Springreach Training & Coaching

𝗖𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗸𝗲𝘆.

Six months ago, I received a message through LinkedIn from someone I'd never met. It said "I'm curious about your work. You're doing accountancy and bookkeeping, AND you're a coach, mentor, and trainer. That's an interesting combination!" We exchanged a few messages. She wasn't trying to sell me anything, she was genuinely curious.

By that point, I'd almost come to dread getting connection requests and messages on LinkedIn. What were they trying to sell me? Had they even read my profile to understand the nature and scale of business that I run? But something about this one felt different - and, because of that, I kept her in mind.

If you're self-employed and looking for support in moving from spreadsheets to software, or are currently using a software package that doesn't work for you and are looking to change, maybe I can help?

I'm a qualified accountant with 30+ years bookkeeping, accounts and Self Assessment tax experience. I signed up for Making Tax Digital voluntarily a year ago, so I've also been through a full year's cycle of Making Tax Digital quarterly updates and end of year submissions.

My vision is to help people who are self-employed move to keeping digital records, whether that's in preparation for Making Tax Digital, or just because they're looking for an easier way to keep their business bookkeeping records than what they're currently doing.

I work mainly with hands-on trades, self-employed freelancers and wellbeing specialists. I offer a done-with-you service - making sure your software is set up correctly, showing you how to use it, and offering ongoing support for as long as you feel you need it. We'll do it together via screenshare, so you can see how it works, and get used to using the software yourself until you're ready to go solo.

Whether I'm on the receiving end or not, sales is still inherently uncomfortable for me. You certainly won't be getting a DM straight to your inbox 😎. But if you're curious about working with me, I'd love to hear from you.

#𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 & 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴

[Image credit: konjophotography.pixieset.com]

"𝗜'𝘃𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗮𝘅 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲. 𝗡𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼 𝗜 𝗱𝗼?"

From September, HMRC are going to start auto-enrolling anyone who they believe should be in the new MTD tax system who hasn't signed up voluntarily.

The disadvantage of HMRC signing you up is that you lose the opportunity to check the business and rental property details that HMRC hold about you.

There are only a few grounds for exemption for MTD. Some exemptions are automatic, others need you to actively apply to HMRC for exemption.

428,000 sole traders and landlords missed the first MTD deadline. 294,000 haven't signed up for MTD yet. Even if you fundamentally disagree with MTD, ignoring its existence won't make it go away.

HMRC won't be issuing penalty points or imposing fines for missed quarterly updates this year. They realise it's a big change. The purpose of the "soft landing" is to give you time to adapt your record-keeping system to comply.

Spreadsheets can still be used for Making Tax Digital, but you'll need bridging software to submit the figures to HMRC.

The easiest way to comply with Making Tax Digital is to get HMRC-recognised accounting software. There are plenty of software packages to choose from, but you need to have an idea of what you want the software to be able to do. Not all software can do everything.

Some software can only do the quarterly returns. If you are used to doing your own Self Assessment Tax Return, you'll also need MTD-compatible software to submit your end of year Tax Return. You won't be able to submit your Making Tax Digital Tax Return via your Government Gateway account.

If you've missed the first deadline and don't know where to start, please get in touch via the Springreach Training & Coaching website. I'm a qualified accountant, keen to support people who want to continue to handle their own tax affairs post-Making Tax Digital. For a one-off fee, I can assess which software packages might suit you and your business best, set your chosen software up, show you how to use it, help you submit the outstanding update, and offer optional ongoing support until you're ready to go solo - helping maintain your independence in this period of change.

Why wait until Making Tax Digital applies to you? If your total income from self-employment and rental property was over £30,000 in the 2025-26 tax year, you'll need to comply with Making Tax Digital from next April. Take the pressure off and start keeping digital records this year. You can register now to join MTD from April 2027. Get into the habit of updating your bookkeeping regularly, without the pressure of any deadlines, and you'll be able to relax - safe in the knowledge that you're all set for next year.

