Introduction

Welcome, thank you for visiting BeverleyHall.co.uk. I hope that this site will offer you an easy way to finding an Experienced and Qualified Norwich Bookkeeper who can help you to bring your books up to date, maintain them and present accurate figures to your accountant.

If you would rather not read your way through this site and would prefer to simply read my references, view my prices and contact me ( beverley@beverleyhall.co.uk ) please follow these direct links.

  Latest News

• Availability Notice: Bev has a 1 day per week slot available for April and beyond. Bev can work from your business premises or from home, depending on your requirements. If you would like to discuss your bookkeeping requirements please contact Beverley via email or telephone: 01603 866606.
• Pricing Notice: No increase in prices this year (2012). We are all feeling the effects of high inflation and by setting our prices in stone until April 2013 we hope that our customers will feel more secure in planning their bookkeeping requirements.

About Us

So…. Why book-keeping? Well, we’re all naturally gifted at something, in my case it just happens to be the art of number crunching. Although it may sound boring, I find that there is nothing more satisfying than sifting my way through a whole stack of paperwork and finishing up with a balanced end result. At the other end of the scale, there is nothing quite so annoying as being just a few pence out at the end of a quarters accounting, then having to demonstrate ‘prudence’; the art of knowing when to leave well alone because the cost of finding those few missing pence will cost more in time spent! Not a situation I find myself in often, and a strange subject to get worked up about, but there you have it…. That’s me.

I received my early experience with a small architectural and interior design practice over ten years, which included monthly book-keeping, PAYE, quarterly VAT Returns, and Employers Annual Returns.

Realising that bookkeeping for small business is a totally different creature to working on bringing accountancy submissions up to trial balance, I took a position with a local accountancy firm which allowed me to cram experience of many types of business accounts in a short time.

- SEE REFERENCES BELOW -

With a good grounding in trial balance accounting now I am branching out on my own. My Professional qualification and membership is with the IAB (the Professional Body which regulates Book-keepers), with whom I also studied for a Diploma in Computerised Book-keeping. I believe that my flexibility, experience and professional nature will make my service very useful to small accountancy practices who hit workload bottlenecks occasionally and need part time cover to bring themselves up to date.

Being a book-keeper takes a certain type of person; I would probably describe myself as methodical, well-organised, accurate, disciplined, and precise – the very predictable personality traits you would expect from someone living their work life according to spreadsheet layouts!

More personable qualities would be my honesty, approachability, and enthusiasm. If you consider that I’m the sort of person you would like to have dealing with your accounts (self-employed, sole trader, small and medium sized business), please feel free to e-mail, or phone for an informal chat.

Needless to say, all conversations, correspondence and business will be treated as both private and confidential. I am able to work in-house at your own premises, or from home. If working from home, dependant upon your location I can either collect and return your documents personally, or arrange for collection and return by Courier.

I should like to point out, there is a considerable difference between the services provided by a Book-keeper and those of an Accountant. Accounting is a way of showing the financial position of your company at any given time so that you can find your gross and net profits, know your debtors and creditors, borrow money, and comply with legislation, i.e. tax and PAYE. Book-keeping, on the other hand, is necessary for keeping track of all financial transactions which would invariably be forgotten at a later date. It consists of the recording of all transactions into various ledgers to demonstrate a balance (usually carried out to Trial Balance stage). A Book-keeper will basically reconcile all your paperwork so that you can pass the balanced figures to an Accountant for tax advice, year end completion, and submission of your Annual Return to the Tax Office; but save them the [expensive] time spent in sorting and organising your sales invoices and purchase receipts.

A Visiting Bookkeeper who will work at your location:

• I visit and work from your location, which saves time when dealing with missing documents etc.
• You see the exact time taken and sign the timesheets, giving you confidence that you are getting value for money.
• We can deal with problems as they arise and therefore reduce the project complexity.
• I can deal directly with your accountants and act as an intermediary, helping to explain the jargon along the way.

All in all I offer a bookkeeping service that aims to initially get your accounts into shape and then maintain, with the minimum of fuss, after this period of organisation.

Some bookkeepers will avoid problems ... I take them on and bring organisation to your accounts, making them easy to manage in the future.

