Bridgewater Accountants Limited

23/04/2026

I am delighted to share that Bridgewater Accountants has been appointed to manage the finance function for British Generic Manufacturers Association Ltd, trading as Medicines UK, and that I will be providing Fractional Finance Director support.

Medicines UK, represents the interests of manufacturers and suppliers of generic and biosimilar medicines and promotes the development of the off-patent industry in the United Kingdom. Its members account for around 85% of all NHS patient prescriptions. Their work is invaluable to get the right medicines at the right time to patients to improve quality of life.

In my new role, I will provide strategic support to an amazing executive team who are a pleasure to work with: CEO – Mark Samuels, Economics Director – Robert Russell-Pavier, and Communications Director – Jeremy Durrant. On a personal note, I worked for a decade in the health industry in the wonderful , Roche Diagnostics Ltd, and therefore it is a pleasure to have a customer from this exciting industry. Day-to-day finance operations will be in the capable hands of our Practice Manager, Hania Caplin, whose commitment and expertise are vital for sound financial management.

05/01/2026

Happy New Year from the Bridgewater Team! 🎉 As we go into a new year, there are some important changes coming up that will affect self‑employed people and limited company owners, so it’s a great time to get ahead and plan.

Key changes for the self‑employed
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- Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax - starts from 6 April 2026 for sole traders and landlords with combined gross income over £50,000 from self‑employment and/or property.

- If you are in scope - you’ll need to keep digital records and send HMRC quarterly updates plus a final declaration, instead of a single annual Self-Assessment return.

- Timetable for submission - 2025/26 is likely to be your last “normal” Self-Assessment under the old rules, with the 31 January 2027 deadline being the final filing date in the current system.

Changes for limited companies
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- Filing Changes - From April 2026, the current joint filing service will end, so companies will no longer be able to file accounts and corporation tax returns together in one submission; separate filings to HMRC and Companies House will be needed.

- Software requirements - Companies House is moving towards software‑only filing for accounts, and there will be more detailed shareholder and ownership information requirements as part of the Companies House reforms.

- Filing Fees - Companies House fees are due to change from 1 February 2026, so it will be important to factor in

Personal tax and thresholds
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- The personal allowance and higher‑rate thresholds - for income tax are set to remain frozen at their current levels into 2026/27, bringing more people into higher effective tax rates as incomes rise.

- The VAT registration threshold - is expected to stay at £90,000 from 1 April 2026, with deregistration at £88,000, so businesses hovering around the threshold should monitor turnover closely.

- National Insurance thresholds - are due to remain fixed for several more years, which will affect the balance between salary, dividends and pension planning for many owner‑managers.

Let’s get you ready for 2026
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- The next few months are the ideal time to review your bookkeeping systems, software and tax planning so you are ready for MTD and the wider 2026 changes.

- If you are self‑employed or run a limited company and want to understand how these changes affect you specifically, get in touch info@BridgewaterAccountants and we can map out a tailored plan for the year ahead.

Wishing you, your family and your business a healthy, successful and prosperous 2026.

29/09/2025

Big changes at Companies House coming this November:

• From 18 November 2025, all company directors and people with significant control (PSCs) must verify their identity with Companies House.

• New appointments will require immediate verification, while existing officers will have 12 months to comply.

• Keeping statutory registers of directors, secretaries, and PSCs will no longer be required—only shareholder (member) registers will remain mandatory.

• These reforms are part of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, aiming to boost transparency and combat corporate fraud.

• Review your company’s records and processes now to ensure compliance and a smooth transition.

At Bridgewater Accountants, we are already set up as an authorised agent with Companies House (technically known as Authorised Corporate Service Providers), which will make it very easy for our clients to stay compliant with these new rules.

If you need any help, please get in touch: [email protected]

15/09/2025

How to Choose the Right Accounting Software for Your Business (UK Edition, 2025)

If you’re choosing new accounting software this year, here’s a practical step-by-step process:

1. Know Your Needs
Start by outlining exactly what your business requires. Is basic invoicing and expense tracking sufficient, or do you also need payroll, stock, and compliance features? Getting clear at this stage immediately narrows down the options.

2. Set a Budget
Free tools can work well for freelancers and start-ups, but for more advanced features, you’ll want a paid subscription. The right software is an investment: it will help save both time and money in the long run.

3. Look for Key Features
Essentials to check for include invoicing, bank integration, clear financial reports, and secure cloud access for remote working. Bonus points if automation is included, such as recurring invoicing or expense tracking powered by new AI tools.

4. Think Long-Term
Choose for tomorrow, not just today. Look for a platform that scales - letting you add users, upgrade plans, and connect with e-commerce or business tools as you grow.

5. Check Ease of Use & Support
Test out the software - complicated tools waste valuable time. Also make sure there’s good support, whether that’s through tutorials, live chat, or a UK-based helpline, to help quickly resolve any issues.

Top 3 Accounting Software Choices for UK Businesses in 2025

Sage
A longstanding British favourite, especially strong for payroll, cash flow, and stock management. Also known for compliance features, scalable plans, and new AI-driven automation for growing firms.

Intuit Quickbooks
Widely used for its cloud access, Making Tax Digital (MTD) compliance, scalable plans, and clever AI features for automating finance tasks. New this year: even better e-commerce integrations and advanced analytics.

