Accountancy and bookkeeping

We are able to assist you in choosing the most suitable software for the requirements of your business and be on hand to install and train your staff to run it. The key is to ensure that your chosen software is strong in the areas which are most important to you. As well as being an authorised Sage dealer we are also experienced in cloud based accounting software with a specific expertise with Xero (3 members of staff are Xero Certified). We are able to assist you in setting up or moving to Xero. We offer training to give you an understanding of the way the key areas of Sage and Xero software work. We can assist you in preparing monthly or quarterly management accounts and train your staff to do this themselves. We can assist in year-end close down and prepare the financial statements.

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Payroll

Dealing with an employee payroll is not particularly difficult and we can guide you through the HM Revenue manuals and forms, help set up a computerised payroll and also assist in the year end filing requirements. Alternatively we can arrange for a book-keeper to provide you with a full payroll service and relieve you of the burden completely.

Pensions

We have comprehensive knowledge of the laws and regulations for both self invested personal pensions (SIPPS) and small self administered schemes (SASS) and can offer advice on establishing these schemes and tax efficient ways to purchase commercial property within the scheme. We can also assist you in establishing an auto enrolment pension scheme.

Taxation

We prepare both personal and corporation tax returns. We will consult with you to plan your taxation and financial affairs to your best advantage. We will deal with HM Revenue & Customs on your behalf and make sure all forms are completed accurately and submitted by the due date. We have extensive knowledge of VAT and all of its complexities and can offer advice in all of its aspects. It is increasingly common for proprietors of small businesses to choose to operate as a limited company for practical, legal and tax planning purposes. We can assist you in the company formation routine and advise on tax efficient shareholdings. We are able to offer clients a fee protection insurance policy to protect you from an H M Revenue and Customs investigation.

Fees

We would hope to give you an estimate of our fees from an initial discussion.

We usually invoice only once a year on completion of the accounts or tax return and do not charge for assistance during the year unless it is for a specific major project of some description.

Business start up

We can provide you with advice to help prepare your business plan and assist in the budgets, cash flows and forecasts necessary to arrange finance. It is difficult for a new and growing business to raise finance in today’s economic climate. Your bank will want to see clear evidence that you will be able to make the necessary repayments and may well require additional security. We have very good experience in these type of negotiations. We also have excellent relationships with a number of local banks. We will discuss with you the appropriate legal entity to use to operate the business and explain the advantages and disadvantages of incorporation.

Financial matters

Lewis & Sons Accountants Limited are not authorised under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 but we are able in certain circumstances to offer a limited range of investment services to clients because we are members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. We can provide these investment services if they are an incidental part of the professional services we have been engaged to provide.