Online Accounting Services

Choosing your software

We have a unique independent approach to online accounting software. We have partnered with several software providers which cover a wide selection of the market. Our staff are fully trained and certified which each product giving you peace of mind. We can assist in choosing the right software for you, the setup and the configuration. We will choose the most appropriate provider for you and your business.

Software providers we are partners with:

Xero
Sage
Free Agent
Quickbooks
Receipt bank
Hubdoc

Some providers have the facility to bolt on additional applications to help your business manage those day-to-day functions that are so important to you.

Benefits of online software:

Automatic bank reconciliation - this feature is a live feed imported from your business bank account, PayPal or credit card and is then categorised so that your bank reconciliation can be carried out automatically by the software. Custom banking rules can be created to match more complex transactions.

Advanced financial reporting is essential, it is pointless updating on a daily basis if your reports aren't available to show you the data. Providers normally have a dashboard facility which you can design to your own needs to ensure that you keep on top of business performance with our guidance and assistance.

Online invoices are received by customers much faster than snail mail, therefore, you are much more likely to be paid quicker. The process is more efficient and you have a record when the invoice was opened as proof of delivery. A payment link can be placed on invoices to various payment options.

As long as you have an internet connection your data is available at your fingertips, anywhere, anytime.

Unlike a desktop application, you don't pay for the number of users able to access your software. Multiple users can be assigned and managed. Predefined roles are available to set users functions to what you want them to use and see.

Quick entry tools allow you to enter high volumes of data, such as bulk purchases or invoices, saving time, improving efficiency and reducing errors.

Added Applications

As well as having the numbers covered, some cloud packages have introduced their own partnerships to offer additional services you may require to help run your business and to provide you with timely meaningful information.

Receipt bank and Hubdoc are popular added applications. You can simply scan in or take photos of your invoices and it will send to your accounting software predicting where to post based on historical postings.

A customer relationship management system (CRM) is available as an added application making it much easier to manage customer data. The application assists with internal and external communication. A cloud-based option offers complete flexibility.

Stocktakes are a key part in arriving at meaningful financial information, verifying what items are held and the value of these items at your period end. Linking this to your software will again save time and increase the flow of information in real-time.

Cash flow forecasting software such as Fluidly can also benefit the management of a business by enabling you to keep on top of your cash and evaluate various ‘what if’ situations. Such software packages pull real-time information from your accounting software to create functional reports.

Making Tax Digital (MTD)

Whatever you feel will be of benefit to your financial reporting process, just let us know, we will find the best solution for you. Making Tax Digital for VAT commenced in April 2019 and is now mandatory for all VAT registered companies.

Making Tax Digital is also extending to other areas of tax, the next big one being, self-assessment tax returns in April 2024 which will be followed by Corporation Tax in April 2026.

Challenges you may face with MTD:

Converting manual records to a digital version
Converting spreadsheets into recognised accounting packages
Keeping software that will link directly with HMRC
Upgrading old software that will not be compatible for MTD purposes
Adapting bespoke software
Additional costs associated
Additional time processing

How can we help

Assisting in selecting the most appropriate software for you and your business
Implementing the software with you to fit your bespoke business needs
Provide training initially and then as and when required
Take the headache away and provide a full bookkeeping package, together with business support and advice.

Cloud Accounting Statistics

94%

of SME`s report benefits

91%

of our bookkeeping clients use cloud accounting

82%

of SME`s report reduced costs

What our clients say

“"The online services team have helped make the switch to Making Tax Digital as seamless as possible. They were always there and continue to be so, as and when issues or queries arise. A massive thank you to the team. Having support when needed at the end of the phone is a real comfort and lets me focus on the day to day running of the business."”

4 All Seasons Caravans Limited

Andrew Newton, Director

“"The support that the team has provided to our business has been excellent from the initial training and setting up to the day to day support that is available either over the phone or via e-mail."”

IMB Services (Lancashire) Limited

Ian Bateson, Director

“We have been working with the Online Services Team at Pierce’s for almost a year and from the outset our experience has been very positive. Their advice has been invaluable, relevant and delivered in a helpful and knowledgeable way at every level. ”

Trevor Dawson Limited

C E James, Managing Director

Frequently Asked Questions

MTD for VAT is new legislation that requires all VAT registered businesses to keep their records digitally and submit their VAT returns using MTD compatible software. Businesses will no longer be able to use HMRC Online Services to submit their returns.

We recommend signing up for MTD for VAT as soon as possible with HMRC to avoid surcharges.

Cloud accounting software is accounting software that is hosted on remote servers. It provides accounting capabilities to businesses in a fashion. Data is sent into "the cloud" where it is processed and returned to the user. Xero, Quickbooks and FreeAgent are primarily the cloud packages we use which we will assist in selecting the most suitable software for you.

No. From April 2022, all VAT registered businesses must submit returns using MTD compatible software and they may receive charges from HMRC if they do not.

Unless your VAT returns are being submitted by an agent then you will need to create a government gateway ID. We do however recommend that all businesses set up a government gateway ID regardless of this so that you can supply HMRC with bank details for Direct Debit payments and automatic refunds.

Yes, we most certainly can.

Spreadsheets can be used to keep digital records – businesses will still need bridging software to submit VAT Returns digitally however.

You will have bank feeds, rules and live reconciliation which will speed up the processing and give you timely up-to-date information. You can log in anytime, anywhere with an internet connection. You are no longer tied to your office. You no longer have to worry about updating your pc(s) and network – bonus!

Once you have registered with HMRC, it can take up to 72 hours to receive confirmation from them. When you receive confirmation from HMRC, you will be able to use online accounting software for your MTD VAT Returns.

These show the link between the output and input tax in your records – as well as the output and input tax on your return.

Further information can be found in HMRC’s Notice 700/22 (the link is at the bottom of the Making Tax Digital for VAT section).

The same information as before – the standard nine-box values, plus details identifying your business. Additional information might be required in the future, but the details and timings haven’t been specified