Sole Trader Accounting Packages
in Chester
Affordable, expert accountancy for Chester sole traders—with transparent fixed fees and proactive support. Explore our dedicated sole trader services to discover how we simplify compliance, optimize your tax position, and support your business growth.
Clear, Fixed-Fee Pricing for Sole Traders
We believe that expert accounting should never come with surprise bills. Our transparent, fixed-fee monthly packages give you complete peace of mind, knowing your HMRC compliance, tax returns, and proactive advice are fully covered.
Save 20% Out-of-Pocket: Unlike many accounting practices, Phillips & Co does not charge VAT on client packages. The price you see is the exact amount you pay—saving non-VAT registered sole traders 20% out-of-pocket every single month.
Essential
Starting From- ✓ Annual Accounts & Tax Return preparation
- ✓ Dedicated local accountant for your firm
- ✓ Proactive reminders & year-round support
- ✓ Direct partner email & phone guidance
Growth
Starting From- ✓ Every feature from our Essential package
- ✓ Quarterly VAT Return filing & management
- ✓ Seamless cloud software integration (Xero)
- ✓ Ongoing quarterly bookkeeping check-ins
MTD Compliant**
Starting From- ✓ Includes every feature from Growth tier
- ✓ Quarterly MTD update prep & submission
- ✓ MTD digital integration & HMRC bridging
- ✓ End-of-Period Statement (EOPS) filing
Customise Your Package: Payroll & CIS Add-Ons
Not every sole trader employs staff or uses subcontractors. To keep your core accounting fees as low as possible, we offer transparent, at-cost payroll and Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) processing as optional add-ons for any of our monthly packages:
Monthly Payroll & RTI Filing
1–2 Staff MembersComplete end-to-end processing for fixed monthly salaries. Includes digital payslips, HMRC Real Time Information (RTI) submissions, auto-enrolment workplace pension admin, and year-end P60s.
Monthly CIS Subcontractor Returns
Covers up to 5 SubcontractorsIncludes monthly CIS deduction statement generation, online verification of new subcontractors with HMRC, and monthly CIS300 filing.
PAYE or CIS Scheme Registration
HMRC SetupOfficial setup and registration of your new PAYE or CIS employer scheme with HMRC, setting up your legal accounts correctly from day one.
Important Software & Tax Information
100% Direct Data Ownership & Software
Subscriptions to cloud platforms (e.g., Xero) are strictly not included in our package fees. We mandate that clients hold their own software licenses directly, ensuring you retain 100% legal ownership of your financial records and are never locked in by an accountant.
Personal Tax Returns Scope
The Self-Assessment tax return included in our sole trader packages covers your primary trade income (and CIS suffered). Highly complex personal returns—such as those including large property portfolios, Capital Gains, or foreign income—fall outside standard sole trader compliance and will be quoted separately.
Bookkeeping Standards & Quarterly Data Quality
Our fixed-fee compliance packages assume your digital transactions are fully up-to-date and reconciled prior to submission—either annually (Essential Package) or quarterly (Growth & MTD Compliant Packages).
To meet HMRC's strict quarterly deadlines, reconciled records must be ready by our agreed cutoff dates. If your digital ledger requires clean-up or unreconciled bank feeds need matching, a Quarterly Bookkeeping Catch-Up fee (from £45 per quarter) or a one-off Bookkeeping Rescue fee will apply.
Additional Accounting Services for Chester Sole Traders
We know not every Chester sole trader needs ongoing monthly support. That is why we offer flexible one-off accounting solutions—expert service and clear fixed fees with no ongoing commitment.
One-Off Annual Service
Perfect for Chester sole traders who prefer a one-off annual payment without monthly support. Covers full accounts preparation and Self-Assessment filing.
While our one-off year-end filing service is available at £795/year, joining our Essential Monthly Package (£55/month = £660/year) saves you £135 directly while unlocking year-round advice, deadline management, and direct HMRC representation.
Custom Solutions
Need something more specific? We can create a tailored accounting or tax package for your exact requirements.
