Tag Archive for: bookkeepers

Are You Recording Everything Correctly? Common Bookkeeping Errors to Avoid

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Maintaining your bookkeeping is important, but ensuring it’s accurate is what truly matters.

Many business owners track their income and expenses regularly, but small bookkeeping errors can still occur. These mistakes often go unnoticed initially, leading to problems later when figures don’t match, deadlines are near, or reports become confusing.

With Making Tax Digital increasing the need for accurate, regular reporting, getting the details right matters more than ever.

Here are some of the most common bookkeeping errors and how to avoid them.

Missing expenses

It is easy to overlook smaller costs. A receipt goes missing, a payment is made from a personal account, or something is simply not recorded at the time.

Missing expenses can:

  • Reduce the amount you can claim
  • Overstate your profit
  • Affect your tax calculations

Recording expenses as they occur and storing receipts properly make this much easier to manage.

Incorrect categories

Entering transactions is only part of the process. They also need to be assigned to the correct category.

Common issues include:

  • Recording equipment as general expenses
  • Misclassifying travel or subsistence
  • Mixing capital purchases with day-to-day costs

Incorrect categories can impact reports and complicate the understanding of your spending.

It can also cause issues when preparing accounts or submitting information to HMRC.

Mixing personal and business spending

This is a very common issue, particularly among sole traders.

Using a single account for both personal and business expenses complicates bookkeeping. It becomes more difficult to distinguish business-related transactions and raises the risk of mistakes.

Keeping your finances separate, even with just a dedicated business account, helps maintain clearer records.

Duplicate transactions

Duplicate entries often occur when transactions are entered manually and then imported via a bank feed.

This can lead to:

  • Overstated income or expenses
  • Confusing reports
  • Incorrect balances

Regularly checking your records and reviewing imported transactions helps prevent this.

Not reconciling bank accounts

Bank reconciliation is a crucial aspect of bookkeeping that is frequently overlooked.

If your bank account has not been reconciled:

  • Your records may not match your actual balance
  • Errors can go unnoticed
  • Missing transactions may not be detected

Reconciling your accounts on a regular basis, preferably monthly, helps ensure the accuracy of your figures.

Why these mistakes matter more under Making Tax Digital

Making Tax Digital requires businesses within scope to maintain digital records and submit updates throughout the year.

This means errors are no longer fixed once a year. They may occur in multiple submissions if not identified early.

Maintaining accurate records from the beginning minimises the risk of:

  • Incorrect submissions
  • Additional work later
  • Penalties for late or inaccurate reporting

How to avoid these errors

Most bookkeeping mistakes are not due to a lack of effort. They occur when records are rushed or left too long.

To minimise errors:

  • Consistently record transactions
  • Organise receipts
  • Review your categories
  • Reconcile accounts
  • Verify figures before submission

A straightforward routine can prevent most issues.

How Rosemary Bookkeeping can help

If you’re uncertain about the accuracy of your bookkeeping, a second review can be highly beneficial. Your local Rosemary Bookkeeper is available to assist you, and help you avoid bookkeeping errors.

  • Check your records for errors
  • Correct missing or duplicate entries
  • Make sure transactions are categorised correctly
  • Keep your bookkeeping accurate going forward

Accurate records make everything easier, from understanding your finances to meeting HMRC requirements.

Find your nearest Rosemary Bookkeeper today.

Reality Check: What Is Actually Changing This April for MTDfIT?

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As April approaches, it’s time to focus on the MTDfIT changes, who they affect, and the actions required.

This is not speculation. These are the facts.

Who Falls Into MTDfIT Scope?

Beginning in April 2026, Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTDfIT) will be implemented.

  • Sole traders with gross income over £50,000
  • Landlords with property income over £50,000
  • Those whose combined self-employment and property income exceeds £50,000

From April 2027, the threshold drops to £30,000.

Income is assessed before expenses. If your turnover exceeds the threshold, you are within scope.

If your income falls below the threshold, you are not yet obliged to comply, but future expansion is anticipated.

What Quarterly Updates Mean in Practice

Under MTDfIT, the annual Self Assessment return is replaced by more regular reporting.

In practice, this means:

Keeping digital records of income and expenses

  • Submitting quarterly summaries to HMRC.
  • Completing an end-of-period statement.
  • Filing a final declaration at year end.

Quarterly updates are summaries of income and expenses for each quarter, not full tax calculations. However, they must be accurate and submitted on time.

The main difference is the frequency. Instead of a single annual deadline, you will need to report several times each year.

This demands regular bookkeeping. Catching up once a year will no longer be feasible.

What Happens If You Ignore It

If you fall within the MTDfIT scope and fail to comply, HMRC applies a points-based penalty system.

  • Each late submission earns a penalty point.
  • Once the points threshold is reached, a financial penalty is issued.
  • Points remain on your record until compliance conditions are met.

Late payment penalties and interest may also be charged if tax is settled after the due date.

Because submissions are quarterly, penalties can build up more quickly than under the previous yearly system.

Ignoring the change does not postpone the obligation; it heightens the risk of recurring penalties.

Practical Next Steps

If you are near the threshold or about to reach it, you must act immediately.

  1. Confirm whether your income exceeds £50,000
  2. Ensure your records are kept digitally
  3. Check that your software is MTD-compatible
  4. Move from annual catch-up bookkeeping to regular updates
  5. Review your cash flow planning for more frequent reporting

Even if MTDfIT does not apply to you this April, preparing early helps minimise disruption later.

Quarterly reporting demands discipline. The earlier routines are established, the easier the transition.

How Rosemary Bookkeeping Can Help

MTDfIT focuses on working consistently and correctly, not on working harder.

Rosemary Bookkeeping helps sole traders and landlords become fully MTDfIT compliant. We assist you in maintaining digital records, managing quarterly submissions, and lowering the risk of penalties.

If you are unsure whether you fall within scope or if you want your bookkeeping reviewed before April, your local Rosemary Bookkeeper can assist.

Find your nearest Rosemary Bookkeeper today.

A Proud Moment for Nirmal at Rosemary Bookkeeping Garden City

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Nirmal, owner of Rosemary Bookkeeping Garden City, has been nominated for the Community Culture Award at the One Welwyn Hatfield Community Awards 2026.

The ceremony takes place tomorrow evening (Thursday 26th February 2026), when the winner will be revealed.

For Nirmal, this nomination is not about trophies. It reflects years of supporting local businesses across Welwyn Garden City and the wider Welwyn Hatfield area. Over the last few years, Nirmal has hosted several cultural events in the area which have supported local communities in coming together to celebrate things like Diwali (Festival of Light) and Holi (Festival of Colour). Not only do these events bring together local communities but also support other local businesses in showcasing the very best of what they offer too.

More Than Just Bookkeeping

When you run a small business, your numbers matter. Cash flow matters. Deadlines matter. Compliance matters.

But so does having someone you trust.

Nirmal works closely with:

• Sole traders
• Contractors
• Limited companies
• Growing local SMEs

Services include VAT returns, payroll, CIS returns, and regular management reporting and more importantly, Making Tax Digital. The work is detailed and precise. Yet the approach is personal.

Clients often say they feel calmer once their bookkeeping is under control. They understand their figures. They know where they stand. That clarity changes how you run your business.

Why This Nomination Means So Much

The Community Culture Award recognises individuals who strengthen the local business environment. It celebrates people who contribute to the wider community, not just their own success.

Small businesses make up 99.9 percent of the UK business population. In Welwyn Garden City, they support local jobs, families, and high streets. When those businesses are financially organised, the whole community benefits.

Nirmal has built strong relationships with local trades, retailers, and professional services. She attends events. She supports networking groups. She takes time to explain things properly. That consistency builds trust.

Tomorrow’s Awards Ceremony

Tomorrow evening will bring together finalists from across Welwyn Hatfield. It will be a celebration of people who give their time, skills, and energy to their community.

Whatever the result, being shortlisted is already an achievement. It recognises dedication, reliability, and genuine care for local businesses.

If you are a business owner in Welwyn Garden City, this nomination should give you confidence. You are working with someone who is not only qualified and experienced but also recognised for her contribution to the local community.

Rosemary Bookkeeping Garden City continues to support businesses with practical, compliant bookkeeping. And tomorrow, the community gathers to celebrate that commitment.

All the best Nirmal, we look forward to celebrating your success so far!

Looking for a bookkeeper?

For any local trades, SME’s, businesses and local accountants looking for award-winning bookkeeping, MTD services, HMRC Compliance and general financial administration- speak to Nirmal today for a free 15- minute business health check. Call Nirmal on 07940 001375 and or visit online and enquire https://rosemarybooks.co.uk/garden-city/.

The Future of AI in Bookkeeping: What It Really Means for Businesses

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What does the future of AI in bookkeeping look like?

Artificial intelligence is increasingly integrating into everyday business systems. From automated bank feeds to smart data matching, bookkeeping has quietly evolved over the past few years. With Making Tax Digital encouraging businesses to adopt digital record-keeping, questions about AI are becoming more frequent.

Many business owners are asking the same question. Will AI completely transform bookkeeping, and will bookkeepers still be required?

The short answer is yes, AI will change bookkeeping. But no, it will not eliminate the need for professional bookkeepers.

How AI is already used in bookkeeping

AI is not new to bookkeeping. Many tools already use it in practical ways, even if it is not always labelled as AI.

Examples include:

  • Automatically matching bank transactions to invoices
  • Suggesting expense categories based on past behaviour
  • Flagging unusual activity or duplicate entries
  • Speeding up data entry through scanning and recognition

These tools minimise manual labour and boost efficiency. They enable bookkeepers to spend less time on typing and more on verifying accuracy.

Making Tax Digital is accelerating automation

Making Tax Digital has heightened the need for tidy, consistent digital records. This change complements automation well.

Under MTD, records flow digitally into submissions. AI helps by:

  • Reducing manual input errors
  • Keeping records updated more frequently
  • Supporting regular reporting instead of annual catch-ups

However, automation only functions effectively when the data is accurate. AI can process information swiftly, but it cannot assess whether something makes sense for your business.

What AI cannot do in bookkeeping

AI recognises patterns but lacks a true understanding of context as humans do.

It cannot:

  • Decide whether an expense is genuinely business-related
  • Understand unusual one-off transactions
  • Explain figures in plain language
  • Spot problems caused by changes in how a business operates

This is where professional judgement is important. Bookkeeping is not merely about recording numbers; it involves understanding what those numbers signify.

Will AI change the role of a bookkeeper?

Yes, the role is evolving. But it is evolving positively.

Bookkeepers are dedicating less time to repetitive tasks and more time to:

  • Reviewing accuracy
  • Identifying issues early
  • Supporting better decision-making
  • Helping businesses stay compliant with MTD

AI assists the process. It does not take over it.

As reporting becomes more frequent under MTD for Income Tax, the need for oversight, consistency, and explanation grows. That enhances the importance of a skilled bookkeeper.

Why human oversight matters more, not less

With AI controlling speed, the risk shifts to over-reliance. Mistakes can occur again quickly if no one checks them. Misclassifications can spread across multiple submissions.

A bookkeeper provides:

  • Quality control
  • Context
  • Accountability
  • Confidence in the figures being submitted

This becomes even more significant as penalties under MTD apply to repeated submissions, not just annual returns.

What this means for businesses

The future of bookkeeping combines technology with expertise. Businesses that depend solely on software might progress more quickly, but they also assume greater risk.

Those who integrate digital tools with professional support benefit from increased efficiency and accuracy. They gain clearer insights, fewer surprises, and better compliance.

How Rosemary Bookkeeping fits into the future

Rosemary Bookkeeping employs modern systems while prioritising people. Our local bookkeepers understand how technology works and where it requires human judgement.

We help businesses:

  • Use digital tools properly
  • Stay compliant with Making Tax Digital
  • Understand their figures, not just record them
  • Prepare confidently for future changes

Don’t be scared of the future of AI in bookkeeping; it’s inevitable that it will continue to influence it. The role of the bookkeeper is not disappearing; it is becoming more vital.

Find your nearest Rosemary Bookkeeper today.

Love Your Bookkeeping and You’ll Understand Your Business Better

Teri Cotta encourages you to love your bookkeeping this Valentine’s!

Valentine’s Day focuses on relationships, and your business relationship is no different. Time, attention, and understanding are essential for maintaining its health.

If you don’t love your bookkeeping, it’s often because it feels confusing, time-consuming, or stressful. But when bookkeeping is clear and consistent, it becomes something that supports your business rather than holding it back.

Bookkeeping shows you what’s really going on

You cannot truly understand your business without understanding your finances. Bookkeeping provides that overview. It reveals what is coming in, what is going out, and where pressure points might be developing.

When records are unclear or outdated, decisions rely on assumptions. This makes planning, investing, or even feeling confident about daily choices more difficult.

Loving your bookkeeping doesn’t mean enjoying spreadsheets. It means trusting the information behind them.

Avoiding your books creates distance

Many business owners delay bookkeeping because it feels awkward. Late nights, missing receipts, and looming deadlines all contribute to the issue. Over time, this builds a gap between you and your finances.

That distance can cause surprises. Unexpected tax bills. Cash flow gaps. Missed opportunities.

Regular, organised bookkeeping keeps you connected. It helps you stay aware rather than reactive.

Clear records reduce stress

Good bookkeeping reduces uncertainty. You understand your position. You recognise what requires attention. You see what can wait.

This clarity alleviates stress, particularly during busy times or when deadlines are near. It also simplifies conversations with advisers because the information is readily available.

Loving your bookkeeping supports better decisions

When your records are accurate and up to date, you can make decisions with confidence. Pricing adjustments, expenditure plans, and growth prospects all depend on understanding your figures.

Bookkeeping is not merely about compliance; it is about control.

You don’t have to do it alone

If bookkeeping is the part of your business you find hard to enjoy, support can make a difference. Outsourcing alleviates the stress and provides clarity.

Rosemary Bookkeeping helps business owners stay organised, informed, and confident in their finances. With consistent support, bookkeeping becomes something you can rely on rather than avoid.

This Valentine’s Day, show your business some care. Loving your bookkeeping is one of the easiest ways to do it.

Love Rosemary Bookkeeping, and find your nearest bookkeeper today.

Key Bookkeeping Deadlines for UK Businesses in 2026

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Keeping track of bookkeeping deadlines is one of the easiest ways to lower stress and prevent penalties. While annual dates are familiar, they can easily sneak up on you, especially when you’re busy running your business.

This guide details the essential bookkeeping and tax deadlines for 2026 and highlights how planning ahead can significantly impact your finances.

January 2026 deadlines

31 January 2026 is one of the most important dates of the year for many sole traders and business owners.

By this date, you must:

  • Submit your Self Assessment tax return for the 2024–25 tax year
  • Pay any Income Tax and Class 4 National Insurance owed
  • Make your first payment on account for the 2025–26 tax year, if applicable

Leaving preparations too late often results in errors or missed information. Keeping records organised throughout the year makes meeting this deadline much easier.

Payroll deadlines throughout 2026

If you run payroll, submissions must be made on or before each pay date under Real Time Information (RTI).

Key payroll-related deadlines include:

  • Monthly or weekly RTI submissions
  • 22nd of each month for PAYE and National Insurance payments (or the 19th if paying by post)

At the end of the tax year, additional deadlines apply for final payroll submissions and employee documents.