To enquire about any of these services please feel free to contact us using any of the following methods.

Although Beverley visits her clients and you might expect her to not be able to take your call.

To make it easier for you to call at a convenient time for you, Beverley's husband Colin will be running the office Beverley is with clients and will be on hand to answer queries, arrange visits, discuss availability, fees etc.

So please contact us using the following information:

• Address: Woodpeckers, Upgate House, Swannington, NR9 5AH
• Telephone Enquiries: 01603 866606 (Answer machine)
• Email Enquiries: beverley@beverleyhall.co.uk

Book-keeping Services offered, for Sole Traders, Small and Medium Size Businesses:

• Monthly, Quarterly and/or Annual Year End Book-keeping, including recording of sales and purchase ledger transactions
• PAYE
  · Employers Annual Returns (19 May submission deadline)
• VAT Returns
• Tax Returns (Tax Returns and Reminders should be received around 6 Apr. Submission by 31 Oct if you would like HMRC to calculate the tax payments for you, payment to be made by 31 Jan / Final submission deadline for all Tax Returns is 31 Jan)

Beverley Hall offers her offsite visiting bookkeeping Services to the following Major Norfolk Towns including:

Acle, Attleborough, Aylsham, Cromer, Dereham, Diss, Downham Market, Fakenham, Gt Yarmouth, Holt, Hunstanton, King's Lynn, North Walsham, Sheringham, Swaffham, Thetford, Watton, Wroxham and Wymondham.

• Bookkeeping - £16.00* per hour for regular weekly clients.
• Bookkeeping - £20.00* per hour for clients requiring monthly, quarterly or other non-regular visits.

* Beverley Hall specialises in dealing with accounts which have slipped into chaos, so please do not be afraid to call because you are feeling swamped.

* Beverley Hall is Fully Qualified, Experienced in bookkeeping for all size of business and offers a Travelling Bookkeeping Service. By working at her clients premises, Beverley can Organise and Maintain your books 'in-house', reducing the time that you spend collating for bookkeepers who work from their own offices.

Below you will find references and a copy of my FIAB accreditation. Please feel free to download these and if you have any questions please contact me.

Secretarial Reference	Accounting Reference	Cert of Compliance
Admittance as Fellow	Bookkeeping / Acts 1	Bookkeeping / Acts 2
Accounts Level 3	Accounts Level 4	Computer Accounting

I hold the following Book-Keeping Qualifications:

• Fellow member of the International Association of Book-keepers (IAB)
• Pitman Level 4 Accounting - First Class
• Pitman Level 3 Accounting - First Class
• IAB Diploma in Computerised Accounts (Sage Line 50) - Credit
• Pitman Level 2 Book-Keeping & Accounts - First Class
• Pitman Level 1 Computerised Accounts (Sage Line 50) - First Class
• Pitman Level 1 Book-Keeping & Accounts - First Class

For additional information regarding these qualifications please see below.

References & Qualifications

Qualifications, References and Affiliations are the measure of a skilled bookkeeper. They allow a client to adequately judge whether the bookkeeper is able to perform the tasks that they require professionally and competently.

Bookkeeping tasks require advanced levels of accuracy and organisation which not everyone is able to undertake. Good qualifications can narrow down your search for the best bookkeeper that is available. Also experience of accountancy practices is essential so that your bookkeeper can communicate with your accountant adequately.

Bookkeeping & Accounts Level 1 & 2

Level 1

The candidate has demonstrated knowledge, understanding and application of skills, associated with book-keeping and accounts within the context of a simple sole trader business.
Objectives achieved:
• Processing documents involved in the accounting function using double entry book-keeping.
• Preparing statements as a preliminary to financial control.
• Displaying information about the financial state of the business.

Level 2

The candidate has demonstrated knowledge, understanding and application of skills, associated with book-keeping and accounts within the context of a sole trader business.

Objectives achieved:

• Processing a full range of financial transactions using double-entry book-keeping.
• Preparing control statements.
• Checking and correcting accounting records as necessary.
• Displaying comprehensive financial information about the state of the business.