“𝗜 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝘆 𝘀𝗼𝗳𝘁𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗜’𝗺 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗴𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴” – a statement I have encountered more than once over the last couple of months. With the first Making Tax Digital filing deadline only 10 days away now, it’s crucial that you feel able to trust the software or app you’re using.

The question is, once you start having doubts about it, what do you do? Can you satisfy yourself that the problem was a one-off? Should you spend time and effort trying to sort it out yourself? Do you pay a bookkeeper or accountant to sort it out for you? What if you pay a professional to sort it out and the software malfunctions again?Once trust in a package or app has been lost, it's very hard to rebuild.

Several weeks ago I was contacted by a lady in exactly this position. Whilst she hadn’t been using all the features of the software package she was on, the bit she had been using had been working well - until a software update corrupted her data. Find out how we dealt with it in my latest blog.

I’m seeing more and more people expressing concern at the number of software packages and apps that are coming onto the market – packages that have been recognised by HMRC, and are technically able to meet the requirements of Making Tax Digital, but which are somehow lacking when you look at the bigger picture. Does the software truly meet your needs, or does it just tick the box for being MTD-compatible? Has an accountant or tax professional been involved in its development? Can you export your bookeeping data if you decide to move to a different provider? Can you run backup reports to store locally in case the software company goes under?

If you’ve got any concerns about the software or app you’re currently using and would like to explore alternatives, please get in touch. Equally, if you are new to bookkeeping and accounting software and want help in getting started, I can set you up from scratch with a reputable software package and train you how to use it. Prices from £300 with optional ongoing support £15pm.



[Image by Drazen Zigic on Magnific]

"I don't know what I'm supposed to do!" If you're used to handling your own bookkeeping and tax affairs, and are worried that is going to change that, I'd love to help. I'm a licensed accountant dedicated to helping businesses get ready for Making Tax Digital. I can set up your and train you how to use it. One-off service. No ongoing commitment. Prices from £300. Two spaces available for setup by 7th August deadline.

[Image by rawpixel.com

𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗮𝘀𝗸, 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗴𝗲𝘁 is a phrase that's popped into my head more than once in the last couple of weeks.

I set up the 𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗗𝗜𝗬 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 to provide affordable professional support to sole traders and small business owners who do their own bookkeeping. That is still my main aim.

Alongside that, for the last year, I've been actively involved in testing 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗮𝘅 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 software. As I test each bit of software, I'll put together a blog outlining the step-by-step process for submitting a MTD quarterly update. As a result, a lot of my social media posts have been picked up by other bookkeepers and accountants too.

This month, I've received two emails asking whether my bookkeeping community supports other bookkeepers and accounting professionals. And the truth is, although that isn't what I set Springreach up for, everything I am researching, testing and hosting Q&A sessions on is going to be just as useful to a 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗿 or 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 as it is to a self-employed person.

I know how hard it is running your own accountancy practice - I've been doing it for nearly 18 years now. Nothing stays the same for long - legal, professional, accounting and tax regulations are constantly changing. If you work by yourself, you might not have the benefit of other people to ask questions of.

Making Tax Digital is the biggest change to the UK tax system in 30 years, but it doesn't have to feel like an insurmountable hurdle.

Are you an established bookkeeper or sole practitioner accountant worried about the transition from Self Assessment to Making Tax Digital? Or a bookkeeper just setting up on your own and looking for mentoring and support?

If subject-specific WhatsApp groups with hundreds of members are your thing, take a look at an 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗽𝘆 membership.

But if you're looking for a smaller, more personal support group, please get in touch with 𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 & 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 - leave a comment below or send an enquiry via my website.

𝗗𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗼𝗳𝘁𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗰𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝘂𝗱? Have you been ploughing on with the same old package or spreadsheet for years? Or have you recently subscribed to a new software package that just doesn't seem to be working for you?