April 2026 deadlines

The new tax year begins on 6 April 2026. Around this time, you should:

  • Complete final payroll reports for the previous tax year
  • Issue P60s to employees by 31 May 2026
  • Review rates, allowances, and thresholds for the new year

April is also when many businesses review their bookkeeping procedures and make adjustments for the year ahead.

VAT deadlines in 2026

VAT deadlines vary depending on your VAT period, but most VAT returns and payments are due one month and seven days after the end of each VAT quarter.

For example:

  • Quarter ending 31 March 2026, due 7 May 2026
  • Quarter ending 30 June 2026, due 7 August 2026

If you are registered for Making Tax Digital for VAT, returns must be submitted through MTD-compatible software.

July 2026 deadlines

31 July 2026 is the deadline for the second payment on account for the 2025–26 tax year, if you are required to make payments on account.

Planning this payment early helps avoid cash-flow pressure during the summer months.

Making Tax Digital deadlines to be aware of

From April 2026, Making Tax Digital for Income Tax begins for sole traders and landlords with income over £50,000.

This introduces:

  • Quarterly digital updates
  • End-of-period statements
  • A final declaration

Even if MTD does not yet apply to you, keeping digital records now makes future compliance much easier.

Why tracking bookkeeping deadlines matters

Missing a deadline can result in penalties, interest charges, and unnecessary stress. More importantly, it often means rushing through records and overlooking details that could have been managed calmly earlier.

A clear understanding of deadlines helps you distribute work evenly throughout the year rather than handling everything at once.

How Rosemary Bookkeeping can help

Managing deadlines alongside daily tasks can feel overwhelming. Rosemary Bookkeeping helps businesses stay organised and on course throughout the year.

Your local Rosemary Bookkeeper can help you:

  • Keep records up to date
  • Monitor upcoming deadlines
  • Prepare submissions accurately and on time
  • Stay compliant as rules change

Good bookkeeping is not just about meeting deadlines. It is about maintaining confidence in your numbers year-round. Let your local Rosemary Bookkeeper help you this year.

Find your nearest Rosemary Bookkeeper today.

What Houseplant Appreciation Week Can Teach You About Bookkeeping

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Houseplant Appreciation Week serves as a reminder of something many business owners already know, even if they do not always express it openly. Small, consistent habits matter.

A plant does not flourish from one big effort. It grows through consistent care over time. Bookkeeping works similarly.

At Rosemary Bookkeeping, this idea is often symbolised by Teri Cotta, our loveable and cheeky rosemary plant pot character. Teri is not about quick fixes. She focuses on consistency, attention, and maintaining things in good health over the long term.

Small care, steady results

Most houseplants struggle when they are ignored for weeks and then overwatered in a single session. The same pattern appears in bookkeeping. Leaving records untouched for months and then rushing to fix them causes stress and errors.

Regular attention, even in small amounts, keeps everything manageable. Updating records frequently helps you spot issues early, rather than dealing with them once they have grown.

Knowing what your business needs

Every plant has different needs. Some prefer light, while others need shade. Some require frequent watering, but others do not.

Your business finances are no different. Cash flow, expenses, and income patterns vary from one business to another. Bookkeeping helps you understand what your business truly needs, rather than guessing or copying someone else’s approach.

Teri’s and our role is to monitor these needs and ensure nothing is missed.

Overlooking problems does not make them disappear

A drooping leaf indicates something needs attention. Ignoring it rarely helps. Bookkeeping works similarly. Missed invoices, rising costs, or unclear figures are early warnings. Addressing them early is much easier than fixing them later.

Consistent records make those signs visible. Without them, problems often remain hidden until they become urgent.

Growth happens when the basics are right

Healthy growth comes from mastering the basics and maintaining consistency. Clear records, regular checks, and organised documents establish the foundation for steady progress.

This is where many business owners see value in support. Having someone like Rosemary Bookkeeper involved ensures those essentials are managed correctly, without requiring ongoing oversight from you.

A gentle reminder, this Houseplant Appreciation Week

Houseplant Appreciation Week is an ideal time to reflect. If you value consistent growth, both in your office plants and your business, the same principles apply. Care little and often. Pay attention early. Keep things organised.

Teri Cotta would approve.

If you would like support keeping your bookkeeping healthy throughout the year, your local Rosemary Bookkeeper is here to help.

Find your nearest Rosemary Bookkeeper today.

Best Bookkeeping Resolutions for 2026

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Here are our top bookkeeping resolutions for 2026, designed to enhance accuracy, streamline processes, and improve financial insights for your organisation.

A new year often brings a sense of reset. It is a natural time to review how your business operates and decide what you want to improve. Bookkeeping is one of the easiest places to make small, steady changes that have a real impact on how your year unfolds.

Keep your records tidy throughout the year

Staying organised makes every aspect of running a business smoother. By keeping your notes up to date and storing key documents as you go, you can prevent important information from getting lost. This practice also gives you a clear overview of your finances whenever you need it.

Create a regular time slot for your bookkeeping

Having a routine helps you stay organised. Some people prefer to set aside time weekly, while others choose a quiet moment each month. What matters most is not the timing but the consistency. A regular schedule prevents the stress of having to catch up all at once.

Review your spending habits

Starting the year by reviewing your spending can reveal small changes that can help you save money or adjust your plans. Maintaining a clear overview of both fixed and occasional expenses helps you better understand your financial situation.

Keep important documents together

Invoices, receipts, statements, and notes can spread to many places if you are not careful. Gathering them in a single, organised online space makes a significant difference. It also reduces the risk of having to rush to find something later.

Set simple goals for how you want your finances to look in 2026

You may wish to achieve better clarity, fewer overdue invoices or a smoother month-end. Setting clear, but modest, goals helps guide your habits throughout the year. It also gives you a way to check your progress without pressure.

Make it easier to review your accounts

Small adjustments can make a difference, such as maintaining clear categories, writing concise descriptions, and avoiding mixed entries. Each minor enhancement makes your accounts easier to read when you review them.

Plan ahead for busy months

Every business experiences periods that feel heavier than others. Anticipating these times helps you distribute work more evenly. This approach prevents rushed decisions and keeps your records on track when they might otherwise fall behind.

Consider whether you want more support this year

If bookkeeping felt stressful for you in 2025, consider outsourcing it for a calmer and more organised start to 2026. A bookkeeper will maintain accurate records, allowing you to focus on the aspects of your business that you enjoy.

Your local Rosemary Bookkeeper can manage your records throughout the year, so you won’t have to worry about them.

Find your nearest Rosemary Bookkeeper today.

Bookkeeping FAQs for Year End: What UK Businesses Need to Know

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This bookkeeping FAQs guide addresses the most frequently asked questions we receive during this time of year. It aims to help you stay organised and avoid any surprises.

As the year comes to an end, business owners typically take the time to review their accounts and prepare for important deadlines. This is also a time when queries tend to rise. Some questions involve bank holidays and deadlines, while others focus on record keeping, payments, or general year-end tasks.

Do bank holidays affect HMRC deadlines?

In most cases, no. HMRC deadlines stay the same even if they fall on a bank holiday or weekend. If a deadline falls on a non-working day, the return or payment is generally treated as received on time if it arrives by the next working day.

It is advisable to submit and pay early. Bank processing times can vary during the holiday season, and slow transfers may cause issues.

If Rosemary Bookkeeping handles your deadlines, we ensure everything is filed on time to avoid last-minute stress.

Should I adjust my cash flow plan for the holiday period?

Yes. December and early January often lead to changes in spending and slower invoice payments. Many businesses experience delays because clients may be closed or have reduced hours.

A few checks can help you stay on track:

  • Review expected income and chase outstanding invoices early.
  • Check planned costs, including staff payments, stock and suppliers.
  • Allow for bank holidays, as they affect when payments leave or reach accounts.

Effective forecasting minimises the risk of shortages. If you need assistance with a cash flow review, your local Rosemary Bookkeeper can help.

Do I need to record festive spending differently?

Business costs remain the same, but it is essential to record them clearly. Festive expenses typically include client gifts, staff meals, or decorations. These need to be accurately categorised so you can claim the correct tax relief.

Examples include:

  • Staff gifts are covered by the trivial benefits rules.
  • Client gifts that meet HMRC criteria.
  • Seasonal stock and supplies.

If you are uncertain about which costs are eligible, keep all receipts and consult your bookkeeper before filing your return.

Is there anything special I should check before year-end?

Several tasks help keep your records in good order:

  • Confirm your bank reconciliation is complete.
  • Review unpaid invoices and send reminders.
  • Record all expenses, including small items that are easy to forget.
  • Check payroll records and confirm all details are correct.
  • Ensure that your software is up to date with the latest transactions.

Keeping your accounts organised simplifies the reporting process for the next stage.

Should I send invoices early in December?

It is a practical decision. Many clients have fewer payments during the holiday period. Sending invoices early increases the likelihood of receiving payment before year-end and minimises the risk of aged debt carrying into January.

Clearly stating payment terms is essential. If your terms are not included in your invoice template, add them before sending your next batch.

How can I prepare for the Self Assessment in January?

Gather the following as early as possible:

  • Proof of income
  • Expense receipts
  • Bank statements
  • Mileage logs
  • Pension contributions
  • Any income from property or other sources

The sooner you prepare, the easier it is to avoid errors or missing information. Rosemary Bookkeeping can assist you with record checks or tidying up your accounts before submission.

Should I worry about processing delays in late December?

It’s important to plan around holiday periods. Banks, suppliers, and clients may operate on shorter hours or experience slower processing times. Anything sent close to a holiday may take longer than anticipated.

Try to:

  • Submit returns ahead of time
  • Schedule payments early
  • Keep proof of any submissions or transfers

Effective planning helps to reduce stress during slow periods.

This time of year adds pressure for many business owners. Maintaining clear records, submitting early, and planning steady cash flow can make a significant difference.

If you would like help preparing your records, checking your deadlines, organising your finances for the year ahead, or need any more bookkeeping FAQs answered, your local Rosemary Bookkeeper is here to support you.

Find your nearest Rosemary Bookkeeper today.

Festive Expenses You Can Claim Back

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We have made a list and checked it twice of festive expenses that you may claim back as business expenses.

Christmas time can be a busy and expensive time for many businesses, big or small.

But with the January Self-Assessment Tax Return deadline looming, here are some festive expenses that you might not have thought about reclaiming.

Decking the Halls

You may not know that you can claim back decorations such as Christmas trees, tinsel, and wreaths as tax-deductible business expenses by recording them as office running costs. However, this does not apply to employees working from home, as HMRC considers these items to be for personal enjoyment rather than office-related use.

A Christmas Party

You may be eligible to reclaim expenses for a Christmas party, but this depends on who attended and the cost incurred.

If the event is open to all employees and costs less than £150, it will be entirely taxable, regardless of the number of people in your organisation.

You cannot claim expenses if clients or associates attend an event, as HMRC classifies this as business entertainment for corporation tax and VAT purposes. Additionally, if an event is not open to all employees, it will not be eligible for claims either.

Therefore, when inviting clients or associates to a Christmas event, ensure you allocate sufficient funds to cover their expenses, as you will not be able to claim any tax relief or recover any VAT on these costs.

It’s important to record this in your financial records and add the costs back when calculating your profit for tax purposes. However, this applies only if the cost per person for the Christmas party, including VAT, does not exceed £150. If it does exceed this amount, it will be considered a taxable benefit.

Presents

Since it is Christmas, you may consider buying gifts for your staff or clients.

When giving gifts to clients, you can record these expenses as business costs, as long as they adhere to the appropriate guidelines to avoid any implications of bribery.

You don’t have to pay tax on a benefit for your employee if all of the following apply:

  • It costs you £50 or less to provide
  • Cannot give cash or a cash voucher
  • It is not a reward for their efforts or performance.
  • It is not included in the terms of their contract.

This is known as a ‘trivial benefit’. You don’t need to pay tax or National Insurance, or let HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) know.

More guidance and information on gifts for staff can be found on the HMRC website.

Need help with your finances?

If managing all of this feels overwhelming, consider handing your bookkeeping over to the professionals by reaching out to your nearest Rosemary Bookkeeping business for expert support, advice, and assistance with all your bookkeeping needs.

Why Global Bookkeeping Week Matters – and How Rosemary Bookkeeping Leads the UK in Celebrating It

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Every year the bookkeeping profession comes together to mark Global Bookkeeping Week (GBW) — a week-long campaign to recognise the importance of accurate records, timely reporting and the bookkeepers who work behind the scenes.

Here at Rosemary Bookkeeping — the only UK-wide bookkeeping franchise dedicated solely to bookkeeping services — we believe GBW isn’t just a celebration: it’s a timely reminder for every business owner of why good bookkeeping should be front of mind.

Why Global Bookkeeping Week matters

  1. It highlights the value of professional bookkeeping
    When bookkeepers get recognised in GBW, it reinforces how vital their work is. GBW started in 2015 to raise the profile of the profession.
    You might not think about it daily, but accurate bookkeeping shifts from “nice to have” to “business critical” when you consider cash-flow, tax, compliance and growth.
  2. It reminds small businesses of the risk of neglecting bookkeeping
    One of our earlier articles for Rosemary Bookkeeping flagged three clear signs your internal bookkeeping may be under-resourced or mis-aligned: time being taken from core growth tasks; challenges hiring reliable finance staff; and the overhead of an in-house team vs outsourced cost.  GBW gives you the nudge to review when it’s time to call the professionals – see our recent blog here.
  3. It underscores the economic role of bookkeeping
    Bookkeepers aren’t only about numbers. They support business stability, inform decision-making and enable growth. GBW scenes emphasise how bookkeepers contribute to communities, companies and the wider economy. If your books are in order you are putting yourself in a stronger position for growth, pivoting, or surviving tough times.

What makes Rosemary Bookkeeping different in this context

  • We’re the only UK franchise solely dedicated to bookkeeping services. This gives us a laser-like focus on the bookkeeping needs of SME clients
  • Because we’re national but structured as a franchise, we combine local access (face-to-face or near you) with consistent high standards and processes
  • We’ve written about key industry shifts — for example, the move to digital record-keeping and how bookkeeping must adapt. (See our “What is Making Tax Digital?” article.)

How you as a business owner can make the most of GBW

  • Use the week to audit your bookkeeping arrangements: Are your records up-to-date? Are you using the right software? Are you getting timely reports?
  • Ask your bookkeeping provider (or in-house team) to show you how the numbers are being used — not just recorded. Good bookkeeping gives insight, not just history
  • If you’re thinking of outsourcing, or switching provider, GBW is a great moment to act. Recall that study where up to 48% of UK SMEs were outsourcing tasks like bookkeeping in 2023

Final thought

Bookkeeping isn’t just about ticking boxes. During Global Bookkeeping Week we pause to recognise its role in your business’s stability, opportunity and growth. At Rosemary Bookkeeping we stand ready to help you turn these ideas into action: cleaner records, smarter decisions, less stress.

If you’d like a chat about how your bookkeeping stands today — whether you need a review, or want to explore outsourcing — drop us a line. Let’s use this week to give your bookkeeping the attention it deserves.

