Accounting & Bookkeeping · United Kingdom
Accounting & Bookkeeping Services in the United Kingdom
UK businesses must maintain accounting records that comply with FRS 102 (or FRS 105 for micro-entities) and support accurate HMRC filings for Corporation Tax, VAT, and PAYE.
Overview
Fintax Support Limited provides monthly bookkeeping on Xero, QuickBooks, and Sage, reconciling all business bank accounts and preparing management accounts that feed directly into your CT600 Corporation Tax return. We ensure your records meet Making Tax Digital (MTD) requirements for VAT and are ready for HMRC scrutiny or Companies House filing.
Key compliance areas in United Kingdom
06 areas- HMRC tax filing
- Companies House registration
- MTD VAT
- PAYE & RTI
- Corporation Tax CT600
- CIS
Regulatory framework
HMRC requires businesses to keep records for at least six years from the end of the accounting period. VAT-registered businesses must maintain digital records compatible with Making Tax Digital (MTD) and submit returns via MTD-compatible software. Companies House requires annual accounts filed within nine months of the financial year-end for private limited companies.
HMRC (HM Revenue & Customs)Key facts
- 6 yearsRecord keepingfrom the end of the accounting period
- 9 monthsAnnual accounts to Companies Houseafter the financial year-end
- MTDDigital VAT records and returnsvia compatible software
10 specialised services
Our Accounting & Bookkeeping services in United Kingdom
On this page (10)
- MTD-Compliant Bookkeeping
- Monthly & Quarterly Management Accounts
- Bank & Credit Card Reconciliation
- Year-End Statutory Accounts Preparation
- FRS 102 / FRS 105 Financial Statements
- Xero / QuickBooks / Sage / FreeAgent Setup
- Accounts Payable & Receivable Management
- CIS Accounting (Construction Industry Scheme)
- eCommerce Bookkeeping (Amazon UK, Shopify)
- Outsourced Finance Department & CFO Services
01 / 10
MTD-Compliant Bookkeeping
Maintain digital bookkeeping records that meet HMRC Making Tax Digital requirements with proper digital links from source transactions to VAT returns. MTD-compliant bookkeeping is mandatory for VAT-registered businesses and expanding to Income Tax Self Assessment — we configure your records in HMRC-recognised software so quarterly submissions flow without manual re-keying.
Digital links requirement
HMRC-recognised software
Six-year record retention
MTD ITSA readiness
How it works, details and FAQsShow less
How it works
- 01
Software and MTD assessment
Review current records, software compatibility, and MTD VAT or ITSA obligations for your business.
- 02
Digital workflow configuration
Set up bank feeds, VAT coding, and digital links from transactions to MTD submission pathways.
- 03
Ongoing compliant posting
Record transactions with correct VAT treatment, nominal coding, and supporting documentation digitally stored.
- 04
Quarterly MTD submission support
Prepare VAT return data for MTD submission directly from bookkeeping software to HMRC.
- 01
Software and MTD assessment
Review current records, software compatibility, and MTD VAT or ITSA obligations for your business.
- 02
Digital workflow configuration
Set up bank feeds, VAT coding, and digital links from transactions to MTD submission pathways.
- 03
Ongoing compliant posting
Record transactions with correct VAT treatment, nominal coding, and supporting documentation digitally stored.
- 04
Quarterly MTD submission support
Prepare VAT return data for MTD submission directly from bookkeeping software to HMRC.
Making Tax Digital (MTD) requires VAT-registered businesses to keep digital records and submit VAT returns through MTD-compatible software with digital links between data — meaning information cannot be manually re-keyed between systems. HMRC-recognised platforms include Xero, QuickBooks Online, Sage Business Cloud, and FreeAgent. Bridging software that allowed spreadsheet-to-HMRC submission is being phased out as MTD expands to Income Tax Self Assessment (MTD ITSA) from April 2026 for self-employed and landlords with income above £50,000. HMRC requires records to be kept for at least six years. We configure cash or accrual basis recording consistent with your accounts policy and ensure every purchase and sale is coded with the correct UK VAT rate — standard 20%, reduced 5%, zero-rated, or exempt — before MTD quarterly submission.
