YEAR END ACCOUNTS

For sole traders and partnerships, year end accounts will form the basis of the business owners’ self assessment tax return.

For a partnership, the year end accounts will also state the balance on each partner’s current account. For owner-managed limited companies, the limited company accounts will house details of the directors’ salaries and the dividends paid to shareholders, which will need to tally with their self assessment tax return.

The year end accounts provide invaluable information about your business. You can see if the margin on your sales prices is set appropriately and how the latest performance compares to last year. Movements in sales and expenses are laid bare, allowing you to make better decisions in the future. Anomalies are highlighted and can then be investigated. Having year end accounts brings you closer to your business and will help drive success.

Banks will also prefer to see a set of accounts for self employed applicants looking to raise finance or apply for a mortgage.