For help with your books visit us atwww.rosemarybooks.co.uk

If like many other business investors you see the value in offering such essential services to business owners, find out more about our franchising opportunity atwww.rosemaryfranchise.co.uk

Making Tax Digital Checklist for Landlords

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If you’re a landlord generating rental income, you’ve probably heard of Making Tax Digital (MTD). It may not be mandatory for everyone yet, but it’s on the way — and it’s wise to prepare in advance.

Below is our Making Tax Digital Checklist for Landlords, along with a few notes and common oversights we see time and again.

1. Check if you’re affected by Making Tax Digital

If your total income from property or self-employment is over £50,000 a year (before expenses), you’ll need to comply from 6 April 2026.
If your income is above £30,000, your start date is April 2027.
If your income exceeds £20,000, you’ll need to comply later, from April 2028.
If your income is below those thresholds, you’re not required to switch yet — though you can join early.

Quick Tip: Work out your total property income before expenses and see where you fall. If you’re close to the limit, prepare as if you already need to comply. It’ll save you a rush later.

2. Choose and set up compatible software

Under MTD, you must keep digital records and submit your updates using software approved by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).

If you’re unsure which software fits your needs, speak to your local Rosemary Bookkeeper. We offer complimentary consultations to help you determine which MTD-compatible software is best suited for managing your property income and expenses.

Quick Tip: Still using spreadsheets or paper rent records? Now’s the time to switch. Getting accustomed to software before it becomes mandatory makes things far easier when deadlines arrive.

3. Keep your property records digital and organised

This goes beyond basic bookkeeping. Landlords within MTD’s scope must store their income and expense records digitally, not just on paper.

Key items to include:

  • All rental income, letting fees, and allowable expenses are recorded digitally.
  • Check that your current system or cloud software is MTD-compatible.
  • If you’re using both paper and digital systems, consider transitioning to a fully digital setup.
  • Keep your records ready for quarterly submissions once the rules apply.

Quick Tip: Many landlords wait until year-end to catch up. Don’t. Doing it quarterly not only keeps you compliant but also helps you track profits and taxes more easily. Your local Rosemary Bookkeeper can help you set this up properly.

4. Sign up (or prepare to sign up) with HMRC

When you meet the MTD threshold, you’ll need to register for MTD for Income Tax through your software or agent rather than directly via the old HMRC portal.

Before signing up, check you have:

  • Your National Insurance number.
  • Your business or property start date (if applicable).
  • Software linked to HMRC.
  • An agent or bookkeeper who’s also ready for MTD.

Quick Tip: Rosemary Bookkeeping can manage this process for you. We’re fully equipped for MTD and can even handle your HMRC Gateway setup as part of our support.

5. Prepare for quarterly updates and the final declaration

Instead of filing a single annual Self Assessment, you’ll send quarterly updates of your property income and expenses under MTD. Then, after the tax year ends, you’ll file a final declaration to confirm figures.

Example quarterly deadlines:

  • 6 April–5 July: due 7 August
  • 6 July–5 October: due 7 November
  • 6 October–5 January: due 7 February
  • 6 January–5 April: due 7 May
    Final declaration: 31 January following the end of the tax year.

Quick Tip: Think of these updates as regular check-ins rather than admin chores. They give you a clearer view of your finances and cash flow. And with a Rosemary Bookkeeper, they’ll happen smoothly every quarter.

6. Check if you qualify for any exemptions

Some landlords may be exempt, though it’s rare. Possible exemptions include:

  • If it’s “not reasonably practicable” for you to keep digital records (for example, due to disability or location).
  • If your total income is below the threshold.

Quick Tip: You’ll need to apply if you believe you qualify. But try not to see that as an easy way out. It’s better to get digital-ready now, even if you’re not yet required to switch. We can explain what counts as an exemption if you’re unsure.

7. Review your bookkeeping now and tidy up old records

Even if your start date is a year or two away, you’ll thank yourself later for getting ahead.

Ask yourself:

  • Do you store rental income and receipts digitally?
  • Are your property expenses recorded and categorised correctly?
  • Is your bookkeeping up to date?
  • Do you know how to use your software confidently?

Quick Tip: If you answered “no” to a few of those, it’s time to act. Cleaning up records now saves headaches later.

Take a moment to think about it. Many landlords assume MTD doesn’t apply to them yet — and maybe not this year, but it will. A last-minute scramble rarely ends well. One misplaced invoice or late submission can cost you time and money.

Treat this as preparation, not panic. And if you’d like help, your local Rosemary Bookkeeper can walk you through each step, set up your software, and make sure you’re ready for Making Tax Digital with confidence.

Find your nearest Rosemary Bookkeeper today.

How to use bank rules in Xero – Teri’s Tips

How to use Xero’s bank rules to save time reconciling bank statements.

Bank rules are an excellent way to save time during the bank reconciliation process.

This is the often-tedious task of categorising the money coming in and going out of your bank account.

They’re perfect for recurring bank transactions, things like taking clients out for coffee, filling up your work vehicle, and regular transfers between bank accounts.

Once set up, you can reconcile these transactions with just one click.

Bank rules help every type of Xero user save time and they reduce the chance of human error.

In this article, Teri Cotta, our resident Xero brainbox walks you through the A-Z of using bank rules in Xero.

And if you’re a visual learner, don’t worry, a full video showing each of these points step by step can be found on our YouTube channel.

How to create a bank rule on Xero

To view bank rules, go to Accounting, then Bank Accounts and click ‘Bank Rules’ to create a new bank rule.

Click ‘Create Rule’.

Here, the rules are divided into five parts…

Part 1- Apply a bank rule

The first part allows you to enter logic, which decides whether Xero picks up a bank transaction with this rule.

You have many options here to create a rule that’s targeted or a little broader.

Part 2 – Set the Contact

The second part allows you to enter what you want Xero to do with the transaction like what contact or account to allocate the money to.

To start, decide whether your rule is for money going in, out or between accounts.

These can be selected from the panel at the top of the page.

Let’s say that this rule is for parking expenses, this is where we enter conditions and how to pick up these parking transactions.

If they usually have the word parking in the description, payee or reference, we can enter this here using any text field.

Use the “contains” condition if parking is usually part of a larger piece of text.

“Equals” makes this rule much stricter and only applies the rule if it’s just the word parking in one of the fields with nothing else.

If you want to add more conditions to the rule to ensure you capture the transactions you need, you can add them here.

If you select ‘all’, each of these conditions must be present in a transaction for it to be picked up, which means it’s targeted.

If you have a lot of conditions, we want any parking transaction picked up if any of these conditions are met. So, we’ll select ‘any’.

Choose an existing contact to apply the parking expense to the contact when you reconcile or use the bank payee as the contact.

Part 3 – Allocate Items

Decide what account you’d like the parking transaction to go to.

If you need to spread the total across multiple accounts, you can either do fixed amounts here add 100% to one account or split the total by percentages.

Part 4 – Set the reference

Choose what reference you’d like to set.

Either choose information which comes with the transaction, or you can enter a reference each time.

Part 5 – Add rule details

Finally, decide if you want to include all your bank accounts in Xero or just one, and name the rule and click save.

You can go back and edit anything about the rule at any time.

Creating a rule from a transaction

Next time a transaction comes through the bank account that fits the rules and conditions, you can click ‘okay’, and it’s reconciled in one click.

To create a bank rule even faster, click ‘Create Bank Rule’ right from a transaction when you’re reconciling the bank.

Xero fills in the information it has for that transaction to give you a head start when creating the rule.

Need help with your bookkeeping?

Teri Cotta is joined worldwide by Rosemary Bookkeeping’s network of Xero-certified bookkeepers.

So, whether you need help choosing the right software for you, using Xero or outsourcing your books, our experts can help.

Take the hassle out of your bookkeeping and get the time back to focus on what matters most by contacting your nearest Rosemary Bookkeeper today.

Boost Your Financial Awareness: Digitalise Your Bookkeeping for Making Tax Digital

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Prepare for Making Tax Digital Changes by digitalising your processes with the help of an expert bookkeeper.

If you’re a small business owner, sole trader or landlord, you’ve probably heard plenty of rumblings about the imminent and non-negotiable changes surrounding Making Tax Digital.

While, on the face of it, it does seem scary when words like “compliance” and “tax” are being wielded by HMRC, it doesn’t have to be.

In this blog post, our experts break down Making Tax Digital and what you need to do in order to be prepared for compliance when the time comes.

What is Making Tax Digital?

Despite the name, Making Tax Digital (or MTD) is not about tax. It’s about bookkeeping.

The government-led initiative centres on moving UK taxpayers’ records from spreadsheets and paper to a fully digitalised system. Introduced in April 2019, it has already gone through a few phases and currently applies to VAT-registered businesses. This is all set to change, however.

As of April 2026, MTD will be applied to Income Tax records for self-employed individuals and landlords with an income of over £50,000, which will require three key changes:

  1. Digital Record-Keeping: All transactions (income and outcome) must be kept digitally in an HMRC-approved software.
  2. Quarterly updates: Single annual returns are a thing of the past. Now, you must send quarterly updates on income and expenditure using an MTD-compliant software.
  3. Final Declaration: Once you’ve submitted all four quarterly updates in one year, you need to finalise your annualised income with a final declaration.

For those affected, MTD isn’t a tax change, but the mandating of digitalised bookkeeping using compliant software.

How a bookkeeper can help with MTD

No matter your threshold or when you’re affected, if you’re worried about the incoming changes to MTD for Income Tax, a bookkeeper can help.

The best way to keep your MTD experience stress-free is to get ahead of the changes by working with an expert bookkeeper to help make the transition to bookkeeping software.

Choosing the right software for you can be a lot to consider, but with Rosemary Bookkeeping, it doesn’t have to be hard. As accredited experts and approved partners with many leading MTD-compliant software like Xero, QuickBooks, Sage, FreeAgent and more, a Rosemary Bookkeeper can help you understand which software will be the best fit for you, get set up and transition to digital in time for the changes.

Or, to completely remove the stress from the equation, you can opt to outsource your bookkeeping to our experts completely, safe in the knowledge that we’ll ensure you stay compliant with MTD and other compliance requirements like AML, as well as keeping your books neat, correct and accounted for.

Want help with your bookkeeping?

If you’d benefit from expert advice, outsourcing and support in time to comply with the upcoming changes for MTD, contact your nearest Rosemary Bookkeeper today for a free, no-obligation quotation on a range of professional bookkeeping services.

Rosemary Bookkeeping Exeter Makes a Splash at the West Country Business Show

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Zoe Barnard-Rowland (and Teri Cotta) from Rosemary Bookkeeping Exeter made quite the impression attending the West Country Business show.

What’s the most fun a plant pot can have outside of the garden? DJ-ing!

Zoe Barnard-Rowland, owner of Rosemary Bookkeeping Exeter, took a trip to the West Country Business Show recently, accompanied by our good friend Teri Cotta!

This blog post has all the details.

A day at the show

Zoe heard about the West Country Business Show after attending another event from the same organiser earlier in the year, and attended alongside her fellow members of Devon Women in Business.

The pair came decked out with plenty of swag. Those who swung by the Rosemary Bookkeeping stand were treated to a veritable visual feast, including a lovely banner, as well as some brilliant goodies to take away, from pens to tasty sweets, flyers, business cards and also a spin on the appropriately named wheel of fun, which allowed them to win some exclusive Rosemary treats at random.

Zoe says her highlights from the day included making lots of contacts and meeting so many people, including Frankie the dachshund and Ocho the assistance dog! Teri, on the other hand, got to try her hand on the DJ deckswith Cornwall’s Rewind Radioand say hi to her friends from our sister brand, ServiceMaster Clean!

Need a friendly, local bookkeeping service?

If you’re in Exeter and the surrounding areas and could use help with your business’s finances, get in touch with Zoe for expert solutions to all of your bookkeeping worries and woes today on 07444 320357.

And keep an eye out for Zoe, Teri, and their wheel of fun at more events and exhibits near you soon!

Or, nationwide, find your nearest Rosemary Bookkeeping business to see how we can help you today.

What sets Xama’s AML Software Apart?

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Marcus Batson from Xama Technologies shares what makes them the go-to solution for AML compliance.

Xama is a comprehensive anti-money laundering (AML) software used by over 1,000 accountants and bookkeepers of all sizes across the UK to stay compliant.

For accountants and bookkeepers, AML compliance is vital in preventing crimes that could harm their business and protect them from legal, financial, and reputational damage, allowing them to maintain the integrity of their systems and the trust of their clients.

As the go-to solution for AML compliance, Xama’s cloud-based solution offers multiple services and systems that set it apart and make it the provider trusted by Rosemary Bookkeeping business owners across the UK.

In this blog post, we sat down with Marcus Batson from Xama Technologies to see what makes Xama work so well and explore some of its key features and benefits for UK-based accountancy or bookkeeping practices that need to manage AML at scale.

What sets Xama apart?

While most AML tools require you to juggle spreadsheets, separate check-processing systems and disconnected document stores, Xama replaces this patchwork with a single, intuitive dashboard that unifies training, client screening, document management and reporting.

With out-of-the-box integrations into Practice Management, Proposal tools and leading accounting platforms (e.g. Xero), firms can gain real-time visibility into every compliance task and status — all in one place.

Not only does Xama show you exactly what’s outstanding, but it also proactively delivers all the quarter-on-quarter regulatory changes — from high-risk country lists to updated FATF guidance — straight into your inbox and Academy dashboard.

It’s built-in AML Academy then issues role-specific e-learning modules, tracks completions, and automatically issues certificates, so you never have to search for the latest rules.

Integration

Particularly if you’re an accountant, you’re likely already using existing bookkeeping or CRM systems in your role. So, how does Xama integrate with those?

“Every firm has different clients, software and processes, so it’s important to balance compliance with practicality. Our Risk Assessments can be created from scratch or can be customised to adapt to any firm. Our AML Academy training is tailored to services, client types and team roles, and client-facing elements of the platform can be branded in the firm’s logo to ensure consistency for the client,” says Marcus.

Via the Hub Apps page in the platform, you can view simple instructions for each integration for various existing software.

Most of them consist of an ‘API Key’ that allows the two tools to connect, and Xama has a short video for each integration within their Training Hub. Speaking of…

Training and onboarding for new users

If you want to sign up for Xama, you can… very easily. Signing up takes minutes and then directs you to a guided Compliance Checklist, which walks you through importing client records, migrating historic data, customising risk-assessment templates and updating policies. Beyond that, you also get:

  • On-demand video tutorials for every feature
  • Quarterly refresher courses via the AML Academy
  • A dedicated support portal (tickets and live calls) for anything more complex

Xama provide the flexibility to start at whichever point works best for you. Whether this is the process moving forward first (the migration of historic records can be done later) or the other way around, this ensures firms can see the value straight away, without needing to undertake a large migration project before reaping the benefits.

Success Stories

Marcus says that the biggest successes he has witnessed are when Xama has supported and or enabled a successful audit from a supervisory body. Multiple clients have passed FCA and HMRC audits with zero fines, thanks to Xama’s audit-ready documentation and real-time alerts.

“We’re lucky to have had many firms pass with very minor, if any, actions to be taken after.”

“We had one particular firm that was struggling with AML for a long time due to the size of their practice,” he adds.

“They had massive gaps in their compliance documentation and were very worried about getting fined. Over two weeks, using the structure and reporting provided in Xama – but the flexibility to do it their way – they were able to resolve this and (whilst they weren’t in a perfect position) left the audit without a fine, and just minor tasks to take forward afterwards.”

