Are You in Need of Friendly Bookkeeping Services?

I understand that keeping track of your accounts and finances can sometimes feel overwhelming. Finding a trustworthy bookkeeper can be just as tough! That's why at Balanced Books by Bernie, I'm here to help. I offer bookkeeping services tailored to your needs, whether you're a tradesman, an individual, a sole trader, or a limited company. Let me help you stay on top of your finances, so you can focus on what you do best!

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Sole trader bookkeeping

Keep your bookkeeping in check and take charge of your business with ease!

Suppose you’re a sole trader in the UK. In that case, you’re part of a vibrant community of over 3 million individuals who are passionate about everything from wedding planning to oil and gas consulting and private tuition. I totally get the excitement you feel about running your own business—after all, I’m in the same boat!

But here’s the thing: when you take that leap into self-employment, many people aren’t prepared for the financial responsibilities that come with it. Keeping accurate and up-to-date financial records is not just important; it’s a legal requirement. I know that for a lot of sole traders, bookkeeping can feel a bit overwhelming, especially since it’s something most of us weren’t trained to do.

While online bookkeeping packages can help, they still require some know-how to get the most out of them. Plus, as a sole trader, you already have so much on your plate! In those early years, it often feels like you're juggling a million things at once, working longer hours than ever before.

That’s where I come in! At Balanced Books by Bernie, I’m here to take the bookkeeping burden off your shoulders. I absolutely love what I do, and my goal is to free up your time and reduce your stress. By working together, you’ll have the time to focus on what you do best: growing your business to its full potential!

As my client, you’ll always have access to up-to-date financial information, which means you’ll truly understand how your business is doing. I’ll also help you find ways to save money and boost your profitability.

So, why not reach out? I’d love to hear all about you, your business, and what you do. If you need a hand getting your bookkeeping up to date, I’m here to help!

Supporting Sole Traders on Their Journey

Running your own business is an incredible adventure, but we know it can come with its fair share of challenges, especially when it comes to paperwork. As a sole trader, you take on more financial risk than most—there’s no sick pay or redundancy, and unlike limited company directors, you're personally liable for your business’s debts. Plus, we know that managing your tax can be a bit of a puzzle!

You've poured your heart and soul into selling your products and services, keeping your clients happy, and managing everything that comes your way. Understandably, you might feel overwhelmed trying to keep up with your books on top of all that! You might be following your accounting software’s prompts, but if you're not entirely sure you’re doing it right, it's natural to worry about making mistakes. And let’s face it, if bookkeeping and tax terms sound like a foreign language to you, you’re not alone in wishing someone else could handle that side of things!

Suppose you’ve been navigating your sole trader journey for a while and are considering investing in your growth (or even thinking about becoming a limited company). In that case, it’s great to look for guidance. You want to make choices that help you save more of the hard-earned money you’ve brought in, and that’s where support can make a difference.

What most sole traders truly want is someone who understands the ins and outs of financial record keeping—someone to communicate with your accountant and handle any questions from HMRC. And, of course, it’s essential to have someone who can break things down into plain English! You deserve to know what you should keep doing, what you could add to the mix, and what might be best to drop, so you can focus on what you love most about your business. Let’s make your journey a smoother one together!

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Partnership bookkeeping

A friendly bookkeeping partner for your business partnerships!

Every partner in a business partnership knows that two (or more) heads are better than one! You and your partners chose each other for your unique skills, the way you collaborate, and your shared ambitions. It’s a great setup!

Many successful private limited companies in the UK started as partnerships, and I can see why. Beginning as a partnership is a breeze, and it gives you and your partners a fantastic opportunity to see how well you can work together.

As your bookkeeper, I’m here to help you figure out when it might be better for you and your partners to transition into shareholders and directors of a company that you all own. But for now, my goal is to ensure you and your partners have a clear picture of your business performance and to take the hassle of regular financial record keeping off your plate. This way, you can focus on what you do best!

Depending on your needs, I can assist with a range of services, including payroll, bank reconciliation, cash flow management, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and more. If you’d like, I can even provide you access to monthly management accounts. This way, you can track your business’s progress in real time and refine your strategies as needed.