Assessment was by a time-constrained examination which consisted of practical tasks based upon a scenario and the production of accounts in an accepted and conventional form.

• A Pass is achieved with 60-74% of the marks available.
• A First Class Pass is achieved with 75% or more of the marks available.


Accounting Level 3 & 4

Level 3

The candidate has demonstrated knowledge, understanding and the application of skills associated with accounting in the contexts of sole traders and partnerships, limited liability companies and non-trading organisations.

Objectives achieved:

• Defining forms of organisation for the purposes of accounting.
• Recording accounting entries from source documents.
• Preparing and incorporating adjustments into end of period accounts.
• Defining and preparing accounts and "statement of affairs" associated with incomplete records.
• Preparing simple manufacturing accounts.
• Interpreting accounting procedures with the purpose of informing and/or recommending appropriate action.

Level 4

The candidate has demonstrated knowledge, understanding and application of skills associated with accounting within the contexts of partnerships and limited companies.

Objectives achieved:

• Making the necessary entries for establishing and dissolving a partnership, and converting a sole trader or partnership into a limited company.
• Accounting for changes in capital structure of a limited company and understanding the significance of forms of capital.
• Preparing the appropriate accounts and financial statements of a limited company.
• An appreciation of the current list of Statements of Standard Accounting Practice and Financial Reporting Standards.
Assessment was by a time-constrained examination which consisted of practical tasks based upon a scenario and the production of accounts in an accepted and conventional form.
• A Pass is achieved with 60-74% of the marks available.
• A First Class Pass is achieved with 75% or more of the marks available.


Computerised Accounts Levels 1 & 2

Level 1

The candidate has demonstrated the ability to use a computerised accounts software package applied to routine accounting tasks.

Objectives achieved:

• Adding new accounts to Purchase/Sales Ledgers and the creation of accounts in the Nominal Ledger.
• Processing Invoices, Credit Notes, receipts and payments in Sales and Purchase Ledgers.
• Calculating and reconciling batch totals.
• Printing ledgers, balances and accounts.

Level 2

The candidate has demonstrated the ability to prepare and use a computerised accounts software package and to interpret and verify information from source documents.

Objectives achieved (in addition to those at Level 1):

• Entering initial capital cash, cheques and other bank transactions.
• Correcting errors by means of Credit Notes or journal adjustments.
• Entering Tax Reference Codes and/or percentages.
• Producing a Trial Balance, Aged Debtors Schedule, Supplier and Customer Account History.

Assessment by a time-constrained examination, which consisted of a series of tasks based upon a scenario, was against the following criteria:

• A Pass is achieved with complete accuracy in calculations, batch totals and printouts and minor errors in word/reference sections.
• A First Class Pass is achieved with complete accuracy in calculations, batch totals and printouts and virtually error free word/reference sections.

The syllabuses above support some of the requirements for the appropriate UK NVQ. Full syllabuses may be obtained from Pitman Qualifications.
 

Glossary

For those of you who are feeling a little daunted by the amount of jargon that exists in accountancy I have listed some glossary terms that might help you to feel more comfortable when discussing your bookkeeping requirements.

Account
A periodical record of financial transactions.

Accrual
Recording transactions when they take place, rather than upon payment.

Advance
Loaned money, or part of a payment to be made at a later date.

Aged Debtors
Persons who have been in debt for longer than the normal timescale. 

Aggregate
The total sum, everything added together.

Allowable Deductions
Income deductions allowed by the Inland Revenue, which in turn reduce your tax payment.

Allowable Expenses
Business expenses which may be claimed against your tax payment.

Allowable Losses
Losses allowed on the sale of business assets, which may be set off against gains.

Amortise
Regular repayment of a loan, covering interest due first, then reducing the principal.

Annual Accounts
Financial year end accounts.

Annual Income
Money received during a calendar year.

Appreciation
When an asset increases in value, i.e. buying business premises which are then valued at a higher sale price.

APR
Annual Percentage Rate (which includes fees and other associated charges).

Asset
An item of value.

Bad Debt
A debt which will not be paid, and must be written off as a loss in the accounts.

Balance Sheet
Statement showing the worth of your Business at the year end, in terms of historical cost.