Xero
Favoured for unlimited users, robust bank links, real-time dashboards, stock control, and over 1,000 third-party integrations. Often chosen by growing businesses for easy VAT return filing and flexibility.

Whether a freelancer or a growing company, today’s leading accounting software makes managing your finances smoother and frees you to focus on business growth.

01/09/2025

Business owners: Want to know the most tax-efficient way to pay yourself?

Check out this quick video for practical advice to maximise your take-home earnings and optimise your business finances.

[email protected]

24/08/2025

I love this initiative by the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) launched this year - Virtual Work Experience programme designed to boost social mobility for young people.

I have always believed that when any community is given an opportunity, it fosters a clear sense of purpose and a genuine eagerness to contribute to our wonderful Great Britain. At Bridgewater Accountants, we share this passion and are playing our part - even as a newly established practice.

Well done to AAT for leading the way and opening doors for the next generation of talented accountants.

AAT has launched its first virtual work experience to widen access to professional opportunities.

17/08/2025

Clients today expect much more from their accountant than just annual tax returns - what truly makes an accountant indispensable is their ability to become a proactive, trusted ally who simplifies complex issues and empowers smarter business decisions.

At Bridgewater Accountants, we’re fortunate to work with fantastic clients, giving us a diverse and exciting portfolio of work - from Sole Traders and Rental Properties to SMEs, Payroll, VAT, Trust Returns, Capital Gains Tax, and R&D Tax Relief, just to name a few.

Top 5 things all clients require:

• Genuine understanding of their business and life goals: Clients want accountants who invest time to really get to know them - their challenges, ambitions, and the story behind their numbers. This means actively listening, asking open-ended questions, and offering advice that fits each client's unique journey.

• Clarity and simplicity, not just data: Translating financial jargon into relatable, clear guidance is crucial. Clients value accountants who can demystify regulations, boil complex tax law down to what matters, and provide actionable steps - often serving as interpreters of the ever-changing business environment.

• Proactive insight and foresight: It’s not enough to react to problems. The best accountants anticipate opportunities and risks, flag tax changes, suggest efficiency boosts, and initiate regular check-ins, becoming an ongoing partner rather than just a service provider.

• Accessible, responsive collaboration: In today’s fast-paced world, clients value accountants who reply promptly, are easy to reach, and offer straightforward processes—be it digital tools for document sharing or advice that’s just a message away. This builds trust and shows clients they’re valued, not just a number in your schedule.

• Ethical backbone paired with forward-thinking tech savvy: Clients trust accountants with critical information, so dependability and integrity are non-negotiable. Going beyond that, accountants who embrace modern tools and digital efficiency - enabling real-time financial snapshots and cloud-based access - signal that they’re committed to client empowerment and keeping businesses future-proof.

If you require any accountancy service from a client-focused team, please get in touch:

[email protected]

www.bridgewateraccountants.com

13/08/2025

At Bridgewater Accountants we are delighted to be working with the amazing Ambrose Law with an initiative to fully support freelance bookkeepers.

Please check out his personal story with the video below:

[email protected]
www.bridgewateraccountants.com

04/08/2025

At Bridgewater Accountants, one of the questions we’re asked most often is: “What’s the most tax efficient way to extract money from my business?”

• If your annual profits are fairly low (under £20,000), staying as a sole trader is usually simpler and more tax efficient.

• If your profits increase, switching to a limited company can help reduce your tax bill. You can do this by taking a modest salary, receiving dividends, and making company-funded pension contributions.

We can run tailored calculations to show you which approach could work best for your situation and potentially save you a substantial amount of money. Whichever structure you choose, make sure you maximise your pension contributions and claim all allowable expenses to enhance your tax efficiency.

For personalised advice, please contact us at [email protected].

31/07/2025

Important Update for UK SMEs & Sole Traders: Biggest Accounting Changes for 2024–26

HMRC has unveiled a series of major accounting reforms set to transform how small businesses and sole traders manage their finances in the UK.

Key highlights:

• Making Tax Digital (MTD) Expansion: From April 2026, self-employed individuals and landlords with annual incomes over £50,000 will move to mandatory digital record-keeping and quarterly tax filing. Those earning £30,000–£50,000 will follow in 2027, with lower thresholds likely to come in subsequent years.

• Cash Basis Becomes the Default: Starting with the 2024/25 tax year, the cash basis will automatically apply to most sole traders and partnerships, making it easier to report profit based on cash in and out, rather than invoices raised or bills due.

• Digital Reporting and AI Tools: HMRC is promising simpler digital onboarding, as well as new AI-powered assistants to support businesses with compliance.

• E-Invoicing & Pre-Populated Tax Forms: Expect more streamlined admin and fewer errors as HMRC enables automated data sharing between your accounting software and their systems.

What does this mean for you?

Now is the perfect time to review your accounting methods, explore MTD-compliant digital tools, and get ready for more frequent, digital-first tax reporting. These changes are designed to reduce admin, make compliance simpler, and improve cash flow management.

Need advice on preparing for these changes? Happy to chat if you have questions!


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Bridgewater Accountants Limited | 5 followers on LinkedIn. Bridgewater Accountants Ltd is an ACCA-accredited practice offering expert accountancy, tax, and compliance advisory services to individuals, startups, and established businesses. We pride ourselves on delivering actionable advice, tailored....