Maximise Accounting

25/09/2026

Tax return season is fast approaching! To ensure my current clients get 100% of my energy and focus at this busy time, I’m temporarily pausing taking on new clients.

If you’ve been thinking of working together, I can add you to a waiting list.

Thank you for understanding

25/09/2025

07/04/2025

Jumping on the doll in a box trend.

Although AI is clever, it’s not that clever. Look closely at the calculators!

One of my clients recently used AI to predict her tax return figures. It was considerably different to my figures as it had missed out the basic rate tax band (ie no tax under £50k - if only!) and used an incorrect dividend allowance.

Use it for fun and inspiration, but please don’t rely on it when dealing with HMRC.

23/01/2025

Are you one of the 3.4 million people who haven’t filed their tax return yet?

The deadline is next Friday 31st January and there will be an automatic penalty of £100 for any filed late even if there is no tax to pay.

I’m only waiting for 2 to come in and a handful to pay me before I file.

Remember, if you filed ages ago, to pay your bill. HMRC sometimes send statements and reminders, but it is hit and miss.

If you are struggling to pay, HMRC have a Time to Pay arrangement to spread the cost. I’ve never known them to refuse.

If you don’t want the stress next year, I would be happy to help with your 24/25 tax return.

23/12/2024

Wishing you all a very happy Christmas!

I’m finishing today until 2nd January.

Some of you may know my husband has been very ill following a stroke and heart attack in October.

Following a stay in the cardiac unit, he moved to a neurological rehab unit for 7 weeks where has learned to walk again following paralysis of his left hand side.

He came home last Tuesday and is coping brilliantly. We haven’t needed any adaptations to the house and he doesn’t need a wheelchair.

Thankfully, I’ve been able to carry on working, thanks to the technology that enables me to work from anywhere. It has been a very welcome distraction.

Enjoy your Christmas, appreciate the simple things and it doesn’t need to be perfect.

See you in 2025!

10/10/2024

The best way for new prospects to contact me is via the contact form on my website maximiseaccounting.com.

I also have pricing on my website to save you calling if my fees aren’t what you are expecting.

I’m always happy to talk to existing clients as I have their number saved in my phone.

I tend not to answer calls from numbers I don’t recognise as 9 times out of 10, it’s a sales or nuisance call.

I answer all emails within 24 hours, usually quicker, and can arrange a phone call at a time I know I will be available.

I can’t always answer the phone if I’m in a client meeting, or networking.

If you do need to call, leave a message. I’ve had 6 calls in the last few days with no message.

Thanks for understanding.

09/10/2024

Why honesty is the best policy.

I received a call last week from somebody requesting a quote for ltd company accounts.

My starting prices are on my website, and after asking about her business, I said I would be able to do it for my starting price as it was very straightforward.

At this point the conversation turned strange and she asked how I arrived at my starting price and what did I charge my more complex clients.

Yesterday, I saw a press release that the same person was opening an accountancy franchise locally. The strange call made more sense after that!

If she had been honest, I would happily have spent more time discussing highs and lows of running a practice, and even sent clients her way if they weren’t a good fit for me.

The accountancy world is very supportive and there is plenty of work to go round, without being dishonest.

It goes without saying, clients need to be honest too!

Photo by the lovely and very honest

24/09/2024

If you are considering using software, Xero currently has a great deal of 90% off for 6 months.

I have only seen this once before - typically the deal is 50% off for 3 months.

It must be purchased by 30th September.

It is quite intuitive and most clients who switched from other software or spreadsheets love using it.

I’m not on commission, I’m just sharing what works well for me to save time and automate my bookkeeping.

It works by importing your bank feed which is then coded to the correct account type. Using AI, it recognises patterns so gets quicker to use each time.

www.xero.com/uk/

10/09/2024

My office space!

It’s not normally this tidy. I had a major declutter as it’s being decorated tomorrow.

I am paper free. I use a Remarkable instead of notepads and client work is all shared with them via a secure portal.

I always use 2 screens with a back up 3rd if necessary.

It’s quite a small space, but warm in winter as the hot water pipes run under the floor.

At a coaching session with , Cathrine asked what would my ideal workspace look like, so I’m recreating it. I’m going all in girly with pink walls , fairy lights , mirrors , a neon sign and nice accessories.