Partnerships need to keep their accounts precise—many times, the amount you pay in National Insurance and tax is significantly higher than what a director pays through salary and dividends. Keeping accurate records allows you to claim every allowable expense and minimise your tax liabilities to HMRC.

If you’re feeling a bit concerned about the state of your books, no worries at all! I can get everything up to HMRC standards in no time.

Feel free to reach out and tell me more about your partnership and what you do. I’ll create a customised package of services just for you, all priced competitively with a fixed monthly fee. Looking forward to hearing from you soon!

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Limited company bookkeeping

Keeping your bookkeeping accurate and up-to-date helps you make better decisions for your business! It's like having a clear roadmap that guides you in the right direction.

For all limited companies, keeping your books accurate and up to date is super important! Regular bookkeeping helps you get a clear picture of how your business is performing financially. It gives you the insights you need to run your business even better!

You’ll be able to see if your profit margin is on point, if you’re collecting payments from clients on time, and if you have enough cash in the bank to cover your obligations to your team, suppliers, and HMRC.

With the real-time data and analysis from Balanced Books by Bernie, you'll be able to keep an eye on your company’s performance using the KPIs that matter most to you. Every month, I'm right there managing your incoming and outgoing funds, improving your credit control, helping you with cash flow, and handling your payroll and workplace pensions.

Whatever you need, just let me know! I’ll create a personalised service for your company at a fixed monthly fee. With me on your team, you'll get back that precious time to focus on growing your business. I handle everything, from keeping your online accounting platform updated to reconciling your bank account.

You’ll find me friendly, approachable, and professional, dedicated to helping you make the most of your business. Plus, I’ll support your limited company as it transitions smoothly into the new and evolving Making Tax Digital system, which is set to expand in the coming years. Let’s make your accounting a breeze!

How I Work with Company Directors: A Friendly Approach

When it comes to running a limited company, one of the most important roles is that of a bookkeeper. I'm here to help you make sense of all your financial transactions—both incoming and outgoing—ensuring everything is recorded accurately. This is essential for handling your VAT, corporation tax returns, payroll submissions, and more. All of this needs to meet the standards set by HMRC and be submitted on time, and that’s where I come in!

I know that while online accounting software like Xero can be helpful, it can also be a bit overwhelming for those who aren’t trained in finance. That’s why I’m here to take this weight off your shoulders! Rather than getting bogged down in numbers and reports, you can focus on what really matters—finding new customers, keeping your current ones happy, and looking after your team.

As a client of Balanced Books by Bernie, I ensure that every financial transaction your company makes is recorded accurately and efficiently. You won’t have to worry about unnecessary admin work; I’ll handle that for you! Plus, I use the innovative tools in platforms like Xero to provide tailored management reports. Together, we can interpret each report and discuss strategies to run your business more effectively.

Management accounts are crucial, not just for securing funding or attracting investors, but also for making daily decisions, whether you have staff or not. You’ll have quick access to vital information like what’s owed, bank balances, profit and loss, and more.

At the end of each financial year, I'll help you submit your Corporation Tax to HMRC and Year End Statutory Accounts to Companies House. I’ll put together a year-end pack for your accountant containing all the necessary info they need, and I’m always here to answer any questions they might have.

Are you VAT registered yet? If not, I’ll let you know when it’s time to apply for a VAT account as your turnover grows. If you are already registered, I’ll make sure your VAT returns are submitted correctly and on time. I’ll keep you updated on whether you owe VAT, are due for a refund, and ensure I include every possible invoice to minimise your bill or maximise your refund!

If your company has employees, you know payroll is more than just handing out paychecks! I provide my payroll clients with everything from monthly or weekly payslips to P45s and P60s, delivered directly to your team with accurate calculations for NI and income tax. I’ll handle all your payroll returns with HMRC and advise you on payments each month. And with workplace pensions now being mandatory, I’ll make sure all your employees' contributions are calculated, no matter who their pension provider is!

I’d love the chance to learn more about you and your company.