on a single thing you're stuck on, either Making Tax Digital or your software. You tell me what's bothering you beforehand, we spend the hour on it, and you get a recording afterwards. £97.
It's training and guidance on the software and the process rather than advice on your tax position.
Got a question I haven't covered?
Send me a message and I'll answer it. No question is too small or too silly, and you don't need to be a client to ask.