Bookkeeping Tips

1. Outsource Your Accounting Function: Outsourcing your bookkeeping and payroll can save you time and enable your business to grow. It provides a comprehensive finance function that can put your mind at rest .
2. Use Accountancy Software: Accountancy software like FreeAgent can cover your financial needs at a fraction of the cost of hiring an accountant. It can speed up and simplify your company's bookkeeping, allowing you to focus on satisfying your clients.
3. Keep Regular Records: It's crucial to maintain regular records of your financial transactions. This includes recording business expenses, budgeting for tax, and following HMRC guidance. Regular record-keeping can help you manage your finances more effectively.
4. Separate Personal and Business Finances: If you're a sole trader, it's not legally required to have a separate business bank account, but it's highly recommended. If your business is a limited company, it's a separate legal entity from you, so its money is not yours to spend except on business expenses.
5. Post All Business Transactions Regularly: It's easier to post all your business transactions little and often rather than batching everything up. This will save you both time and money, especially at the year-end. Post all your expenses, however minor they may seem, as each one will affect your profit and the amount of tax you pay.
6. Plan for Tax Bills in Advance: Have your bookkeeper work out your probable tax bills in advance and set aside the money for them. This is one debt deadline that you really don't want to miss .
7. Consider Outsourcing: By outsourcing your bookkeeping, you can free up your time to focus on running your business. Using the services of a professional bookkeeper can help reduce the cost of getting your year-end accounts produced.
8. Use Good Accounting Software: Good accounting software can be used for your bookkeeping business, allowing you to view the finances of your clients and create financial reports, among numerous other things.
9. Process Invoices and Review Bank Statements: Bookkeeping also involves processing invoices, reviewing bank statements, and chasing up any unpaid invoices. Some businesses also send customers a statement of account if they have multiple invoices due.

Remember, these tips are meant to guide you in managing your bookkeeping tasks more effectively. However, the specifics may vary depending on your business type and size.