LJM Bookkeeping Ltd

LJM Bookkeeping Ltd Supporting businesses with their financial requirements, taking the stress out of bookkeeping and pr

Lara Manton MICB

Supporting businesses with their financial requirements, taking the stress out of bookkeeping and producing real time accounts in order for you to make informed decisions. Streamlining your software via an 'Accounting Eco System' ensuring you have the right tools for your business as it grows | Xero Silver Partner | Receipt Bank Gold Partner | ICB Certified |Fully insured & cove

red under the Money Laundering Regulations. Let me help you with your books, so you can have more time to focus on running your business. Great bookkeeping means great reports & management accounts to give you a better of idea what's happening within your business & highlights any issues that need addressing. Services offered include:

* Creation of invoices
* Entering supplier bills & receipts
* Upkeep of sales & purchase ledgers
* Bank reconciliation
* Credit card reconciliation
* Credit control
* VAT returns
* Up-keep of fixed asset register
* Maintenance of computerised accounting systems
* Analysis of business expenditure
* Advice on accounting systems & procedures
* Set up of Xero or accounting systems to your needs
* Cash Flow Forecasting & Management Information Reporting
* All aspects of bookkeeping to Trial Balance for Ltd Companies
* Preparation of Final Accounts for Sole Traders: including Profit & Loss
* Liaising with your accountant in regards to final accounts & tax returns

The truth may hurt sometimes.But, isn't it better knowing the truth behind your numbers so you can actually make a diffe...
04/06/2026

The truth may hurt sometimes.

But, isn't it better knowing the truth behind your numbers so you can actually make a difference?

Businesses who have visibility of their finances, and take relevant action, are the businesses who become successful and experience sustainable growth.

Are you ready to take action?

Get in touch today.

Welcome to June!Have you given your business numbers much thought recently?Maybe you are worried about your finances, so...
02/06/2026

Welcome to June!

Have you given your business numbers much thought recently?

Maybe you are worried about your finances, so just keep burying you head in the sand.

Or maybe, you know you're doing really well, so what's the point in tracking the numbers, right?

Either way ignoring your numbers is not good for business. At LJM we help our clients to maintain accurate accounts with consistent, regular bookkeeping.

Knowing your numbers means you can make much better business decisions. If you do it now, you know you'll be in a much better position by the end of the year.

Messy bookkeeping doesn’t just mean your accounts are a bit untidy.It usually means you’re paying in ways you can’t alwa...
28/05/2026

Messy bookkeeping doesn’t just mean your accounts are a bit untidy.
It usually means you’re paying in ways you can’t always see, until it’s stressful, expensive, or both.

Here’s what messy bookkeeping really costs service-based Ltd companies:

▪ Time (the constant “I’ll sort it later” tax)
Every missing receipt, uncategorised transaction, or half-reconciled month steals time you could spend on clients, sales, or switching off.

▪ Cashflow surprises
When your books aren’t up to date, you don’t know what’s truly available to spend and VAT/tax bills can feel like they come out of nowhere.

▪ Overpaying (or underpaying) VAT
Wrong VAT codes, duplicated expenses, or missing invoices can mean you either pay too much… or claim too much and have to fix it later.

▪ Bad decisions based on “gut feel”
If you don’t trust the numbers, you stop using them. That’s when pricing, hiring, and investment decisions get made on guesswork.

▪ Stress at the worst possible time
Quarter-end VAT. Year-end accounts. Mortgage applications. Funding.

Messy books always show up when you need things to be smooth.

The good news? LJM Bookkeeping are on hand to help.

Book a call to find out more https://calendly.com/ace-xl/ace-assess

So many business owners assume: “If I paid for it, I can claim the VAT back.”And I get why, it sounds logical. But VAT d...
26/05/2026

So many business owners assume: “If I paid for it, I can claim the VAT back.”

And I get why, it sounds logical. But VAT doesn’t work like that, and this assumption can land you with an awkward bill (or a stressful VAT return) later on.

Here’s what usually trips people up:

▪ Not every purchase has VAT on it
Some things are VAT exempt or zero-rated, so there’s nothing to reclaim in the first place.

▪ Some expenses are restricted
Even if VAT is charged, HMRC doesn’t always allow you to reclaim it (it depends what it is and how it’s used).

▪ Missing or incorrect invoices
A bank transaction isn’t enough. If you don’t have a proper VAT invoice/receipt, you may not be able to claim it.

▪ Mixed-use purchases
If something is partly personal and partly business, you can’t automatically reclaim 100% of the VAT.

The goal isn’t to claim “as much as possible” — it’s to claim what you’re entitled to, confidently, with the right evidence.

If you’re VAT registered and you’ve ever thought “I’m pretty sure I can claim that…” drop me a message and let's have a chat.

The 3 numbers I look at before I look at anything else.If you’re a VAT-registered, service-based Ltd company, it’s easy ...
21/05/2026

The 3 numbers I look at before I look at anything else.

If you’re a VAT-registered, service-based Ltd company, it’s easy to get lost in the detail… but these three numbers will tell you very quickly how things are really going.

