Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about THBA and our services.

Working with THBA

What accountancy services does THBA provide?

We offer comprehensive accountancy services including BMaaS (Business Management as a Service), Virtual Finance Director, Virtual Tax Manager, bookkeeping, payroll, VAT returns, annual accounts, corporation tax returns, self-assessment tax returns, and more!

What other services does THBA provide?

We can also help with any business related queries that come up and be your first port of call for any ideas or needs you have where you are not sure how to proceed. From hiring your first employee to dealing with GDPR requirements, we can be your sounding board, give you the answers or use our extensive network of trusted advisors to help you.

Is THBA suitable for my industry?

Yes! Talk to us and you will see that we have a wide range of business knowledge and experience suitable for all industries and sectors. We also subscribe to tools we can use to give you valuable, industry-specific insight to give you even more tailored advice. If we do not think we are best placed to offer you help, we will tell you and help you find suitable alternatives.

How quickly can I get started?

Once you accept our contract and respond to our initial KYC questionnaire, we can typically have you set up within 48 hours. Our onboarding process is streamlined to get the administration out of the way, and we are constantly working to improve it further.

What accounting software do you use or support?

We primarily work with QuickBooks but can work with all major cloud accounting platforms including Xero, Sage and FreshBooks. We can advise on the best solution for your business.

Can you help me switch from my current accountant?

Absolutely. We'll handle the professional handover process and ensure continuity of service with minimal disruption to your business.

Do you provide references or testimonials?

Yes, we can provide references from existing clients (with their permission) and can talk through case studies on specific issues.

Communication

Do I need to visit your offices?

No, we primarily operate online and remotely. All our services will be delivered digitally, making it convenient for you to manage your business affairs from anywhere.

Can we meet face to face?

Yes, we are more than happy to arrange to meet up in a public location, a private meeting space, or at your home or business premises. We can easily travel to anywhere in London, Surrey and the Midlands, and can travel further with more notice.

How do we communicate?

We primarily use a secure cloud-based platforms for messaging, document sharing and information requests. As part of our onboarding process, we will send you an email invite link to create an account on our Client Portal provided by TaxDome. We would prefer to use this as we can ensure it is secure and private, and we have vetted it to ensure it will work well for you! We can arrange online, telephone or in person meetings for any discussions. We can also communicate by email, text messages, WhatsApp or other methods you would prefer to use.

How do I send you my receipts and invoices?

If it makes sense for your specific situation, we will set you up on an accounting system such as QuickBooks, which provides various ways of recording receipts, invoices and transactions, including direct banking feeds to automate this process for you as much as possible. We also provide a secure digital client portal for uploading documents.

Pricing & Payments

How much do your services cost?

We offer both fixed-price packages and ad-hoc support. Our pricing is transparent with no hidden fees. Contact us for a personalized quote based on your business needs.

When do I need to pay for services?

For regular services, we require a fixed monthly payment to be agreed up front. For the first year of regular services, we will consider a one-off annual payment before moving to a fixed monthly payment. This helps you budget and spread the cost, and helps us pay our monthly bills to keep us being able to support you all year around.
For ad-hoc services, we will agree the payment schedule up front, with a default position of payable within 14 days of receipt on invoice, issued when the main deliverables are sent to you.

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept bank transfers, standing orders, direct debits and card payments through Stripe. No payment fees will be added.

Are there any setup fees?

No, our quoted fees will cover all the requirements with no hidden or extra fees.

Service Questions

Can you handle my payroll?

Yes, we provide full payroll services for directors and employees, including RTI submissions, payslips, P45s, P60s, and auto-enrolment pension management.

When are my tax returns due?

Self Assessment: 31st January (paper returns by 31st October)
Corporation Tax: 12 months after your accounting period ends
VAT Returns: Usually quarterly, but depends on your VAT scheme
PAYE: Every time you make payroll payments

Can you help if I'm behind on my tax returns?

Yes, we help businesses catch up on late filings. We'll prioritize getting you compliant and help minimize any penalties.

Do you offer tax planning advice?

Absolutely. All our services include proactive tax planning to ensure you're tax-efficient while remaining fully compliant. However, we will not endorse or promote any aggressive tax avoidance schemes.

Do you offer services for international businesses?

Yes, we have lots of experience working with international businesses. We can support UK businesses with international operations, especially with cross-border expansion. We can also support the UK operations of international businesses.

Data, Privacy and Security

Is my data secure?

Yes, we use encryption and secure cloud storage. We're ICO registered (ZB805671) and fully compliant with GDPR. Your data is never shared with third parties without your consent. See our Privacy Policy for further details.

Who can access my financial information?

Only authorized THBA team members working on your account can access your information. We maintain strict confidentiality and only use providers who share the same commitment to data privacy.

Can I access my records anytime?

Yes, through our client portal and/or software you have 24/7 access to your financial records, reports, and documents.

Terms and Responsibilities

What are my responsibilities as a client?

You're responsible for providing accurate and timely information, maintaining proper business records, and informing us of any significant changes to your business.

How do I cancel my services?

Please inform your usual contact if you are thinking of leaving, giving at least 30 days notice, and we will work out an exit plan together. We will provide all of the data we hold to you or your new accountants, who we can work with to ensure a smooth transition for you.

Who is liable for errors?

While we maintain the highest professional standards and employ robust quality control policies and procedures to minimise the risk of errors, we are human too. We maintain comprehensive professional indemnity insurance that protects both you and us in the unlikely event of an error. Please email [email protected] for details of our current or previous policies. Our liability is limited as outlined in our terms and conditions. Please also see our 'How do I make complaints?' FAQ response.

How do I make complaints?

We have a formal complaints procedure. Please inform your usual contact or send details to [email protected]. We take complaints seriously and will do our best to rectify any issues. If we do not respond to your compliants adequately or in a timely fashion, you can reach out to our accounting regulators ICAS.

Still have questions?

Our team is here to help. Contact us and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

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