Bank Overdraft
Borrowing facility, repayable upon demand.

Bought Ledger
A book for recording all business purchases.

Break-even Point
Production = Fixed cost

Budget
A financial statement forecasting expected expenditure and income. Useful as a planning tool.

Capital Accounts
An account which deals with monetary investment / withdrawals made by the owners of the company.

Capital Expenditure
Purchases of fixed assets which will have a lasting benefit to the business, i.e. premises, machinery, equipment.

Capital Gain
Money made by selling a fixed asset.

Capital Loss
Money lost by selling a fixed asset.

Cash Accounting
The method of accounting where purchases and sales are recorded in the accounts books when they actually occur.

Cash Flow
Money coming in and going out of the business.

Cash Flow Forecast
A guide indicating forthcoming budgeted receipts and payments.

Charitable Deductions
Deductions from taxable income as charity donations.

Contingency fund
Put aside funds for use in an emergency.

Contra
The term used for off-setting debits against credits, to zero out.

Credit Period
The time allowed between the supply and invoicing of goods, and the payment of the invoice.

Creditor
Persons owed money by your business. (Your liabilities).

Current Assets
Items which are cash, or can be readily turned into cash, i.e. cash, bank balances, debtors, stock, work in progress.

Current Liabilities
Amounts owed to Suppliers (Creditors), and short term loans, i.e. bank overdraft.

Debtor
Person who owe money to your business.

Defer
Put back to a later date/postpone.

Deficit
The difference between spending over income.

Depreciation
The allowance made for reduction in value of assets, i.e. the loss in value of an aging car.

Direct Costs
Amounts directly relating to product production.

Disbursement
The payment of money.

Double-entry Book-keeping
A way of accounting whereby all transactions are recorded twice; as a simultaneous credit and debit.

Economic
To make enough money to provide a profitable return.

Expenditure
The sum of money spent.

Expenses
Money paid to a person to cover their own out-of-pocket costs when carrying out actions on behalf of the business, i.e. travel mileage, lunches, etc.

Financial Year
The 12 month period for which you produce your accounts; not the same as a Calendar year.

Fixed Assets
The property and equipment owned by your business which will continue to be of a lasting benefit.

Frozen
Not allowed to be either changed or used.

Gross
The total prior to deductions.

Imprest System
A petty cash transactions system. Money is advanced for small expenses, when almost spent, receipts to the value are handed over and the money reimbursed. The float should therefore always remain at the same level.

Indirect Costs
Amounts not directly relating to production, but are necessary to run the business, i.e rent, telephone, insurances, etc.

Interim Payment
Payment made on account. Part of a dividend.

Invoice
A written note requesting payment for goods/services supplied.

Key Ratios
A way of measuring the performance of your business when conventional analysis cannot. These provide a view of where the business is at.

Liabilities
Debts of the business.

Long Term Liabilities
Amounts owing, but not due for payment within one year.

Margin
Extra time/space allowed. Also means difference in value of sales price and purchase price.

Net
The end value once all deductions have been made.

Net Assets
Total assets of the business less liabilities.

Net Profit
Profit of the business once all expenses have been met.

Notional
Probable but not exactly quantifiable.

Offset
Balance one item off against another, to cancel each other out.

Overheads
Regular expenses made in keeping the business running, i.e. rent, phones, wages, etc.

Per Annum
In a year.

Per Capita
For each person.

Prepayment
An advance payment, i.e. rental monies.

Principal
Person or company represented by an Agent.

Principle
Basic point / general rule

Profit and Loss Account
A periodic summary of income and expenditure which shows surplus and/or deficit.

Profit Margin
Percentage difference between sales income and cost of sales.

Prudence
Use your judgement.

Purchase Ledger
A book for recording all business expenditure.

Quick Assets
A term used to describe current assets which may be readily cashed in if required.

Reconcile / Reconciliation
To make two statements agree.

Remuneration
Payment for services rendered.

Revenue Expenditure
Fully used up during the accounting period, i.e. raw materials, rent, salaries.

Sales Ledger
A book for recording all business sales (income).

Turnover
The value of sales of goods / services.