Accountancy and Compliance Services
You might be feeling a little overwhelmed by all the ‘must-dos’ of the regulatory accounting for your business. The buzz around scary deadlines, complicated forms, fear of chunky tax bills and HMRC ready to bounce on you if you get it wrong…
It can feel rather unnerving we totally get it – especially if you are a creative at heart or a neurodivergent business owner with a numbers-averse brain.
The good news is Harriet will take your hand and guide you along step by step… you can relax because it’s going to feel lighter from here onwards!
As an ICAEW Regulated Chartered Accountancy Practice, Below The Line Finance take the hassle out of accountancy needs for founders, small business owners and soletraders.
Helping you to stay compliant and accurate with Companies House, HMRC & other stakeholder obligations so you can focus on running your business and doing what you love!
Our suite of accountancy services covers all your essential requirements, from annual company accounts, management accounts, tax returns, payroll/pension filings, VAT and beyond.
PLEASE NOTE: We are currently not accepting new clients for compliance-only accountancy services. We appreciate your interest and encourage you to check back for future updates.
We Can Support You With The Following Areas of Compliance Based Accountancy & Reporting
(FYI we do loads of over stuff as well)
Company Accounts & Tax Returns
Preparing and filing your LTD Company Accounts and Tax Returns with Companies House and HMRC.
We also assist with producing insightful management accounts and reporting suitable for investors, banks and other lenders.
Directors, Soletraders & Partnership Tax Returns
We assist in producing and filing personal tax returns with HMRC for a range of set ups.
We can support on a variety of income types, including dividends, soletrader and property income. And help you to claim all allowable expenses
Payroll/Pensions & VAT Filings
Whether it's just the Directors on the payroll or a team of employees we can handle all aspects of your payroll cycle and filings, including pension scheme admin & P11Ds.
For VAT registered businesses we support with managing your VAT registration and filing returns.
Finance Function / Back Office
We support with setting up and overseeing your finance and accounts function. This is particularly useful for start ups who are establishing a finance department that require support to implement smart, strong and scalable financial policies and procedures.
Companies House Administration
We can assist you various aspects of with company administration such as forming a limited company, filing your annual confirmation statement, processing changes and with simple share issues.
Personal Care & Attention Expertly Delivered
We typically provide accountancy services to clients in conjunction with our Strategic Mini CFO support services. As such we maintain limited capacity for accountancy compliance-only clients. This approach enables us to deliver exceptional care and attention to each individual.
Rather than treating your financial matters as a tick box exercise, we take the time to understand your unique business and goals, provide tailored assistance with tax planning and empowering you to make informed decisions.
With us, you and your business are never reduced to just a number and Harriet will always deal with your questions promptly to support you along the way.
Harriet Formby MA ACA Oversees Our Accounting Function
On the technical accounting side, Harriet is an ICAEW Qualified Chartered Accountant, with over a decade of experience supporting companies, big and small, with meeting their accountancy obligations.
Harriet delivers timely, accurate and personable accountancy services – whether she is dealing with Soletraders, Start Ups and SMEs, or engaged on technical international accounting work.
She has project managed conversions from UK GAAP to IFRS/SOX Reporting standards for complex international Corporates, managed accounting needs of acquired businesses, completion and group accounts and supported companies in an ‘FD’ capacity with Big 4 Audit/Internal Audit procedures.
Harriet has successfully set up and optimised finance & ops functions for soletraders, start ups, SMES, not for profits and local government organisations.
So, whilst the day to day accounting Harriet currently focuses on, tends to be more small business focused, if you aspire to expand, form a group structure or trade overseas she will not be phased!
These days, Harriet is particularly focused on supporting creative and neurodivergent business owners – who would prefer to get immersed in their passions than have to deal with their numbers. She is creating a safe space, away from the ‘one size fits all’ approach to tailor support.
The finance & accounting world may have failed you thus far on this but we have some ambitious and game changing initiatives to make the business world more friendly for numbers-adverse brains so you can thrive!
We Support Xero Accounting Software
As Xero Certified Advisors Partners (and early adopters), Xero is our preferred choice of Accountancy Software for small business owners.
Xero is an intuitive and powerful platform that grows with you. It’s super on the technical side but also accessible when you don’t like finance jargon!
We advise and support with Xero set up, training and maintenance. As well as helping you select and integrating a suitable suite of connected Apps and related reporting needs.
Thinking Of Going Limited?
We know it’s a big decision to decide to trade through a Limited Company Structure so we will support you with this each step of the way with helpful advice.
We charge a one-off project fee starting from £300+VAT to support with Limited Company Set up and thriving through the transitioning, which includes all of the following:
We have a call together to run through everything involved, share insights and you get plenty of time to ask all your questions on transitioning. We discuss the steps involved, implications and key decisions you’ll need to make (such as shareholding, timing and your obligations as a Director). This meeting is designed to ensure you go into the process feeling confident and well informed. We also agree the checklist of next steps, actions and timelines.
We then go about setting up the Limited Company on your behalf, which includes registration with Companies House and HMRC, enrolling for all relevant taxes and supporting you with other related activities. For example you will need to set up a Limited Company bank account, inform your insurance company and other relevant parties (if you are transitioning from soletrader structure)
We also provide you guidance on other updates that you will need to make such as changes to your website, T&Cs, invoices, contracts and correspondence with clients etc. to inform them of the change in business structure or simply set you up for success if this is the beginning of your business owner journey.
We will advise you on options for paying yourself as a Director of a Limited Company based on your specific circumstances.
If you are transitioning from a Soletrader business we will support you with implementing the accounting to bring assets these into the Limited Company. Note there may be additional charges for this depending on the complexity of the assets.
Once you’re up and running we will usually then set you up with a suitable monthly retainer for Accounting/CFO services to support to guide you on your business journey.
If you’re thinking of going LTD the first step is to book a no obligation chat with Harriet – who will give you some initial guidance on whether LTD is likely to be right for you and your venture and guide you from there…
Complimentary Initial Call
We offer a complimentary call, to get to know each other, delve into your business, discuss any current challenges you’re facing, and explore your goals and aspirations.
These conversations are ideal whether you already have a clear idea of your needs or want to scope it out together and get a taster of our style.
Shortly after our call you will receive a bespoke proposal of how we can assist you.
Other ways we can help
Check out our other services that help you thrive with your business numbers.
Strategic Finance Subscriptions
The CFO subscription solution for a savvy profitable business life!
Ongoing friendly and relatable financial insights, support and advice to take your start up or small business business to new heights.
Consultancy, Projects & Outsourced FD
Outsourced Strategic Finance and project support for business owners, founders and finance professionals.
Access to CFO level advice when you're growing, changing or managing the demands of 'business as usual'.
Finance Training & Mentoring
Master the fundamentals of finance and beyond through our Get Number Savvy™ Finance learning platform.
Empowering you with the finance knowledge and skills to thrive as a business owner.
Forensic Accountancy & Expert Witness Services
