What does an accountant actually do for a small business?

1. 1Do I need an accountant for my small business?
2. 2First, what kind of business are you running?
3. 3What does an accountant do—and what does that mean for you?
4. 4What actually needs filing, and when?
5. 5What might working together look like?
6. 6What do I still need to do as a client?
7. 7Nervous about getting started? Start with what you have.
8. 8A few questions you might still have

You might be confident dealing with customers, delivering your work and growing your business, but less confident about what happens to the numbers afterwards. What needs recording? Which returns need filing? And what does your accountant actually take off your plate?

An accountant helps turn your business records into meaningful figures, prepare the accounts and tax returns you need, and explain what happens next. The exact support depends on your business and the services you agree. You do not need to arrive knowing the names of every form.

The Short answer

You keep us informed about your business. We handle the accounting work we have agreed, explain the figures and help you understand your next steps. You review and approve the relevant work and arrange payments when they are due.

Do I need an accountant for my small business?

For most small businesses, appointing an accountant is a choice rather than a general legal requirement. But the record-keeping, reporting and tax responsibilities still exist whether you employ one or not. Separate audit requirements can apply to some companies.

Without an accountant, you would need to work out which rules apply, maintain suitable records, prepare accurate figures, use the appropriate filing systems and meet the relevant deadlines yourself—or arrange other support. You would also need to understand how business changes affect those responsibilities.

For some owners, the biggest benefit of support is time. For others, it is having someone explain a letter, check a treatment or answer a question before a decision is made. An accountant does not remove every responsibility from you; they make the accounting work more manageable.

First, what kind of business are you running?

“Small business” describes size, not legal structure. A sole trader and a limited company can do exactly the same work but have different reporting requirements.

If you are a sole trader

You need records of business income and expenses. Where Self Assessment applies, your business results form part of your personal tax return. You may also have VAT or employer responsibilities.

Taking money out for yourself is not the same as paying an employee: your own drawings do not reduce your business profit for tax.

If you run a limited company

The company is legally separate from you. Its reporting normally includes annual accounts, a Company Tax Return and a confirmation statement. These are different documents, not three names for the same return.

Money you take from the company needs to be recorded correctly. Salary, dividends, expense repayments and director’s loans each have their own treatment.

Partnerships have their own requirements too. If you are unsure which structure you have or whether it still suits your plans, tell us about your business and we will help identify the relevant next steps.

What does an accountant do—and what does that mean for you?

The table below shows how the work connects to your day-to-day life. These are services we can discuss, not a promise that every item is included in every package.

Area	If you handle it yourself	How Treggena can help	Your part
Bookkeeping	Record sales and costs, match bank transactions and investigate gaps.	Complete the agreed recording and reconciliation work and raise queries about missing or unclear entries.	Provide invoices, receipts, statements and explanations on time.
Accounts and tax	Turn records into the required accounts, apply tax rules and prepare the relevant returns.	Prepare agreed accounts and returns, explain the results and submit after the necessary approval.	Give complete information, answer questions and review the documents.
VAT	Check registration requirements, maintain VAT records and prepare returns if registered.	Discuss registration and prepare agreed VAT returns using the underlying records.	Share timely sales and purchase information and flag changes in activity.
Payroll	Calculate pay and deductions, produce payslips and report to HMRC.	Process the agreed payroll and submissions using the information you supply.	Confirm hours, pay changes, starters, leavers and other relevant details before the cut-off.
Deadlines and payments	Identify the dates for each return and payment and keep track of them.	Explain the deadlines and payment information for the work we handle.	Meet information and approval dates and arrange payments.
Understanding the figures	Interpret what your reports mean and identify questions to investigate.	Explain the figures we prepare. Regular management reports or forecasts can be agreed separately.	Tell us your plans and ask about anything that is unclear.

Bookkeeping: the information behind everything else

A bank statement shows that money moved. It does not always show what it was for, whether an invoice includes VAT or whether a purchase was partly personal. That is why receipts, invoices and explanations still matter even when software connects to your bank.

For example, a £600 payment might be equipment, a loan repayment or an owner taking money out. Those transactions do not all belong in the same category. Checking the detail helps the final figures make sense.

Our bookkeeping support starts with agreeing who records what and how information reaches us. A manageable routine is usually more useful than a last-minute pile of paperwork.

Accounts and tax: knowing what the business has made

Your bank balance is not the same as your profit, and profit is not necessarily the amount you can safely spend. Unpaid invoices, upcoming bills, loans and tax all affect the picture.

We use the records to prepare the agreed accounts and tax calculations, ask about gaps and explain the outcome. This can include limited company accounts or a

Self Assessment tax return, depending on your circumstances.

Personal returns for company directors are a separate consideration, not automatically part of company accounts.

