Should you be a sole trader or a limited company?

Do you need to register for anything?

What records should you keep?

Which software should you use?

How much should you put aside for tax?

When do you need an accountant?

You do not need to have all of those answers before you speak to us.

We can help you work through them and get the financial side of the business onto solid foundations from the beginning.

We’ll start with what you are trying to build

Before we talk about software, registrations or tax, we want to understand the business.

What are you going to sell?

Who are your customers likely to be?

Will you be working on your own or with somebody else?

What do you expect the first year to look like?

Where would you like the business to get to?

Those conversations help us give you advice that fits what you are actually trying to do rather than simply giving every new business the same checklist.

Sole trader or limited company?

This is often one of the first questions people ask.

There are differences around tax, responsibilities, administration and how you take money from the business, but there is not one answer that suits everybody.

We can talk through the options with you and help you understand which structure makes the most sense for where you are now and where you hope the business will go.

If a limited company is the right route, we can also help with the formation and make sure it is set up properly from the beginning.

Company Formation

Let’s get the basics working properly

Getting a few things right early can save a lot of untangling later.

We can help you think about:

Keeping business and personal money separate

How to keep your records

Accounting software

Invoicing and expenses

Putting money aside for tax

VAT and when it may become relevant

Payroll if you are going to employ someone

Important filing and payment dates

You will not necessarily need all of these straight away.

We will help you understand what matters now and what can wait until the business reaches the next stage.

You can ask us before you make the decision

One of the nicest things about working with a business from the beginning is that we can have conversations before things happen.

If you are considering taking on your first employee, buying a vehicle, investing in equipment or signing a large contract, you can speak to us first.

We can help you understand what the decision may mean financially and whether there is anything you should think about before committing.

You are still building the business your way. You simply have someone alongside you who can help with the numbers when you need it.

The business might grow differently from the original plan

Most new businesses change as they find their feet.

You may find a service becomes much more popular than you expected.

A side business might become your main income.

You may suddenly need help, premises or more equipment.

Something that started small can move quite quickly.

As things change, we can help you look at whether the financial setup still suits the business and what you may need to think about next.

You do not need to wait until the business feels “big enough”

Sometimes people assume they should wait until they are earning a certain amount before speaking to an accountant.

There is no minimum size you need to reach before it is useful to ask for advice.

In fact, having a conversation early can often make things easier because you know what records to keep, what deadlines are coming and what to expect as the business grows.

You might need very little support at first.

That is completely fine.

Book a 15-minute chat

Cashflow & Growth Planning Digital Bookkeeping

Got an idea you’re ready to turn into a business?

Come and talk it through with us.

You do not need a finished business plan or a folder full of forecasts.

Tell us what you are planning and where you would like it to go, and we can help you understand what needs putting in place financially to give it a good start.

Come and talk it through with us

Start-Ups & New Businesses