Bookkeeping and accountancy services for small buiness owners
For busy tradesmen, bookkeeping is no longer something that can be left until the end of the year. With Making Tax Digital for Income Tax bringing quarterly HMRC updates for higher-earning sole traders from April 2026, accurate records and regular bookkeeping will become essential.
Trade Support gives plumbers, builders, electricians and carpenters practical outsourced bookkeeping and QuickBooks management, helping you stay organised, keep VAT returns and financial records up to date, and spend less time worrying about paperwork.
Packages start from £350 per month.
Outsourced bookkeeping
Spend less time on paperwork and more time on paid work with practical bookkeeping support built around busy trade businesses.
Everything You Need to Scale Your Business
From invoicing, to full-scale marketing campaigns, we've got you covered at every stage of growth.
Bronze Package
Essential trade admin support for sole traders. Focuses on quotes, invoices, and day-to-day admin. Includes customised templates, Google Drive tracking and client follow-ups. Perfect for keeping your business organised and reducing admin stress.
Silver Package
Adds full bookkeeping, QuickBooks management, VAT and Accounts filing. Keeping your finances organised and compliant. Supports growing trades that need organisation and peace of mind.
Gold Package
Complete business support including customer database management, newsletters, and social media for businesses looking to grow with improved customer engagement and stronger online presence. Includes reporting and analytics to track growth and ROI.
Choose Your Bookkeeping and Accountancy Package
Bronze
Package
Essential Admin Support for
Trade Businesses
£200/ per month +VAT
Perfect for trade businesses that want to focus on the job without being weighed down by admin and paperwork.
Admin & Quotations
We prepare and track quotes using customised templates tailored to your clients.
Invoicing
Professional invoices created and tracked for timely payments.
Daily Admin
Emails, document management, and general follow-ups handled for you.
Google Drive Tracking
All quotes and invoices organised and accessible anytime.
Client Follow-Ups
We can chase approvals or payments on your behalf.
Benefits
- Faster turnaround on quotes and approvals.
- More organised records, fewer mistakes.
- Less time spent on evenings and weekends doing admin.
Silver
Package
Admin & Accounting Support for Trade Businesses - includes all bronze package features
£350/ per month +VAT
Perfect for trade businesses that want to include integrated accounting and bookkeeping.
Full Bookkeeping
Regularly recording and reconciling income and expenses.
QuickBooks Management
Setup and ongoing management of your accounts.
VAT Filing & Compliance
Ensuring VAT is submitted accurately and on time.
Digital Filing
All financial records organised digitally for easy access.
Financial Reporting
Monthly summaries to track cash flow, income, and expenses.
Support for Banks & Tax
Assistance with loan applications, insurance, or tax preparation
Benefits
- Complete visibility and control of your finances
- Reduced risk of errors and penalties.
- Confidence in compliance and professional financial management.
Gold
Package
Full Business & Marketing Support for Trade Businesses
£550/ per month +VAT
Perfect for trade businesses that want to grow by building a database and social presence to generate new business.
Customer Database Management
Keep track of clients, leads, and job history
Newsletters
Regular communication with past and existing customers.
Social Media Posting & Scheduling
Maintain a consistent online presence.
CRM Management
Automated lead follow-ups, reminders, and customer segmentation.
Engagement & ROI Tracking
Monitor performance of campaigns, leads, and conversions.
Targeted Marketing Campaigns
Promote seasonal offers or services to specific customer groups.
Benefits
- Build stronger relationships and loyalty with clients.
- Increase repeat work and revenue.
- Streamline marketing and lead follow-up without extra effort.
- Data-driven insights to track growth and return on investment.
Frequently asked questions about bookkeeping and accountacy
What is the difference between a bookkeeper and an accountant?
A bookkeeper records and organises your financial transactions: income, expenses, bank reconciliation, VAT returns. An accountant typically works at a higher level, preparing statutory accounts, advising on tax planning, and signing off year-end filings. Many small trade businesses need both, but outsourced bookkeeping handles the day-to-day layer that feeds into the accountant's annual work.
Do I need to be VAT-registered to use outsourced bookkeeping?
No. Outsourced bookkeeping is useful at any stage. If you are not yet VAT-registered, a bookkeeper still handles bank reconciliation, expense categorisation, invoicing records, and Self Assessment preparation. When you cross the VAT registration threshold (currently £90,000 turnover), the service expands to include VAT return filing.
Will I lose control of my finances if I outsource?
No. You retain full access to your accounting software and bank accounts at all times. Your bookkeeper works within your accounts, not instead of you. Most providers send monthly reports so you always know where you stand. You make the financial decisions; the bookkeeper makes sure the records are accurate enough to inform them.