Common questions
02 / 10
Monthly & Quarterly Management Accounts
Receive timely profit and loss, balance sheet, and cash flow reports that give UK directors visibility into performance between year-end statutory filings. Management accounts support Corporation Tax provision planning, HMRC payment on account decisions, and board-level decisions without waiting for annual accounts filed at Companies House.
Monthly P&L and balance sheet
Cash flow forecasting
KPI dashboards
Quarterly board packages
How it works, details and FAQsShow less
How it works
- 01
Reporting calendar setup
Agree monthly close dates, report format, and KPI metrics aligned to your board or management needs.
- 02
Monthly close execution
Reconcile accounts, post accruals and prepayments, and finalise trial balance by agreed close date.
- 03
Management report preparation
Generate P&L, balance sheet, and cash flow with comparative prior period and budget columns.
- 04
Review and delivery
Walk through variances with directors and update Corporation Tax provision estimates quarterly.
- 01
Reporting calendar setup
Agree monthly close dates, report format, and KPI metrics aligned to your board or management needs.
- 02
Monthly close execution
Reconcile accounts, post accruals and prepayments, and finalise trial balance by agreed close date.
- 03
Management report preparation
Generate P&L, balance sheet, and cash flow with comparative prior period and budget columns.
- 04
Review and delivery
Walk through variances with directors and update Corporation Tax provision estimates quarterly.
UK private companies file statutory accounts at Companies House only once annually — nine months after year-end — but directors need interim visibility to manage cash, tax, and operations. Monthly management accounts under FRS 102 or FRS 105 provide P&L, balance sheet, and cash flow between statutory filings. Reports inform Corporation Tax provision estimates for HMRC payment on account calculations — due in instalments during the accounting period for companies with taxable profits above £1.5 million, or as a single payment nine months and one day after year-end for smaller companies. Quarterly packages suit growing businesses with board or investor reporting obligations. We reconcile management accounts to MTD bookkeeping records so year-end statutory accounts and CT600 Corporation Tax returns require minimal reconstruction.
Common questions
03 / 10
Bank & Credit Card Reconciliation
Match every business bank and credit card transaction to your nominal ledger so books reflect actual cash positions and MTD records stay accurate. Monthly reconciliation is the foundation of HMRC-compliant bookkeeping — unreconciled accounts undermine CT600 Corporation Tax returns and trigger HMRC enquiry risk.
All accounts reconciled
Open banking feeds
HMRC enquiry defence
Timing difference resolution
How it works, details and FAQsShow less
How it works
- 01
Account inventory and feed setup
Catalog all business accounts and establish open banking feeds into MTD-compatible bookkeeping software.
- 02
Transaction matching
Match each bank and card line to posted nominal entries, identifying unmatched items for investigation.
- 03
Discrepancy resolution
Correct duplicates, missing entries, and misclassified transactions with director approval where needed.
- 04
Reconciliation sign-off
Finalise reconciliation reports showing bank balance equals book balance for each account each month.
- 01
Account inventory and feed setup
Catalog all business accounts and establish open banking feeds into MTD-compatible bookkeeping software.
- 02
Transaction matching
Match each bank and card line to posted nominal entries, identifying unmatched items for investigation.
- 03
Discrepancy resolution
Correct duplicates, missing entries, and misclassified transactions with director approval where needed.
- 04
Reconciliation sign-off
Finalise reconciliation reports showing bank balance equals book balance for each account each month.
HMRC expects businesses to maintain records that accurately reflect income and expenses — bank reconciliation is the primary control demonstrating this. We reconcile all UK business accounts monthly, matching cleared transactions to nominal ledger entries in Xero, QuickBooks, Sage, or FreeAgent. Open banking feeds create the digital links MTD requires from source transaction to VAT return. For businesses using Stripe, PayPal, or Shopify Payments, we reconcile processor payouts against bank deposits ensuring gross revenue, fees, and VAT are correctly separated. Unreconciled accounts delay year-end statutory accounts filed at Companies House within nine months of year-end and CT600 Corporation Tax returns due twelve months after period end. Clean reconciliations reduce HMRC enquiry risk under their random and risk-based compliance checks.
