Questions and straight answers

Founder-led UK limited companies. That means service businesses such as agencies, consultancies, recruiters and professional firms, and property investors who hold their portfolio in one or more limited companies.

Most of our clients turn over between £300,000 and £5 million. If you are smaller but growing quickly, it is still worth a conversation.

No. We are based in Manchester and work with clients across the UK. Everything runs online through cloud accounting software, video calls and secure document sharing, so where you are makes no difference to the service.

Every client gets a reply within two working days at most, and usually much sooner. Slow replies are one of the most common complaints about accountants, and you will not have to chase us.

Xero is our main platform and we are Xero certified. We also work with QuickBooks and Sage, so if you use one of those you do not have to switch straight away. If moving would genuinely help you, we handle the migration.

It is simpler than most people expect. Once you decide to go ahead, we contact your current accountant for professional clearance and the records we need, set up our access with HMRC, and take it from there.

You do not need an awkward conversation. A short email from you to your current accountant is usually enough.

No. Switching mid-year is normal. We make sure nothing in progress falls through the gap, such as a VAT return or a filing deadline, and agree clearly with your previous accountant who finishes what.

Yes. Catching up is a large part of what we do. We review where things stand, tell you plainly what needs fixing and what it will involve, then bring everything up to date before moving you onto a monthly routine.

Every engagement is scoped to the business. After our first call we send a written proposal, usually with two options, each with a fixed monthly or project fee.

You know the cost before any work starts, and it only changes if what you need from us changes.

Two businesses with the same turnover can need very different things. A published price would either be wrong for you or come with a long list of exceptions.

We would rather understand your situation first and give you an accurate fixed fee than a guess.

Yes. The first call is free and there is no obligation. It is a chance to talk through your situation and see whether working together makes sense.

An accountant makes sure your accounts and tax are right and filed on time. A fractional CFO looks forward. That means cash flow forecasts, pricing, hiring decisions, funding and planning for growth, on a part-time basis and without the cost of a full-time finance director.

Many clients start with one and add the other as the business grows.

If you are making decisions about hiring, pricing or investment, yes. Monthly accounts show your real profit, your margins and your cash position while there is still time to act on them, rather than months after your year end.

Yes. Alongside our work with companies, we prepare and file self assessment returns for sole traders. We also handle Making Tax Digital quarterly updates where they apply.

Yes. Whether it is a letter, a penalty or a compliance check, the earlier you get advice the more options you have. We review what HMRC has asked for, explain what it means for you, and deal with HMRC on your behalf as your registered agent.