Our general accounting consultation for British SME is a one-off session designed to clarify your accounting situation. We will ask about your current bookkeeping setup, tax history, business structure, and goals. Then we provide feedback on where things stand, where risks or inefficiencies may be hiding, and what steps you can take next. You can also bring specific questions such as about Corporation Tax, VAT, payroll, dividends, compliance checks, or any other tax-related issue that you might be concerned about and we will explain them in clear, relevant terms. 

If follow-up work is needed, we will outline your options, but there is no obligation to work with us. However, most clients decide to work with us as chartered accountants for their SME. It is an easy and convenient way to get their accounts on track, after all. But feel free to drop us a line and we can take it from there.

Our general accounting consultation for SME is suitable for all types of UK business entities, including:

• Private limited companies (Ltd)
• Limited liability partnerships (LLP)
• Sole traders and freelancers
• Partnerships (non-LLP)
• Overseas companies with a UK establishment

The most urgent issues are usually the ones that concern concrete HMRC deadlines: Overdue Corporation Tax, incorrect filings, missed VAT returns, payroll non-compliance, or years without proper bookkeeping. These are not just operational headaches – they carry legal and financial consequences.

But do not worry, we help you prioritise. An example: Some tasks like an unfiled CT600 or unregistered VAT when you crossed the threshold require immediate professional action. Others, like streamlining your software stack or improving management accounts, can be phased in once the basics are under control.

Typical issues we spot in consultations include:

• Missing or late Corporation Tax or VAT filings
• Disorganised or incomplete bookkeeping
• Poor setup or misuse of software (like Xero or QuickBooks)
• General absence of tax planning / strategy for your business or personal income streams
• Overpaid tax due to unclaimed allowances
• Unclear salary/dividend strategy
• Lack of cashflow planning or reserve management
• Wrong company structure for current activities

Missed filings, inaccurate records, or incorrect tax treatment remain unresolved, the consequences can escalate quickly. Some examples:

• Automatic penalties, such as £100 fines for late CT600 filings or monthly charges for overdue PAYE
• Surcharges, such as 10–15% of unpaid VAT if submitted late multiple times
• Interest charges on overdue Corporation Tax or misreported liabilities
• Loss of repayment entitlements, for example if overpaid tax cannot be reclaimed due to timing or inaccuracy
• Triggering HMRC tax compliance checks, especially if returns contain inconsistent or missing data
• In extreme cases, director liability or prosecution for repeated non-compliance

As you can see, the cost of inaction is often far greater than the cost of seeking help early. Unsure if your accounts need an urgent check? Try our general accounting consultation for your SME to have clarity.

Yes. Being behind deadlines or impending penalties are often the best reasons to book a consultation. Ever since our founding as London chartered accountants, many British SME have been using our general accounting consultation with years of late filings, unfiled VAT, or unknown tax exposure as this is an area that we excel in at BH1 Accounting. 

Our firm is easygoing and pragmatic when working on your case: We are here to help you understand what HMRC penalties you are facing as well as where damage can be reduced or entirely averted. Starting with a consultation is the fastest way to break the avoidance cycle and regain control.

Ideally, have access to your bookkeeping (even if incomplete), any recent HMRC letters, Companies House filings, and a rough idea of your turnover and goals. But even if all you have are questions and concerns, that is enough to start. We work with whatever you bring to the table and build a picture from there.

We offer this session at a fixed, transparent rate which we will confirm with you before booking. In many cases, we waive or credit the fee if you later engage us for further work as chartered accountants for their SME.

However, the real value of the session is in the clarity that it brings. Many clients tell us it was the first time someone explained their business finances in a way that made sense and that this alone made the investment worthwhile.