Frequently Asked Questions — ProKeeper Accounting & Bookkeeping London
Got questions about our services or about bookkeeping, accounting, and tax in the UK? We’ve compiled answers to the questions we hear most often. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, get in touch — we’re always happy to help.
General Questions
What services does ProKeeper offer?
ProKeeper is a London-based accounting and bookkeeping firm offering a comprehensive range of financial services for UK businesses and individuals. Our core services include bookkeeping, VAT returns, payroll management, self assessment tax returns, annual accounts and corporation tax, management accounts, and Virtual CFO services. We also offer specialist accounting for freelancers and contractors, e-commerce businesses, construction companies, and landlords.
Are you HMRC authorised agents?
Yes. ProKeeper is an HMRC authorised agent. This means we can deal with HMRC directly on your behalf — filing returns, responding to correspondence, and resolving any queries or investigations. You won’t need to contact HMRC yourself on matters we handle for you.
Do you work with businesses outside London?
Yes — we work with businesses and individuals across the UK. While we’re based in London, all our services are delivered remotely using cloud-based accounting software and video calls. We have clients throughout England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Location is no barrier to working with ProKeeper.
How quickly can you start?
In most cases we can start within 1–2 weeks of signing up. This allows time for our onboarding process: gathering the information we need, setting up your accounting software, notifying HMRC of our agency relationship, and getting access to your existing records.
What accounting software do you use?
We primarily use Xero, which is the leading cloud accounting platform in the UK and fully compliant with HMRC’s Making Tax Digital requirements. We also work with QuickBooks and FreeAgent. If you’re not currently using any accounting software, we’ll set you up and provide training at no extra charge.
Bookkeeping Questions
How much does bookkeeping cost?
Our bookkeeping packages are priced on a fixed monthly basis, starting from £150 per month for small businesses. The exact price depends on your transaction volume, the complexity of your accounts, and whether you need additional services such as VAT returns or payroll. Contact us for a bespoke quote. See also our blog post: How much does a bookkeeper cost in the UK?
How do you get my financial information?
We use bank feeds and direct integrations with your accounting software to automatically import transactions. For receipts and invoices, we use tools like Dext (formerly Receipt Bank) where you photograph and upload documents via a smartphone app. We aim to minimise how much manual work you need to do.
Can you handle my bookkeeping if I’m already behind?
Yes. We frequently take on clients whose books haven’t been kept up to date. We’ll assess the situation, provide a catch-up quote, bring everything current, and then put in place an ongoing bookkeeping process to keep you up to date going forward.
VAT Questions
When do I need to register for VAT?
You must register for VAT when your VAT-taxable turnover exceeds £90,000 in any rolling 12-month period. You have 30 days from the end of the month you exceeded the threshold to register. You can also register voluntarily below this threshold. See our full guide: How to register for VAT in the UK.
What is Making Tax Digital for VAT?
Making Tax Digital (MTD) for VAT requires all VAT-registered businesses to keep digital records and submit VAT returns using HMRC-approved software. It has applied to all VAT-registered businesses since April 2022. ProKeeper is fully MTD-compliant and handles all MTD VAT submissions for our clients.
Self Assessment Questions
Who needs to file a self assessment tax return?
You typically need to file a self assessment return if you’re self-employed (sole trader), a partner in a business partnership, earning over £100,000, receiving rental income, receiving dividend income, or have capital gains. See our full list on our Self Assessment Tax Returns page.
What is the self assessment deadline?
Online self assessment returns must be filed by 31 January following the end of the tax year (5 April). Tax owed is also due by 31 January. Missing this deadline triggers an automatic £100 penalty. ProKeeper files all client returns well before the deadline — we aim to complete them by December.
Payroll Questions
Do I need to run payroll as a limited company director?
Yes, if you’re taking a salary from your limited company (which most directors do for tax efficiency reasons), you need to operate PAYE payroll, submit Real Time Information (RTI) returns to HMRC, and comply with auto-enrolment pension rules. Our payroll service handles all of this from £30/month for a single director.
Pricing & Getting Started
Do you offer a free consultation?
Yes — we offer a free 30-minute initial consultation to understand your business, discuss your needs, and explain how we can help. There’s no obligation and no hard sell. Book your free consultation here.
Do you charge fixed fees or hourly rates?
We only charge fixed monthly fees. We believe transparent, predictable pricing is better for everyone. You’ll always know exactly what you’re paying, and you won’t think twice about contacting us with questions because you’re worried about the clock running.
How do I switch from my current accountant to ProKeeper?
Switching is simpler than most people expect. We manage the entire process: we’ll contact your existing accountant professionally to request a handover of your records, notify HMRC of the change of agent, and ensure there’s continuity throughout. You won’t experience any disruption to your ongoing compliance. Get in touch to start the process.
Still Have Questions?
If we haven’t answered your question above, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’re friendly, approachable, and genuinely enjoy talking about accounting and tax (we know — we’re accountants).