- 46 Victoria Road, Burgess Hill, RH15 9LR
- 09:00 to 17:00 Monday to Friday
Whether you're already trading or just thinking about starting out as a sole trader, Oval Accountants are a one-stop-shop for everything your accountancy needs. Fixed monthly fees, a dedicated accountant, and no surprises.
Becoming a sole trader is one of the simplest ways to work for yourself — but it still comes with paperwork, deadlines and tax to stay on top of. That's where we come in. We look after the numbers so you can get on with running your business.
From your first invoice to your annual self-assessment, your dedicated accountant keeps your books in order, claims every allowable expense, and makes sure HMRC are kept happy — all for a clear, fixed monthly fee.
Request a quoteYou're paired with your own accountant who gets to know you and your business, on hand for unlimited help and advice by phone or email whenever you need it.
Book NowFree access to easy-to-use accounting software, with your routine bookkeeping handled for you so your records stay clean and up to date all year round.
Book NowYour annual self-assessment tax return is prepared and filed with HMRC as part of your package, with deadline reminders so you're never caught out.
Book NowA sole trader is the legal status used when you run a business as an individual (i.e. not through a limited company). It means that there is no legal distinction between you as the business owner and the business as an entity.
As a sole trader there is no legal obligation to run a separate business bank account (although we highly recommend that you do). When you run your business as a sole trader you pay your tax based on the net profit that your business makes. Drawings that you take from the business are not taxed like they would be if you paid yourself a salary — and likewise, your drawings are not a tax-deductible expense.
It's the simplest way to get started in business, and for many self-employed people it's the right structure for years to come.
You'll need to let HMRC know within 12 weeks of receiving your first income, although we recommend telling HMRC as soon as you decide to start trading. This means registering for self-assessment as a sole trader.
HMRC will then send you your Unique Tax Reference number (UTR). Your UTR should be used on all communication with HMRC, as well as being entered when you submit your tax return. Then you're free to start trading — simple as that.
If you'd rather not wrestle with HMRC forms, we can register the business for you and take care of the whole process from day one.
No — having an accountant isn't a legal requirement for a self-employed business owner in the UK. But most people find that the time, money and stress an accountant saves them is well worth it.
Instead of wrestling with bookkeeping software or winging it at tax season, hand it to an expert who keeps your records and submits your taxes for you.
We make sure your self-assessment is accurate and filed on time, so you avoid penalties and keep on the right side of HMRC.
From your car and clothing to working from home and start-up costs, we make sure you claim every allowable expense you're entitled to.
You pay a clear monthly fee that doesn't change if your transactions increase — and never a surprise bill at the end of the financial year.
You'll be paired with a dedicated accountant who gets to know you and your business, so we can provide a personalised solution tailored to your goals — whether you want to grow, become more tax-efficient, or simply simplify your accounting.
Keeping up with your monthly accounts can be a challenge. Whether you have piles of receipts or you're struggling to separate expenses from your business, we take over the management of your monthly accounts so you can focus on running your business.
For many self-employed owners, the annual self-assessment return is the least enjoyable time of year. We take away the pressure — your dedicated accountant files your taxes with HMRC, ensuring your business stays compliant with current regulations.
You'll be paired with a dedicated accountant who gets to know you and your business, providing a personalised accounting solution tailored to your goals and needs.
Our dedicated accountant won't only manage your monthly accounts but also offer financial advice and guidance whenever you need it — just reach your accountant by phone or email for prompt, informative answers.
A sole trader is the legal status used when you run a business as an individual (i.e. not through a Ltd Company). It means that there is no legal distinction between you as the business owner and the business as an entity.
As a sole trader there is no legal obligation to run a separate business bank account (although we highly recommend that you do). When you run your business as a sole trader you pay your tax based on the net profit that your business makes. Drawings that you take from the business are not taxed like they would be if you paid a salary — likewise, your drawings are not a tax-deductible expense.
It's incredibly easy to set up as a sole trader. You'll need to let HMRC know within 12 weeks of receiving your first income, although we recommend telling HMRC as soon as you decide to start trading. This means registering for self-assessment as a sole trader.
HMRC will then send you your Unique Tax Reference number (UTR). Your UTR should be used on all communication with HMRC, as well as being entered when you submit your tax return. Then you're free to start trading. Simple as that!
No. Having an accountant isn't a legal requirement for a self-employed business owner in the UK.
But many people find that instead of trying to get to grips with free bookkeeping software or simply winging it come tax season, it's far better to have an expert with accounting experience who can keep bookkeeping records and submit taxes on their behalf — freeing you up to run your business.
It depends. A traditional accounting firm may charge hundreds of pounds per month. With Oval Accountants, you pay a fixed monthly fee that doesn't change if your business transactions increase.
We offer flexible accountancy packages designed to be affordable for all budgets, and we'll never hit you with a surprise fee at the end of the financial year. Get in touch for a clear, no-obligation quote tailored to your business.
As a sole trader, you don't need to file your accounts on a public body, as a limited company registered on Companies House would. Your business affairs are private.
You should, however, prepare a balance sheet and a profit and loss account on an annual basis. Sole traders are personally liable for their finances, including any debts that occur — so keeping accurate records matters.
You can claim for things like your car, clothes, working from home and start-up costs. The allowable expenses list is huge, with hundreds of potential things to claim for.
Learning everything you can claim for yourself is doable, since not everything applies to your business. We offer a one-off, hour-long tax training session to give you specific advice to help get you started.
As much as you ask us to! We speak to HMRC on our clients' behalf and submit all their digital returns. If we receive any vital information you need to know, you can rely on us to keep you updated. We'll also send you regular deadline reminders to notify you when your tax payments are due.
If you're looking for the convenience of an accountant in your pocket, you'll love us. We pair you with your dedicated accountant, who will manage your bookkeeping behind the scenes, freeing up your time to focus on other aspects of a business.
We know sole traders lead very busy lifestyles, and we aim to be more flexible and low-hassle than traditional accountancy firms. We offer a range of tailored solutions, so there's something for every budget — and you won't need to learn how to use our accounting software as our customer.
Members of AAT and IAB, certified Xero advisors and payroll partners for small-business cloud bookkeeping.
Let a dedicated accountant handle your bookkeeping and self-assessment for one fixed monthly fee. Whether you have a question or want to get started, we'd love to hear from you.