Ongoing Support and Adaptation

In the world of bookkeeping and accountancy, we know nothing stays the same for long, and there are constant changes and new implementations that need to be made for firms to remain compliant with legislation such as AML.

Xama have accounted for this. Their founding team have been working in the industry for a long time, with their Founder being a Technical Partner of an Accountancy firm, their Commercial Director – another partner at the same firm, and their Engineering team having supported their founder as one of the first development teams to build on Xero’s API.

At Xama, the team understands the complexity of AML as well as practical applications within Accounting and Bookkeeping practices. Marcus himself has worked with Accounting and Bookkeeping firms for over six years, supporting and delivering new services and tackling common process challenges.

Their compliance team monitors FCA, HMRC and international AML updates 24/7. Every quarter, the AML Academy automatically publishes new modules covering regulatory changes, and they release platform updates within days of any major rule change. That way, you’re always ahead of the curve without lifting a finger.

Xama aim to bring enterprise-level software to firms of all sizes, which means they need to ensure that they work with the best-in-class providers to accomplish this.

“AI is lowering the bar to entry for fraud, and we’re confident that with our providers who have tampering detection, monitoring services and more, we can proactively identify areas of concern before it becomes an issue,” Marcus says.

Changes and Upcoming Evolution

With these changes, Marcus expects the standards will continue to increase on how identity is verified, causing a greater focus on Identity Verification Tools (IDVT) and stringent processes to reduce fraud and money laundering activities.

“This is very difficult to keep on top of, at scale, as well as ensuring you’re delivering client work, without leveraging tools like Xama,” says Marcus.

“Accountants are feeling this first with the new Companies House ID requirements, but I feel this will continue to evolve the way the AML standards are set.”

Moreover, as the financial and technological landscape changes, Xama is itself balancing new automations with the need for human oversight.

Whilst the platform does a lot of the heavy lifting, Xama also provide reports to see each check that was done and a clear understanding of the results. When the system doesn’t have a high confidence, it will ‘refer’ the client to you for a manual review, alongside the supporting report to give you direction.

To enhance the ways Xama helps ensure compliance, they are working on several evolutions to combat the ongoing challenges of AML.

 “We have a long list of tools and enhancements,” says Marcus.

“With the suite of tools available to firms ever-growing, the challenge of visibility and bringing all of the elements of AML together becomes more and more challenging. Integrations will always be a key driver of our evolution. But we also want to make sure we continue to improve the way the platform looks and feels, as well as make sure we use best-in-class technology.”

Stay compliant with expert bookkeeping and software solutions

Rosemary Bookkeepers nationwide use Xama for expert AML solutions, alongside our specialist services and cloud-based tools like Xero, QuickBooks, Sage, and FreeAgent to help you stay compliant and support your business’s unique needs and specifications.

Whether you’re just starting or looking to hire a bookkeeper to support your growth, we’d love to help you on your journey to becoming the best business you can be. To take your first step towards stress-free bookkeeping, find your nearest Rosemary Bookkeeping branch to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today.

Rosemary Bookkeeping’s Forget Me Knot 2025 for Alzheimer’s Society

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Rosemary Bookkeeping is participating in the third annual Forget Me Knot Challenge to support Alzheimer’s Society. 

Alzheimer’s is commonly misunderstood as a natural part of ageing.

However, it is a deadly neurological disease that is currently the UK’s biggest killer, estimated to affect 1 in 2 people in the UK in their lifetime.

This year, ServiceMaster brands across the UK have once again partnered with the Alzheimer’s Society to help them provide help and hope to the 900,000+ people living with dementia in the UK.

Throughout 2025, we’re working closely with our friends at the Alzheimer’s Society to raise a further £10,000 as part of our commitment to supporting them in their cause.

And as part of our fundraising commitment, our businesses nationwide are again undertaking the Forget Me Knot Challenge.

But what is the Forget Me Knot Challenge? And how can you get involved?

This blog post has all the details.

What is the Forget Me Knot Challenge?

The Alzheimer’s Society is represented by the forget-me-not flower, long associated with Alzheimer’s and dementia due to its impact on memory loss.

The Forget Me Knot Challenge is a sponsored virtual relay in which staff and owners from our businesses across the UK run, walk, or cycle the equivalent total mileage between each of our businesses, tying them together and raising funds for Alzheimer’s Society: creating the Forget Me Knot.

How to support us

If you want to support us, please visit our Just Giving page to donate online.

Or, if you’re one of our customers, please feel free to speak to our staff about donating.

Thank you for all your support!

To stay up to date with how we’re doing, stay tuned to our blog and social media channels over the summer.

Need professional bookkeeping services?

Learn the value of a bookkeeper who cares by finding your nearest Rosemary Bookkeeping business for a free, no-obligation quote on our services today.

Q3 2025 Bookkeeping Deadlines You Need to Know

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Dates for your financial diary for Q3 2025.

It’s an odd time of year. With people everywhere going on or returning from holidays, it may seem like the world stops and restarts again during Q3.

But there’s still a lot to be aware of when it comes to financial dates for your diary.

Luckily, the experts at Rosemary Bookkeeping are here to keep you on track.

In this blog post, we have compiled a list of dates and guidance on the essential bookkeeping dates and deadlines for Q3 2025.

July 2025

There are a few key deadlines to be aware of in July, particularly regarding employee benefits, including the all-important NIC and self-assessment payments.

  • 6th July 2025: All employers must submit forms for P11D and P11D(b) declaring any employee perks and benefits to HMRC (and provide copies for employees). This might include private healthcare, company cars, and gym memberships, for example.
  • 19th July 2025: Pay National Insurance Contributions on benefits for Class 1A NIC Payment
  • 31st July 2025: Deadline to make the second advance payment for Self-Assessment taxes for 2024/25

August 2025

There’s a bit of a break in August, without many deadlines to concern yourself with, which might make it the best month to take your holiday!

  • 3rd August 2025: If you have employees with a company car, this is the deadline for submitting a P46 for the quarter ending 5th You can either use the online service or fill in the postal form and return it to HMRC that way

 September 2025

September marks the deadline for your VAT returns, which are essential and must be done before the month’s end. While not a deadline, in mid-September, we can also expect the Office for National Statistics (ONS) to announce UK wage growth figures. This can be useful to be aware of, as it will impact state pension increases.

  • 30th September 2025: Q3 deadline for VAT returns (covering July-September 2025).

Need help with your bookkeeping?

With much more to keep track of throughout the year, you can take some of the stress out of your business operations by leaving your bookkeeping to the professionals.

Entrusting your bookkeeping to Rosemary means:

  • We keep track of your deadlines for you
  • We know when your Tax return needs to be filed by
  • We can keep track of your CIS payments

To learn more about our services and how Rosemary Bookkeeping can help you, call 0345 862 0072 or find your nearest Rosemary Bookkeeper today.

Rosemary Bookkeeping Wembley Wins Rookie of the Year Award

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Hanaa Raydan from Rosemary Bookkeeping Wembley picked up the coveted Rookie of the Year award for her exceptional first year in business at this year’s Rosemary Bookkeeping Spring Forum.

Rosemary Bookkeeping’s annual spring forum is a red-letter day for our bookkeepers up and down the UK, where we come together to network, learn, grow, and catch up, too!

The day also saw some business owners awarded for their successes in 2024.

This included Hanaa Raydan from Rosemary Bookkeeping Wembley, who won an award for significant business growth in the last year.

In her first year in business, Hanaa made key strides through achieving key qualifications that allowed her to provide exceedingly excellent services to her clients through a range of vital services, including help using software like Xero and QuickBooks to work towards targets around Making Tax Digital and meeting crucial deadlines in the bookkeeping calendar.

Raising awareness of her business and brand in the local area through focused marketing efforts, alongside making space for her family and personal commitments, Hanaa has seen great success.

“[For the] first year, I prioritised the franchise and tried to dedicate my time and concentration on the business to be seen,” she says.

This has paid dividends to Hanaa’s visibility within her community as she has found that Rosemary has become a growing name in her area.

“I found that my biggest success is that most of my clients were calling me Rosemary, which made me feel I did succeed in making the franchise seen and remembered.”

Hanaa says her other successes and greatest pride have been in helping clients and supporting them in managing deadlines, all while connecting with her community and owning a business that allows her to be flexible in work.

Bobby Garland, Brand Leader for Rosemary Bookkeeping, adds:

“Hanaa has hit the ground running in her first year, showing remarkable dedication to hunting out potential clients and getting them over the line to achieve some great progress towards her growth!”

Need an award-winning bookkeeper?

If you’re in Wembley and the surrounding areas and could benefit from professional bookkeeping services from a local expert, contact Hanaa on 0208 5750286 or find your nearest Rosemary Bookkeeping business to see how we can help you today.

Rosemary Bookkeeping Garden City Awarded for Business Growth

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Nirmal Thakkar from Rosemary Bookkeeping Garden City picked up a prestigious growth award at this year’s Rosemary Bookkeeping Spring Forum.

Rosemary Bookkeeping’s annual spring forum is a red-letter day for our bookkeepers up and down the UK, where we come together to network, learn, grow, and catch up, too!

The day also saw some business owners awarded for their successes in 2024.

This included Nirmal Thakkar from Rosemary Bookkeeping Garden City, who won an award for significant business growth in the last year.

In 2024, Nirmal made key strides in her business development by evolving her marketing efforts to grow her regional customer base, including featuring in multiple publications advocating for local business and franchising, and sharing the word about her expertise and dedicated services helped her to exceed targets for her business.

Bobby Garland, Brand Leader for Rosemary Bookkeeping, said:

“Nirmal not only exceeded £10k but also achieved the highest percentage growth across the network and gained valuable PR exposure—an exceptional start!”

Need an award-winning bookkeeper?

If you’re in Stevenage and the surrounding areas and could benefit from professional bookkeeping services from a local expert, contact Nirmal on 01462 419444 or find your nearest Rosemary Bookkeeping business to see how we can help you today.

Rosemary Bookkeeping North Dorset and Salisbury Awarded for Consecutive Business Growth

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Karen Mann from Rosemary Bookkeeping North Dorset and Salisbury has picked up her second consecutive growth award at this year’s Rosemary Bookkeeping Spring Forum.

Rosemary Bookkeeping’s annual spring forum is a red-letter day for our bookkeepers up and down the UK, where we come together to network, learn, grow, and catch up, too!

The day also saw some business owners awarded for their successes in 2024.

This included Karen Mann from Rosemary Bookkeeping North Dorset and Salisbury, who won an award for significant business growth in the last year. This adds to Karen’s trophy cabinet, as she also took home a growth and Rookie of the Year award from last year’s Spring Forum.

In 2024, Karen made key strides in her business development, evolving her marketing efforts to grow her customer base across the region. Sharing the word about her expertise and dedicated services helped her to exceed targets for her business.

Bobby Garland, Brand Leader for Rosemary Bookkeeping, said:

“Karen’s success in reaching over £40k reflects her drive and growing presence in her local market—great progress and plenty more to come!”

Need an award-winning bookkeeper?

If you’re in North Dorset, Salisbury and the surrounding areas and could benefit from professional bookkeeping services from a local expert, contact Karen on 01202 094387 or 07590 554797 or find your nearest Rosemary Bookkeeping business to see how we can help you today.

Rosemary Bookkeeping North Kent and Isle of Sheppey Awarded for Business Growth

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Grant Dye from Rosemary Bookkeeping North Kent and Isle of Sheppey picked up a prestigious growth award at this year’s Rosemary Bookkeeping Spring Forum.

Rosemary Bookkeeping’s annual spring forum is a red-letter day for our bookkeepers up and down the UK, where we come together to network, learn, grow, and catch up, too!

The day also saw some business owners awarded for their successes in 2024.

This included Grant Dye from Rosemary Bookkeeping North Kent and the Isle of Sheppey, who won an award for significant business growth in the last year.

In 2024, Grant made key strides in his business development through providing consistently excellent services to his clients through a range of vital services, including help using software like Xero and QuickBooks to work towards targets around Making Tax Digital and meeting crucial deadlines in the bookkeeping calendar. Delivering a valued service to his clients across the region has allowed Grant to exceed targets for his business.

Congratulations!

Bobby Garland, Brand Leader for Rosemary Bookkeeping, said:

“Grant’s commitment and steady performance have seen him hit the £50k milestone, a testament to his professionalism and client dedication.”

Need an award-winning bookkeeper?

If you’re in North Kent, Isle of Sheppey and the surrounding areas and could benefit from professional bookkeeping services from a local expert, contact Grant on 07970 696391 or find your nearest Rosemary Bookkeeping business to see how we can help you today.

Rosemary Bookkeeping Wyre Forest Named Franchisee of the Year

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Fiona Perks from Rosemary Bookkeeping Wyre Forest picked up a second consecutive Growth award and the title of Franchisee of the Year at this year’s Rosemary Bookkeeping Spring Forum.

Rosemary Bookkeeping’s annual spring forum is a red-letter day for our bookkeepers up and down the UK, where we come together to network, learn, grow, and catch up, too!

The day also saw some business owners awarded for their successes in 2024.

This included Fiona Perks from Rosemary Bookkeeping Wyre Forest, who won an award for significant business growth last year. This adds to Fiona’s trophy cabinet, as she also took home a growth award from last year’s Spring Forum.

But this year, she also went the extra mile, with her accomplishments in the last 12 months gaining her the prestigious title of Franchisee of the Year.

In 2024, Fiona made key strides in her business development through restructuring to be more manager-operated. Expanding her team and allowing her clients to benefit from more dedicated expertise, while she could focus on implementing plans for strategic growth, helped her to exceed £100,000!

Bobby Garland, Brand Leader for Rosemary Bookkeeping, said:

“Fiona has impressively surpassed the £100k milestone in 2024, driven by her strategic shift to a more manager-led model—a bold move that’s clearly paying off. She has truly set the standard in 2024, combining strategic innovation & strong results to earn the well-deserved title of Franchisee of the Year.”

Need an award-winning bookkeeper?

If you’re in Wyre Forest and the surrounding areas and could benefit from professional bookkeeping services from a local expert, contact Fiona on 07421 703891 or find your nearest Rosemary Bookkeeping business to see how we can help you today.

Rosemary Bookkeeping Brand Leader talks the future of bookkeeping

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Rosemary Bookkeeping Brand Leader Bobby Garland sits down with Aaron Patrick from Ask the Accountant. 

Recently, Bobby Garland, Brand Leader for Rosemary Bookkeeping across the UK, featured on Ask the Accountant while visiting the Finance, Accounting and Bookkeeping Show (FAB).

Alongside playing a game of (Not) Top Trumps (see full video), the two dive into discussions of the best ways to capitalise on networking events like FAB, Bobby’s plans for Rosemary, and the evolution of the bookkeeping industry.

In this blog post, we’ve transcribed the highlights of their conversation, but you can watch the full interview here.

(Note: Some quotes have been slightly tweaked for clarity and ease of reading.)

Aaron: Bobby, first of all, tell people who you are, why you’re here and what you want to talk about.

Bobby: “My name is Bobby Garland. I am the Brand Leader for Rosemary Bookkeeping. I’m relatively new to the accounting industry. I’m just a couple of years in, but I have lots of experience working with SMBs on business growth and collaboration plans and things like that.”

