Question about Self Employed book keeping.

SANDYLODGE

Hi all.

I have just set up self employed as a tree surgeon and I am trying to get to grips with keeping the books.
I have got an accounts book which I am recording everything in and most of it is pretty straight forward as it is broken down into the different categories for me e.g. insurance, stationary etc.

There are a couple of things which I'm not sure where to write down though. The first is petrol and oil for the chainsaw, there's a space for vehicle fuel but that's obviously different.
The second thing is a book that I've bought for information about different trees etc. I'll be using it just for work but I'm not sure where to put it in the accounts.

Thanks for any help.

Savvy_Sue

I'm from the common sense school of bookkeeping rather than the professional one. Since fuel for your equipment is likely to be a significant part of your expenses, I might have a column just for that. But I think the book - as a one-off kind of purchase - would be 'miscellaneous'!

The accountants on here would always recommend getting advice from an accountant, on the grounds that it will save you money in the long run.

SANDYLODGE

Ok thanks Savvy_Sue, I will probably be speaking to an accountant in the near future but if I could get these first few bits entered properly it will be a start.
Any accountants have any advice?