What we do
As you would expect, our main role is the professional completion of your accounts and tax returns. We will also ensure that all the necessary registrations, submissions and computations are professionally prepared and filed on time to HM Revenue and Customs (and Companies House as required). We also deal with accounting and tax changes that affect you, and constantly look for opportunities to save you tax.
Our service ethos is to act as your first point of professional contact. We provide a personal service, so that clients have year-round access to professional advice as part of our fixed fees.
In general, our services cover:
- Professional preparation of business accounts (annual statutory accounts, as well as mid-year management accounts, if necessary)
- Calculation of business tax, and dealing with HM Revenue and Customs
- Full PAYE payroll service, including pay strategies for Company Directors
- Dealing with all aspects of VAT
- Personal tax returns and tax planning for individuals
- General ongoing professional advice throughout the year
Our service ethos is to act as your first point of professional contact. As well as the usual accounts and tax work you would expect of us, we also have expertise in dealing with wider business issues, such as raising finance, and producing business plans & cash-flow projections.
Professional service with a ‘personal touch’
We provide a professional client service to all kinds of small businesses, and individuals. All our clients are dealt with personally by our Principal, Stephen Fay ACA. This means you will deal with the same person every time you contact us. This ‘service ethos’ sets us apart from other accountants.
When you phone, your call will be taken, or we will call you back promptly. When you email, you will receive a prompt reply. Meeting requests will be scheduled as soon as possible (or, on the same day for emergencies such as on notification of a HM Revenue and Customs investigation). We also aim to complete your annual accounts and taxation work within 4 weeks of receiving your records.
We provide year-round ongoing advice and support as part of our fixed-fee service, so that clients can ask questions and not feel like the clock is ticking! We allow for a number of face-to-face meetings every year within our fixed fees, to ensure we understand your business, and you understand your accounts and tax returns.
Our Principal is available for evening and weekend appointments if required.
Outstanding tax expertise
Almost anyone can call themselves an ‘accountant’, so how do you know what to look for?
The ‘Chartered Accountant’ qualification (designated by the letters ‘ACA’) is widely accepted to be the toughest accountancy qualification to obtain. Our Principal, Stephen Fay, is a fully-qualified Chartered Accountant with 13 years experience.
By choosing a Chartered Accountant, you can be sure that you have chosen a professional who has reached a high standard of academic study, has the required experience, and is regulated by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).
But, it’s not just about academic qualifications – your accountant should be more than a ‘bean-counter’. Your accountant should also be someone you feel comfortable talking to, especially as for many small businesses, their accountant is their only professional adviser.
It’s also worth noting that banks and large suppliers will often form an opinion about your business based on the quality of your accountant, including their professional qualifications.
You only have one accountant, so make sure you get the best!
Tax planning
Always remember: the taxman’s job is to collect tax, not to save you money (that’s your accountant’s job!)
Most tax-planning needs to be completed in advance. Organising your affairs in a tax-effective way will enable you to reduce your tax bills now, and in the future.
There are many ways to legitimately save tax – but many accountants do not take time to understand every client’s situation thoroughly to squeeze out every ounce of tax savings possible – we do!
We operate our usual fixed-fee approach to tax-planning exercises. After understanding your current situation, and future plans and aspirations, we will explain the work required, and provide a fair fixed-fee quote to ensure that your affairs are set up as tax-effectively as possible.
Our most popular services are:
- Investment property planning (including holiday lets and overseas property)
- Capital gains tax and inheritance tax planning
- Arriving / Leaving the UK & other overseas issues
