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Suzanne Lock Business Services

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Suzanne Lock Business Services

A small, family-run business offering bespoke accounting, bookkeeping & payroll services.

Suzanne Lock is one of the leading accountants in Ipswich running a family accountancy practise. Suzanne Lock Business Services offers a range of virtual office services, including accounting and bookkeeping services, payroll services, VAT returns, Self Assessment,cloud based accounting and Company Accounts. If you are the owner of a small business, you will understand all too well how difficult it is to juggle your day-to-day responsibilities. Owner, salesperson, financial director, marketing manager, admin assistant, secretary, accountant, general dogsbody - the list goes on. Wouldn't you prefer to concentrate on building your business, connecting with clients and increasing sales and leave the admin to an expert? Based in Ipswich Suzanne Lock can help you do just that - not only does she have twenty years' experience as an accountant and bookkeeper, but she is also dedicated to providing her clients with the support and freedom they need to enjoy life as a business owner. Having set up Suzanne Lock Business Services in 2010, she has fast become the virtual assistant of choice for many sole traders and small businesses in the region. Suzanne Lock Business Services offers a full range of accountancy expertise to clients in Ipswich and beyond, including:

Annual accounts preparation
Business and personal tax returns
Self assessment tax forms
Bookkeeping
VAT returns
Corporation tax
Payroll
Company formations
Company secretarial

Sue explains, "The majority of my clients are sole traders, partnerships and small limited companies. I work behind the scenes, helping to keep their business running so that they can focus on the aspects that they enjoy and make money. "Suzanne Lock Business Services began when I realised that my customers didn't just need an accountant and bookkeeper; small business owners are expected to be jack of all trades! I started helping friends and associates and soon realised that there was a market for the extra services I provide. "The business has grown purely through word of mouth recommendations, and I now have clients based in Colchester, Ipswich and even Norfolk and all over Essex

02/11/2026

A bit of good news from last week’s Budget for self-employed people and landlords joining Making Tax Digital in April 2027.

You will not get penalty points for filing any of your first four quarterly updates late. So if the first year is a bit bumpy, you will not be punished for it.

But we would gently say: do not treat it as a reason to put things off. You still have to submit, and you still need proper digital records behind every update. The people who have the smoothest first year are the ones who get their bookkeeping into shape well before April.

If your turnover was over £30,000 last year, this applies to you. Do you know where you stand? Drop us a message and we will check.

28/10/2026

A VAT note for contractors, freelancers and service businesses.

If you are on the Flat Rate Scheme, there is a rule called the limited cost trader test that catches a lot of people. If you spend less than 2% of your VAT-inclusive turnover on goods, or under £1,000 a year, you are pushed onto a flat rate of 16.5%, whatever your trade.

The catch is that only goods count. Software, subcontractors, insurance and accountancy fees are services, so they do not help. A lot of service businesses end up on 16.5% without realising, and at that rate the scheme often costs more than standard VAT accounting.

On £60,000 of net turnover with around £8,000 of VAT-inclusive costs, the difference can be roughly £1,200 a year.

If you joined the scheme a few years ago and have not looked at it since, it is worth a quick comparison.

Are you on the Flat Rate Scheme? Drop a comment or send us a message and we will take a look.

Find out how we can help at www.suzannelock.com

26/10/2026

A quick one for anyone self-employed or letting property.

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax is coming for people with qualifying income over £30,000 from April 2027. The part a lot of people get wrong is what counts as “income” here. It is your turnover, before expenses, not your profit.

So if you brought in £34,000 but spent £16,000 running the business, your profit is £18,000, but you are still in scope. Self-employment and rental income are added together, and the figure that matters is from your 2025/26 tax year.

The good news is there is time to get ready. The less good news is that the deadline is closer than it feels, and the threshold drops to £20,000 in April 2028.

Do you know what your 2025/26 turnover was? Drop a comment or send us a message if you are not sure.

Book your free 30-minute discovery call at www.suzannelock.com/booking-calendar

21/10/2026

One for the limited company directors in here.

Have you ever transferred money from your company account to your personal account outside of your normal salary or dividends? Maybe to cover a personal expense, tide yourself over, or just because the funds were sitting there?

That transaction goes through something called a director’s loan account. And if that account is overdrawn at your company’s year end, and stays overdrawn for more than nine months afterwards, your company faces a tax charge called S455. Currently that is 33.75% of the overdrawn balance. You get it back eventually when the loan is repaid, but it is a serious short term hit.

There is also a benefit in kind charge if the loan goes above £10,000 at any point during the year and you are not paying interest on it.

None of this is a disaster if it is managed properly and you know about it ahead of time. It becomes a problem when it appears as a surprise in the year end accounts.

Is your director’s loan account something you keep a close eye on, or is it something your accountant just presents to you at year end? Worth knowing either way.

19/10/2026

A question we get quite a bit: “I bought a new laptop/van/piece of equipment can I just put it through as an expense?”

The answer is: it depends, and it matters.

There is a difference between revenue expenditure (day-to-day running costs, claimed fully this year) and capital expenditure (assets that last, treated differently on your tax return).

The good news is that most small businesses can claim 100% of qualifying capital purchases in year one through something called Annual Investment Allowance. The less good news is that plenty of people either miss it or apply the wrong treatment and end up paying more tax than they need to.

Have you bought any significant equipment this tax year? Find out how we can help at www.suzannelock.com

21/08/2026

The most common thing new clients tell us? "I only wish I had come to you sooner!"

If your accounts are stressing you out, or you just want to know you have the right support behind you, our free 30-minute discovery call is the perfect starting point.

Absolutely no obligation. Just a friendly chat about your business and how we can take the pressure off.

Who is ready to finally sort their finances out? Book now: www.suzannelock.com/booking-calendar

19/08/2026

Thought we would give you a little peek behind the curtain today!

Between processing payrolls, reviewing VAT returns and answering client questions, Bailey the pug usually manages to cause at least one distraction before lunch.

We genuinely love what we do. Helping small business owners feel on top of their finances is why we started this business.

What does your typical workday look like? Tell us below!

14/08/2026

Calling all landlords! Do you know all your tax obligations?

Even if you pay tax through a regular job, rental income still needs to go on a self assessment tax return. And there are allowable expenses you can claim to reduce your bill.

With Making Tax Digital coming for landlords from April 2026, now is a great time to get organised.

Are you a landlord wondering if you are getting this right? Drop us a message or ask below!

12/08/2026

Worried about switching accountants? Do not be! We make it incredibly easy.

First, you book a free 30-minute call with us. No commitment, just a chat.

Then we handle the entire onboarding, getting your records set up and making sure nothing gets missed.

After that, we take care of everything: bookkeeping, payroll, tax, VAT and more.

So many of our clients say they wish they had made the switch sooner. We would love to chat with you!

Book your free 30-minute discovery call at www.suzannelock.com/booking-calendar

10/08/2026

Let us bust a common myth today!

A lot of people think they only need an accountant when there is a problem. But actually, working with us before things go wrong is where the real value is.

We help you plan ahead, save on tax and keep your records spotless. Think of us as your financial co-pilot, not just your emergency mechanic!

Have you ever left your accounts to the last minute? Tell us below, no judgement!

Find out how we can help at www.suzannelock.com

Address

Unit D Camilla Court, The St
Ipswich
IP100EU

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 6pm
Tuesday	9am - 6pm
Wednesday	9am - 6pm
Thursday	9am - 6pm
Friday	9am - 6pm

Website

https://www.suzannelock.com/

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