Recommendation for book on doing own accounts as a sole trader

I am intending to register as a sole trader shortly, and would welcome any recommendations for a book on how to do my own accounts. The business will be a small sewing based business, run from home, and so I doubt that I will make enough to justify paying someone else to do them.

Comments

  • Bookworm225
    Bookworm225 Posts: 305 Forumite
    100 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 24 May at 12:27PM
    don't get a book, work your way through the LITRG guidance on self employment, how to keep records, and how to do accounts and tax (pay particular attention to choosing to claim the "trading allowance" or actual expenses)

    as a start up business you will also need to master "capital allowances" and " pre trading expenses" for your first tax return. There are sub sections on both topics 

    Self-employment | Low Incomes Tax Reform Group
  • Addiscomber
    Addiscomber Posts: 1,006 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Thank you very much. I had never heard of them.
  • Bookworm225
    Bookworm225 Posts: 305 Forumite
    100 Posts Name Dropper
    getting started tip,
    make your "year end" (the so called basis period) the 5th of April so that in future your taxable profit exactly mirrors the tax year 6th April to 5th April. Makes your accounts much easier to do.

    Trading income: basis period reform | Low Incomes Tax Reform Group
  • Mistral001
    Mistral001 Posts: 5,401 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper I've been Money Tipped!
    edited Today at 2:31PM
    There is a lot on the internet regarding setting up a sole trader business, but very little on bookkeeping.  A simple book on bookkeeping might be worthwhile getting.

    As has been said, make sure your end of business year is 5th April and not the end of the calendar year.

    Keep it simple.  If you do not have many business transactions, even a couple of simple exercise books is all that is needed to for your "books". 

    Keep all your receipts and copies of your invoices etc. in one place.  If they are in digital form, keep them in a computer and make backups.  I am not sure if you can make backups on a mobile, but if you can, then do it.  If they are in paper form, a drawer or cardboard box is all that is needed to start off with.     
  • Savvy_Sue
    Savvy_Sue Posts: 47,177 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Could see what is in your local library?
    Signature removed for peace of mind
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