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Accountancy & Tax in Dorchester

Key start-up information and list of local accountants

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Dorchester Accountants

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Having a good firm of accountants on your side will ensure that you have all the information and support that you need to help your business grow and flourish.

They can offer advice and help you comply with accounting and tax requirements.

If you are self employed or run a small enterprise in Dorchester, it makes sense to use an Accountant or Bookkeeper who is keen to help small business and new business start ups rather than struggle with the task yourself.

Recommended Local Partner

Hixsons

Hixsons

If you are looking for a team of reliable, approachable, and proactive accountants in Dorset who will do more than just respond to your needs but work alongside you to help you succeed you have come to the right place.

Our mission is to enable you to realise your goals by giving you the tools to set, measure and achieve your vision.

All the tools you need to be a success are here at Hixsons - new ways of thinking about your business, so you work on it, not in it, all the time. If you only do the simple things right every time, everyone will think you are brilliant. We can show you how to do it easily.

In today’s challenging business environment you need to be competitive and fast moving. This site provides you with a wide range of essential advice and information covering all aspects of business that you are welcome to use as your ‘one stop shop’ . These online services are free and updated regularly.

We also take that approach when we work with you, giving you the support in all the areas that you need.

Every business owner needs a team of professionals who provide continuous support and advice. That's what we're here to do.

Through years of commitment to our business clients here at Hixsons in Bournemouth we have developed a wide range of skills and services designed to improve your performance and profitability.

This is what a client says about us:

"Prior to Hixsons, our company employed 2 accountancy firms from inception 20 years ago. Hixsons took on our company accountancy in 2010 and since this time have been proactive in their approach and made recommendations to available grants otherwise unknown to us. Changes to our personal structure have allowed us to make savings with realistic objectives possible. Hixsons are reliable, trustworthy and forward thinking. Our only regret is that we didn't find them sooner!"

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Local partners

We are happy to promote anyone who is prepared to offer friendly support to local start-ups.

Our local partners have been kind enough to help us and are keen to help you too.

Main Accounting Considerations

Sole Trader or Limited Company

One of the first decisions you will need to make is which legal structure is likely to suit your new business and this will affect your accountancy obligations.

You can read a detailed article about your various options at: Sole Trader or Limited Company?

The information below primarily relates to self-employment but if you decide to trade as a limited company, you can read more here: Running a Limited Company.

Becoming Self-Employed

You should tell HMRC as soon as you start self-employment, otherwise you may face a penalty. You are considered to have started self-employment when you have something to sell and either have a customer for your goods or services, or you are actively marketing your business.

You can let HMRC know about your self-employment by registering online for business taxes. A Self-Assessment Online account will automatically be set up at the same time. This allows you to send your Self-Assessment tax returns online. You will receive an Activation Code. You need to activate the service within 28 days. If you don’t, you will have to ask for a new Activation Code.

You can register online at https://www.gov.uk/log-in-register-hmrc-online-services/register

National Insurance

As a self-employed person, you pay a fixed amount of Class 2 National Insurance contributions (NIC). If your profits are above a certain limit, you may also have to pay Class 4 National Insurance contributions.

See Self-employed National Insurance rates for full details.

Statutory Records

It is very important that you set up a record keeping system and keep all records and supporting documents. Records for the current tax year must be retained until 31 January 2022.

You must keep records of all money coming into and going out of your business. This includes all cash, cheques and credit card transactions.

Your records should be adequate to allow you to complete an accurate Self Assessment return. You will be expected to keep a full record of:

  • All sales made and other business income, as it is earned.
  • The cost of all business expenses and purchases as you pay them, no matter how little they cost.
  • All purchases of business stock, goods and raw materials.
  • Mileage records.
  • Capital expenditure; keep a separate record of all purchases and sales of business equipment, machinery and vehicles, together with the receipts.
  • Keep a record of the market value of equipment or vehicles introduced into the business that you owned before starting your business.

See Business records if you're self-employed for full details.

Key Dates

There are key dates that you need to be aware of during the financial year. These relate to reporting and payment of any monies due. A list of dates and full explanation can be found here.

Value Added Tax (VAT)

You must register for VAT if:

  • Your taxable turnover exceeds the VAT threshold in any 12 month period
  • you expect your taxable turnover to exceed the VAT threshold within the next 30 days
  • you take over an existing VAT registered business as a going concern

You have 30 days from the date you meet any of these criteria to register.

Usually, VAT registration can be completed online and if you apply online, you will be enrolled automatically so that you can submit your VAT return online (there is no longer a paper version).

The current VAT threshold is £85,000; if your turnover is below the registration limit, you can choose whether to apply for voluntary registration. The standard rate of VAT currently is 20%.

See the official VAT website for full up to date details.