Using software that doesn't suit you or your business can leave you frustrated and overwhelmed. Maybe you feel like you don't really know how to use the software yet, and could do with a bit of guidance and support? Do you feel it's too complicated for what you need? Is it too slow? Too expensive? Too glitchy? Can the software even do what the advert or website said it could?

The Springreach DIY Bookkeeping Community is a supportive online space where you can ask questions about bookkeeping, software and Making Tax Digital. There's a monthly live Zoom session, a private Facebook group where you can post questions all month through, and a quarterly Making Tax Digital Q&A session. The membership portal contains an ever-increasing range of generic bookkeeping as well as software-specific resources and training.

The community is designed for self-employed individuals with turnover below the VAT registration threshold (currently £90,000). We support a range of software packages, including Xero, FreeAgent, QuickBooks Pandle and VT Transaction+, with several more in the pipeline. If you're struggling with your current software, or if you want the reassurance of professional support as you learn to manage your own bookkeeping in a new software package, join the community and let Springreach help - membership is available at a "founder member" rate of £15 a month until the end of July.

Switching to new software can be a daunting prospect. Springreach has a limited number of one-to-one software setup / transfer packages available - prices from £250. If you're interested in moving from manual or spreadsheet records to software for the first time, or in switching away from your existing software package, please get in touch via our website.

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I first had the idea of Springreach Training & Coaching so long ago, I almost can't believe it's happening! Yesterday, Springreach got its first Facebook review.

My aim with Springreach is to help self-employed individuals and small business owners gain the confidence to manage their own day-to-day bookkeeping and quarterly Making Tax Digital submissions. Follow Springreach on social media, sign up to our newsletter or join our DIY Bookkeeping Community - visit https://springreach.co.uk/

Yesterday I was working with VT Transaction+ . Today I sent in my first successful quarterly update using Pandle.

To set Pandle up for MTD for Income Tax, first you need to go to Company Settings / Integrations and enter your National Insurance Number. Whilst in that screen, click on the “Authorise MTD for Income Tax” button and follow the instructions on screen.

Next, go to Accounting / Categories and check your category settings.

Initial setup takes an hour or so. If you have any issues, e-mail [email protected] and they will sort it out.

Once you've checked the figures, sending in your quarterly updates using Pandle is straightforward.

Pandle provides a solidly built bit of software for managing quarterly updates to HM Revenue & Customs. I carried out my test using the paid-for version, Pandle Pro, but MTD for Income Tax is also available in Pandle Free.

For an indepth look at the quarterly update process using Pandle, read my latest blog - https://springreach.co.uk/making-tax-digital-quarterly-updates-with-pandle/

I’ve just sent in my first Making Tax Digital quarterly update with VT Transaction+ .

The first time you use VT Transaction+ for MTD, there is some basic setup to do.
- The first stage is to confirm details of your business and authorise the software to connect to HMRC.
- The next stage is to check your quarterly update settings.

The initial setup might take an hour or so.

Once you've checked the figures, sending in your quarterly update only takes a second. Literally. And every quarter thereafter.

Whilst the user interface won’t win any prizes for aesthetics, VT Transaction+ submits and manages quarterly updates to HM Revenue & Customs with a minimum of fuss in the minimum time.

For an indepth look at the quarterly update process using VT Transaction+, read my latest blog - https://springreach.co.uk/making-tax-digital-quarterly-updates-with-vt-transaction/

If, when you submitted your 2024-25 Tax Return, you had total combined self-employed and rental income, before allowing for expenses, of £50,000 or more - 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗮𝘅 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 applies to you! 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝘂𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲, for the period from 6th April to 5th July (or 30th June if you've made a calendar quarter election), 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗯𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗱. Need help? Get in touch via 𝘀𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵.𝗰𝗼.𝘂𝗸 or leave your comment or question below.
[Image credit: Jill Blofield]