What’s included, what it costs, and how it keeps you compliant, built for SMEs with 5–30+ staff who want decision‑grade numbers, not just “books done.”
Who this is for (and who it isn’t)
If you’re VAT‑registered, running PAYE, and growing (or planning to), you don’t need “someone to do the books.” You need a named month‑end close with sign‑off, a useful monthly pack, and no‑drama compliance. If you’re tiny, pre‑VAT, and highly organised, start with our DIY bookkeeping checklist UK 2025 26 and revisit later.
What’s included (Heights Month‑End 12)
Weekly hygiene
Bank feeds and receipt capture kept current (digital records help with MTD). See HMRC’s compatible software finder for Making Tax Digital. (GOV.UK software finder)
Month‑end close (our “12”)
- Bank & cash — reconcile all accounts and petty cash.
- Sales ledger — debtor ageing, bad‑debt review, write‑off/allowance recommendations.
- Purchase ledger — supplier statements matched; duplicate checks.
- VAT control — VAT code review, control account tie‑out, return readiness (deadline usually 1 month + 7 days after period end). (GOV.UK VAT deadlines)
- Payroll journals — gross pay, ER NIC, pensions, PAYE creditor — FPS on/before payday; EPS by the 19th; PAYE due by the 22nd (electronic). (GOV.UK RTI reporting, GOV.UK PAYE payment deadlines)
- Accruals & prepayments — cut‑off applied consistently.
- Fixed assets — additions posted, depreciation run, register maintained.
- Balance‑sheet recs — clear, referenced reconciliations for every control account.
- Director’s loan — movements reviewed and flagged.
- Compliance calendar — month‑specific prompts (see sidebar + table).
- Management pack — P&L, balance sheet, cash summary, KPIs, variances and commentary — and a link to Why management accounts matter for growing UK SME’s 2025/26 for deeper context.
- Lock & sign‑off — close period; change log retained.
Quarterly add‑ons
• VAT return prep & filing (points‑based late‑submission regime applies from 1 Jan 2023). (GOV.UK VAT penalties)
• Quarterly tax‑planning check‑ins (e.g., Employment Allowance / benefits‑in‑kind see internal guides).
Optional boosters
• Credit‑control sprints (measurable debtor days reduction).
• 52‑week rolling cashflow inside Cashflow forecasting services UK.
The compliance backbone (at‑a‑glance)
Keep records: Limited companies must keep company and accounting records; 6 years is the safe standard used for tax. (GOV.UK company & accounting records)
| Area | What you must do | Core date(s) |
|---|---|---|
| VAT | Submit return & pay | 1 month + 7 days after period end (standard scheme). Points‑based penalties from 1 Jan 2023. (GOV.UK VAT deadlines, GOV.UK VAT penalties) |
| PAYE / RTI | FPS | On or before payday. (GOV.UK RTI reporting) |
| EPS | By the 19th of the following tax month (if applicable). (GOV.UK RTI reporting) | |
| PAYE/NIC payment | By the 22nd (electronic); 19th if by post. (GOV.UK PAYE payment deadlines) | |
| Pensions (Auto‑enrolment) | Ongoing duties every pay run; re‑enrol eligible staff every 3 years and complete re‑declaration. (GOV.UK workplace pensions (employers)) | |
| Companies House | File annual accounts | 9 months after financial year end (21 months for first year). (GOV.UK file company accounts) |
| Corporation Tax | Pay CT | 9 months + 1 day after the end of the accounting period (if not paying by instalments). (GOV.UK pay Corporation Tax) |
| File CT600 | 12 months after period end. (GOV.UK file Company Tax Return (CT600)) | |
| MTD for ITSA | Phased mandation | Over £50k: 6 Apr 2026; over £30k: 6 Apr 2027; government plans indicate £20k from 6 Apr 2028 (subject to legislation). (Policy update: Making Tax Digital for Income Tax) |
| Companies House reforms | Small/micro P&L filing & removal of abridged accounts were signalled for from 1 Apr 2027, but implementation may change — monitor updates. (Companies House reforms overview) |
We track reforms like software‑only filing and potential small/micro P&L disclosure so your process stays future‑proof. We’ll flag changes promptly.
Deliverables you actually use (not just “a pack”)
- Owner Brief (3 points max): what changed, why, what to do next.
- KPI lens: gross margin, payroll % of revenue, debtor days, cash runway (weeks).
- Action list: who owns what by when (we track it).
- Interlink with strategy: we tie the pack to your Why management accounts matter for growing UK SME’s 2025/26 pillar so numbers → decisions.
Handover: low‑friction, high‑control
- We agree roles & volumes (who does what, when).
- We clean opening balances and reconcile all control accounts.
- We set your month‑end cadence (e.g., books locked by workday (WD)+10, pack by WD+12, call WD+13).