What software do outsourced bookkeepers use?
QuickBooks is the most widely used platform across UK bookkeeping providers and is MTD-compatible. Xero and FreeAgent are also common. At Trade-Support, we manage QuickBooks on your behalf as part of the Silver and Gold packages, so you do not need to learn the software yourself.
What is catch-up bookkeeping?
Catch-up bookkeeping is the process of bringing overdue or incomplete financial records up to date. If your books are six months behind or you have never properly recorded your transactions, a provider will work through the backlog before setting up a regular monthly process. This is a common starting point for trade businesses switching from DIY bookkeeping.
Is outsourced bookkeeping safe from a GDPR perspective?
When you share financial data with a bookkeeping provider, they become a data processor under UK GDPR. A reputable UK-based provider will have a data processing agreement in place and will handle your data in line with UK GDPR requirements. Ask any provider you consider for their data processing policy before sharing bank statements or payroll information.
What a UK outsourced bookkeeping and acountancy package should include
Not all bookkeeping services cover the same ground. Before you sign up with any provider, check that the following are included. These are the core deliverables a UK trade business needs to stay compliant and financially clear.
Bank reconciliation
Every transaction in your bank account should be matched to an invoice, receipt, or payment record at least monthly. This is the foundation of accurate books. Without it, your P&L figures are guesses.
VAT return preparation and filing
If you are VAT-registered, your provider should prepare and submit your VAT returns through MTD-compatible software. An error in a VAT return can trigger an HMRC compliance check. Your bookkeeper should understand the VAT Flat Rate Scheme, standard rate accounting, and the difference between input and output tax.
Expense categorisation and receipt management
Tools, fuel, materials, PPE, van costs: each category has different tax treatment. Correct categorisation reduces your tax bill and keeps HMRC satisfied if they ever ask questions.
Monthly profit and loss statement
A P&L produced every month tells you whether the business is actually making money after materials, subcontractors, and overheads. Many tradesmen are surprised to find that a busy month on site does not always translate to a profitable one on paper.
Self Assessment support
Sole traders and company directors both face HMRC Self Assessment obligations. A bookkeeper who keeps your records clean throughout the year makes the annual return a straightforward process rather than a year-end reconstruction.
Invoicing and payment tracking
Your bookkeeper should help keep track of invoices issued, payments received, and money still owed by customers. For tradesmen, late payments can quickly affect cash flow, especially when materials, labour, and subcontractors have already been paid for. Clear payment tracking shows who owes what, what is overdue, and when you need to chase outstanding invoices.
Get your books sorted without the overhead
Outsourced bookkeeping and accountancy is not just for larger businesses. For a sole trader or small trade team, it can be one of the most cost-effective ways to stay HMRC-compliant, keep accurate records and free up more time for the work that actually generates income.
For a closer look at the time-saving benefits, read our guide to outsourced bookkeeping services, which explains how trade businesses can reduce admin, stay organised and free up more time for paid work.
At Trade Support, our packages are designed specifically for tradesmen who want professional financial management without the cost of hiring an employee or the stress of trying to manage everything themselves.
Visit our trade admin support page to see the full package breakdown, or call us on 020 3934 6327 to talk through which level of support fits your business.
What Our Clients Say
Real results from professional tradesman using our support packages.
"We brought Trade Support on board when the admin side of our business started getting out of hand, and it’s been one of the best decisions we’ve made."
"They’ve taken care of everything from managing enquiries and scheduling jobs to keeping our CRM up to date. What really stands out is how proactive they are – nothing gets missed. It’s freed up a huge amount of my time so I can focus on running the business and being on-site. The whole service feels like having an in-house team without the overheads. Highly recommended for any growing trade business."
Mark Davies
Gold Support Package
All admin looked after
"We started on the Bronze Admin Package as we just needed a bit of help staying organised, but it’s made a massive difference."
"Having someone handle the basics like managing enquiries, booking jobs into the diary, and keeping on top of invoices has taken a huge weight off my shoulders. I used to spend evenings catching up on paperwork, but now it’s all taken care of. It’s perfect if you’re a small business or sole trader who just needs that extra support without committing to a full-time admin. Simple, affordable, and genuinely effective."
James Carter
Bronze Support Package
More time to focus on work
Enquire about packages
Complete the form below and a member of the team will call you back.
Contact us
Speak to our agent support team
info@agent-support.co.uk
Notes
Group agents require their own admin packages but receive a 25% discount.
For team agents, there is an additional charge of £150 per agent per month.
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