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How bookkeepers create great value for accountants

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The great value a bookkeeper can bring to an accountant.

While there is overlap in their work, meaning the two often get confused, bookkeepers and accountants have distinct roles and responsibilities.

They often work well together, as the work of a bookkeeper plays a part in supporting the work of an accountant.

At Rosemary Bookkeeping, we are experts in bookkeeping, supporting clients across the UK, from small businesses to accountants with bookkeeping and finances.

But what can a bookkeeper do for an accountant?

How bookkeepers help accountants

Bespoke client support

The work of a bookkeeper is to understand the needs of their clients.

Our work is personal and bespoke as we tailor our services to work around what you need.

The relationships we build with our clients can also help us to be the bridge between the small businesses we serve and accountants.

Support with existing clients and workload

It’s not just new clients that a bookkeeper can support accountants with.

A bookkeeper can also help accountants with their existing clients.

If accountants recommend their ‘troubled’ or tricky customers to a bookkeeper like Rosemary Bookkeeping, we can support them with their accounts.

Furthermore, during busy periods like the new tax year, we can support accountants and help with capacity.

Streamlined and easy processes

Bookkeepers also work to tight deadlines and work with accuracy, minimising the back and forth to get things done correctly ahead of deadlines.

Rosemary bookkeepers can do all the monthly and quarterly chasing to ensure the experience is stress-free and smooth for everyone involved.

All Rosemary reports and documents are uniformly formatted, making life a breeze for accountants.

See how a Rosemary Bookkeeper can help you

These are just some ways a bookkeeper can help an accountant derive a higher value from their time and services.

Whether you’re an accountant or a small business, a bookkeeper can help streamline your financial processes.

By contacting the professionals at Rosemary Bookkeeping, you receive personal and expert support on all aspects of bookkeeping.

Find your nearest Rosemary Bookkeeping business to see how we can support you today.

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Rosemary Bookkeeping Tips and Tricks: A beginner’s guide for easy bookkeeping

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Our 10 tips to bookkeeping like a pro.

Bookkeeping can be confusing.

At Rosemary Bookkeeping, we know that better than anyone.

So, sometimes you might need a helping hand.

Here are some top bookkeeping tips from our experts that’ll make your bookkeeping a breeze.

  1. Procrastinating is a no-no

Are you a procrastinator who leaves everything until the last minute?

Well, with bookkeeping, you can’t be!

It can quickly get out of hand and pile up on your desk.

As a small business, it is imperative that you keep to financial deadlines like Making Tax Digital (MTD).

If you don’t have time to do your bookkeeping while running your business, it might be time to outsource to help your capacity.

  1. Avoid bad filing systems

You must keep your old receipts and file them correctly alongside relevant paperwork.

If you’re reading this and thinking, “Oh dear, I don’t keep my receipts,” – don’t worry.

There are plenty of business owners like this around the UK. Trust us!

Here’s a good habit to get yourself into:

When you get in the office every morning, pop your receipts in a folder.

Even if this is being filed correctly later that day, at least you’ve made a start.

Are all of your invoices and bills in sequential order?

If they aren’t, then they should be!

This will make life much easier when dealing with deadlines, audits etc.

  1. Don’t mix business and personal expenses

If you’re bookkeeping for yourself while mixing your business and personal expenses, you’re making your bookkeeping a lot harder.

You would have to sit and sift through hundreds of receipts and separate them into business and personal.

Keeping these expenses separate will spare you this headache and give you time to do other things.

When the tax return deadline comes around, if you’re organised and have split your business and personal expenses, you’re more likely to pay the right amount of tax for your business.

  1. Be consistent

Set a monthly date to sit down for a few hours to get your bookkeeping and accounts for the last calendar month.

If you feel like you’re bogged down with too many other tasks, you can always contact Rosemary Bookkeeping to take over the bookkeeping side of your business.

  1. Pay electronically

An easier way to keep an eye on and make your bookkeeping easier is to ensure all business transactions are paid on your business card and not with cash.

This is obviously, because of the information your bank would provide on a statement; amount, date and the recipients/company name.

  1. Have distinct employee classifications

Many businesses have different classifications of employees.

Be they full-time employees, part-time employees and independent contractors.

Keeping these separate and correctly classified is vital to avoid overpaying taxes or misfiling.

  1. Backup, backup, backup!

We all know what technology is like.

It can turn off or have an inconvenient error at any time.

This is why backing up your data securely on a cloud-based platform is extremely important.

You must ensure this is a secure platform that complies with GDPR to guarantee the safety of your data.

  1. Concentrate on a bit of light reading

You would be surprised how many business owners don’t read financial statements and add them to their procrastination pile.

