http://www.janewhitman.co/blog/ The latest Blog feeds from www.janewhitman.co en-us Sat, 25 Apr 2026 15:00:15 +0100 Rocketspark http://www.janewhitman.co/blog/post/25267/mtd-software--which-tool-wont-drive-you-mad/ Look, I get it. You'd rather spend your hard-earned cash on your business (or that holiday you've been promising yourself) than fork out hundreds to someone else to do your books.BUT .. with MTD for Income Tax kicking in from April 2026 for those earning over £50,000, the clock's ticking to find software that won't make you want to throw your laptop out the window.So I've done the research for you so don't have to start from scratch, and these are my opinions on the five main players for freela... Thu, 25 Sep 2025 10:59:09 +0100 http://www.janewhitman.co/blog/#post25267 http://www.janewhitman.co/blog/post/23137/5-ways-to-get-your-bookkeeping-sorted-without-the-stress/ Updated for 2025 - Because your freelance journey deserves financial clarity, not sleepless nights... Mon, 11 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.janewhitman.co/blog/#post23137 http://www.janewhitman.co/blog/post/23136/5-things-to-consider-when-becoming-self-employed-2025-edition/ So you're sitting there, probably in another mind-numbing Teams meeting, dreaming of being your own boss? Yeah, I get it. The allure of working in your pyjamas, setting your own schedule, and finally pursuing that business idea that's been rattling around your head for months.But hold up – before you dramatically slam your laptop shut and march into your manager's office, let's talk about what it really takes to make self-employment work in 2025. Because spoiler alert: it's not all sunset lapt... Thu, 07 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.janewhitman.co/blog/#post23136 http://www.janewhitman.co/blog/post/24838/mtd-for-income-tax-what-is-it/ If you’re self-employed, a sole trader, or a property landlord, you’ve likely heard whispers of Making Tax Digital for Income Tax, or MTD for ITSA. Maybe it’s felt confusing or easy to ignore, especially if you’ve got more urgent things to deal with.But the truth is, MTD for ITSA is coming, and if your income is over a certain threshold, it will affect how you manage your finances.The good news? With a little preparation, you can take it in your stride and still stay in control of your b... Thu, 24 Jul 2025 15:03:14 +0100 http://www.janewhitman.co/blog/#post24838 http://www.janewhitman.co/blog/post/24761/what-is-bookkeeping/ Picture this: You're juggling client deadlines, chasing invoices, and suddenly it's year-end. Your shoebox of receipts is overflowing, your bank statements are a mystery novel you never wanted to read, and the taxman is knocking. Sound familiar?Whether you’re a freelance designer, a one-man decorating show, or a landlord with a single rental; bookkeeping isn't just about keeping HMRC happy (though that's definitely a bonus) let’s have a heart-to-heart about bookkeeping....Yes, that terr... Fri, 11 Jul 2025 10:50:36 +0100 http://www.janewhitman.co/blog/#post24761 http://www.janewhitman.co/blog/post/23760/what-you-need-to-know-about-managing-money-as-new-freelancer/ You’re still working on getting those all important first invoices lined up and now - after a little bit of late night Googling ''how much money you can earn, and what to do with it, as a new freelancer'' - you’re overwhelmed by the thought of wrangling spreadsheets and apps, on top of everything else. You’re not even off the ground yet and the looming spectre of HMRC is keeping you awake, thanks to those online scare stories about tax rules, demands, and regulations... Mon, 10 Feb 2025 11:03:54 +0000 http://www.janewhitman.co/blog/#post23760 http://www.janewhitman.co/blog/post/23489/what-to-do-instead-of-outsourcing-your-bookkeeping-and-accounting-to-a-professional/ You’re so engrossed in the day-to-day of your business that you can’t see the wood for the trees anymore. You’ve kept things going and ticking over for years now, but it’s about time you increased your earnings without having to work longer hours - you’ve been there, done that, thank you very much. Long hours and long days to still not be making the sort of money you hoped you would be by this point is deflating. Have you plateaued or is the limit to your earnings something you’re no... Thu, 23 Jan 2025 17:01:51 +0000 http://www.janewhitman.co/blog/#post23489 http://www.janewhitman.co/blog/post/23140/embracing-ai-in-accounting-enhancing-or-replacing-human-expertise/ In today’s fast-paced digital world, the integration of AI in various industries is becoming increasingly prevalent. As an accountant with 20 years of experience, I have witnessed first hand the transformative power of AI in the field of accounting. While AI offers numerous benefits, it is essential to understand that it complements rather than replaces the invaluable human elements of judgment, trust, communication, adaptability, and ethical considerations.... Fri, 17 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.janewhitman.co/blog/#post23140 http://www.janewhitman.co/blog/post/23138/5-ways-bookkeeping-can-help-your-business-grow/ Running a small business can be tough - there are many challenges that small business owners face daily. However, maintaining accurate and consistent financial records doesn’t need to be one of them - and it’s a great way to help your business grow. Bookkeeping is the area of accounting that deals with recording financial transactions, and it can play a vital role in the success of your business. In this blog post, we will discuss five ways bookkeeping can help your small business grow.... Fri, 05 Jan 2024 09:48:50 +0000 http://www.janewhitman.co/blog/#post23138 http://www.janewhitman.co/blog/post/23139/are-you-ready-for-your-tax-return/ For Freelancers and small  business owners, tax season can be a stressful and daunting time of year.  It makes sense that you’d rather not think about it, but as a bookkeeper, every year I see business owners feeling the stress as the season approaches because they know deep down that rushing things and leaving it to the last minute could lead to mistakes and penalties.In this blog we'll explore why now is the time to get your self-assessment tax return done, instead of waiting unti... Mon, 23 Oct 2023 13:09:43 +0100 http://www.janewhitman.co/blog/#post23139