VAT and payroll: support when the business needs it

Not every business needs both. VAT registration generally becomes compulsory when UK VAT-taxable turnover exceeds £90,000 over a rolling 12 months, or is expected to exceed £90,000 in the next 30 days alone. Other rules can apply, including for overseas businesses. This is about taxable sales, not profit.

If you employ people, payroll brings recurring work rather than a single year-end task. We can agree payroll support and explain what information is needed before each pay run. Workplace pension duties also need attention; confirm which pension tasks are included rather than assuming payroll covers everything.

For VAT returns, we agree the records, timetable and approvals needed. If sales are growing quickly, tell us promptly so registration can be considered before it becomes a last-minute issue.

What actually needs filing, and when?

This is a starting point for a typical UK small business, not a list that applies to everyone. We help identify your own timetable, including any first-year or unusual deadlines.

Requirement	Typical timing
Self Assessment, where required	Online filing and the balancing tax payment are normally due by 31 January after the tax year ends. Payments on account may also be due on 31 January and 31 July.
Private limited company accounts	Usually due at Companies House nine months after the financial year ends. First accounts normally have a different deadline.
Corporation Tax and Company Tax Return	For most small companies, tax is due nine months and one day after the accounting period ends; the return is due within 12 months. Paying and filing have different deadlines.
Confirmation statement	At least every 12 months, with filing due within 14 days after the review period ends. It confirms company details; it is not your annual accounts.
VAT returns, if registered	Usually quarterly, with the return and payment normally due one calendar month and seven days after the period ends. Some schemes have different arrangements.
Payroll reporting	A Full Payment Submission is normally sent to HMRC on or before employees’ payday. Payment and other employer deadlines are separate.

What about Making Tax Digital? Some sole traders and landlords must now keep digital records and send quarterly updates using compatible software. The first mandatory group started on 6 April 2026, generally based on qualifying gross self-employment and property income above £50,000 in 2024/25. It is not a rule that applies to every small business, and exemptions can apply. We can check your position and agree the support required.

What might working together look like?

Imagine a small limited company with two employees and VAT registration. This is an illustration, not a description of every client’s package.

1. During the month: the owner supplies sales invoices, receipts and bank information through the agreed system. We complete the bookkeeping tasks included in the engagement and ask about anything unclear.

   
   

2. Before payday: the owner confirms hours and changes. We prepare the agreed payroll, obtain the necessary approval and make the relevant submissions. The owner arranges wages and other payments.

   
   

3. At the VAT period end: we prepare the agreed return, explain the amount and request approval. The business arranges payment by the deadline.

   
   

4. After year end: we prepare the agreed accounts and Company Tax Return, explain the figures and obtain approval before filing. The owner knows what needs paying and when.

The benefit is a clearer routine: information comes in, questions get resolved, work is reviewed and the next action is explained.

What do I still need to do as a client?

You do not have to know how to prepare accounts. You do need to stay involved in the information and decisions behind them.

• Keep and share complete business records through the agreed secure process.

• Explain unusual transactions and tell us about personal use or money taken from the business.

• Let us know about new staff, major purchases, new income sources or changes to the business.

• Forward relevant HMRC or Companies House correspondence promptly.

• Review the work sent to you, ask questions and provide approvals on time.

• Arrange tax and other payments, unless a different arrangement is expressly agreed.

Appointing an accountant does not transfer your legal responsibilities to them. Company directors remain responsible for the company’s records and accounts. Our role is to support you with the work and explanations needed to fulfil those responsibilities.

Nervous about getting started? Start with what you have.

You do not need a perfectly organised folder or a confident explanation of your tax position before contacting us. Tell us what your business does, how you currently keep records and what is worrying you. If something is overdue or missing, mention it at the start so we can assess it properly.

We will talk through the work you need, agree the scope and fees, complete onboarding and the relevant checks, and explain what to provide. If you are moving from another accountant, we can discuss the handover and request relevant information with your permission.

You should know which returns we are handling, whether bookkeeping is included, whether your personal tax affairs are covered and what happens if you need extra work. Clear expectations help both sides from the beginning.

Tell us what you are unsure about.

Whether you are starting out, growing or catching up, we can help you understand the accounting support your business needs. Based in Castle Eden, we support clients across the North East and throughout the UK.

Speak to an accountant

A few questions you might still have

Do I need accounting software before I contact you?

No. Bookkeeping and preparing year-end accounts are separate tasks. We will agree who maintains the records and which services are included, so you are clear about what to send us.

Will you pay my tax for me?

Preparing or filing a return does not automatically pay the bill. We explain the payment information for the work we handle; you remain responsible for arranging payment unless a different arrangement has been agreed.

What if my records are behind?

Tell us how far behind they are and which records you have. We can assess the catch-up work, discuss fees and agree a realistic next step. The earlier we know about a deadline, the better we can assess what is possible.

Can I ask questions during the year?

Yes. Let us know when something changes or you are unsure. We will explain whether the question falls within your agreed support or needs additional work before proceeding.