And relatively new in this new role as well?

“Yeah, my role at Rosemary Bookkeeping started in January, and it’s a franchise network. I’m the Brand Leader, so I help support the whole network and take it in the direction I think will benefit the whole accounting community.”

So, Bobby, what are you looking forward to on day two of FAB?

“I want to spend a bit more time on the HMRC stand. When we’re looking at things like Making Tax Digital coming into fruition, I feel like everybody’s got over this paranoia of ‘Will it, won’t it?’ We’re in the home run now, they’re sending letters out. I feel like we’re locked in. So, I think it’s their time to shine. Some of their speakers have been really, really good, really engaging. I feel like they’ve brought their A game this year.”

How do you ensure, from any event, that you act on it? What are your key tips?

“Step one is definitely to learn something. I always look at the speakers and pick out a non-negotiable. And then I’ll write something down: just one thing to do the next day. Whether that’s rolling something out to my network of bookkeepers, or going and having a demo booked in.”

“I’ve booked three demos yesterday, just from walking around. You’ve got new players in the game, like Mimo. I was talking to them, and was like, I’m just gonna book a demo. It’s great chatting to them here. But sitting down and having dedicated time is better. If you do it while you are here, you’ll commit to it. My meeting with them is next week, and I’ll attend that and get something from it. My diary next week is jammed, with just demos. I think that’s how you’re gonna get something out of these things: committing to something later date.”

You are in a unique position where you’ve got twenty different bookkeepers, and that’s growing, right? You’ve got X amount of differing pain points to solve. What are the key pain points you are looking to fix?

“Yeah, so one of the things that I think I’m passionate about with the Rosemary Bookkeeping Network is flexibility. Because with new or existing franchise partners, they’re all in different places. You’ve got some who are just one-man operations and have been going for a year. You’ve got others who have been going for 15 years and have employees and a couple of offices, so sometimes there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, and if we’re rolling something out across the network, I’ve got to make sure that it’s fit for purpose for everybody”.

“So, I really love something scalable, that can be relatively inexpensive to start with, but is happy to grow. And those sorts of solutions are ones that I keep an eye out for. Because they’ll benefit everybody, and that’s ultimately one of the priorities of my job: servicing and supporting everybody in the network equally.”

I completely understand that you want to be flexible and make sure it’s right for the purpose, but how do you keep on top of that? What’s your pro tip? Because a tech stack, when it’s just one for each category, is hard work. So, trying to keep it on top of all of that, what’s your secret there?

“I’ve sat in a lot of demos the last couple of weeks. Starting in the role in January, that’s something that I’ve prioritised because when I worked at QuickBooks and worked with accountants on software and even before that, working in marketing and business development roles, one of the things that I was always keen on was to be a functional expert.”

“I’m not a bookkeeper. I’ve got no qualifications around that, cards on the table, but I could use QuickBooks. And I felt that that was important when working with my accountants then. And this is no different, working with my Rosemary bookkeepers, I’m not going to be able to deal with the bookkeeping, but it’s important I understand how it works. We’re looking at AML software at the moment, getting under the skin of that, and I love it because I love learning about new stuff, new tech, new everything.”

It’s problem-solving.

“Yeah. I think you get far more out of it if you immerse yourself in it. Sometimes I can go a little down the rabbit hole, but that functional learning is key. I don’t want to just be somebody who’s talking about it. I want to be able to pick it up and show somebody. My aim is that all of my bookkeepers, for example, would be able to use it a million times better than me, but at the starting point, I can explain it and show them.”

“Even though I’m not a bookkeeper. I’m a functional expert to a degree. Don’t trust me to do your books though! [laughs].”

But credit to you, because we’ve done videos and product demos and all sorts together in the past, and one thing I admire about you is that you get your hands dirty, get involved in the product and kick the tires.

You were the first to say, ‘This doesn’t do this, have I missed something here?’ Because you were questioning, am I the problem, or is it the software? And I think that’s something that, in your role, is really important.

“I get a bit passionate because I see something, and it doesn’t quite do what I want it to, and I’m like, ‘Well, why doesn’t it do that? And should it?’ And then you go round in circles, and you’ve got to think about everybody in many different positions. But for me, immersing in it is the only way you’d uncover those issues.”

“And credit to software companies. It is a challenge because they’re not bookkeepers either. So, some of the best innovations come from people in the industry using the software. You can see some of the software created by accountants and bookkeepers, they stand out because they’re using it day-to-day.”

“And I think leveraging that information, whatever software company you are, is essential to success and leveraging the experience so people who will use it every day.”

We all love the big shinies, the big new feature releases. We were talking off air, weren’t we? Apron is releasing the new–

“The new card, yeah.”

We love that. And that’s an amazing thing to celebrate. But actually, some of the best work they’ve done lately is those little, tiny workflow changes, which are game-changing for the people using and relying on it daily.

“The number of times I’ve had a bookkeeper, or an accountant come up to me and they’re like, ‘Oh my God, do you know what my favourite feature is?’ And they say it, and I’m like, ‘Does it do that? Show me.’ And sometimes we miss that, especially those of us who aren’t bookkeepers or accountants, and we need to listen to that sort of feedback, so we know what the priorities are. Otherwise, how else are we going to learn?”

“But that happens all the time. I love it, though, because you learn something new. The best bit is that an accountant or bookkeeper tells me that, and then I go and find another accountant or bookkeeper, and I go, ‘I tell you what, have you seen this?’ And they’re like, ‘No. Oh my God, that’s amazing.’ I’m like,’ Yeah, I found that.’ [laughs]”

So, obviously, you’re passionate about this industry. What do you love most about it?

“I’ve worked in lots of industries. When I’ve done marketing, I worked with SMBs across all different industry verticals. Now that I only work within the accounting industry, the thing I notice is that it’s so collaborative. Everybody gets on, and I think that’s because it’s such a necessary service that there’s obviously competition, but accountants are far more likely to sit down and help each other than ignore each other. If one’s got a problem – and I saw it outside when we were queuing to get in, and one accountant was chatting to another about year end and how busy they were in January and then one’s telling the other like, ‘I’ve done this, you should think about that’ – and I think that’s brilliant.”

“Collaboration and partnership, in my career, are big priorities. I read it the other day, and you must have heard this: ‘If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.’ And I love that. That is ingrained in me as a person. And I see that all the time in this industry, above other industries, and I’ve worked in a lot of others.”

And there was a chance that you could have left the industry, and you decided this is the industry you want to stay in. So, that must say something.

“Definitely. And I’ve been dedicated to this industry for, in my eyes, a relatively short period, two or three years now. But I’ve made so many connections and friends. Even just coming here today, the number of people I’ve seen who stopped me to say hello, I’ve really loved keeping those connections going.”

So, that’s what you love about the industry. What would you change about the industry?

“That’s… that’s a tough one. I think pace. I do think that accountants and bookkeepers, rightly so, are relatively risk-averse. And I think that’s fair to say, and that’s not a detriment to any of them, but they should be. I’d want my accountant to be risk-averse.”

“But I think sometimes when it comes to things like Making Tax Digital for income tax coming in and new software and efficiencies, we can err strongly on the side of caution. And I’m not saying throw the baby out with the bath water, but it would be good if we had more risk-takers, to give it a go and see it through. But it’s their business, so I get it. So many accountants are self-made, so I understand why they don’t.”

“In my time at QuickBooks and at Rosemary, working with my franchise partners, I want to be super supportive, so it doesn’t blow up in people’s faces. Nobody wants that. But try those little things, try something new. That’s the one bit of advice.”

Exactly, and it’s that disruptive mentality, isn’t it? Sometimes we feel like we shouldn’t disrupt. But that little bit of disruption won’t stop the whole industry, will it?

“Absolutely. And it doesn’t need to be changing everything.”

Little tiny steps.

“A hundred per cent. If you made a 1% change every day, that adds up. It is tiny, tiny steps. So, yes. That would be the thing. But I think that’s coming.”

“Even in the few years I’ve worked directly in the industry, you see a change. And I think it is a testament to guys like you who lead from the front. And you are seeing more people putting themselves out there, doing podcasts and talking and things like that.”

Sharing the knowledge, right?

“Yeah. Yeah, definitely. So, I think it is happening.”

If we got you a time machine, think about something you are using today. It could be an app, a piece of software, or a gadget. What piece of technology would you love to take back 12 months and say, ‘You should be using this now.’

“Chat GPT, I have doubled down on things like that in the last couple of months, and it has transformed my life. I think it’s such a useful assistant. It’s not replacing anything.”

It’s a brainstorming tool, isn’t it?

“I love, like I said earlier, collaboration and some of my best ideas come when chatting with someone, and they evolve in a conversation. But I work remotely, and the franchise partners I deal with are all over the UK. So, I’m not necessarily with someone every day. I don’t work in an office. So, Chat GPT is really helpful when I’m trying to brainstorm.”

I don’t know if you’ve seen some of the videos we’ve done on the training, but now it’s evolved to watching your screen and being contextualised on your screen, so you’re thinking about the training point of view, you have that app on the screen.

It’s telling you, ‘If I need to reconcile this or I need to do this, or I need to add this transaction,’ it can go, ‘Oh, go up here, click that. See this box here? Make sure you put it in there. No, no. I wouldn’t use that date. And it’s watching you do what you’re doing, giving that constant feedback. It is very, very, very scary, but very, very good.

“It’s terrifying. Don’t think about it too much.”

So, we’ve gone back 12 months, let’s go forward 12. How do you think AI is going to impact the accounting industry?

“I think the more and more it’s integrated, the more it’ll get used. Intuit Assist is a great example of that. You’ve got Jax with Xero, in the accounting world. Once they’re properly there, then I think that will accelerate everything.”

“I am slightly – not worried – excited and terrified of where all this will be in two years. So, it’s exciting times, and I think it’s in addition to your brain. It’s not instead of your brain.”

Well, that’s where we add value as bookkeepers and accountants, right?

“The other thing I think is massive about the accounting industry is that it isn’t about numbers. It’s about people.”

100%.

“It’s a people industry, and nothing’s going to change that. If you could spend more time with people, and AI is doing some of these monotonous things for you, it gives you time to have that coffee with your client that you couldn’t before, or go out to that networking event and meet new clients. Those are the things you want to do. I don’t know about you, but I love spending time with people; the more of that I can do, the better.”

Awesome. So, this is your opportunity. Plug, plug and plug away. And tell the people where they can find you and what you’re all about.

“Rosemary Bookkeeping is a franchise network. I’m the Brand Leader of it. What I’m looking to do with the brand is develop it so that we can partner with accountants. MTD for income tax is coming; accountants are going to need help. And I honestly believe bookkeepers are the answer. Ami Copeland talked about it at Engager Labs, collaboration is key. They’re not in competition with each other, so I’m looking for accountants who are looking for help that the Rosemary Bookkeeping network can help with, and we’re across the whole country.”

“I look after and know them all personally. I’m really excited about that, and hopefully working with some people I already know and maybe some new people as well. I’m really excited to be part of the network.”

It’s been great. Thank you for coming on.

“I really appreciate it. Thank you.”

Need help with your bookkeeping?

By contacting the professionals, you receive personal and expert support on all aspects of bookkeeping.

We love bookkeeping, but we know it’s not for everyone. So, leave the stress behind by leaving your books to the experts today.

Find your nearest Rosemary Bookkeeping business today to see how we can support you ahead of the new tax year.

Can a bookkeeper improve mental health?

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Mental health means different things to different people.

And because the impacts can be invisible, it is often not taken as seriously as physical health.

However, the impacts of mental health are more widespread than you think.

According to NHS England, one in four adults and one in ten children experience mental illness during their lifetime.

That’s why the Mental Health Foundation aims to unite the UK to focus on getting good mental health by recognising this week as Mental Health Awareness Week.

Lots of factors can impact your mental health.

From the ins and outs of your daily routine to external factors like the cost of living crisis.

The latter of which is currently having a sizeable impact on the mental health of UK citizens, as many of us brace for the uncertainty of the next few months.

In times like this, we tend to worry only about the tangible factors of the situation and not how we’re affected mentally.

But stress and other mental health issues can make matters worse and should be treated the same as any other physical condition.

Here’s why:

The value of your mental health

No matter your age or lifestyle, mental health plays a big role in your life and overall health.

The benefits of improved mental health are broad and include:

  • Improved physical health and life expectancy
  • Better educational achievement
  • Reduced health risk behaviours such as smoking and alcohol misuse
  • Reduced risk of mental health problems and suicide
  • Improved employment rates and productivity
  • Reduced anti-social behaviour and criminality
  • And higher levels of social interaction and participation.

So, how can you improve your mental health?

Ways to improve your mental health

There are many ways to improve your mental health, particularly against stress and issues that can arise from isolation. The NHS recommends that you:

  1. Connect with other people

Maintaining good relationships with others can work wonders.

For example, belonging to a group can improve self-worth and provide emotional support.

Using technology as a crutch has become an easy habit to fall into in recent years, but the importance of connecting with people outside of your sphere cannot be underestimated.

  1. Be physically active

Similarly, remaining active causes chemical changes in your brain through the release of endorphins.

This can improve your mood and raise your self-esteem.

The nature of exercise also makes it a great way to improve your self-worth by setting and achieving regular goals and targets.

But it’s not the only way to do this.

You can also receive the same effect through your work or by learning new skills.

  1. Learning new skills

This can be great for your self-esteem and self-worth by helping you build a sense of purpose in an activity, and is another way to connect with others.

  1. Give to others

Exercising kindness day-to-day can be beneficial to you and the receiver.

The act of giving creates a positive feeling in your body through the sense of reward that comes from gratitude.

Being kind helps forge the right connections essential for prosperous human survival and is the cornerstone of building a healthy community.

Giving back is an essential tenet of mental health. Both in improving your own, and the mental health of those around you.

All of which feed into the spirit of World Mental Health Day.

  1. Pay attention to the present moment

This boils down to the practice of mindfulness, a familiar term to many.

But what does it mean?

Essentially, mindfulness is paying attention to the present moment, including how you feel in your mind, body, feelings, and the world around you.

At an appropriate time, give it a try.

Sit with yourself and reflect on the world both inside and around you.

How does food taste? What sensations do you feel moving through the world, and what happens if you do something a little differently?

How Rosemary Bookkeeping can help

At Rosemary Bookkeeping, our priority is supporting you.

By outsourcing your bookkeeping to us, you’re letting go of all the stress and worry of managing your finances alone and leaving it in the hands of your financial experts.

We work with you to take the stress out of your bookkeeping so that you can focus on the things that matter to you.

Your local bookkeeper can help with more than the numbers and can advise on changes in the financial world and how to manage issues like the cost-of-living crisis.

Having regular meetings with a bookkeeper also helps you to make informed decisions about your business’s finances.

The economy is changeable, and with recent legislation like MTD, a well-informed bookkeeper can help you to know what is happening with your money.

All these benefit the health of your business and your mind, as you can put the proper plans in place and not spend your day agonising over making the right decisions.

One of the best ways to improve your mental health is to not suffer alone.

Seeking out the support available to you, particularly within your community, will make a massive difference.

Whether this is talking to loved ones, a mental health specialist, or getting the right help to tackle the problems you’re facing.

Contact your nearest Rosemary Bookkeeper for a free quote on our services for the right support for your business.

