Call for Assistance: 02033 259 341
Spondoo Accounting
Call for Assistance: 02033 259 341
Spondoo Accounting

Bookkeeping- do I need a bookkeeper for my business?

May 11, 2021

All businesses need someone to record their financial transactions, maintain general ledgers and prepare periodic trial balance to maintain solid financial health. In this article, we will explain what these bookkeeping roles entail, and the importance of having a professional bookkeeper run the books of your limited company. 

What does a bookkeeper really do? 

The responsibilities of a bookkeeper include:  

  • Data entry 

Your bookkeeper will collect invoices and receipts and ensure they are entered into the accounting system. 

  • Bank reconciliations 

They cross-check to see if the record of your business transactions matches those on your bank statement. If your business entries do not mirror the bank statements, they will find the discrepancies and make the required adjustments. 

  • Payroll 

They calculate employee pay, deduct tax and national insurance contributions, and administer the workplace pension scheme. 

  • Credit control / account receivable management 

 They will ensure your customers know what to pay, chase any unpaid invoices and keep an eye on bank deposits. 

  • Account payable management 

Should you owe a supplier, a bookkeeper will organise your supplier invoices in your accounting system and list those that require paymentOnce paid, they will update the accounting system, removing the supplier from the next payment run. 

  • Reports

To understand the financial health of a business, a bookkeeper creates monthly reports (sometimes with the help of an accountant) to keep an eye on your finances 

Importance of a bookkeeper to your business

The importance of bookkeeping in a business is unparalleled. With a bookkeeper, you have:

Orderly, detailed, and organised records

A bookkeeper will maintain up-to-date records with the help of accounting software of your choice, including Xero, Zoho Books, FreeAgent, Sage, and more. As such, finding crucial information is easy and with reduced errors ready for when you need it.

Tax compliance and following stipulated regulations

They don’t just understand how to use your accounting software, they generally have a robust understanding of tax issues to ensure items are claimed for correctly.

Peace of mind, and time to concentrate on the business goal

Knowing that everything is in order helps you to focus on your business without the worries of being fined or not knowing your financial position.

Understanding where you stand as a business

With a bookkeeper by your side, you will know the current state of the accounts, helping you make important decisions on budgets.

Profitable budget and plan

In the long run, clear and well-updated financial information will enable you to plan for the future. From the findings, you can plan on how to:

  • Increase profits.
  • Meet financial targets.
  • Plan for future expenses.

Now that you know the importance of a bookkeeper in your business, let’s find out at what point you need to get one. 

When should I hire a bookkeeper? 

Depending on how organised you are, the amount of free time you have, and your desire to learn the complexities of double-entry bookkeeping, you can choose to do the bookkeeping for yourself. Many Spondoo clients perform their own bookkeeping using accounting systems of their choice, but with occasional support from our team.  

If you cannot run your own bookkeeping, it is best to find a skilled bookkeeper as soon as you start your business. Leaving bookkeeping to the last minute, or not doing it correctly can cause major problems in your accounting records. This can lead to larger than expected tax bills, incorrect reports and even penalties from HMRC (HM Revenue and Customs) and other regulators.  

If you are having trouble with your bookkeeping records, talk to Spondoo Accountants for a solution. 

Is a bookkeeper an accountant? What is the difference between a bookkeeper and an accountant?

You cannot be blamed for interchanging these two words in your everyday conversation because their roles most certainly crisscross. 

An accountant’s main responsibility is periodically inspecting created accounts (created by a bookkeeper). They also adjust figures in case of discrepancies. They use the acquired information to file tax returns as well as management of reports and statutory accounts. Accountants will also analyse the financial information provided by the bookkeeper to advise on tax planning, dividends, tax returns, year-end reports, and business growth. 

A bookkeeper on the other hand will manage books (daily, weeklyfortnightly, or monthly), post data to the accounting system, and prepare records for the trial balance stage. 

Still unsure on which one of the two you need for your business? Talk to us for clarification. 

How much should I pay my bookkeeper? 

Honestly, there is no standard answer to this question. What you pay your bookkeeper will depend on the amount of work involved 

 You can pay for bookkeeping services hourly or per transactionbased on what you agree with your point of contact. 

Find a qualified bookkeeper for bookkeeping services

Spondoo Accountants offer high-quality and low-cost bookkeeping services. If you want to increase shareholder value and reduce costs, lets chat to discuss how we can help you. You can also call us on 02033 259 341 or email books@spondoo.co.uk 

more tips

Can You Claim Food as a Business Expense?

The golden rule when claiming business expenses is that the cost must be “wholly and exclusively” for business purposes. So, where do you stand when it comes to food and drink? After all, everyone needs these things to survive. When does it become an allowable expense? Read on to find out when your business can claim food and drink as an expense.
READ MORE

Self-Employed National Insurance Class 2 and Class 4 Rates

If you are sixteen and over, self-employed (sole trader or in a partnership) and making a profit befitting the ‘small profits threshold’, you are liable to pay national insurance.
READ MORE

Key UK Personal Tax Year Dates & Deadlines 2021/2022

Are deadlines creeping up on you? Spondoo is here to ensure you keep on top of things and take control again. These are the important dates you should take note of.
READ MORE

How To Set Up A Limited Company 

A Step-by-Step Guide  This is an easy-to-understand, step-by-step guide, to opening a successful limited company. But before we dive in, let’s check the legality surrounding it. 
READ MORE

Accountants in Haslemere, Surrey

We are qualified accountants providing personal and professional services for start-ups, established companies and individuals in and around the Halsemere area in Surrey. With the rise in technology, we have embraced the digitisation of accounting using efficient digital accounting tools to offer reliable services to our customers. Our goal remains to get our clients the best accounting and taxation services at the most affordable rates.
READ MORE

Onsite Canteen and Lunch Vouchers - Are They Taxable?

The provision of food and drink to an employee by their employer is a lovely thing to do. Eventually, it promotes teamwork, loyalty, a sense of belonging and even improves productivity. Taking it at face value makes it look like a simple act of kindness. However, unless it is done correctly, it can cause tax and national insurance compliance issues for the employer.
READ MORE
1 2 3 39
LEARN MORE
Information provided on the site is merely guidance that may change in line with UK law and regulations. Users must not consider this to be financial advice or their sole resource when making any financial decision. Spondoo is a trading name for Accounting SQL Limited, authorised & license accounting firm under the Institute of Financial Accountants.
© Copyright 2023 - Spondoo - All Rights Reserved
How, can we help?
linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram