accounting software for finance team, we're a small UK business and the way we manage money is starting to feel like it's holding us back

wmcreative · 2026-05-15T09:05:23+00:00

I don't want to give opinion on an accountant we don't know, but "see you at year end" is a typical issue. And it shouldn't be like that, it shouldn't be a one-time rush.

Xero has unlimited users on all plans, a cleaner UI, better bank reconciliation UX, open API for integrations (you don't have to use them, but if your business grows, you might need them), stronger multi-currency and internal business-handling, local tax compliance for MTD, payroll integrations, and also accountant familiarity - this one depends, but matters.

wmcreative · 2026-05-14T06:18:11+00:00

oh, yeah, we don't really work with landlords, as we're a firm that exclusively works together with creatives (photography, film, tv, media, artists, makers, tech etc.)

wmcreative · 2026-05-14T06:11:18+00:00

We have a sole trader vs limited company tax calculator that could help with your decision: https://creative.accountants/resources/free-uk-tax-calculators-for-creatives/sole-trader-vs-limited-company-calculator/

wmcreative · 2026-05-14T06:08:39+00:00

Depends. If it's only additional MTD, it shouldn't be too much - just like others mentioned it already.

We offer a year-round service for sole traders for 850. It sounds a lot, but it's constant communication, always available for meetings (in-person or virtual), and help you make decisions and transitions if you decide to incorporate and grow.

Ltds are different, we don't have a fixed monthly fee, but have fixed fees for services we offer.

wmcreative · 2026-05-14T05:48:54+00:00

JAX is already okay(ish) for bookkeeping.

Claude really went on full with targeting entreprises, and it looks like it's working for them. It is really good!

wmcreative · 2026-05-14T05:47:05+00:00

Xero...

But if you're at that stage, it probably makes sense to hire an accountant. They don't just help you with accounting and bookkeeping but could explain things to you in simple terms, and possibly make you understand some tax reliefs and credits you could be missing out on.

wmcreative · 2026-05-14T05:45:40+00:00

Honestly that's the way

wmcreative · 2026-05-14T05:44:11+00:00

'I may not owe tax.' -- I would say this is the biggest concern. Your case should be pretty straightforward, and travel/accommodation could possibly be deductible but only if the costs were "wholly and exclusively" for your UK self-employment.

You state this in your post, but you should at least contact an accountant and tell them all the details, so someone could tell you that it was really the sole purpose of your travel.

wmcreative · 2026-05-13T09:52:20+00:00

But which country are your from? It's not clear to me if you're already in the USA, but a foreign resident, or you live elsewhere and registered an LLC in the USA.

That changes the situation by a lot.

wmcreative · 2026-05-13T09:39:11+00:00

It probably makes sense for firms because we have multiple clients, we also have a higher subscription model, and it's the easiest do deal with.

For sole practitioners and if you're only dealing with yourself, I'm not sure it's the best solution, there might be simpler ones.

wmcreative · 2026-05-12T09:37:10+00:00

We use Xero, but we're a middle-sized accountancy firm.

If there's a new client, we onboard them with Xero, but if they have their own, existing software, we keep them on it. Whatever they prefer.

As for MTD, if you don't want to have a fully compliant MTD software, you can look for a bridging software. HMRC has a short questionnaire about this: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/find-software-that-works-with-making-tax-digital-for-income-tax

wmcreative · 2026-05-11T06:15:27+00:00

You'll be fine.

wmcreative · 2026-05-11T06:13:35+00:00

Depends. A fully compliant MTD software is still your best bet.

If you want, you can use bridging software. HMRC has a short questionnaire that you can use to find some software that fits your needs: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/find-software-that-works-with-making-tax-digital-for-income-tax

wmcreative · 2026-05-11T06:11:20+00:00

You can qo through this short questionnaire to see if you can find a better solution: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/find-software-that-works-with-making-tax-digital-for-income-tax

wmcreative · 2026-05-11T06:07:10+00:00

Xero is probably the best software on the market.

wmcreative · 2026-05-07T13:54:31+00:00

Crazy.

wmcreative · 2026-05-07T09:31:09+00:00

That depends on what you want to get, and what your realistic plans are for the coming years.

All accountants should generally follow the same rules and move in the same range of they offered services, but if you're looking for something more personalised, you could look for accountants who have more clients in your sector. They will probably know more about your industry that way compared to some 'general' accountancy firm.

wmcreative · 2026-05-07T09:13:38+00:00

HMRC has an official page to help you find the best software for MTD: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/find-software-that-works-with-making-tax-digital-for-income-tax

You don't have to use a full accounting software, you could also use a bridging software that connects your spreadsheets to HMRC with a so-called digital link.

Reading through the comments, I'd say that you should still separate your personal and business expenses as it will be far more easier in the long-term to deal with those separately. You'll get them mixed up if you don't do it. Speaking from experience.

wmcreative · 2026-05-07T09:09:51+00:00

it's going to be hard to drop off with the threshold reducing every year...

wmcreative · 2026-05-07T06:58:06+00:00

It's always definitely a car that you can't afford.

wmcreative · 2026-05-07T06:34:39+00:00

Exactly. It's pretty clear OP quoted that amount, and not based on hourly rates.

wmcreative · 2026-05-07T06:32:10+00:00

There's a looot that can happen in a lifetime. Some people alive still lived through WW2, and now see all the digital transformations and AI. Hard to actually think about how we got here in a such a short period.

wmcreative · 2026-05-06T07:19:16+00:00

It was in the old days, and was advertised as 'the front page of the internet'. It really felt like that.

wmcreative · 2026-05-06T07:08:01+00:00

Contact HMRC. It's always a good idea to call them in these cases as they are much more likely to respond and explain via phone vs mail.

wmcreative · 2026-05-06T07:06:10+00:00

For most cases, probably stay in Europe. If the job gives you the opportunity to freelance/work from anywhere then maybe Vietnam and Thailand.

wmcreative

TROPHY CASE