New Advisory Fuel Rates – 2025

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Everything you need to know about the new advisory fuel rates for company car users.

For any business, keeping track of your financials is vital.

So, keeping track of relevant legislation that will affect them is imperative.

On March 1st 2025, HMRC reviewed current Advisory Fuel Rates (AFR) for company car drivers claiming back fuel expenses from their employer.

In this blog post, our experts have compiled a guide on everything you need to know about the new Advisory Fuel Rates.

Who is affected by changing Advisory Fuel Rates?

Mileage rates and any changes apply in certain circumstances for employees who use company cars.

These rates only apply when:

Reimbursing employees for company car business travel:

According to guidance from HMRC, if the mileage rate you pay is lower than the AFR for the engine size and fuel type of the car, there will be no taxable profit and no Class 1a National Insurance to pay.

If your cars are more fuel efficient or the cost of business travel is higher than the AFR, you can use personalised rates to reflect your situation.

However, if your mileage payments are only for business travel or you pay rates higher than the advisory rates but cannot show that your fuel cost per mile is higher, there will be no fuel benefit charge.

Instead, you’ll have to treat any excess as taxable profit and earnings for Class 1 National Insurance purposes.

Employees repay the cost of the fuel for private travel:

If you correctly record all private travel mileage and use the correct rate (or higher) to calculate how much your employees repay you for fuel used for personal travel, there will be no fuel benefit charge.

You will also not need to use the advisory rates, where you can show that employees cover the total cost of private fuel by repaying at a lower mileage rate.

When are Advisory Fuel Rates changed?

Advisory Fuel Rates are subject to regular change. HMRC reviews rates quarterly.

The most recent review happened on the first of March.

They are reviewed on:

  • 1st March
  • 1st June
  • 1st September
  • 1st December

How changes are calculated

The changes made by HMRC reflect fuel and energy prices.

Previously, when reimbursing electric company car drivers, the rate used by many companies was based upon annual figures from the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and the electrical energy consumption values from the Department for Transport (DfT).

Starting March 2023, HMRC also incorporated figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) to inform electricity rates. From March 2024 onwards, they’ve utilised data from annual car sales volumes to businesses (Fleet Audits average for the last three years). This year, they’ve also included findings from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero updates its yearly electricity cost, measured in ‘pence per kilowatt hour,’ based on the quarterly Consumer Prices Index from the Office for National Statistics. This adjustment helps reflect any price changes every three months.

How are the new Advisory Fuel Rates calculated?

Advisory Fuel Rates are calculated when the mean miles per gallon (MPG) is taken from manufacturers’ information.

This considers annual sales to businesses (Fleet Audits average from 2021 to 2023 ).

For liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), the MPG used is 20% lower than for petrol due to lower volumetric energy density.

The ‘rates per mile’ are rounded to one decimal place.

The final advisory fuel rates are rounded to the nearest penny.

Rates per mile, which end in 0.5, are rounded to the nearest whole penny for the advisory fuel rate when the underlying unrounded figure ends in a number less than 0.5.

When the underlying unrounded figure ends in a number greater than 0.5, it is rounded to the nearest whole penny.

The DESNZ cost for pence per kilowatt hour is updated by the ONS consumer prices index for electricity.

This is to account for quarterly price variations.

Then, the value of the annual equivalent rate is calculated through the cost of electricity per mile for each model provided by the DfT and electricity price data from DESNZ and ONS.

A weighted average value of the electrical costs per mile for a fully electric car is then calculated using company car sales data across the last three years.

The advisory fuel rates are worked out from the fuel prices in these tables.

Hybrid cars are treated as petrol or diesel cars for advisory fuel rates.

How have Advisory Fuel Rates Changed?

The key changes as of March 2025 include a 1p increase for petrol vehicles with engine sizes between 1401cc and 2000cc and for diesel vehicles up to 1600cc, with no change to other petrol or diesel rates. Likewise, the advisory electricity rate for fully electric cars remains at 7p per mile.

Petrol:

Rates for petrol cars have increased by 1p for petrol vehicles with engine sizes between 1401cc and 2000cc.

Engine size (cc) Mean MPG Fuel price (per litre) Fuel price (per gallon) Rate per mile Advisory fuel rate
Up to 1400 51 138.7 pence 630.7 pence 12.4 pence 12 pence
1401 to 2000 42.3 138.7 pence 630.7 pence 14.9 pence 15 pence
Over 2000 27.1 138.7 pence 630.7 pence 23.3 pence 23 pence

Diesel:

Diesel rates have also increased by 1p for vehicles up to 1600cc. 

Engine size (cc) Mean MPG Fuel price (per litre) Fuel price (per gallon) Rate per mile Advisory fuel rate
Up to 1600 56.9 146.1 pence 664.3 pence 11.7 pence 12 pence
1601 to 2000 49.3 146.1 pence 664.3 pence 13.5 pence 13 pence
Over 2000 38 146.1 pence 664.3 pence 17.5 pence 17 pence

LPG:

Engine size (cc) Mean MPG Fuel price (per litre) Fuel price (per gallon) Rate per mile Advisory fuel rate
Up to 1400 40.8 98.3 pence 446.9 pence 10.9 pence 11 pence
1401 to 2000 33.8 98.3 pence 446.9 pence 13.2 pence 13 pence
Over 2000 21.7 98.3 pence 446.9 pence 20.6 pence 21 pence

Electric:

From 1 March 2025, the advisory electric rate for fully electric cars is 7 pence per mile.

Electrical efficiency — miles per kilowatt-hour Domestic electricity cost (per kilowatt-hour) Rate per mile Advisory electric rate
3.57 25.24 pence 7.06 pence 7 pence

Is it all a bit much?

With legislation changing regularly, keeping track of expenses as a small business can be difficult.

And with fuel rates changing three times a year, it can feel impossible to get a handle on what to do and when.

At Rosemary Bookkeeping, we are on top of all current legislation and are experts in ensuring you know which way is up with your business financials.

By contacting your local expert, you benefit from regular advice and support on all the latest changes to AFR and much more, as well as bespoke and professional management of your bookkeeping needs.

To see how outsourcing your books to your friendly local bookkeeping service could help you, find your nearest Rosemary Bookkeeping business or call 0345 862 0072 today.

Rosemary Bookkeeping Croydon celebrates first year in business

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Rosemary Bookkeeping Croydon owner Dean Kokshun looks back at his first year in business.  

Last year, Dean Kokshun opened Rosemary Bookkeeping Croydon, bringing the brand’s expert and bespoke bookkeeping services to the area for the first time.

We sat down with him on the anniversary of his first year in business to look back at the journey so far.

Dean’s Journey

Dean’s journey in accountancy began in 1985 when he joined the bookkeeping and external audit departments of KPMG Mauritius – then known as Peat Marwick before qualifying with the ACCA in 1993. By 2001, he had been admitted as a member and achieved fellowship (FCCA) status.

As a qualified accountant, he has held senior positions within small UK accountancy practices, accumulating 30 years of experience. Throughout his career, Dean has excelled in external auditing of small to medium-sized entities, financial reporting, and management reporting. This has taken him across diverse industry sectors, including retail, services, manufacturing, hospitality, and investment.

“Launching Rosemary Bookkeeping Croydon has given me the opportunity to combine my years of financial expertise with running my own business locally,” Dean says.

He says getting to work within his community to support small and local businesses has helped him feel part of something bigger.

“The support from the Head Office team and the wider Rosemary network has been invaluable, and it really feels like being part of a community.”

“I’ve also enjoyed meeting and getting to know other small business owners in Croydon and the surrounding areas through local networking events and sharing our experiences.”

“When I first started, I was focused on offering day-to-day bookkeeping services. However, over the past year, the peculiar demands of the local market have led me to refine my approach. I now focus more on being an approachable expert for small business owners who need help and guidance navigating the gaps between bookkeeping and compliance.”

“It’s been exciting to see my client relationships grow. Some now view me as a trusted expert, giving them peace of mind knowing someone reliable is on hand to help steer their business in the right direction.”

Work/Life Balance

For Rosemary Bookkeeping clients, our services are designed to help you focus on the things that matter most by taking the stress and time worrying about your books out of the picture.

For Dean, managing and running his own business has equally been a balancing act when navigating how he spends his time.

“Balancing the demands of a new business with everything else in life hasn’t always been easy, especially with family caring responsibilities in the mix!” he says.

“But as the business evolves, I’m learning to adapt, manage my time better, and set clearer boundaries. Having a strong support system, both personally and through the Rosemary network, has made a huge difference. It’s been about staying focused on the long-term vision while allowing space for the day-to-day things that matter.”

 

Successes and Support in the Community

Dean says that while his first year has not been without its challenges, particularly within such a competitive market and area, he has seen some great successes in how he has positioned the business and helped provide support to those who need it in the last year.

“There are so many options for bookkeeping services in Croydon/South London, and standing out was tough at first. I overcame this by leaning into what makes Rosemary – and myself – different: being approachable, reliable, and offering peace of mind through accurate books and compliance.”

“Moving from a full-time role in a long-established practice after three decades to becoming a business owner was a real shock to the system – but in a good way!” he adds.

“I’m enjoying the challenge. Seeing my client base gradually grow, particularly over the last six months, has been very encouraging. More than that, it’s the trust clients place in me – whether I’m helping to sort out their books, supporting them with day-to-day bookkeeping, or guiding them through increasingly complex regulations. Each time I help a client breathe a sigh of relief, I count it as a big success.”

This has naturally come with many highlights for Dean, such as a particularly memorable client when he was working with a small group of local university students to make sense of their finances to start their own business.

They had no financial or business background and wanted to start their own e-commerce business, but were struggling to make sense of business finances and the maze of regulations involved.

“After a couple of months of working with this group, two of them found the confidence to dive in and launched their business successfully! Moments like that remind me why I started Rosemary Bookkeeping Croydon. When clients finally understand their numbers and feel in control, it’s incredibly rewarding,” Dean says.

The Road Ahead

Looking to the future, Dean says his biggest goal for his business is to establish Rosemary Bookkeeping Croydon as the go-to bookkeeping service for small businesses, including accountants, in Croydon, South London. Longer term, he hopes to expand my services and build a wider team.

He will doubtlessly achieve this through his commitment to building visibility in Croydon through networking events, partnerships with local accountants, or sharing insights that empower local business owners.

“I want to focus on growing the business sustainably while maintaining that personal touch with my clients,” he says.

“It’s been a challenging, enjoyable, and ultimately rewarding journey so far. The support from Rosemary Head Office, fellow franchise partners, and – most importantly – my clients has made this first year truly special. I’m excited for what’s to come!”

Need a bookkeeper?

If you’re in Croydon and the surrounding area and need support with your bookkeeping, contact Dean on 0208 191 2958.

Or, nationwide, find your nearest Rosemary Bookkeeping business to see how we can help you today.

How bookkeepers create great value for accountants

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The great value a bookkeeper can bring to an accountant.

While there is overlap in their work, meaning the two often get confused, bookkeepers and accountants have distinct roles and responsibilities.

They often work well together, as the work of a bookkeeper plays a part in supporting the work of an accountant.

At Rosemary Bookkeeping, we are experts in bookkeeping, supporting clients across the UK, from small businesses to accountants with bookkeeping and finances.

But what can a bookkeeper do for an accountant?

How bookkeepers help accountants

Bespoke client support

The work of a bookkeeper is to understand the needs of their clients.

Our work is personal and bespoke as we tailor our services to work around what you need.

The relationships we build with our clients can also help us to be the bridge between the small businesses we serve and accountants.

Support with existing clients and workload

It’s not just new clients that a bookkeeper can support accountants with.

A bookkeeper can also help accountants with their existing clients.

If accountants recommend their ‘troubled’ or tricky customers to a bookkeeper like Rosemary Bookkeeping, we can support them with their accounts.

Furthermore, during busy periods like the new tax year, we can support accountants and help with capacity.

Streamlined and easy processes

Bookkeepers also work to tight deadlines and work with accuracy, minimising the back and forth to get things done correctly ahead of deadlines.

Rosemary bookkeepers can do all the monthly and quarterly chasing to ensure the experience is stress-free and smooth for everyone involved.

All Rosemary reports and documents are uniformly formatted, making life a breeze for accountants.

See how a Rosemary Bookkeeper can help you

These are just some ways a bookkeeper can help an accountant derive a higher value from their time and services.

Whether you’re an accountant or a small business, a bookkeeper can help streamline your financial processes.

By contacting the professionals at Rosemary Bookkeeping, you receive personal and expert support on all aspects of bookkeeping.

Find your nearest Rosemary Bookkeeping business to see how we can support you today.

Why is it important to record payroll journal entries?

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Rosemary Bookkeeper’s expert advice on payroll journal entries. 

Each week or month, businesses make payments to employees, deducting tax and National Insurance contributions to pay to HMRC, alongside Employers’ National Insurance and pension contributions to submit to the pension provider. But why is it necessary to enter payroll journals?

This blog post by Karen Mann, the owner of Rosemary Bookkeeping North Dorset and Salisbury, examines the importance of accurately recording payroll journals and how to overcome common challenges businesses face in doing so.

Why is it important to record payroll journal entries?

Accurately recording payroll journals in your accounting system provides several benefits.

It ensures complete management information, allowing businesses to track staff costs, monitor cash flow, and verify amounts due to HMRC and pension providers.

This helps with financial planning and ensures compliance with legal obligations, ultimately supporting smooth business operations.

Payroll journals help businesses accurately record several key pieces of information in their accounts:

  • Business Costs: Payroll journals record the cost to the business for salaries paid to employees, including pension contributions and National Insurance. These expenses reduce the company’s corporation tax liability.
  • Employee Payments: Payroll journals record amounts due to be paid directly to employees and allow businesses to match payments against these entries. This provides a useful check to ensure the amount paid matches payroll reports.
  • HMRC Liabilities: The liability owed to HMRC for PAYE tax and National Insurance is recorded in payroll journals. When payments to HMRC are made, these transactions reduce the outstanding amount, providing an immediate overview of what is due.
  • Pension Liabilities: As with tax and National Insurance, pension contributions must be paid by the company to the pension provider monthly. Payroll journals record these amounts, and payments are allocated accordingly, allowing businesses to see outstanding liabilities at any time.

What are the biggest challenges businesses should look out for?

While payroll journal entries are essential, businesses must be aware of potential challenges. A lack of knowledge of the business of accounting could lead to:

Incorrect Categorisation of Expenses:

Misallocating payroll costs or not entering the information means financial reports are incorrect and can’t be used to help make business decisions and affect will tax calculations.

Missed or Incorrect Journal Entries:

Failing to enter payroll journals or making errors can result in discrepancies between payroll records and accounts.

Failure to Reconcile with Payroll Reports:

Not cross-checking payroll journals against payroll reports can mean errors go unnoticed, leading to incorrect payments or reporting.

Compliance Risks:

Mishandling payroll liabilities, such as PAYE, National Insurance, or pension contributions, can lead to late payments and potential penalties from HMRC.

Need a bookkeeper

Receive expert on your payroll from your local Rosemary Bookkeeper and take the stress out of your finances.

Get the time back to focus on your business today by finding your nearest Rosemary Bookkeeping business today.

