Sphere Accountants

13/03/2026

Yesterday evening, Sarah was invited to talk to a networking group about ‘Pricing for Profit’, something many small businesses struggle with.

A lot of people set prices based on competitors or what they think customers will pay. But the better place to start is with your numbers.

What does the business actually need to earn?

What are the real costs?

What profit do you want to make?

When you start there, pricing becomes much clearer.

Pricing properly isn’t about charging more for the sake of it, it’s about building a sustainable, profitable business.

If pricing is something you’re reviewing this year, it’s well worth running the numbers.

23/10/2025

Believe it or not, there are just 100 days left until the Self Assessment filing deadline (31st January).

If you haven’t started your tax return yet, now’s the perfect time to get organised.

Filing early means:

✅ Less last-minute stress
✅ More time to plan for any payments due
✅ Peace of mind knowing it’s all sorted

We’re a small, friendly accountancy practice that loves helping individuals and small businesses take the headache out of tax season.

Whether you need a hand gathering your figures or want us to take care of everything from start to finish, we’re here to help.

Get in touch today to tick your Self Assessment off the to-do list early.

[email protected]
01298 211535

05/06/2025

'Sorry for all the questions...'
We hear this from clients more often than you’d think. Questions are not a problem - they're a good sign.

You never need to apologise for asking questions.
In fact, we welcome them.

When you ask questions, it shows you're engaged, curious, and taking your business seriously and that’s exactly the kind of relationship we love to build with my clients.

Accounting can sometimes feel overwhelming or full of jargon, but our job is to make things clear, not confusing. So if something doesn’t make sense or you just want to dig deeper into the numbers, then ask away. That’s what we're here for.

✅ Questions lead to better decisions
✅ They help spot potential issues early
✅ And they help you grow as a confident business owner

So remember that communication is part of the service, not an interruption to it.

So please: keep asking, keep learning, and never apologise for wanting to understand your finances better.

30/05/2025

I gave a talk this week on something that comes up with nearly every client we work with - the importance of really knowing your numbers.

It is all too common to think it's just to complete your self assessment, but it gives you clarity, confidence, and control over your business. When you know what’s coming in, what’s going out, and what’s left over, everything feels a bit more manageable.

We meet so many sole traders and small business owners who are doing amazing things, but feel completely stuck when it comes to the financial side. Remember that you don’t need to have all the answers, as that’s what we’re here for.

If you’ve been meaning to get on top of things but don’t know where to start, feel free to get in touch. We’re always happy to have a no-pressure chat.

09/04/2025

🐾 Meet the team behind the numbers at Sphere Accountants.

We’re not just about tax returns and spreadsheets, we’ve got four office cats (two pairs of brothers) and a serious love for Peak District walks, which are always complete with a stop off at a country pub for some lunch!

🎱 Tim knows his way around a pool table as well as he does a spreadsheet.

🎨 Outside the office, Sarah channels her creativity through all things crafty.

It’s all about balance - life, work, and a little fun in between.

Do you have a furry friend in your office?

02/04/2025

Say Goodbye to Faded Receipts and Paper Clutter

Have you ever gone to find an old receipt, only to realise it’s completely unreadable?

That’s the problem with thermal paper - it fades over time, often when you need it most.

Keeping paper records comes with its challenges:

❗️Receipts fade before you even get a chance to use them.
❗️They get lost or damaged, making tax time even more stressful.
❗️Sorting through piles of paper takes up valuable time.

Digital records make everything easier:

✔ Keep everything safe and secure in one place.
✔ Find what you need in seconds with a quick search.
✔ HMRC accepts digital copies, so no need to keep endless stacks of paper.

If you’re still relying on paper, now is the perfect time to switch to digital.

We can help you get set up with simple solutions that work for you.

Get in touch to make record-keeping easier than ever!

06/03/2025

Important Tax Changes Coming in April 2026.

If you're a sole trader with a total business income over £50,000, big changes are on the way. From April 2026, you’ll need to comply with Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment (MTD for ITSA).

