Entries by Tim Marshall

,

Bookkeeping For Startups: Everything You Need to Know

Starting a business involves many considerations. While customers, pricing, marketing, and product delivery are urgent, bookkeeping begins as soon as your business starts handling money. Getting your bookkeeping right early can prevent months of backtracking, missing paperwork, and confusion about your finances. This guide provides all the essential information on bookkeeping for startups in the […]

,

Your October Checklist for the 7th November MTD Deadline

The deadline for the 7th November MTD submission is approaching. For sole traders and landlords who began Making Tax Digital for Income Tax in April 2026, this marks the second quarterly update of the first mandatory MTD year. October is your last full month to ensure your bookkeeping is accurate, your digital records are complete, […]

,

Making Tax Digital Records: What Do You Need to Keep?

Making Tax Digital records sit at the heart of MTD for Income Tax. If you are within scope, you must maintain digital records of your relevant self-employment or property income and expenses all year. These records supply the information needed for your quarterly updates to HMRC. But what exactly should you record, what qualifies as […]

,

A Bookkeeper’s Role in Making Tax Digital

A bookkeeper’s role in Making Tax Digital is to ensure these records are accurate, organised, and up to date, enabling reliable financial inputs for each quarterly update. Making Tax Digital for Income Tax requires in-scope sole traders and landlords to maintain digital records and report data to HMRC regularly. From tracking income and expenses to […]

,

It’s a Legal Requirement to Be MTD Registered: Are You?

If you should be MTD registered and haven’t yet, it’s urgent to do so now—it’s no longer just a pending task. Since 6 April 2026, sole traders and landlords below the Making Tax Digital for Income Tax threshold must use MTD. HMRC has confirmed that starting September 2026, they will automatically register individuals who should […]

,

Back to Basics: What is Making Tax Digital?

Making Tax Digital has changed the way many sole traders and landlords keep financial records and report information to HMRC. If you have heard about MTD but are still unsure what it actually means for your business, this Back to Basics guide covers the essentials. What is Making Tax Digital? Making Tax Digital (MTD) is […]

AI Bookkeeping Can Categorise Your Transactions, But Can You Trust It?

AI bookkeeping can categorise your transactions, but can you trust it? Answered below. AI is increasingly becoming integral to accounting software. Transactions can be automatically imported, receipts can be digitised, and programs can recommend appropriate categories for various expenses. It can significantly reduce time spent on bookkeeping tasks. However, an essential question arises for all […]

,

What Does a Bookkeeper Do? A Guide for UK Businesses

Have you ever wondered, “What does a bookkeeper actually do?” Or if you’re not sure whether you need a bookkeeper, you’re not alone. Many business owners know bookkeeping is important but aren’t entirely sure what a bookkeeper actually does, or how they could help. Whether you’re a sole trader, landlord or limited company, a professional […]

Why Monthly Bookkeeping Makes Running Your Business Easier

Many business owners put off bookkeeping until a tax deadline approaches or paperwork starts to pile up. This might feel easier at first, but it usually leads to more work, extra stress, and a higher chance of mistakes. Doing your bookkeeping every month gives you a better view of your business, helps you stay compliant […]

, ,

What Happens After Your First MTD Submission?

Submitting your first Making Tax Digital (MTD) update is a key milestone. If you have successfully completed your first quarterly submission, congratulations! You have taken the first step towards a new method of reporting your income to HMRC. However, your first MTD submission is just that, the first of multiple updates you’ll make throughout the […]

What Happens If My Bookkeeping Is Wrong?

What happens if your bookkeeping is wrong? Everyone makes mistakes. A missed receipt, an incorrect transaction, or a payment entered in the wrong category might not seem like a big deal at the time. But when those mistakes accumulate, they can affect far more than your bookkeeping. Inaccurate records can lead to poor business decisions, […]

Why Good Bookkeeping Is About More Than Tax

Good bookkeeping is about more than tax. Ask most business owners why they keep bookkeeping records, and the answer is usually the same. “For tax.” While that’s certainly one reason, it’s far from the whole picture. Good bookkeeping isn’t just about meeting HMRC requirements or preparing a tax return. It’s one of the most valuable […]

, ,

Goska Dabrowski Marks 10 years with Rosemary Bookkeeping 

10 years of trusted bookkeeping. Goska Dabrowski is celebrating 10 years in business with Rosemary Bookkeeping, a milestone that reflects a decade of supporting local businesses across Bournemouth with reliable, accurate financial management.  For Goska, this achievement reflects commitment and consistency. For her clients, it represents something just as valuable. Stability, trust and a long-term […]

,

The August MTD Deadline: What You Need To Know

The First Major Making Tax Digital Deadline Is Approaching Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax may have gone live in April 2026, but many sole traders and landlords are now focusing on the first major deadline. For those affected by the new rules, the first quarterly update must be submitted to HMRC by 7 […]

, ,

What Football Clubs Can Teach Small Businesses About Bookkeeping

Every four years, the World Cup reminds us that success rarely happens by accident. Fans see the goals, trophies, and celebrations. Behind the scenes, however, there is an enormous amount of planning, analysis, and financial management. Professional football clubs operate in a very different world from most small businesses, but there are valuable bookkeeping lessons for […]

,

The Real Cost of Bad Bookkeeping

Many business owners think bookkeeping only matters when a tax return or deadline is approaching. The reality is that poor bookkeeping can affect your business every day. Bad bookkeeping is not always obvious. Often, the cost shows up as missed opportunities, poor decisions, unnecessary stress, and avoidable penalties. Missing expenses can increase your tax bill […]

,

How Ready Are You for Your First MTD Submission?