Don’t let your accounts frighten you with Rosemary Bookkeeping UK

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How Rosemary Bookkeeping takes the fright out of your bookkeeping

At Rosemary Bookkeeping, we know that your bookkeeping can be scary.

There’s the pressure to avoid mistakes, coupled with anxiety around your technical know-how, plus frequently changing or appearing legislation that feels like it’s out to trick you.

As experts in bookkeeping for over 20 years, we provide expert bookkeeping services to small businesses across the UK so they can focus on what matters to them and not their books.

This Halloween, we’re here with one piece of guidance: your bookkeeping doesn’t have to be frightening.

How a bookkeeper can help you

Bookkeepers like Rosemary Bookkeeping can help with all aspects of your bookkeeping and finances.

This includes:
  • Taking the hassle out of sorting all your invoices, receipts and bank statements
  • Having your VAT return prepared for you in good time
  • Liaising directly with your accountant
  • Having reports and figures every month that help you make decisions on your business growth
  • 121 bookkeeping support

Maximising your time by outsourcing

Most business owners don’t maximise the impact of their time.

Consider what activities you do that generate the most revenue.

It’s probably not the bookkeeping.

Although it is vital to keep track of cash flow and understand where the most profitable parts (or not) of your business are.

Outsourcing your bookkeeping to us means it is in safe hands.

We focus on your books while you focus on your business.

The benefits of the Rosemary System

There are many benefits to choosing to work with your local Rosemary Bookkeeper.

Transparency

Our charging system is transparent, so you always know exactly what you are paying for.

Standardised Paperwork

We standardise the paperwork, ensuring you and your accountant receive the paperwork in the same way.

Safeguarding

Safeguard your business using our Rosemary System®, which delivers systemised efficient processing – this means ANY of our bookkeepers can complete your bookkeeping should your usual bookkeeper be ill or on holiday.

Local knowledge, national brand

At Rosemary Bookkeeping, we operate as part of a nationwide franchise network, with our business owners working locally.

This means you benefit from a winning formula of local knowledge combined with the expertise and experience of a national brand and nationwide systems and processes for success.

Contact us

Take the hassle out of your business and give yourself the time to focus on what matters by finding your nearest Rosemary Bookkeeping business or calling 0345 862 0072 to see how we can help you today.

How to Add Contacts in Xero – Teri’s Tips

Learn how to add contacts in Xero with Teri Cotta.

At Rosemary Bookkeeping, we work closely with our friends and partners at Xero to help our clients get to grips with their bookkeeping.

And there is still a lot to get to grips with.

That’s why our accounting crackpot, Teri Cotta, has been working hard to bring you the top tips to be a Xero whiz and understand its processes, from the terribly simple to the terrifically complex.

And if you’re a visual learner, don’t worry, a full video showing each of these points step by step can be found on our YouTube channel.

In today’s Teri Tips, you’ll see how to add contacts in Xero.

What are contacts?

Contacts are customers and suppliers that you do business with.

Add your existing contacts during conversion so you spend less time on data entry when you start creating bills and invoices in Xero.

From the dashboard, click contacts and select all contacts.

The list gives you an overview of your contacts and their phone number, email, and account balances.

Adding a contact

Basic information

Start by entering the contact’s name.

This can be a business or an individual.

If you use client codes or any other form to uniquely identify your contacts, click Add Account Number to add them.

Next, add the primary person and their email address.

Xero will automatically select this person whenever you email this contact.

Click the link to add additional people that are associated with this contact, and that you need to interact with.

Enter their name and email address and enable them to receive the same emails as the primary person.

Click the X to remove additional people.

Next, enter phone details and website address, if you have this information on hand.

You can always edit the contact and add this later.

Address

First, enter a postal address and click the link.

If the street address is the same, Xero automatically copies the postal address for you.

Financial details

 If you know in advance what sales or purchase settings will apply to most of the invoices and bills, enter them now.

For example, all the invoices will be tax-inclusive and coded to the main sales account in Xero.

Tax information

Next, add contact-specific tax information and tax settings.

For example, choose the default sales tax.

Enter a business registration number.

If the contact has an official number you want to show on documents, specify ‘Sales discount applies’ and change the currency of the default currency.

Xero does not apply for this contact.

If you use batch payments to bundle multiple bills into one payment transaction, enter their bank details.

Overriding default invoice settings

You can override the default invoice settings for this contact.

For example, choose a different branding theme or change the default due dates.

If this contact also uses Xero, ask for their Xero network key and enter it here.

It allows you to send sales invoices or bills from your Xero organisation directly into theirs.

When you’re done, click Save.

Xero Contact details

Inside, the Contacts page, you’ll need to close the confirmation message to see more details.

In the right panel, Xero displays the contact details and addresses.

It includes useful links to send an email, view their website and look up their location on a map.

Collapse this panel by clicking the ‘^’ to see more.

These are the financial defaults you entered that Xero would apply to the next invoice or bill.

About Contacts

Each contact in Xero can function as a customer, supplier, or both.

Xero automatically classifies them once you’ve entered an invoice or a bill.

If you have many contacts to bring into Xero, you can use the import contacts function to load them in bulk.

Importing contacts in bulk

There are three steps in this process:

  1. Download Xero’s contacts template file

Start by downloading the import template using the hyperlink under this step.

  1. Copy your contacts into the template

Then export your contacts from your current system and copy them into the template.

  1. Import the updated file template into Xero

Moving forward, you can use the ‘+’ icon from anywhere in Xero to add new contacts.

Need help with your bookkeeping?

Teri Cotta is joined worldwide by Rosemary Bookkeeping’s network of Xero-certified bookkeepers.

So, whether you need help choosing the right software for you, using Xero or outsourcing your books, our experts will be able to help.

Take the hassle out of your bookkeeping and get the time back to focus on what matters most by contacting your nearest Rosemary Bookkeeper today.

Rosemary Bookkeeping North Dorset and Salisbury wins two prestigious awards

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Karen Mann from Rosemary Bookkeeping North Dorset and Salisbury picked up two coveted awards at this year’s Rosemary Bookkeeping Spring Forum.

Rosemary Bookkeeping held its annual spring forum recently, allowing business owners from across the UK to get together and discuss key successes and ways to overcome shared obstacles – topped off with a spot of afternoon tea!

The day also saw some business owners awarded for their successes in 2023.

This included Karen Mann from Rosemary Bookkeeping North Dorset and Salisbury, who won an award for significant business growth in the last year.

Despite only joining Rosemary Bookkeeping in December 2022, Karen’s development through key initiatives helped her to grow by over £35,000 in a single year!

This exceptional feat also saw her recognised as the Rookie of the Year as she has displayed the highest achievement in the pursuit of excellence and professional management of her Rosemary Bookkeeping business.

Yasmin Chaudhari, Marketing Manager for Rosemary Bookkeeping said:

“It’s great to see the network reach new heights and push the boundaries on what their investment is capable of. A huge congratulations again to all our award winners; I can’t wait to see what the next year brings us and see some new faces on the orange carpet.”

Need an award-winning bookkeeper?

If you’re in North Dorset and Salisbury and the surrounding areas and could benefit from professional bookkeeping services from a local expert, contact Karen on 01202 094387 or find your nearest Rosemary Bookkeeping business to see how we can help you today.

How to Import a Sales Invoice in Xero – Teri’s Tips

Learn how to import sales invoices in Xero with Teri Cotta.

At Rosemary Bookkeeping, we work closely with our friends and partners at Xero to help our clients get to grips with their bookkeeping.

And there is still a lot to get to grips with.

That’s why our accounting crackpot, Teri Cotta, has been working hard to bring you the top tips to be a Xero whiz and understand its processes, from the terribly simple to the terrifically complex.

In today’s Teri Tips, you’ll discover the cloud and explore how cloud accounting software like Xero can help your business.

We’ll look at the main features of Xero and give you some helpful tips to get you started.

And if you’re a visual learner, don’t worry, a full video showing each of these points step by step can be found on our YouTube channel.

In this blog post, you’ll learn how to import sales invoices in Xero.

Importing Invoices in Xero

Let’s start by navigating to the sales overview.

Click ‘Business’ and select ‘Sales Overview’.

Xero summarises the status of all your invoices. You can click a status to drill further and see the invoices behind it.

If you have a few unpaid invoices before you go live in Xero, you can enter them manually one at a time.

But if you have many unpaid invoices, import them in bulk to save time.

There are three steps in the import process.

  1. Downloading the invoice template file from Xero
  2. Copying your invoices into the template
  3. Importing the updated template file 

Using the Xero template

Xero’s invoice template contains the correct column headings needed to import your invoice data.

Once you have downloaded this, export your invoices from your old system as a comma-separated list using Excel or another spreadsheet editor.

Then, copy and paste your invoices from the export file into the Xero template.

For the import to work, ensure you do not remove, re-order or rename any of the columns.

Copy your invoice data across and make sure you place each column under the correct heading.

‘Contact Name’ and ‘Invoice Number’ are the only required columns to successfully import draft invoices.

If you’ve already entered contacts in Xero, ensure the name is exactly as it is and Xero, otherwise, the import creates duplicate contact records.

Invoice numbers must be unique for every new invoice in this file, and different from any invoices already entered in Xero.

Use the same number for an invoice with more than one line item; Xero will create a single invoice with multiple lines.

For new contacts, copy or enter as much information as possible.

That way you don’t have to manually edit new contacts in Xero after the import.

Columns marked with an asterisk are mandatory if you want to approve invoices after the import.

When you copy dates across, use the format day, month and year.

Enter a clear description so you can easily reconcile the transactions in Xero when payments come through.

Next, copy the quantity, unit amount, and tax type across. Ensure the tax type name is exactly as it appears in Xero.

There’s no need to include the total or tax amount, as Xero automatically calculate these during the import.

Lastly, code the item to the relevant sales account in your Xero chart of accounts.

When you’re done preparing the import file, save it as a CSV file, then return to Xero to continue with step three.

Importing the updated template file

Click ‘Browse’ and select your saved CSV file.

Decide if you want to update contacts with the imported address details, this will overwrite any existing contacts you’ve already loaded in Xero.

Also, choose how you want Xero to handle the tax amount.

Check out the amount in your file and select whether it is tax-exclusive or tax-inclusive.

When done with these settings, click ‘Import’ and review the import message.

If there are errors in the file, fix them and try again.

If there are no errors, click ‘Complete Import’ and Xero will import invoices into the draft tab.

When viewing an invoice with multiple lines, you will see the invoice number dates, description, quantity and unit price match the data in the import file and Xero has calculated all the amounts.

The final step is to approve invoices in bulk.

Select them all and click ‘approve’, then click ‘ok’.

Xero then marks invoices as approved and moves them to ‘Awaiting Payment’.

Now, if you view contacts, you will see that Xero has added the contacts from the import file as they did not exist before, you will also have an overview of the amount they owe you.

And with that, you’re done!

Need help with your bookkeeping?

Teri Cotta is joined worldwide by Rosemary Bookkeeping’s network of Xero-certified bookkeepers.

So, whether you need help choosing the right software for you, using Xero or outsourcing your books, our experts can help.

Take the hassle out of your bookkeeping and get the time back to focus on what matters most by contacting your nearest Rosemary Bookkeeper today.

Teri’s Tips – How To Reconcile a Bank Statement on Xero

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Teri Cotta walks you through how to reconcile a bank statement on Xero.

At Rosemary Bookkeeping, we work closely with our friends and partners at Xero to help our clients get to grips with their bookkeeping.

Reconciling your bank account regularly using software like Xero means your records are accurate and up to date.

Reconciling your bank accounts means matching your bank statement lines to transactions in Xero, such as invoices, bills, or other payments.

That’s why our accounting crackpot, Teri Cotta, has been working hard to bring you the top tips to be a Xero whiz and understand its processes, from the terribly simple to the terrifically complex.

Specifically, in today’s Teri Tips, we’re walking you through how to reconcile a bank statement on Xero for some common payment types.

And if you’re a visual learner, don’t worry… a full video showing each of these points step by step can be found on our YouTube channel.

How to start reconciling bank statements in Xero

From your ‘Business Bank Account”, click the reconcile button to begin.

Here, Xero suggests matches by comparing information in the statement line, such as the amount and contact name within the Xero transaction.

Suggested matches are highlighted in green.

Click okay to accept a match.

Xero reconciles the statement line and marks the invoice or bill as paid.

When there’s no suggested match, but you know the transaction is in Xero, you can search for it, click find and match and search for transactions by name, reference or amount.

How to reconcile multiple bills at once

You might have paid multiple bills in one go.

When we select these two bills, the total matches our statement line.

So, click reconcile.

How to reconcile incorrect payments

You might have invoiced a customer, but when you search for the transaction, you see the customer has paid the wrong amount.

You can easily account for these situations when you reconcile.

In the example on our YouTube channel, we recorded an overpayment.

In this scenario, click new transaction.

This is a receive money transaction as it’s money coming in.

Select overpayment and click “save transaction”.

The total of these two transactions matches the statement line.

So, click reconcile. Sometimes you might pay for something on the spot like office supplies or parking, so there isn’t a transaction in Xero.

Here, you create a new spend or receive money transaction to reconcile.

Enter the who, what and why and click okay.

Need expert support?

Teri Cotta is joined worldwide by Rosemary Bookkeeping’s network of Xero-certified bookkeepers.

So, whether you need help choosing the right software for you, using Xero or outsourcing your books, our experts can help.

Take the hassle out of your bookkeeping and get the time back to focus on what matters most by contacting your nearest Rosemary Bookkeeper today.

Say hello to the new Rosemary Bookkeeping Business in Croydon

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Meet Dean Kokshun, the bookkeeping expert opening a new Rosemary Bookkeeping business in Croydon.

In need of a bookkeeper in Croydon?

Rosemary Bookkeeping has expanded its expert bookkeeping services into Croydon and the surrounding areas for the first time under the expert supervision of Dean Kokshun.

Dean’s expertise in bookkeeping is unparalleled.

He holds multiple prestigious qualifications and decades of experience supporting him in helping business owners with their bookkeeping needs.

Who is Dean Kokshun?

Dean’s journey in accountancy began in 1985.

This began with him joining the bookkeeping and external audit departments of KPMG Mauritius – then known as Peat Marwick.

He then qualified with the ACCA in the UK in 1993.

Dean was later admitted as a member in 1996 and achieved fellowship (FCCA) status in 2001.

As a qualified accountant, he has held senior positions within small UK accountancy practices, accumulating 30 years of experience.

Throughout his career, Dean has excelled in external auditing of small to medium-sized entities, financial reporting, and management reporting.

This has taken him across diverse industry sectors, including retail, services, manufacturing, hospitality, and investment.

Outside of his professional life, family caring duties and social commitments, Dean loves to relax and recharge by spending time out in nature.

Whether it is” a stroll in the local parks and gardens, exploring the countryside or enjoying the serenity of the coastline,” Dean has “a deep fascination with the beauty of the natural world and appreciates the simplicity and tranquillity that nature offers.”

“I also enjoy various individual and team sports, but if I must pick one which I practice the most, it has to be badminton,” he says.

Expertise

Dean’s extensive background and experience in accountancy have also provided him with a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies of financial reporting and external auditing.

Moreover, having worked with businesses in various sectors and clients in the UK and EU, he has developed a versatile skill set in navigating different accounting systems and processes.

