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Bookkeeping for sole traders and small businesses

We keep your books up to date so you do not have to: bank, sales, costs, CIS statements and VAT records. You send photos and we connect your bank feed, so the figures are ready when VAT, Making Tax Digital or the year end comes round.

ACCA qualified accountants with over 20 years in practice

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What we keep up to date

The records HMRC expects you to keep, kept for you.

  • Bank

    Every payment in and out matched to a sale, a cost or a transfer, so nothing is counted twice.

  • Sales and income

    Invoices, card payments and cash takings recorded as they come in.

  • Costs

    Receipts matched to payments and put in the right category for your tax return.

  • CIS statements

    Each month's statement from your contractors, which they must give you within 14 days of the end of the tax month.

    CIS tax refunds

  • VAT records

    Kept digitally if you are VAT registered, ready for each return.

  • Payroll records

    If you employ people, their pay records sit alongside the rest.

How it works

  1. Send receipts from your phone

    Photos or files, whenever suits you. Your bank feed brings in the transactions.

  2. We match and check

    Monthly or quarterly, whichever fits your business, we match everything and ask about anything unclear.

  3. You see where you stand

    We send you a short summary and flag what is coming up, such as a VAT return.

Software we work with

We keep your books in the software you already use, or help you choose one of these.

How it feeds VAT, Making Tax Digital and the year end

Making Tax Digital for VAT needs digital records and returns sent through compatible software. Making Tax Digital for Income Tax adds quarterly updates for sole traders and landlords with qualifying income over £50,000 from 6/4/2026. Books kept up to date through the year make both straightforward.

At the year end, the same records become your accounts and tax return. Keep them for at least 5 years after the 31/1 deadline.

Related services

The tax rules on this page come from GOV.UK and HMRC guidance. Last checked .

Questions about bookkeeping

What records do I have to keep?

All sales and income, all business costs, VAT records if you are registered, PAYE records if you employ people, and records of your personal income.

How long do I keep them?

At least 5 years after the 31/1 deadline for the tax year they belong to.

Can I just send photos of receipts?

Yes, we work from the photos and files you send. HMRC expects you to keep proof such as receipts, bank statements and till rolls, so hold on to them for the full 5 years.

Do I need accounting software?

If you are VAT registered, yes: Making Tax Digital for VAT needs digital records and compatible software. Sole traders and landlords joining Making Tax Digital for Income Tax need it too.

Monthly or quarterly: which is better?

Monthly suits businesses with lots of transactions or staff; quarterly suits quieter businesses and lines up with VAT returns. We agree the rhythm with you at the start.

Let us keep your books

Tell us how your business runs and we will send you a quote for bookkeeping. Or book a free call to ask questions first.

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