Accounting requirements · England

Virtual Assistant

Bookkeeping, VAT, payroll and tax guidance for a virtual assistant operating in England.

Tailored accounting checklist — Virtual Assistant

Specific to your business activities, on top of UK fundamentals.

Decide between sole trader and limited company carefully — tax efficiency vs admin
Track billable vs non-billable hours
Charge VAT once turnover passes £90,000 in any rolling 12 months
Keep a separate business bank account from your first invoice

Accounting points that apply because you trade in England.

Expand each section for the rules that apply to almost every UK small business.

Operational essentials

Practical setup and compliance steps every UK small business should complete in the first 90 days and review regularly.

Register the business correctly
Choose sole trader or limited company and register with HMRC.
Keep records from day one
Track income, expenses and contracts digitally under MTD.
Separate business and personal spending
Open a dedicated business bank account before trading.
Track income and expenses regularly
Reconcile weekly so nothing slips through the year.
Review VAT and payroll responsibilities
Watch the £90,000 VAT threshold and PAYE duties.
Maintain insurance and licences
Renew before expiry — keep certificates accessible.
Save invoices and receipts digitally
Cloud storage with backups for at least 6 years.
Review deadlines monthly
Diarise VAT, PAYE, Confirmation Statement and Self Assessment.

View legal requirements

Licences, insurance, GDPR & more

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Tailored accounting help for your business

Guidance aligned with official UK sources

Last reviewed: May 2026Information updated regularly

This information is general guidance only and does not replace regulated accounting, legal or tax advice.