Common questions
04 / 10
Year-End Statutory Accounts Preparation
Prepare year-end statutory accounts for filing at Companies House within nine months of your financial year-end and attach iXBRL-tagged accounts to your CT600 Corporation Tax return. Year-end preparation includes adjusting entries, FRS 102 or FRS 105 compliance, and director approval before submission to Companies House and HMRC.
Companies House filing
Adjusting journal entries
iXBRL tagging for CT600
Dual deadline management
How it works, details and FAQsShow less
How it works
- 01
Pre-close review
Review trial balance, reconciliations, and prior-year comparatives for miscodings and missing documentation.
- 02
Adjusting entries and disclosures
Post accruals, depreciation, stock, and deferred income adjustments with FRS-compliant note disclosures.
- 03
Director review and approval
Present draft statutory accounts to directors for review and formal board approval before filing.
- 04
Companies House and HMRC filing
File accounts at Companies House and submit iXBRL-tagged accounts with CT600 to HMRC.
- 01
Pre-close review
Review trial balance, reconciliations, and prior-year comparatives for miscodings and missing documentation.
- 02
Adjusting entries and disclosures
Post accruals, depreciation, stock, and deferred income adjustments with FRS-compliant note disclosures.
- 03
Director review and approval
Present draft statutory accounts to directors for review and formal board approval before filing.
- 04
Companies House and HMRC filing
File accounts at Companies House and submit iXBRL-tagged accounts with CT600 to HMRC.
UK private companies must file statutory accounts at Companies House within nine months of their accounting reference date. Corporation Tax payment is due nine months and one day after year-end, while the CT600 return itself is due twelve months after period end — with iXBRL-tagged accounts attached. We post all year-end adjusting entries — accruals, prepayments, depreciation, stock valuations, and deferred income — under FRS 102 Section 1A or FRS 105 as applicable. Accounts may be filed as full, abridged, or filleted depending on company size and shareholder consent. iXBRL inline tagging embeds structured financial data HMRC's systems can read automatically. Late Companies House filing triggers automatic civil penalties from £150 for private companies. We coordinate statutory accounts preparation with CT600 Corporation Tax computation so taxable profits reconcile to accounts filed publicly at Companies House.
Common questions
05 / 10
FRS 102 / FRS 105 Financial Statements
Prepare financial statements under the correct UK GAAP standard — FRS 102 Section 1A for small entities or FRS 105 for micro-entities — with appropriate disclosures for Companies House filing. Standard selection affects public disclosure levels, audit requirements, and the detail required in your statutory accounts and CT600 tax computation.
Standard selection guidance
Reduced disclosure options
Compliant primary statements
Audit exemption assessment
How it works, details and FAQsShow less
How it works
- 01
Entity size assessment
Evaluate turnover, balance sheet total, and employee count against FRS 102 and FRS 105 thresholds.
- 02
Standard and policy selection
Confirm FRS 102 Section 1A or FRS 105, document accounting policies, and assess audit exemption eligibility.
- 03
Financial statement preparation
Prepare primary statements and notes with required disclosures for chosen reporting standard.
- 04
Director approval and filing
Directors approve financial statements for Companies House filing with iXBRL tagging for CT600.
- 01
Entity size assessment
Evaluate turnover, balance sheet total, and employee count against FRS 102 and FRS 105 thresholds.
- 02
Standard and policy selection
Confirm FRS 102 Section 1A or FRS 105, document accounting policies, and assess audit exemption eligibility.
- 03
Financial statement preparation
Prepare primary statements and notes with required disclosures for chosen reporting standard.
- 04
Director approval and filing
Directors approve financial statements for Companies House filing with iXBRL tagging for CT600.
