Outsourced Accounting: Frequently Asked Questions

We arrange an initial discussion about your business, your records, the software you use and any deadlines. If the work is a good fit, you receive a written proposal in GBP setting out the scope, responsibilities and fee. Work begins only after you accept it in writing and any required checks and authorisations are complete. An enquiry on its own does not create an accountant–client relationship.

It depends on your records, your deadlines and how much of the work you want to keep yourself. The scope can be narrow, for example year-end work only, or broader, such as regular bookkeeping and reporting. Because fees reflect the agreed scope and the condition of your records, a business with straightforward affairs can agree a smaller piece of work.

Yes, where the arrangement is clear. For example, TaxSpex could keep your books while another firm prepares your year-end accounts. Before work starts, we agree in writing which tasks each party covers and what information passes between them, so that nothing is missed or done twice. You decide who acts for you with HMRC and Companies House.

Tell us how your records are kept when you first get in touch. We review their format and condition before confirming what can be done and on what basis. If moving to accounting software such as Xero, QuickBooks or Zoho Books would help, we can discuss it, but any setup work is scoped and agreed separately, and software subscriptions are identified as a separate cost.

Information on this website is general and is not advice tailored to your circumstances. Within an engagement, the proposal sets out what is included, such as preparing returns and computations from your records and explaining the figures. Advisory work is not assumed: raise any need for advice before engagement and we will confirm whether it can be included. Decisions about your affairs, and responsibility for your tax, remain with you.

The contact methods, your nominated contact and how queries are raised are agreed at the start. Where information is missing or unclear, we raise it as a query rather than make assumptions. Discussions take place remotely using the methods agreed for your engagement.

Yes. Many engagements begin with a single piece of work, such as bookkeeping or a year-end, and you can ask to add other services later. Each addition is scoped and priced before it starts, and the change is confirmed in writing so the engagement always reflects what we are doing for you.

Tell us about changes such as higher transaction volumes, registering for VAT, taking on employees or opening another bank account. These can affect the work involved, so we review the scope and fee with you and confirm any changes in writing before the new work begins. Nothing is added to your engagement without your agreement.

When TaxSpex supports an accountancy practice, the practice remains your accountant. It keeps the client relationship, reviews and approves the work, and handles filing, and TaxSpex does not contact you unless the practice arranges it. When you engage TaxSpex directly, your own engagement with TaxSpex sets out the scope, responsibilities and fee.

Records are exchanged only through the channels agreed in writing for your engagement, which may include access to your accounting software that you grant and can withdraw. Please do not use the website enquiry form to send financial records, bank details, tax references or identity documents. It is for an initial conversation only.

No. Do not share HMRC online services or Government Gateway sign-in details, company authentication codes or Companies House personal codes with TaxSpex. Where any submission support is agreed, it is provided only through the authorisation route confirmed for your engagement, and only where agreed and authorised.

Your work is carried out by the TaxSpex delivery team in Pakistan. Pakistan is outside the UK, so the data protection position is agreed before any records are shared. This covers the contracting entity, each party's role, confidentiality, how long records are kept and any safeguards required for international transfers under UK data protection law. The specific arrangements are set out in the contract for your engagement.

Yes. If your business or practice has a supplier due diligence process or security questionnaire, share it at the start so it can be covered before the engagement is agreed. The contracting entity, delivery arrangements and data handling are confirmed in writing before work begins.

Terms are set for each engagement rather than published as a standard. Your engagement letter states the payment terms, notice and cancellation arrangements and how either party can end the engagement. Please read these before accepting the proposal, and ask us about anything that is unclear.

How records and working papers are returned, handed over or deleted when the work ends is set out in your engagement. If you are moving to another accountant, tell us early so the handover can be arranged in line with those terms. Any work needed to complete or hand over unfinished tasks is agreed with you.

You, or your company's directors, remain responsible for your statutory obligations, including approving accounts and returns and paying tax on time. The engagement sets out what TaxSpex prepares, what you provide and the timetable for each stage. Records that arrive late or incomplete can affect that timetable, so the dates are agreed with you at the outset.

TaxSpex does not offer statutory audit, regulated investment or pension advice, insolvency appointments or Companies House identity verification. It is not an Authorised Corporate Service Provider. No service is included in an engagement unless your written proposal states it. If you are unsure whether something is in scope, ask before you engage us.