Do I need a bookkeeper or an accountant in Surrey?
If you just need transactions recorded, bank reconciled and VAT returns prepared, a bookkeeper is usually cheaper. If you need year-end accounts, corporation tax, dividend planning or strategic advice, you need an accountant. Many Surrey practices bundle both into a monthly fixed fee.
Which accounting software should I use?
Xero, QuickBooks Online and FreeAgent (free with some business bank accounts) are the most popular in Surrey. All three are MTD-compatible. Pick the one your bookkeeper or accountant works with daily — the integration matters more than the badge.
How often should my books be updated?
Bank feeds should be reconciled at least weekly so VAT returns and management accounts are accurate. Sales and purchase invoices should be entered as they arise. Leaving everything until year-end almost always costs more in remediation time than monthly bookkeeping would have.
Is cloud bookkeeping secure?
Yes — Xero, QuickBooks and FreeAgent all use bank-grade encryption and two-factor authentication. Your data is backed up automatically, and you control which staff and advisors have access. It's typically safer than spreadsheets stored on a single laptop.
Can I do my own bookkeeping and just hire an accountant at year-end?
Many small businesses do — and it can work well if you're disciplined. The risk is misposted transactions, missing receipts and VAT errors that take longer to unpick at year-end than they would have taken to do correctly each week. Cheaper isn't always quicker.