UK companies prepare financial statements under UK GAAP — principally FRS 102 (Financial Reporting Standard 102) with Section 1A for small entities, or FRS 105 for micro-entities. Micro-entity criteria require turnover ≤£632,000, balance sheet total ≤£316,000, and ≤10 employees — meeting two of three qualifies. FRS 105 permits minimal disclosures and simplified formats. Small companies under FRS 102 Section 1A benefit from reduced disclosure but more flexibility than micro-entities. Companies exceeding small company thresholds apply full FRS 102 with additional disclosures and may require audit unless exempt. Audit exemption applies to small companies meeting turnover ≤£10.2 million and balance sheet ≤£5.1 million thresholds. We select the appropriate standard at engagement start and maintain consistency year-on-year unless company size changes trigger a different regime.
Common questions
06 / 10
Xero / QuickBooks / Sage / FreeAgent Setup
Configure the right UK cloud accounting platform with MTD-compatible chart of accounts, bank feeds, VAT settings, and CIS modules from day one. Xero is the most popular UK platform with direct MTD VAT submission to HMRC — we also implement QuickBooks, Sage Business Cloud, and FreeAgent based on your industry and integration needs.
MTD-compatible platform setup
UK chart of accounts
Open banking integration
User roles and access
How it works, details and FAQsShow less
How it works
- 01
Platform selection
Recommend Xero, QuickBooks, Sage, or FreeAgent based on turnover, CIS needs, payroll, and integrations.
- 02
Instance configuration
Set up organisation details, VAT scheme, financial year, nominal codes, and MTD authorisation.
- 03
Migration and integration
Migrate opening balances from spreadsheets or prior software and connect bank feeds and apps.
- 04
Training and handoff
Train your team on invoicing, expenses, bank reconciliation, and MTD VAT submission workflows.
- 01
Platform selection
Recommend Xero, QuickBooks, Sage, or FreeAgent based on turnover, CIS needs, payroll, and integrations.
- 02
Instance configuration
Set up organisation details, VAT scheme, financial year, nominal codes, and MTD authorisation.
- 03
Migration and integration
Migrate opening balances from spreadsheets or prior software and connect bank feeds and apps.
- 04
Training and handoff
Train your team on invoicing, expenses, bank reconciliation, and MTD VAT submission workflows.
Xero dominates the UK small business accounting market with native MTD VAT submission directly to HMRC, open banking feeds from all major UK banks, and extensive app marketplace integrations. QuickBooks Online, Sage Business Cloud Accounting, and FreeAgent are equally HMRC-recognised for MTD and suit specific industries — Sage for traditional businesses, FreeAgent for contractors and freelancers with built-in CIS. We configure VAT schemes (standard, flat rate, cash accounting), CIS contractor settings, payroll integration with BrightPay or Xero Payroll, and nominal codes aligned to FRS 102 reporting categories. Migration from spreadsheets, desktop Sage, or QuickBooks Desktop includes opening balance validation against prior-year statutory accounts. MTD authorisation links your software to HMRC for direct VAT return submission — eliminating manual portal entry and satisfying digital links requirements.
Common questions
07 / 10
Accounts Payable & Receivable Management
Track what you owe suppliers and what customers owe you with disciplined AP and AR workflows that support accrual-basis FRS 102 accounts and healthy UK cash flow. We manage bill entry, invoice tracking, ageing reports, and payment scheduling so VAT reclaim and Corporation Tax deductions are captured correctly.
Cash flow visibility
Accrual-basis accuracy
Receivable follow-up
VAT on AP and AR
How it works, details and FAQsShow less
How it works
- 01
AP and AR workflow design
Define bill approval, invoice numbering, payment terms, and credit control procedures.
- 02
Bill and invoice entry
Enter supplier bills and customer invoices with correct nominal and VAT coding in Xero or equivalent.
- 03
Ageing and payment scheduling
Generate AP and AR ageing reports and coordinate payment runs aligned with cash position.
- 04
Period-end reconciliation
Reconcile AP and AR to nominal ledger and accrue unmatched items at month and year-end.
- 01
AP and AR workflow design
Define bill approval, invoice numbering, payment terms, and credit control procedures.