His expertise in preparing financial statements following the UK GAAP and conducting external audits for small to medium-sized companies has equally equipped him with “a keen eye for detail and a commitment to compliance,” he says.

This experience has provided Dean insight and directly informs his approach to providing professional bookkeeping services for local businesses in Croydon and its surrounding areas.

Bookkeeping in Croydon

Drawing on his deep familiarity with the London Borough of Croydon, where he has lived since 1987, Dean is uniquely positioned to understand the local business landscape.

His decision to enter the bookkeeping industry stems from his passion for numbers and problem-solving.

“With 30 years of experience at the senior level in accountancy practices, I want to leverage my skills to provide essential financial services to businesses in my local area, Dean says.”

“The bookkeeping industry allows me to combine my expertise with the opportunity to support businesses in maintaining accurate financial records, ultimately contributing to their business success,” he adds.

“My commitment to delivering excellence in bookkeeping services aims to provide local businesses in Croydon and its surrounding areas with the support they need with their books and records.”

Furthermore, with the introduction of Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) from 6 April 2026, bookkeepers will play a crucial role in helping businesses navigate the new system as they will be responsible for maintaining accurate and up-to-date financial records, ensuring that the data is entered correctly into the MTD-compliant software, and submitting quarterly updates to HMRC.

Dean’s clients in Croydon can expect a comprehensive range of bespoke bookkeeping services tailored to their unique needs.

These services include:

  • Accurate financial record-keeping
  • Meticulous attention to detail in all aspects of bookkeeping
  • Preparing and submitting VAT and CIS returns
  • Timely preparation of periodic and annual management reports
  • Coordinating with accountants and external auditors
  • Providing reports and information to prepare (and audit) year-end financial statements and tax returns
  • Provide support with their books and records and assist and ensure compliance with filing obligations with HM Revenue and Customs.

The beginning of a beautiful friendship

Dean says his adaptable nature and passion for learning have prepared him to embrace his new business.

“I believe that my strong work ethic, effective communication skills, and dedication to finding solutions to complex problems will contribute to the success of the venture, ensuring that clients receive high-quality and tailored bookkeeping services,” he says.

“I’m excited to bring this wealth of expertise to my franchise business, eager to provide top-notch bookkeeping services to the local businesses in Croydon and its surrounding areas, helping business owners with their books, saving them time and money and allowing them to focus on the things they do best – like running their businesses.”

Dean’s aspirations for his business align with the opportunities presented by Croydon’s strategic development plan.

As the area undergoes urban regeneration and economic growth, Dean promises to be a key player in supporting businesses to thrive amidst these positive changes.

In line with the Croydon Council’s four-year business plan, he envisions expanding his portfolio of clients and contributing to the economic opportunities flourishing in the area.

“My commitment is to stay attuned to the evolving needs of the local business community, providing exceptional bookkeeping services and contributing to the economic vibrancy of Croydon and its surrounding areas.”

Yasmin Chaudhari, Commercial Marketing Manager for ServiceMaster Brands UK, says,

“We’re so excited to have Dean join the Rosemary Bookkeeping network as we expand our services to the local businesses of Croydon and surrounding areas.”

“Dean joins us with a wealth of experience in finance, and we wish Dean all the best with his new venture with Rosemary Bookkeeping.”

“For businesses based within Croydon looking for smarter ways to manage their books, maximise their investments and get the support they need to scale up their businesses, it’s your lucky day!”

Need a bookkeeper?

If you’re in Croydon and the surrounding area and need support on your bookkeeping, contact Dean on 0208 191 2958.

Or, nationwide, find your nearest Rosemary Bookkeeping business to see how we can help you today.

Meet the new owners of Rosemary Bookkeeping Wembley

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Introducing Hanaa Raydan and Ahmad Aboul-Hosn, the new owners of Rosemary Bookkeeping Wembley. 

Rosemary Bookkeeping is bringing its expert bookkeeping services to Wembley and the surrounding areas for the first time under the expert supervision of Hanaa Raydan and Ahmad Aboul-Hosn.

We sat down with Hanna and Ahmad to discuss their new adventure and how they’ll be delivering value to business owners in Wembley.

Who are Hanaa and Ahmad?

The business partners are keen entrepreneurs with experience living and working in North London’s thriving business community.

A mother of three girls and the holder of multiple qualifications in business development, accounting and bookkeeping, Hanaa has wanted to own and operate her own bookkeeping business for many years.

After working as a part-time bookkeeper since 2015, she has finally achieved her dream of supporting her local community with the support of a trusted and expert brand behind her, alongside her business partner.

Ahmad Aboul-Hosn is a local entrepreneur who has lived and worked in the Golders Green area for over fifteen years.

He is a father of two boys and loves spending time with them, his dog, and cycling when he is not growing and nurturing his businesses.

It is in the shipping business that Ahmad owns that his and Hanaa’s work overlapped, as she worked within this business while working as a treasurer for a local charity.

Ahmad is passionate about the businesses in the Wembley area and, having studied bookkeeping is excited to help support Hanaa as part of Rosemary Bookkeeping Wembley.

What Rosemary Bookkeeping offers

Rosemary Bookkeeping Wembley welcomes any business owners on the lookout for ways to work smarter, maximise their profits and future-proof their businesses for steady and ongoing growth.

Backed by a national brand experienced in servicing businesses for over 20 years, Rosemary Bookkeeping’s affordable, tried, tested, and accountant-approved bookkeeping system means we’re a name you can trust.

We use the latest systems in bookkeeping and keep up with changes in industry and operations.

Hanaa says she is excited to grow alongside her clients and business partner and support the community where she has lived and worked for a long time.

With Rosemary, she says, “I can make connections with the community while providing services in a professional way.”

Yasmin Chaudhari, Senior Marketing Executive and Marketing Manager for Rosemary Bookkeeping, adds:

“I’d like to personally welcome Hanaa and Ahmad to our ever-growing Rosemary Bookkeeping network.

This is a really exciting time for the brand and Hanaa and Ahmad in particular as we look to extend our services to businesses within the locality of Wembley.

Their experience and business mindset make her a great addition to the network of franchise partners, and we look forward to supporting her as she grows her business in the years to come.

If you’re a Wembley-based business, look out for something BIG!”

Need an expert bookkeeper?

If you’re in Wembley and the surrounding areas and would benefit from the support of a professional, accredited bookkeeper who can help grow your business or help it streamline its accountancy processes, call Hanaa on 0208 5750286 today.

Or nationwide, find your nearest Rosemary Bookkeeping business to see how we can help you.

Introducing the new owner of Rosemary Bookkeeping in Exeter

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Meet Zoe Barnard-Rowland, the brand-new owner of Rosemary Bookkeeping in Exeter.

Rosemary Bookkeeping Exeter is now under the new and expert supervision of Zoe Barnard-Rowland, an FCCA-qualified accountant with over 25 years of experience working for over 30 companies, optimising their bookkeeping processes.

We sat down with Zoe to discuss her new adventure and what her clients can expect from Rosemary Bookkeeping Exeter.

Background

During her 25 years in accounts, Zoe has worked her way up by working long-term and in temp positions for different companies, gaining experience and qualifications as she went.

Having worked in multiple sectors, from insurance to energy supply, media and home care, in roles from accounts assistant to financial controller, Zoe says she has “seen pretty much every financial system that’s going.”

While working across sectors, she became adept at identifying these packages, picking them up quickly, identifying similarities to other packages and taking that information forward to streamline processes for the companies she’s worked for.

“I can do bookkeeping with my eyes closed,” she says.

Her expertise in accounts has also followed Zoe outside of work as she was the treasurer of her local bowls club, which she also enjoys playing, having bowled for several counties.

What to expect from Rosemary Bookkeeping Exeter

Taking over from the previous owner, Zoe takes on an existing client base alongside supporting new small business owners who want support with their bookkeeping to grow their business or streamline their processes.

Having achieved a Xero certification in a matter of weeks as part of her onboarding into the business, Zoe is a fast learner who can quickly integrate with the preferred way of working for her clients.

She offers hands-on support backed by 25 years of experience to help local businesses grow or enhance their methods and is looking forward to growing alongside them while getting the best for them and their development.

As her husband will also be supporting her within the business with data entry, she jokes:

“At the moment, Lee is excited about bookkeeping. I’m excited about checking his work and adding value to clients.”

Need an expert bookkeeper?

If you’re in Exeter and the surrounding areas and would benefit from the support of a professional, accredited bookkeeper who can help grow your business or help it streamline its accountancy processes, call Zoe on 01404 819151 today.

Or nationwide, find your nearest Rosemary Bookkeeping business to see how we can help you.

Bookkeeper vs Accountant – What’s the difference?

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How is a bookkeeper different to an accountant?

Often bookkeeping and accounting are considered to be the same profession.

Although they seem to have very similar roles and work there are some major differences between the two.

The real value of any business is achieved when both work closely together.

What is the difference between Accounting and Bookkeeping?

Bookkeeping is the day-to-day process of accumulating, categorizing, and recording financial transactions.

Bookkeeping is a foundation of your finances, providing vital information for reports, financial statements and tax returns.

The main objective of bookkeeping is to keep all financial transaction records up to date in a proper and systematic manner.

Bookkeepers are often responsible for:
  • Data entry
  • Balancing bank ledgers
  • Preparing bank reconciliations
  • Tracking income and expenses
  • VAT returns
  • Maintaining the general ledger
  • Completing payroll
  • Producing monthly financial statements and reports (e.g. profit and loss reports)
Accounting is the process of:
  • Recording
  • Measuring
  • Classifying
  • Verifying
  • Summarising
  • Analysing
  • Interpreting

And communicating financial information compiled during the bookkeeping process.

Accounting produces:
  • Conclusions
  • Reports
  • Forecasts
  • Financial statements
  • Tax returns

Strategies and models that can be used by business managers to make key business decisions.

As a result, it provides a picture of the actual profitability, trends, cash flow and other key financial indicators.

Put simply: Bookkeepers produce the data, while accountants review and interpret reports, providing insights into the business.

Similarities

  • Bookkeepers and accountants both work with financial data.
  • Working with small businesses bookkeepers’ and accountants’ roles sometimes overlap, as bookkeepers can generate financial reports through bookkeeping software.
  • Both are tax-compliant.
  • Both share a goal of improving your business’s financial health.

Differences

Bookkeeper:

  • Records and classifies all financial transactions
  • Processes receipts, payments and other financial transactions
  • Processes sales and purchase invoices
  • Maintains and balances subsidiaries, general ledger and historical accounts
  • Reconciles bank statements
  • Track income and expenses for the tax periods
  • Prepares initial financial statements
  • Manages accounts receivable and accounts payable
  • Prepares and files VAT returns
  • Can also facilitate payroll

Accountant:

  • Analyses/interprets, and provides subjective advice based on data from the bookkeeper
  • Adjusts entries
  • Generates financial statements and reports
  • Files income tax returns
  • Submits annual accounts
  • Advises on tax strategy and tax planning
  • Prepares financial forecasts
  • Analyses business performance
  • Prepares budgets, business plans and cash flow forecasts
  • Provides financial management advice
  • Audits

A bookkeeper’s and accountant’s work can overlap.

But in general, a bookkeeper’s priority is to record transactions and keep them organised whilst accountants provide consultation and analysis, and often are more qualified to advise on tax matters.

When deciding if you need a bookkeeper you’ll need to review the benefits, as it might be more beneficial for you to concentrate on your business and hire a bookkeeper to look after your day-to-day finances.

A bookkeeper can also liaise with the accountant for you to allow you to focus even more on your business.

In summary, bookkeeping is the completing of day-to-day financial tasks and accounting is the analysing and summarising of information produced by a bookkeeper.

Both have a big role to play in the business and together bookkeepers and accountants can help you better understand your business and take it to the next level.

Find out more

Ensure your business is in safe hands by leaving your bookkeeping to your nearest Rosemary Bookkeeping expert.

Whether you want a helping hand and advice or to outsource your books, your local professional can help.

To learn more about how we can help you manage your finances and avoid bookkeeping woes, call 0345 862 0072 today.

Important bookkeeping dates you need to know this August

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Important bookkeeping dates for your diary for August 2023.

August is a busy month for us bookkeepers, with deadlines abounding everywhere you look.

As a small business owner, you must navigate the next few weeks properly and ensure any payments and returns you must adhere to are in hand.

Here are the essential dates you might need in your diary for the coming month.

3rd August 2023

P46 Submission

This is the final day to submit P46 for employees whose car/fuel benefits changed during the quarter to 5 July 2023

7th August 2023

VAT Returns

VAT returns and payments are due for the Accounting Quarter period ending 30 June.

19th August 2023

Deadline

Deadline for postal PAYE, NICs and CIS payment to HMRC.

22nd August 2023

Deadline

Deadline for electronic remittance of PAYE, NICs and CIS to HMRC.

30th August 2023

Deadline

Deadline for filing of accounts with Companies House for accounting

August 30th, 2023

Tax Return

Corporation Tax returns are due for accounting periods ending 31st August 2022.

30th August 2023

Tax Return

The Corporation tax return is due for payment for accounting periods ending 30th November 2022.

Need help with your bookkeeping?

If this seems like a lot of work to remember, leave your bookkeeping to the professionals.

Entrusting your bookkeeping to Rosemary means:

  • We keep track of your deadlines for you
  • We know when your Tax return needs to be filed by
  • We can keep track of your CIS payments

To learn more about our services and how Rosemary Bookkeeping can help you, find your nearest Rosemary Bookkeeper or call 0345 862 0072 today.

Coronation 2023: The Big Help Out

Looking for ways to commemorate the coronation as a business? 

The Big Help Out is a coming together of thousands of organisations nationwide, uniting to support local communities.

What is The Big Help Out?

Organised in conjunction with celebrations for the upcoming coronation of King Charles III, starting on Monday 8th May, The Big Help Out is a voluntary initiative supported by some of the UK’s largest volunteer organisations, like the National Trust, Scouts and the RSPCA, to raise awareness of volunteering throughout the UK.

Activities throughout the day will provide opportunities for people to experience volunteering and make a difference in their communities.

How do I take part?

There are many ways to get involved in The Big Help Out.

If you are interested, you can participate as:

  1. An individual
  2. An organisation
  3. A business

To register as any of these participants, access the official app.

What can I do?

As Big Help Organisers state,

“There will be opportunities for everyone to join in. No matter what you are good at, there’ll be something to suit helping hands of all shapes and sizes! From checking in on someone who’d like a bit of company or volunteering for a charity. The more of us who join in, the bigger help we will be.”

Activities can include events benefitting:

  • Animal Welfare
  • Community
  • Crisis and Welfare
  • Health and Social Care
  • Older people
  • Sports, Arts, and Culture
  • Sustainability and the Environment
  • Young People and Children

There’s plenty to do, so get involved however you can.

We’ll see you there!

Give your business a royal treatment

Whatever the size of your business, having a good handle on your finances is vital.

At Rosemary Bookkeeping, our dedicated experts can provide a range of support in your bookkeeping.

Whether you need support on processes and legislation like MTD and Advisory Fuel Rates or you want to outsource your books to a local professional, Rosemary Bookkeeping can provide the help you need.

Give yourself peace of mind and the time to focus on running your business by finding your nearest Rosemary Bookkeeping business or calling 0345 862 0072 today.