When I first started my own business some three years ago, I was an avid frequenter of small business and startup forums (and I still am). 

While picking the brains of various experts on the boards, there was one name that kept cropping up with really excellent advice on the nitty-gritty of basic small business bookkeeping, accounting, tax and VAT.

Among UK startups on those forums I reckon he built quite a reputation for himself.  In many ways he was one of the internet’s first ’social accountants’.  Someone who understood the social and marketing dynamics of the web, even before the phrase Web 2.0 had been coined.  It seems appropriate then that he became my accountant.

Well, James Smith (for it is he) has just released a very practical, clear and concise collection of advice on small business bookkeeping, accounting, VAT and tax in a new book called ‘Keeping It Simple’ published by TaxCafe.  And I’m not going to miss the opportunity to plug the fact that my very own accountant is now a bona fide celebrity in print as well as online.

The book really is an excellent guide for any startup or SME.  It’s not rocket science, but it does give you in one place all the basics and real life examples.  It’s not full of ‘accountants’ speak.  It’s full of advice that any layman will find easy to understand.

I admit here and now that my own basic bookkeeping and accounting left quite a lot to be desired for a year or two.  Getting it under control, however, makes a big difference to your business and how you plan for success.

So, if you’re in the market for some guidance on the subject, I’d highly recommend you check out James’s book. 

[Please note, not all James's clients tan themselves on Caribbean beaches, laptop in hand, but we can all dream!]

accountant | James Smith | SME Accounting | tax