Dorchester Accountants

Summ-It Up Accountancy Services
Providing Services as Individual as You are For every client we look at your individual needs, what you want to get from your accounts and bookkeeping and, we build our services and fees around this. Whether fixed or flexible, we don’t have a standard tariff for most of our services, the fees are designed around your needs. No two people are the same, and the same goes for businesses so with just a handful of clients, Summ-It Up Accountancy was started in 2009 offering a personalised bookkeeping, payroll and accountancy service for small businesses. With on site visits in our local area of Martock, Somerset, or with the use of technology, like Skype or FaceTime, we can meet face to face for regular updates and make sure you keep in control of your business. Why use Summ It Up Accountancy? I set out to offer a personalised bookkeeping and accountancy service for small businesses, and with just a handful of clients, Summ-It Up was started in 2009. No person is the same so I decided to apply that theory to businesses; what accounting needs one business has are not necessarily the same as its neighbour. So that’s what I did, and still do to this day. For every client, we look at your individual needs, what you want to get from your accounts and bookkeeping and we build our services and fees around this. Whether fixed or flexible, we don’t have a standard tariff for most of our services, the fees are designed around your needs. Give me a call to see how I can help.
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Hixsons
If you are looking for a team of reliable, approachable, and proactive accountants in Dorset who will do more than just respond to your needs but work alongside you to help you succeed you have come to the right place. Our mission is to enable you to realise your goals by giving you the tools to set, measure and achieve your vision. All the tools you need to be a success are here at Hixsons - new ways of thinking about your business, so you work on it, not in it, all the time. If you only do the simple things right every time, everyone will think you are brilliant. We can show you how to do it easily. In today’s challenging business environment you need to be competitive and fast moving. This site provides you with a wide range of essential advice and information covering all aspects of business that you are welcome to use as your ‘one stop shop’ . These online services are free and updated regularly. We also take that approach when we work with you, giving you the support in all the areas that you need. Every business owner needs a team of professionals who provide continuous support and advice. That's what we're here to do. Through years of commitment to our business clients here at Hixsons in Bournemouth we have developed a wide range of skills and services designed to improve your performance and profitability. This is what a client says about us: "Prior to Hixsons, our company employed 2 accountancy firms from inception 20 years ago. Hixsons took on our company accountancy in 2010 and since this time have been proactive in their approach and made recommendations to available grants otherwise unknown to us. Changes to our personal structure have allowed us to make savings with realistic objectives possible. Hixsons are reliable, trustworthy and forward thinking. Our only regret is that we didn't find them sooner!"
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P&L Accounts
Forward thinking accountants, using the latest technology we pride ourselves on providing exceptional service, this includes utilizing Xero the market leading online accounts package so that we can help you and your new business more. With clear, competitive fixed fees payable monthly, we help spread the cost which is invaluable when setting up. Come and see the difference we make to you and your business.
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Accountancy Co-operative
The Friendly & Approachable Accountancy Service! Providing a high quality professional and personal service, sensitive to your individual needs and situation. Free initial consulation Sage Accountant Club Member Bookkeeping Advice Remote Support
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Bright Star Accounting
Accessible services, free and easily available business information, practical financial and commercial advice. Embracing technology and the opportunities that it provides to maximise convenience and minimise cost. We are accountants, we are even registered auditors, but people are the essence of a small business, and we are revolutionising the working methods in a way that truly benefits you.
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Easytax Accountants
We are a firm of accountants who work only with self-employed people and small business owners.The easytax team has over 50 years collective experience in accountancy and financial services. We work closely with our clients to establish their precise needs and tailor our service accordingly.
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Fraser Monro Accounting Services
With over 20 years of experience, Fraser Monro provides expert financial and business advice to businesses of all sizes, in particular new and growing businesses that require support. A tailored personal service guaranteed.
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Gayfords Accountancy Services
We sepcialise in preparing accounts for SMEs and we can help with online submissions.We can operate on a set fee for all services so there will be no additional costs.
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P&L Accounts
Not all accountants are the same, P&L Accounts can really help Start Up business with our innovative use of cloud accounting software and additional services traditional accountants cannot match
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Pepperbox Bookkeeping
Complete bookkeeping service, management accounts, credit control, payroll, vat returns. bank reconciliation. accounts prepared to submission to your accountant and bank manager.
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Scott Vevers Ltd
Chartered Accountants Tax Advisors Specialists in Performance Measurement & Improvement
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Ward Goodman
At Ward Goodman we understand that each small enterprise and start up business requires a specialized service to survive and flourish in todays competitive marketplace. This is why we have created our dedicated Small & start up business unit that is managed and staffed by professional small and new business experts.
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Local help for startups

There is plenty of help for startups in Dorchester but where can it be found?

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