MTDfIT (Making Tax Digital for Income Tax) is now underway for sole traders and landlords with qualifying income over £50,000. The first quarterly update covers the period from 6 April to 5 July 2026 and must be submitted by 7 August 2026, just two months away! But you still have time. The question is simple: […]

,

Nirmal Thakkar Wins Rosemary North Star Customer Award

Rosemary Bookkeeping is proud to announce that Nirmal Thakkar, owner of Rosemary Bookkeeping Garden City, has won the Rosemary North Star Customer Award. This award recognises Nirmal’s commitment to building a customer-first business that local clients can trust. For Nirmal, great bookkeeping is about more than keeping records up to date. It is about giving […]

,

Zoe Barnard-Rowlands Wins Rosemary North Star Invest Award

Rosemary Bookkeeping is proud to announce that Zoe Barnard-Rowlands, owner of Rosemary Bookkeeping Exeter, has won the Rosemary North Star Invest Award. This award recognises Zoe’s commitment to investing in her business, her brand, and the local market since purchasing Rosemary Bookkeeping Exeter. Since taking over from the previous owner, Zoe has brought fresh energy […]

,

Fiona Perks Wins Rosemary Bookkeeping North Star Award for People

Fiona Perks Wins Rosemary North Star Award for People. Rosemary Bookkeeping is proud to announce that Fiona Perks, owner of Rosemary Bookkeeping Wyre Forest, has won the North Star Award for People. This award recognises Fiona’s commitment to building a strong, supported, and capable team within her Rosemary Bookkeeping business. Over the last year, Fiona […]

,

Hanaa Raydan Wins Rosemary North Star Award for Growth

Rosemary Bookkeeping is proud to announce that Hanaa Raydan, owner of Rosemary Bookkeeping Wembley, has won the overall North Star Award for Growth. Now approaching two years in business, Hanaa has already made a strong impact within the Rosemary network. Since launching Rosemary Bookkeeping Wembley, she has exceeded her annual growth projections, built a clear […]

,

Rosemary Bookkeeping Newbury and Basingstoke Wins Top Growth Award

Rosemary Bookkeeping is proud to announce that TJ, owner of Rosemary Bookkeeping Newbury and Basingstoke, has been recognised for exceeding an outstanding £250,000 in turnover. This was the highest growth award presented at the Rosemary Spring Forum 2026, making it a standout achievement across the entire network. TJ has spent the last 20 years building […]

,

Rosemary Bookkeeping Shrewsbury and Telford Wins Growth Award

Rosemary Bookkeeping Shrewsbury and Telford Recognised for Outstanding Growth. Rosemary Bookkeeping is proud to announce that Sarah, owner of Rosemary Bookkeeping Shrewsbury and Telford, has been recognised for exceeding £65,000 in turnover. This is a brilliant achievement and reflects a strong year of progress, focus, and local business support. Over the last 12 months, Sarah […]

,

Rosemary Bookkeeping North Kent and Isle of Sheppey Wins Growth Award

Rosemary Bookkeeping is proud to announce that Grant Dye, owner of Rosemary Bookkeeping North Kent and Isle of Sheppey, has been recognised for exceeding £60,000 in turnover. This is a fantastic achievement and reflects the strength of the business Grant has built over the last decade. With many years of experience working with some of […]

,

Rosemary Bookkeeping Stratford Wins Growth Award

Rosemary Bookkeeping is proud to announce that Mohammad Hossain, owner of Rosemary Bookkeeping Stratford, has been recognised for exceeding £30,000 in turnover. Mohammad accepted his award in person at the Rosemary Spring Forum 2026. The annual event brings together the Rosemary franchise network to share ideas, discuss future plans, and celebrate key successes from across […]

,

Rosemary Bookkeeping Wembley Wins Growth Award

Rosemary Bookkeeping is proud to announce that Hanaa Raydan, owner of Rosemary Bookkeeping Wembley, has won a Rosemary growth award for exceeding £25,000 in turnover. As one of the newer members of the Rosemary network, Hanaa has made an impressive start. She has surpassed her initial projections, exceeded her growth targets, and built strong foundations for the future […]

,

Nirmal Thakkar Wins Rosemary Bookkeeping Growth Award

Nirmal Thakkar Wins Rosemary Growth Award 2025 Rosemary Bookkeeping is proud to announce Nirmal Thakkar, owner of Rosemary Bookkeeping Garden City, as the winner of the Rosemary Growth Award 2025. Nirmal accepted this award at the Rosemary Spring Forum 2026 network event, held each year to bring together the franchise network, collaborate over topics and […]

,

Choosing the Right Accounting Software for Your Business

Choosing the right accounting software is one of the most important decisions you will make for your business finances. It affects how you track income, manage expenses, and remain compliant with HMRC. With Making Tax Digital implemented for many businesses, maintaining digital records is now mandatory in some cases. The appropriate software keeps you organised […]