Ken Accounting provides bookkeeping services in Uxbridge for sole traders, landlords and limited companies who would rather spend their time running the business. Your books are kept by qualified, IFA-regulated accountants, not a separate bookkeeping team. We agree a fixed fee up front, so the cost never creeps up.
Monthly or quarterly bookkeeping
Good bookkeeping is not just a job for year end. When your records are up to date, you can see how the business is really doing, plan for tax bills and answer questions from your bank or HMRC without a scramble.
We can keep your books monthly or quarterly. Monthly suits businesses with plenty of transactions, staff or VAT to manage. Quarterly often works well for smaller sole traders and landlords, and fits neatly with VAT and Making Tax Digital deadlines.
A typical bookkeeping service covers:
- Reconciling your business bank accounts and credit cards
- Recording sales invoices and supplier bills
- Matching receipts to transactions and categorising expenses correctly
- Keeping track of who owes you money and who you owe
- Preparing figures for your VAT return, if you are VAT registered
- A short summary of how the business is performing
[TODO: Gaurav to confirm what is included in the standard bookkeeping service and the usual turnaround time each month or quarter]
Because the same practice also prepares your accounts and tax returns, nothing is lost between your bookkeeper and your accountant. Year-end accounts are quicker, and there are fewer questions to answer.
Bookkeeping in Xero and other cloud software
We are a Xero Silver Partner, and Xero is the software we recommend for most small businesses. Bank feeds bring your transactions in automatically, so there is far less typing and far less to go wrong. You can see your figures at any time, from your phone or laptop.
If you already use other cloud accounting software, talk to us before you change anything. We can often work with what you have, or help you move across to Xero with your history intact.
You can read more about how we set up and support Xero on our Xero and cloud accounting page.
MTD-ready digital records
Making Tax Digital is changing how records must be kept. If you are VAT registered, HMRC already requires you to keep digital records and file VAT returns through compatible software.
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax now applies to sole traders and landlords too. Since 6 April 2026, anyone with qualifying income over £50,000 must keep digital records and send quarterly updates to HMRC. The threshold falls to £30,000 from April 2027 and £20,000 from April 2028.
Qualifying income is your total self-employment and property income before expenses, so it can catch people who think of themselves as small. Keeping your books in Xero means your records are already in the format HMRC expects. When the quarterly deadline comes round, your update is ready to send.
Find out more on our Making Tax Digital page, or see how we handle VAT returns.
What it costs
Every business is different, so we price bookkeeping after a short conversation about what you need. We then agree a fixed fee, usually paid monthly, so you can budget for it.
The main things that affect the fee are:
- How many transactions go through your bank accounts each month
- How many bank accounts, credit cards and payment platforms you use
- Whether you are VAT registered, and which VAT scheme you use
- Whether you employ staff and need payroll as well
- How organised your records are, and how often you want them updated
[TODO: Gaurav to confirm “from £” price or keep as quote-only]
If your needs change, we will talk to you before any change to your fee. You can see more about how we price our work on our fees page.
How we get started
Getting started is straightforward, whether you are new to business or switching from another bookkeeper.
- 1. Free consultation. We talk through your business, how you keep records now and what you need from us. You can come to our office at The Charter Building in Uxbridge or speak to us remotely.
- 2. Fixed fee agreed. We confirm what is included and what it will cost before any work starts.
- 3. Set-up. We connect your bank feeds in Xero, or take over your existing software. If you are switching, we contact your previous bookkeeper or accountant for the information we need.
- 4. Catch-up if needed. If your books are behind, we bring them up to date first.
- 5. Regular bookkeeping. We then keep your records up to date every month or quarter, and let you know if anything needs your attention.
FAQs
Do I need a bookkeeper if I have an accountant?
Not always. Many small businesses use one firm for both. When your accountant also keeps your books, your year-end accounts and tax returns are usually quicker and more accurate.
Can you catch up on books that are months behind?
Yes. We can bring your records up to date and then keep them current. The fee for catch-up work depends on how many months are involved and the state of the records, and we will agree it with you first.
Do I have to use Xero?
No, but we recommend it for most clients. If you use other cloud software, we can talk about whether to keep it or move to Xero.
Will my records be ready for Making Tax Digital?
Yes. We keep your books digitally in software that works with HMRC’s systems. That means your records are ready for MTD for VAT now and for MTD for Income Tax when it applies to you.
Do I need to come into your Uxbridge office?
No. You are welcome to visit us in Uxbridge, but most bookkeeping can be done entirely online. Many clients simply upload receipts and send us questions by email or phone.