- We align to your VAT quarters, PAYE calendar and re‑enrolment cycle. (GOV.UK VAT deadlines, GOV.UK RTI, GOV.UK workplace pensions)
Moving from an in‑house bookkeeper? We’ll manage the transition, including payroll handoff to Payroll services UK.
Pricing that matches reality (not hours)
Every business has a different transaction volume, complexity (multi‑site, projects, stock), and scope (VAT, payroll, credit control, forecasting). Market ranges for UK outsourced bookkeeping typically start ~£200–£600+ per month for light scopes, rising with volume and add‑ons. We price by scope and outcomes, not time.
Example profiles
- Lite ( £450–£700+/m): Service SME; 200–400 txns/m; VAT quarterly; 10–20 staff; Month‑End 12 + pack; no credit‑control.
- Core ( £900–£1,400+/m): Multi‑entity or project‑based; 400–1,000 txns/m; VAT monthly; 20–35 staff; Month‑End 12 + management commentary; quarterly planning.
- Growth ( £1,800–£3,000+/m): 1,000–3,000 txns/m; multi‑currency; rolling 13‑week cashflow + board‑ready pack + credit‑control sprints.
Your exact fee depends on scope/volume; we’ll map this on a scoping call.
Why this beats “someone does the books”
- Decision‑grade close: documented reconciliations, accruals/prepayments, VAT/PAYE ready. (VAT/RTI/PAYE timings per GOV.UK: VAT deadlines, RTI, PAYE payment).
- Compliance baked‑in: dates aren’t an afterthought; they drive the cadence. (See sidebar + table.)
- MTD‑ready digital records: HMRC‑recognised software and audit trail. (GOV.UK software finder)
- Management insight: monthly commentary tied to your goals, see our Why management accounts matter for growing UK SME’s 2025/26 pillar.
- Scale when needed: add Cashflow forecasting services UK and debtor sprints without ripping up your stack.
What about software?
We work with leading cloud stacks and maintain digital links for VAT and (coming) ITSA. HMRC’s software finder lists recognised options; we’ll configure what’s right for your setup and team. (GOV.UK MTD software)
FAQs
Q1) What exactly happens at “month‑end”?
You get reconciled bank/cash, AR/AP review, VAT/PAYE controls, accruals/prepayments, fixed assets updated, balance‑sheet recs, and a management pack + Owner Brief. We lock the period and keep a change log.
Q2) Will this keep me compliant?
Yes, the cadence aligns to VAT (1 month + 7 days), RTI (FPS on/before payday; EPS by 19th), PAYE/NIC (by the 22nd if electronic), Companies House (accounts in 9 months), CT (pay in 9m+1d; file in 12m), and pension re‑enrolment every 3 years. (GOV.UK VAT deadlines, GOV.UK RTI, GOV.UK PAYE payment, GOV.UK file company accounts, GOV.UK pay CT, GOV.UK file CT600, GOV.UK workplace pensions)
Q3) Are we MTD‑ready with this?
Yes, we maintain digital records and compatible links for VAT now, and plan for ITSA phased mandating (£50k from 6 Apr 2026; £30k from 6 Apr 2027; government plans indicate £20k from 6 Apr 2028). (Policy update: MTD for Income Tax)
Q4) What will it cost me?
Scope and volume drive the fee. Typical market ranges for outsourced bookkeeping start around £200–£600+ per month and rise with transaction count, payroll headcount, VAT frequency, and add‑ons like debtor chasing or forecasting. We price to outcomes, not hours.
Q5) Will small‑company P&L have to go on the public record?
Government pages trail reforms for from 1 Apr 2027, but implementation may change. We’ll keep you updated and adjust disclosure planning accordingly. (Companies House reforms overview)
Scope matrix
| Area | Included | Optional |
| Bank feeds & weekly hygiene | ✓ | — |
| Month‑End 12™ close & lock | ✓ | — |
| VAT return prep & filing | — | ✓ |
| Payroll processing (RTI & pensions) | — | ✓ See: Payroll services UK |
| Management pack + Owner Brief | ✓ | — |
| Credit‑control sprints | — | ✓ |
| 13‑week cashflow (with 52‑week view) | — | ✓ See: Cashflow forecasting services UK |
What to do next
- Micro & organised? Start with the DIY bookkeeping checklist UK 2025/26 and set a 90‑minute monthly close.
- VAT, payroll or growth in sight? Book a Month‑End Fit Call — we’ll scope a tidy handover via Payroll services UK and implement this plan.
- Want cash control? Pair clean books with a rolling 52‑week forecast inside Cashflow forecasting services UK.
CTA: Book a 20‑minute Month‑End Fit Call. We’ll map your volumes, scope your Month‑End 12™, and show you the first‑90‑days plan. If we’re not the right fit, we’ll say so, and point you to a better option.