What does this mean for you?

✅ You’ll need to keep digital records of your income and expenses
✅ You must submit quarterly updates to HMRC instead of just one annual tax return
✅ A final End of Period Statement and declaration will be required

If your business income is £30,000 or more, you’ll need to follow these rules from April 2027.

Now’s the time to prepare, by switching to accounting software to ensure a smooth transition.

Please get in touch with us if you have any questions.

[email protected]
01298 211535

04/02/2025

This morning, we have refreshed our knowledge of Freeagent, due to recent updates and renewed our accreditation for another year.

If you've not heard of Freeagent, it's an accounting software that is free of charge for those with a Natwest/Mettle or RBS account.

If you're a small business, it's a great way of moving your accounting records online without having the burden of a monthly subscription.

We have a growing number of clients using this software, so have the experience to assist you if you want to make the transition.

Call us on 01298 211535 or drop us a message to arrange a free Discovery Call.

06/12/2024

🎄🎉 Christmas & New Year Money-saving Tip 🎉🎄

As we wrap up the year and dive into the festive season, it's the perfect time to give your finances a little TLC - whether for your personal life or your business. 🌟

✨ Here’s a quick money-saving tip: Take a moment to review your subscriptions! From streaming services to software tools, gym memberships, or business-related platforms, it’s so easy for costs to sneak up on us. Ask yourself:

• Am I really using this?
• Is there a better deal out there?
• Can I bundle services to save more?

Every little saving adds up - and who doesn’t want a few extra pennies for Christmas treats or New Year investments? 🎁

At Sphere Accountants, we’re all about making your finances stress-free. As a small and friendly accountancy service, we help individuals and businesses keep their money working smarter. If you’d like help reviewing your finances or need advice for the year ahead, we’d love to chat! 💬

Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season filled with joy, savings, and success! 🌟

www.sphereaccountants.co.uk
[email protected]
01298 211535

Let’s make 2025 your best financial year yet! 🎉✨

27/11/2024

🎄🎉 Planning Your Limited Company’s Christmas Party? 🎉🎄

🎄🎉 Here’s What HMRC Allows! 🎉🎄

If you run a limited company and are thinking about hosting a Christmas party for your staff, here’s what you need to know to stay within HMRC’s guidelines and make the most of the available tax benefits:

💷 The £150 Per Person Rule

- You can spend up to £150 per person (including VAT) on an annual staff event, like a Christmas party.

- This includes costs for food, drinks, entertainment, venue hire, and even transport home!

👩‍💼 Who Counts as “Staff”?

- The event must be for employees (directors count, too!).

- If your spouse/partner attends as part of the event, they’re included in the £150 allowance per person.

⚠️ Important Rules to Follow:

1. Annual Event: The party must be an annual occasion (e.g., Christmas or summer party).

2. All Employees Eligible: It must be open to all staff or all staff in a particular location or department.

3. Stay Within Budget: If the cost per head exceeds £150, even by 1p, the entire amount becomes a taxable benefit for employees.

🎁 What About VAT?

- If your company is VAT-registered, you can reclaim VAT on the costs of the party, but not on costs for non-employees (like partners).

✨ Extra Tip: Gifts for staff are separate! You can also give a “trivial benefit” like a box of chocolates or a bottle of wine worth up to £50, tax-free, without it affecting the party allowance.

Make it a festive and fun occasion while sticking to the rules—and remember, this is a great way to show appreciation to your team and enjoy some festive cheer together!

Let us know if you’ve planned anything exciting for your staff this year 🎁🎄

30/10/2024

Do you need a business bank account as a sole trader?

Ideally, as a sole trader, you will have a separate business bank account for your business transactions. While it's not a legal requirement to have a separate business bank account, it can make it easier to manage your finances and keep track of your income and expenses.

Having a separate business bank account is a good practice for sole traders and can help you to manage your business finances more effectively. We've shared some of the reasons in our blog post:

Reasons why it is helpful to have a business bank account when operating as a sole trader business.