1. Turnover (sales coming in)
This is your momentum. Are you steady, growing, or having a quieter spell?
It’s also the number that impacts everything else — VAT, tax planning, and capacity.

2. VAT liability (what you owe HMRC)
This is the one that catches directors out most.
Because that VAT you’ve collected isn’t “extra income”, it’s money you’re holding on HMRC’s behalf.
Knowing this number early = no nasty surprises at quarter end.

3. Cash in the bank (what you can actually pay out today)
Profit is great, but cash is what keeps the business running.
If cash is tight while turnover looks healthy, it usually means timing issues (late payers, big expenses, VAT due, or tax not being set aside).

You don’t need to be “good with numbers” to feel in control — you just need to look at the right ones, consistently.

If you want better control over your finances reach out today.

>>book a call https://calendly.com/ace-xl/ace-assess

Let’s be honest: most “payment problems” don’t start with a client refusing to pay.They start with unclear expectations....
19/05/2026

Let’s be honest: most “payment problems” don’t start with a client refusing to pay.
They start with unclear expectations.

When your payment terms are vague (or only mentioned awkwardly after an invoice is overdue), you end up doing extra admin, chasing money, and feeling resentful, even when you’re delivering a great service.

The good news: strong payment terms don’t have to feel strict or scary. In fact, the right terms often build trust with good clients because they show you run a professional, well-organised business.

Here’s how to set payment terms that protect your cash flow and keep the client experience smooth.

https://www.ljmbookkeeping.co.uk/post/payment-terms-that-protect-your-business-and-don-t-scare-off-good-clients

VAT registered doesn’t mean VAT confident.Honestly? Most service-based Ltd companies don’t get caught out by “big” VAT p...
14/05/2026

VAT registered doesn’t mean VAT confident.

Honestly? Most service-based Ltd companies don’t get caught out by “big” VAT problems… it’s the small, repeat mistakes that quietly cost you time, cash, and sleep.
Here are a few I see all the time (and how to avoid them):

▪ Treating VAT like it’s your money
If you’re VAT registered, some of the money hitting your bank isn’t yours to spend.
Fix: ringfence it. Even a separate “VAT pot” account can be a game-changer.

▪ VAT codes being guessed (or left on default)
One wrong code can snowball into an incorrect return.
Fix: if you’re not 100% sure, don’t wing it—ask, or get your bookkeeper to set rules.

▪ Claiming VAT on things you can’t (or missing what you can)
It’s easy to overclaim and panic later… or underclaim and overpay. Fix: keep a clean record of receipts/invoices and get clear on the “usual suspects” for your business.

▪ Leaving it until the deadline
VAT becomes stressful when it’s a quarterly scramble.
Fix: do a quick monthly check-in (bank reconciled, sales/expenses tidy, no mystery transactions).

▪ Forgetting VAT is a cashflow event, not just a form
Your VAT bill can be bigger than expected if you’ve had a strong quarter.
Fix: forecast it as you go, not after the quarter ends.

If you’re VAT registered and you’ve ever thought “I think this is right…” you’re not alone.

If you ever doubt yourself, maybe it's the team to get the right support.
>>book a call https://calendly.com/ace-xl/ace-assess

Over the next couple of days I'll be speaking at Accountex on multiple occasions. I'd love for as many people to come al...
12/05/2026

Over the next couple of days I'll be speaking at Accountex on multiple occasions. I'd love for as many people to come along as possible, not only for the support but you may actually learn something new!

I'm a firm believer of learning from others in the industry. It's how we find out about new things, and better way of working more efficiently. That's why I enjoy Accountex so much.

Be sure to come along and say hello!

The simplest way to track profitability by department is not “more spreadsheets”.It’s: ▪A consistent structure (so every...
07/05/2026

The simplest way to track profitability by department is not “more spreadsheets”.
It’s:
▪A consistent structure (so everyone codes the same way)
▪A small number of categories (so it stays usable)
▪A monthly review rhythm (so it becomes decision-making, not admin)

Most businesses overcomplicate this by trying to track everything.

Start by tracking what you actually make decisions on:
▪Revenue streams
▪Direct costs
▪Key overhead buckets
▪Department-level performance

Handling finances for multiple departments doesn't need to be over complicated it just needs systemising.

If you run a service-based limited company and you’re VAT registered, you’ll know the pattern:Sales are coming inThe ban...
05/05/2026

If you run a service-based limited company and you’re VAT registered, you’ll know the pattern:

Sales are coming in
The bank balance looks healthy
You feel like you can breathe again

…and then the VAT quarter ends and suddenly it’s: “How is the VAT bill that high?”
This is one of the most common cash flow traps for service businesses. Not because you’re doing anything “wrong” but because VAT has a sneaky way of looking like profit when it’s sitting in your bank account.

Let’s fix that, in our latest blog:

https://www.ljmbookkeeping.co.uk/post/vat-isn-t-extra-money-how-to-stop-getting-caught-short-each-quarter-for-service-based-limited-co

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Peterborough
PE60BJ

Opening Hours

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

Telephone

+441733602492

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