If you’re running a startup in the UK, bookkeeping isn’t just another task—it’s the foundation of your financial health. At Pearl Lemon Accountants, we specialise in bookkeeping for startups, ensuring your financial records are clear, aligned with UK requirements, and investor-ready.
Whether you’re preparing for your first funding round, managing VAT, or tracking expenses, we bring the expertise and tools to keep your finances in order, so you can focus on growth.
What We Offer
We provide a detailed bookkeeping service customised to startups at every stage of growth. Here’s what you can expect:
Meeting UK Financial Standards
Managing luxury assets like rare art, fine jewelry, and vintage cars requires expertise. For example, if you’re selling a collectible valued at over £6,000, you may be liable for capital gains tax (CGT) unless exemptions apply.
We’ll guide you through the process, ensuring you understand your obligations and take advantage of available reliefs, such as the Chattel Exemption, to minimise your tax liability.
Real-Time Financial Tracking
We set up systems to give you full visibility into your finances, including:
- Weekly and monthly transaction reconciliations.
- Profit and loss statements to measure performance.
- Cash flow monitoring to track liquidity.
R&D Tax Credit Assistance
Startups conducting innovation can claim up to 230% tax relief on qualifying expenses. We’ll ensure you don’t miss out.
- Track eligible expenses such as software development, prototypes, and testing.
- Ensure detailed record-keeping that meets HMRC’s requirements for tax relief claims.
- Receive support for audits and reviews related to R&D claims.
Customised Bookkeeping Solutions
From SaaS startups needing deferred revenue tracking to e-commerce businesses managing VAT on cross-border sales, our solutions are built for your industry.
- Create a customised chart of accounts to monitor metrics like burn rate and customer acquisition costs.
- Set up and integrate software like Xero, Stripe, and Shopify for seamless financial tracking.
- Provide regular financial reviews to ensure your system grows alongside your business.
How It Works
Our process is designed to make managing your startup’s bookkeeping straightforward and stress-free. We handle the complexities, so you can focus on growing your business.
Step 1: Onboarding
We migrate your financial records to industry-leading software like Xero, QuickBooks, or Revolut Business, ensuring everything is clean and accessible. Our experts also set up workflows customised to your business, making day-to-day bookkeeping tasks easier.
Step 2: Ongoing Support
You’ll receive regular updates, real-time reporting, and access to expert advice whenever needed. We proactively monitor your books to identify trends and provide insights that help you make informed decisions.
Step 3: Growth-Ready Systems
As your startup scales, we’ll adapt your financial processes to handle increasing complexity—whether it’s managing investor audits, automating VAT submissions, or handling PAYE for new hires. We ensure your systems grow with your business, staying efficient and compliant at every stage.
Why Choose Pearl Lemon Accountants?
We’re not just accountants—we’re partners in your startup’s success. Our services are designed to make bookkeeping easy, reliable, and aligned with your growth goals.
Extensive Experience with UK Startups
We’ve worked with startups across industries, from tech to e-commerce, providing insights into challenges like managing burn rates, securing funding, and staying aligned with UK requirements. Our team understands how UK-specific tax laws and regulations affect startups and ensure your records are always audit-ready. By leveraging this expertise, we help you focus on scaling your business with confidence.
Transparent Pricing
No hidden fees, just clear, upfront pricing customised to your needs. We offer flexible pricing structures to suit startups of any size or growth stage. This means you only pay for the services you need, making professional bookkeeping accessible even for early-stage businesses.
Hands-Off Financial Management
We handle the details, so you can focus on what you do best: running your business. From automating invoicing to reconciling transactions, we take the hassle out of bookkeeping. With our expert team on your side, you can rest assured that your finances are always accurate and up-to-date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Allowable expenses include costs that are wholly and exclusively for business purposes, such as software subscriptions, office rent, employee wages, and travel for client meetings. You can also claim a portion of home office expenses if you work from home.
You must register for VAT if your annual taxable turnover exceeds £85,000. This includes revenue from goods or services subject to VAT, both in the UK and internationally. We help ensure you register on time and maintain compliant records.
For B2B transactions with EU countries, VAT is often zero-rated, but you’ll need to provide your customer’s VAT number. For B2C transactions, you may need to register for VAT in the customer’s country. We can guide you through the complexities of VAT across borders.
For B2B transactions with EU countries, VAT is often zero-rated, but you’ll need to provide your customer’s VAT number. For B2C transactions, you may need to register for VAT in the customer’s country. We can guide you through the complexities of VAT across borders.
Yes, startups engaged in innovation, such as software development or engineering, can claim up to 230% tax relief on qualifying expenses. We’ll help you identify eligible costs and prepare your claim to maximise your benefit.
Missing the deadline for Corporation Tax submissions can result in fines starting at £100 and increasing significantly if the delay continues. We ensure your books are always up-to-date, so your submissions are accurate and on time.
Ready to Keep Your Startup’s Books in Top Shape?
At Pearl Lemon Accountants, we know startups because we’ve worked with them every step of the way. Let us simplify your bookkeeping, ensure you meet UK requirements, and position your business for long-term success.
Let’s build a stronger financial foundation together. Book your consultation today.