There are plenty of reasons why financial statements can help with your business and avoid a financial breakdown.

Here are a few:

  • See current/upcoming financial trends within your business sector
  • Gain insight into maximising your tax deductions for the year
  • Share with existing/potential investors how your business is performing
  • Stay in control of all of your cash flow

  1. Choose the right bookkeeping software

It’s vital to choose the right bookkeeping software for your business.

There are many different types, from cashbook-only software to that that covers everything from ledgers to foreign currency transactions.

Here is our recent comparison of some of the different bookkeeping software.

  1. Outsource your bookkeeping

If you, the business owner, are also doubling as the office administrator/bookkeeper, you won’t have time to do the most crucial thing, grow your business.

That’s why outsourcing your bookkeeping can benefit you and your business.

Outsourcing is also cost-effective and more accurate.

You’ll only need to pay for the hours worked on your accounts rather than paying a monthly wage for an in-house bookkeeper.

You will also get the necessary work done on your accounts professionally, so you can be confident they are consistently correct.

If you are confused by the bookkeeping side of your business or don’t have time to dedicate to bookkeeping, find your nearest Rosemary Bookkeeping expert to see how we can help you today.

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Understanding Cash Flow: A Guide to Managing Your Business’s Finances

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Rosemary Bookkeeping’s guide to understanding cash flow and how it relates to your business.

Cash flow is a crucial aspect of managing a successful business.

It refers to the amount of money coming in and going out of a business over a specific period.

It can be positive or negative.

A positive flow means a business generates more money than it spends.

A negative flow means it spends more than it earns.

In this blog post, we discuss the importance of cash flow, how to manage it effectively, and provide tips for forecasting and improving it.

Importance

Cash flow is vital.

It impacts your ability to pay bills, invest in new projects, and meet financial obligations.

A positive flow is good.

It allows a business to expand, invest in new ventures, and pay its creditors.

On the other hand, a negative flow can spell trouble.

It can lead to missed payments, bad credit scores, and even bankruptcy.

Therefore, understanding and managing it is essential for every business owner.

And to understand cash flow, you should know how to forecast it.

Forecasting

Forecasting cash flow involves estimating the amount of cash coming in and going out of a business over a specific period.

This can help businesses plan for future expenses, investments, and cash shortages.

So, how do you do it?

To forecast, create a cash flow statement.

A good statement should outline your expected cash inflows and outflows.

This should include:

  • Projected sales
  • Expenses
  • Any outstanding debts or receivables.

Monitoring

Monitoring involves regularly reviewing business inflows and outflows to ensure they stay positive.

This can be done using specialist software or a simple spreadsheet.

By monitoring the flow of cash in your business, you can identify potential shortages and take appropriate action to address them.

Regular monitoring can also help identify areas where a business can improve its cash flow.

How?

Improvements

This involves increasing the amount of cash coming into a business while reducing the amount going out.

There are several ways to improve cash flow, including:

  1. Reducing expenses: This can be done by negotiating better rates with suppliers, lowering overhead costs, and cutting unnecessary expenses.
  2. Improving payment terms: Offering incentives for early payments, setting up automatic payments, and sending out regular reminders can help businesses receive payments faster.
  3. Increasing sales: This can be achieved by expanding the customer base, increasing marketing efforts, and introducing new products or services.
  4. Managing inventory: Controlling inventory levels and reducing excess inventory can help businesses save money and improve cash flow.

By forecasting, monitoring, and improving cash flow, business owners can ensure that their business remains financially healthy and can meet its financial obligations.

As a business owner, it’s vital to understand its importance and take steps to manage it effectively.

Need help with your finances?

At Rosemary Bookkeeping, our local experts are expertly placed to provide professional bookkeeping services, from support and guidance on legislation to outsourcing.

Our experts will liaise with you at your discretion to ensure you feel in control of your finances without worrying about doing the work yourself.

They can help you at every step, from creating statements to monitoring your inflows and outflows.

Whatever you need: we do the books, you do the business.

To see how we can help you, find your nearest Rosemary Bookkeeping business or call 0345 862 0072 today.

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The importance of accurate record-keeping for small businesses in the UK

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Why keeping accurate financial records is essential for your small business, and how to do it.

As a small business owner in the UK, you know that managing your finances carefully is crucial for the success of your business.

However, many small business owners overlook the importance of accurate record-keeping.

In this blog post, we’ll discuss why accurate record-keeping is essential for small businesses in the UK and offer tips on how you can improve your record-keeping practices.

Accurate record-keeping means keeping detailed and organised records of your business’s financial transactions.

This includes things like sales, expenses, invoices, and receipts. But why is this so important for small businesses in the UK?

