Payroll & Bookkeeping Services in Greater London — FAQs
Clear answers for small businesses across Greater London. Use the search bar to find your question fast or contact us for a free 15-minute check.
Tip: try “payroll deadline”, “bookkeeping cost”, “self assessment”.
Path Accountants
Address: 13 Nathans Rd, Wembley HA0 3RY, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 20 7205 2669
Email: info@pathaccountants.com
Hours: Mon–Fri 9:00–18:00
- Certified Accountant
- Xero Partner
- ICO Registered
Service Areas: Greater London, Croydon, Harrow, Kingston upon Thames, Richmond, Bromley, Sutton, Ealing, Hounslow, City of London.
Payroll FAQs
How do I set up PAYE for a new UK business?
Register as an employer with HMRC, choose payroll software (e.g., Xero), collect employee starter details, set pay frequency, and submit RTI on or before each payday.
What is RTI and when are payroll submissions due?
RTI means Real Time Information. You must submit FPS on or before each payday; late filing may lead to penalties and interest from HMRC.
Should I outsource payroll or manage it in-house?
Outsourcing reduces compliance risks and admin time and keeps you HMRC-compliant; in-house can suit very small, stable teams with simple pay.
How much does payroll cost for small businesses in London?
Typical ranges: a monthly base fee plus a small per-employee fee. Pricing depends on pay runs, pensions/AE, CIS, and add-ons like holiday calculations.
What happens if I miss a payroll deadline?
HMRC may issue penalties/interest for late or missing RTI. Act fast, correct any errors, and submit outstanding returns to minimise impact.
Do you handle pensions and auto-enrolment (AE)?
Yes. We set up pension schemes, assess staff, handle contributions, re-enrolment, and compliance letters.
Do you manage CIS for contractors and subcontractors?
Yes. We can verify subcontractors, apply correct deductions, and file CIS returns on time to avoid penalties.
Bookkeeping FAQs
What bookkeeping records must I keep for HMRC?
Keep sales and purchase records, bank statements, payroll, VAT, expense receipts, and director/shareholder transactions for at least 6 years.
How often should I update my books?
Weekly is ideal for cashflow. Monthly is the minimum for accuracy and VAT deadlines. Quarterly updates risk errors and cashflow surprises.
What’s the difference between bookkeeping and accounting?
Bookkeeping records and reconciles transactions; accounting analyses the numbers for tax, compliance and decision-making.
Do you offer cloud bookkeeping with Xero?
Yes. We set up Xero, bank feeds, receipt capture, real-time dashboards, and workflows aligned with Making Tax Digital.
Can you catch up a backlog of bookkeeping?
Yes. We tidy historic data, reconcile bank and VAT, fix coding issues, and hand over clean books with a forward plan.
Do you provide management reports and cashflow insights?
Yes. Monthly P&L, balance sheet, aged payables/receivables, and cashflow trends tailored to your business goals.
Self Assessment / Tax FAQs
Do I need to file a Self Assessment tax return?
You must file if you’re self-employed, a partner, have untaxed income (property, dividends, capital gains), or HMRC asks you to complete one.
When is the Self Assessment deadline?
Online filing deadline is 31 January following the tax year end (5 April). Paper returns are due earlier in October.
Can you help reduce my tax bill legitimately?
We review allowable expenses, capital allowances, pension contributions, loss relief, and timing strategies to ensure you don’t overpay.
What information do I need to provide for tax preparation?
Income records (employment, self-employment, rental, dividends), expense receipts, bank interest, pension info, student loan, and previous returns if any.
Onboarding, Pricing & Local
How fast can you onboard payroll or bookkeeping?
Standard onboarding completes in 3–5 business days; urgent migrations can be done within 48 hours depending on complexity.
Do you work across Greater London?
Yes. We serve clients across Greater London including Croydon, Harrow, Kingston, Richmond, Bromley, Sutton, Ealing, Hounslow and the City.
How do I get a quote?
Call +44 20 7205 2669 or email info@pathaccountants.com. We’ll provide a clear, fixed quote once we understand your needs.
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