Fees assume a standard level of work. Additional fees for more complex cases will be agreed with you upfront.
In-Depth Package Breakdowns — Exactly What You Get
We believe that expert accounting for the self-employed should be completely transparent. When you choose a fixed-fee monthly package with Phillips & Co, you are not just paying for a year-end tax return—you are gaining a dedicated financial partner.
The Essential Package
The perfect foundational package for freelancers, contractors, and newer sole traders who want absolute peace of mind, zero surprise tax bills, and flawless HMRC compliance.
Comprehensive Annual Accounts Preparation
We take your raw financial data and turn it into a clear, compliant picture of your business.
- Income & Expense Review: We meticulously review your digital bookkeeping records, ensuring you claim every single relief you are legally entitled to (from home-office use to travel and equipment).
- Profit Optimisation: We review your ledger to ensure your final profit figure is completely accurate and highly tax-efficient before it ever reaches HMRC.
Personal Self-Assessment Tax Return (SA100)
We eliminate the stress of the January tax season completely.
- Tax & National Insurance Calculation: We calculate your exact Income Tax and Class 4 National Insurance liability, while advising on voluntary Class 2 contributions to protect your state pension.
- Complete Tax Return Filing: We prepare and submit your full Self-Assessment tax return directly to HMRC, providing you with a clear summary of exactly what you owe and precisely when to pay it.
Year-Round Proactive Support & Alerts
Unlike a one-off accountant, we act as your ongoing financial safety net.
- Dedicated Local Accountant: You get a dedicated Phillips & Co expert who understands your specific business and is always available for plain-English advice.
- Deadline Management: We actively chase you for your records well ahead of time, ensuring you never miss an HMRC deadline or face a late-filing penalty.
- HMRC Agent Representation: We act as your officially authorised tax agent, meaning we deal directly with HMRC on your behalf so you do not have to wait in call queues.
The Growth Package
Built specifically for expanding sole traders. If your business is crossing the VAT threshold or you want to register voluntarily to claim back expenses, this package takes the administrative burden completely off your hands.
Quarterly VAT Returns & MTD Compliance
VAT can be a minefield of strict deadlines. We ensure you never overpay or miss a filing.
- Input vs. Output Checking: We rigorously review your transactions to ensure you are claiming back every allowable penny of VAT on your business purchases.
- MTD Digital Submissions: We ensure your records are fully Making Tax Digital compliant and submit your precise VAT returns to HMRC every single quarter.
- Liability Forecasting: We give you plenty of advance notice on exactly what your upcoming VAT bill will be, so you can manage your cash flow confidently without sudden shocks.
Ongoing Cloud Software Support
As your business grows, your financial tools need to keep up.
- Software Guidance: We provide ongoing support for your cloud accounting software, helping you streamline your invoicing, manage digital receipts, and connect your bank feeds flawlessly.
The MTD Compliant Package
Designed specifically for sole traders with a qualifying turnover over £50,000 who must now legally comply with the Making Tax Digital mandate, and proactive earners over £30,000 securing their systems ahead of the strict April 2027 rollout.
Making Tax Digital (MTD) Quarterly Submissions
We handle the complete transition to HMRC's mandatory digital tax system so you do not have to lift a finger.
- Quarterly Digital Updates: Instead of one annual return, HMRC requires four quarterly digital updates. We process, sanity-check, and submit these mandatory income and expense updates to HMRC every three months. (Note: Requires your bank feeds and digital records to be updated and reconciled quarterly by our agreed cutoff dates).
- Final Declaration: At the end of the tax year, we process your Final Declaration, tying all your quarterly digital updates into one legally compliant final tax bill.
Seamless Cloud Software Integration
Navigating new HMRC digital requirements can be daunting. We make the transition effortless.
- Digital Integration: We seamlessly link our HMRC-approved filing systems to your direct cloud software subscription (such as Xero), ensuring your data remains 100% under your ownership while meeting strict MTD rules.
- Automated Record Keeping: We help you implement automated receipt capturing and bank reconciliation tools, drastically reducing the hours you spend on business administration.