Legal Compliance

Accurate record-keeping is essential for complying with UK tax laws.

As a small business owner, you must keep accurate records of your financial transactions for at least six years.

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) may ask to see these records if they audit your business or review your tax returns.

Tax Benefits

Accurate record-keeping can also help you claim all the tax deductions and reliefs you’re entitled to.

By keeping detailed records of your expenses, you can claim tax deductions that can reduce your taxable income and save you money.

However, if you don’t keep accurate records, you may miss out on some deductions or reliefs.

Informed business decisions

Accurate record-keeping can help you make informed business decisions.

By regularly recording your income and expenses, you can accurately track how your business performs over time.

This information can help inform decisions about pricing, marketing, and other essential aspects of business.

How can you improve your record-keeping practices?

  • Use accounting software: Many affordable accounting software options are specifically designed for small businesses in the UK. These software options can help you manage your finances and keep accurate records.
  • Keep receipts organised: Categorise your expenses. (E.g. by office supplies, travel expenses), And keep them in a secure location.
  • Record transactions promptly: Ensure you record your income and expenses as soon as possible to avoid errors and ensure accuracy.
  • Reconcile accounts regularly: Reconciling your bank and credit card statements regularly can help you catch errors and ensure accuracy.

So, what’s the best way to keep accurate records?

Accurate record-keeping is essential for small businesses in the UK.

By keeping detailed and organised records of your financial transactions, you can comply with UK tax laws, claim all the tax deductions and reliefs you’re entitled to, and make informed business decisions.

By following these tips, you can improve your record-keeping practices and ensure the accuracy of your financial records.

However, the best way to ensure you keep up-to-date and accurate records of your accounts and transactions is by enlisting the help of a qualified expert.

At Rosemary Bookkeeping, our local experts are expertly placed to provide professional booking services informed by your local market and community, backed by a national brand.

Whether you need regular support or to outsource your books to the expert, you can liaise with our experts at your discretion to ensure you feel in control of your finances without worrying about doing the work yourself.

To see how we can help you, find your nearest Rosemary Bookkeeping business or call 0345 862 0072 today.

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The benefits of outsourcing your bookkeeping as a small business owner

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Six ways outsourcing your bookkeeping can help your small business to flourish.

Small business owners wear many hats and take on multiple responsibilities.

This often includes doing your own bookkeeping above and beyond any sales, marketing and operational activities you do daily.

This can be time-consuming and complicated, taking away time and resources better spent on growing your business.

Outsourcing your bookkeeping means hiring an external bookkeeper or accounting firm to handle your financial records and transactions.

At Rosemary Bookkeeping, we deliver local bookkeeping services backed by the expertise of a national brand.

You benefit from the support of someone who knows your area and community, bolstered by a UK-wide network of bookkeeping experts.

In this blog post, we’re discussing the benefits of outsourcing bookkeeping for your small business.

  1. Saving you time

Outsourcing bookkeeping frees up your time so you can focus on running your business.

You needn’t worry about managing financial records or performing time-consuming tasks like data entry, reconciling bank statements or generating reports.

  1. Access to expertise

Professional bookkeepers have know-how and experience that are uncommon for the average person.

They are familiar with financial statements, tax laws and regulations like MTD and can offer valuable financial advice from a place of understanding and expertise.

  1. Cost saving

Outsourcing bookkeeping can be more cost-effective than hiring an in-house bookkeeper or accounting team.

You can save money on salaries, benefits, and training costs.

As such, outsourcing generally saves between 30% and 75% of your current costs.

  1. Scalability

Outsourced bookkeeping services can scale to meet the needs of your growing business.

You can adjust the level of service you need as your business expands.

  1. Accuracy

Professional bookkeepers are less likely to make errors compared to non-professional bookkeepers.

This can help you avoid costly mistakes and penalties.

  1. Security

Outsourced bookkeeping services can offer greater security for your financial data.

They use secure online portals to share financial information and have security measures to prevent data breaches.

Outsource your books with Rosemary Bookkeeping

Outsourcing bookkeeping is an excellent option for small business owners who want to save time and money while ensuring accurate financial records.

By hiring an external bookkeeper or accounting firm, you can benefit from their expertise, reduce costs, and scale services as needed.

When outsourcing bookkeeping for your small business, choose a reputable provider with a proven track record of success, like Rosemary Bookkeeping.

Your nearest Rosemary Bookkeeping expert can eliminate the stress and hassle of managing your books.

Through meetings scheduled at your discretion, receive 1-to-1 advice from a qualified professional who understands you, your business, and your community.

Take the hassle out of your business and give yourself the time to focus on what matters with Rosemary Bookkeeping.

Call 0345 862 0072 to see how we can help you today.

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