Accountant or bookkeeper in Lincolnshire

Accountant or bookkeeper: the basics

What the job involves

Accountants prepare accounts and tax returns, advise on tax and business structure and deal with HMRC and Companies House; bookkeepers keep the day-to-day records, run payroll and VAT returns. Many small businesses use a bookkeeper monthly and an accountant for year-end.

What to ask a pro, and what to have ready

Describe your business (sole trader, limited company, landlord) and what you need. Ask about qualifications and professional body membership (such as ICAEW, ACCA, CIMA, AAT or ICB), fixed fees versus hourly rates, what is included, software they use and response times.

Safety and good to know

Anyone can call themselves an accountant; membership of a professional body means qualifications, insurance and a complaints route. Accountancy service providers must be supervised for anti-money-laundering purposes by a professional body or HMRC. We don't give tax or financial advice. LincsDirectory doesn't vet or endorse businesses — always check credentials and get a written quote.

Good to know

software such as cloud bookkeeping tools can cut the hours you pay for, so ask whether the accountant works with yours. For limited companies, confirmation statements and accounts have fixed deadlines with penalties, so ask who tracks them. Switching accountant is normal; the new one will ask the old one for your records.

Written by LincsDirectory from public guidance. It is general information, not advice for your situation. LincsDirectory doesn't vet or endorse businesses — always check credentials and get a written quote.