- 02
Bill and invoice entry
Enter supplier bills and customer invoices with correct nominal and VAT coding in Xero or equivalent.
- 03
Ageing and payment scheduling
Generate AP and AR ageing reports and coordinate payment runs aligned with cash position.
- 04
Period-end reconciliation
Reconcile AP and AR to nominal ledger and accrue unmatched items at month and year-end.
Accrual-basis accounts under FRS 102 require expenses recorded when incurred and income when earned — not when cash moves. We enter supplier bills when received, ensuring VAT input tax is reclaimed in the correct MTD quarter, and track customer invoices through ageing schedules flagging debts beyond 30, 60, and 90 days. Late payment interest under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts Act applies to B2B transactions in the UK. Payment scheduling balances supplier relationships against cash flow forecasts and PAYE/VAT payment obligations to HMRC. Month-end AP and AR reconciliations ensure nominal ledger balances match subsidiary records for clean management accounts and year-end statutory accounts. Bad debt provisions are posted where recovery is doubtful, with VAT bad debt relief claimed through MTD records where applicable.
Common questions
08 / 10
CIS Accounting (Construction Industry Scheme)
Manage Construction Industry Scheme accounting for UK contractors and subcontractors — verifying subcontractors with HMRC, deducting tax at 20% or 30%, and filing monthly CIS returns. CIS compliance is mandatory for construction businesses and errors result in HMRC penalties and subcontractor payment disputes.
Subcontractor verification
Monthly CIS returns
20% and 30% deduction tracking
Payment and deduction statements
How it works, details and FAQsShow less
How it works
- 01
CIS registration and setup
Confirm contractor CIS registration with HMRC and configure accounting software CIS module.
- 02
Subcontractor verification
Verify each subcontractor with HMRC before first payment and record deduction rate on file.
- 03
Payment processing and deductions
Process subcontractor payments deducting CIS at 20% or 30% on labour — not materials — components.
- 04
Monthly return and statement filing
File CIS300 return by the 19th and issue payment and deduction statements to subcontractors.
- 01
CIS registration and setup
Confirm contractor CIS registration with HMRC and configure accounting software CIS module.
- 02
Subcontractor verification
Verify each subcontractor with HMRC before first payment and record deduction rate on file.
- 03
Payment processing and deductions
Process subcontractor payments deducting CIS at 20% or 30% on labour — not materials — components.
- 04
Monthly return and statement filing
File CIS300 return by the 19th and issue payment and deduction statements to subcontractors.
The Construction Industry Scheme requires UK contractors to deduct tax from subcontractor payments for construction work and report to HMRC monthly. Subcontractors must be verified with HMRC before first payment — registered subcontractors receive 20% standard rate deduction, unverified subcontractors 30% higher rate. Gross payment status subcontractors receive no deduction but must meet HMRC qualifying conditions. Deductions apply to labour costs only — not materials supplied by the subcontractor. Monthly CIS returns (CIS300) are due by the 19th of the month following the tax month end. Payment and deduction statements must be issued to subcontractors. Xero, FreeAgent, and Sage include CIS modules for verification, deduction calculation, and return filing. CIS deductions suffered by subcontractors offset against Self Assessment or Corporation Tax liabilities. We manage full CIS accounting for contractors and advise subcontractors on deduction reconciliation.
Common questions
09 / 10
eCommerce Bookkeeping (Amazon UK, Shopify)
Reconcile multi-channel eCommerce revenue from Amazon UK, Shopify, and payment processors against bank deposits with correct UK VAT treatment. Post-Brexit cross-border selling adds customs, IOSS, and OSS complexity — we specialise in eCommerce bookkeeping that satisfies MTD, HMRC, and Companies House reporting.
Amazon UK reconciliation
Shopify Payments UK sync
Cross-border VAT post-Brexit
Multi-channel COGS tracking
How it works, details and FAQsShow less
How it works
- 01
Channel and processor mapping
Catalog selling channels, payment processors, fee structures, and VAT obligations by destination.
