Bookkeeping and VAT
If we are doing your VAT and bookkeeping we will compile the appropriate accounting records.
If you are doing your own VAT bookkeeping or company accounting and need assistance on VAT bookkeeping and accountancy please call our bookkeepers helpline on 020 8566 4700.
If you need to do your first VAT return please refer to bookkeeping-your-first-vat-return
Bookkeeping means compiling records for:
Bank transactions - the cashbook
Transactions not going through the business bank account - petty cash
Sales records and invoices - sales day book
if you are trading by buying on account:
Purchase invoice records - purchase day book
The format is a matter of choice;
traditionally a number of handwritten books but now more likely to be Excel spreadsheets or accounting and bookkeeping computer packages.
We are pleased to recommend and support any reputable software which suits you.
You need to make sure that any computer system used in your business is backed up daily.
We recommend installing a backup system which backs up the whole hard disk because this prevents your business failing when the computer may fail, be destroyed or be stolen; laptops may be lost.
The choice of bookkeeping VAT and accounting software depends on the number of transactions, complexity of the business and the time periods within which you need accounting information.
If you are not VAT registered
transactions may be recorded regularly but only summarized once a year.
If you are VAT registered; bookkeeping for VAT
the records will need to be summarised quarterly in conjunction with VAT returns.
If you operate extensive accounts
with your customers and suppliers a computer package is likely to be needed in order to control the amounts owed to you and payable by you.
If your business is sufficiently complex
you may need to implement a full computer accounting package in order to determine profits on a monthly basis and to facilitate cash-flow control and forecasting.
At the centre of any system is an accurate record of transactions in your business bank account.
See bookkeeping examples in our Client bookkeeping guide pdf
