Bookkeeping services for London small businesses

In short: AF Coopers & Co is a firm of ACCA Chartered Certified Accountants in Woodford Green, London. We keep your books up to date in Xero or QuickBooks, monthly or quarterly, as part of our small business accounting package from £99 a month, which includes VAT returns. You deal directly with a qualified accountant.

What is included

• Recording your sales and purchase invoices, receipts and expenses
• Reconciling your bank, card and payment accounts
• Keeping track of who owes you money and who you owe
• Digital records ready for VAT returns and Making Tax Digital
• VAT returns prepared and submitted, if you are VAT-registered
• Management reports so you can see how the business is doing
• Records ready for your year-end accounts and tax returns
• Set-up of Xero or QuickBooks, or a move from spreadsheets or other software

Monthly or quarterly?

Quarterly bookkeeping suits many sole traders and small limited companies. It lines up with VAT quarters and Making Tax Digital updates, so each quarter your records, your VAT return and your updates are done together.

Monthly bookkeeping suits businesses with more transactions, staff, stock, or owners who want current figures for decisions about pricing, hiring or cash flow. We suggest the right frequency after a short look at your records.

Behind with your books?

If your records are months or even years behind, you are not alone. We work through your bank statements, invoices and receipts, bring everything up to date and fix errors along the way. Catch-up work is quoted separately, then you move onto the monthly package so it does not happen again. If you are VAT-registered or a tax return is due, we prioritise the work needed to meet the next deadline.

Software

We work in Xero and QuickBooks. If you use spreadsheets, paper records or other software, we can move your records across and show you the few tasks worth doing yourself, such as photographing receipts, so the monthly work stays quick and the cost stays low.

Why good records matter

Accurate books mean correct VAT returns, fewer surprises at year end and a clear view of your profit and cash. They are also a legal requirement:

• If you are self-employed, you must keep your business records for at least 5 years after the 31 January submission deadline of the relevant tax year.
• A limited company must keep accounting records for 6 years from the end of the last financial year they relate to, and can be fined £3,000 by HMRC, or its directors disqualified, if it does not keep them.

Rules checked on gov.uk and gov.uk on 3 October 2026.

Prices

Bookkeeping is part of our small business accounting package, from £99 a month, which also includes VAT returns if you are VAT-registered. The exact fee depends on how many transactions you have and how up to date your records are. Catch-up work is quoted separately. We always confirm the fee in writing before we start.

How it works

1. Free 20-minute call. Tell us about your business, your software and how up to date your records are.
2. Quick review and fixed fee. We look at a sample of your records and agree a monthly fee, plus any catch-up work.
3. Set-up. We connect your bank feeds and set up or tidy your Xero or QuickBooks file.
4. Every month or quarter. We keep your books up to date, submit your VAT return if needed and send you a short update on how the business is doing.

Situations we often help with

• Your bookkeeping has fallen behind and a deadline is coming
• You have just registered for VAT
• You are moving from spreadsheets to Xero or QuickBooks
• Your previous bookkeeper or accountant has stopped working with you
• You want monthly figures to make decisions, not just year-end accounts

Related

• VAT returns service
• Making Tax Digital for Income Tax
• What to bring to your accountant
• Allowable expenses: what can you claim?

Who will do the work

Common questions

How much does bookkeeping cost?

Bookkeeping is part of our small business accounting package, from £99 a month, which also includes VAT returns if you are VAT-registered. The exact monthly fee depends on how many transactions you have and how up to date your records are. We confirm it in writing before we start.

Monthly or quarterly bookkeeping: which do I need?

Quarterly suits many sole traders and small companies, and lines up with VAT and Making Tax Digital deadlines. Monthly suits businesses with more transactions or owners who want up-to-date figures to make decisions. We recommend what fits after a short look at your records.

Can you take over my books part-way through the year?

Yes. We review your records, tidy up anything outstanding and carry on from where you are.

My bookkeeping is months behind. Can you help?

Yes. Catch-up bookkeeping is common. We work through your bank statements, invoices and receipts, bring everything up to date, and agree a fee for the catch-up separately from the ongoing monthly fee.

Which software do you use?

We work in Xero and QuickBooks, and can help you move from spreadsheets or other software.

Do you also do VAT returns?

Yes. VAT returns are included in our small business accounting package, prepared from the same records. See our VAT returns service.

How long do I need to keep my records?

If you are self-employed, HMRC says you must keep your records for at least 5 years after the 31 January submission deadline of the relevant tax year. A limited company must keep its records for 6 years from the end of the last financial year they relate to.

General information only, not personal advice. Tax rules, rates and thresholds change, so please check gov.uk or speak to us about your own situation.