- 02
Integration setup
Connect A2X, Link My Books, or native integrations to import settlements into MTD-compatible software.
- 03
Monthly settlement reconciliation
Reconcile gross sales, fees, refunds, and VAT by channel against bank deposits each month.
- 04
MTD VAT and accounts reporting
Deliver VAT-ready reports and reconciled P&L for quarterly MTD submission and year-end accounts.
- 01
Channel and processor mapping
Catalog selling channels, payment processors, fee structures, and VAT obligations by destination.
- 02
Integration setup
Connect A2X, Link My Books, or native integrations to import settlements into MTD-compatible software.
- 03
Monthly settlement reconciliation
Reconcile gross sales, fees, refunds, and VAT by channel against bank deposits each month.
- 04
MTD VAT and accounts reporting
Deliver VAT-ready reports and reconciled P&L for quarterly MTD submission and year-end accounts.
UK eCommerce businesses face bookkeeping complexity from Amazon Seller Central settlements, Shopify Payments batches, Stripe payouts, and post-Brexit cross-border VAT rules. Amazon UK disbursements net FBA fees, referral commissions, and storage charges — we reconcile gross merchandise value to net bank deposits with VAT split correctly for MTD. Shopify Payments UK settles on delayed schedules with processing fees deducted. Since Brexit, sales to EU customers may require UK VAT on B2C distance sales or registration under EU OSS schemes for EU VAT. Import VAT on stock inbound to UK FBA warehouses must be accounted for separately. Tools like A2X and Link My Books automate settlement imports into Xero with correct VAT coding. Multi-channel reconciliation ensures statutory accounts and CT600 returns reflect accurate revenue for Companies House filing within nine months of year-end.
Common questions
10 / 10
Outsourced Finance Department & CFO Services
Access a full UK finance function — bookkeeping, management accounts, VAT, payroll coordination, and strategic CFO advice — without hiring an in-house team. Outsourced finance department services give UK SMEs controller-level oversight for lender covenants, investor reporting, and HMRC compliance from a single partner.
Full finance team capability
CFO-level reporting
HMRC compliance oversight
Growth and funding support
How it works, details and FAQsShow less
How it works
- 01
Finance function assessment
Review current team, software, compliance gaps, and reporting needs against outsourced scope.
- 02
Service design and onboarding
Define bookkeeping, reporting, VAT, CIS, and CFO advisory scope with clear deliverables and SLAs.
- 03
Monthly finance cycle delivery
Execute bookkeeping, reconciliation, management accounts, and VAT preparation each period.
- 04
Strategic review and year-end
Quarterly CFO reviews, year-end statutory accounts coordination, and CT600 handoff to tax advisers.
- 01
Finance function assessment
Review current team, software, compliance gaps, and reporting needs against outsourced scope.
- 02
Service design and onboarding
Define bookkeeping, reporting, VAT, CIS, and CFO advisory scope with clear deliverables and SLAs.
- 03
Monthly finance cycle delivery
Execute bookkeeping, reconciliation, management accounts, and VAT preparation each period.
- 04
Strategic review and year-end
Quarterly CFO reviews, year-end statutory accounts coordination, and CT600 handoff to tax advisers.
UK SMEs often outgrow founder-managed spreadsheets but cannot justify a full finance team of bookkeeper, management accountant, and financial controller. Our outsourced finance department provides the complete function: MTD-compliant bookkeeping in Xero, monthly management accounts under FRS 102, quarterly MTD VAT returns, CIS monthly filing for construction clients, and payroll coordination with BrightPay or Xero Payroll. CFO-level services add 13-week cash flow forecasting, budget vs actual variance analysis, Corporation Tax provision tracking, and board-ready reporting packages. We monitor Companies House accounts deadlines (nine months), CT600 filing (twelve months), and Corporation Tax payment (nine months plus one day). Financial packages support UK bank covenant reporting, SEIS/EIS investor due diligence, and R&D tax relief documentation under HMRC's SME scheme.
Common questions
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Accounting & Bookkeeping · United Kingdom
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