Accounting for Pet Professionals
Nurture Your Passion with Tailored Financial Expertise for Your Pet Care Business
Managing finances in the pet care industry, whether you’re a dog groomer, a dog walker, or another pet professional, requires careful attention to detail and an understanding of specific financial nuances. Here are some key steps and considerations for streamlining your accounting processes:
- Business Structure: Consider the most suitable business structure for your pet care services. Whether you’re a sole trader or thinking of forming a limited company, each has its benefits and responsibilities.
- Business Bank Account: Open a separate account for your pet care business. This separation simplifies accounting processes and enhances financial clarity.
- Income and Expense Tracking: Maintain meticulous records of all income sources, including payments from clients and any additional services offered. Likewise, track all business-related expenses, such as pet supplies, equipment, insurance, and travel costs.
- Receipts and Invoices: Keep all documentation related to business transactions. These are essential for accurate bookkeeping and necessary during tax season.
- Accounting Software: Utilise software like QuickBooks or Xero, tailored for small businesses, to manage your finances effectively, ensuring precision in tracking income and expenses.
- Tax Obligations: Stay informed about your tax responsibilities, including income tax and potentially VAT. It’s wise to seek professional advice to ensure compliance and optimise tax benefits.
- Industry-Specific Considerations: For pet professionals, certain expenses and financial practices are unique. Understanding these can significantly impact your financial health.
- Insurance and Liability: Given the nature of working with animals, appropriate insurance is critical. Ensure you’re covered for any potential incidents.
- Professional Advice: Accounting in the pet care industry has its unique challenges. Consulting with an accountant familiar with the sector can provide invaluable insights.
Effective accounting is crucial for the financial health and compliance of your pet-based business. Staying informed about industry-specific regulations and tax requirements is essential, and professional guidance can help you navigate the complexities of managing your finances as a self-employed pet professional.
Why Choose Swan Books?
With over a 16 years of experience in providing accounting services to pet professionals, Swan Books understands the specific financial challenges and opportunities within this industry. Our clients, from dog groomers to pet sitters, have consistently praised our approachable, thorough, and tailored services. Our commitment to your success is reflected in our client testimonials and our consistent high ratings.
There’s a reason we have nothing but 5 star reviews on Google.
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Charlie Baxter2025-02-06Stacey has been my accountant for 2 years now after having returned from setting up an online business in Australia and I can't recommend her enough! As each tax deadline approaches, she has been incredibly helpful, taking the time to explain things I’ve always found difficult to understand. She also tidied up my Xero accounting (a multiple currencies one 🤢), which I had left in a bit of a mess, and made sure everything was in order. On top of that, she helped me identify legitimate business expenses I could claim, which was a huge help. Highly recommend!Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.Jessica MacMillan2025-01-31Oh, Stacey where do I even begin? I first met Stacey in August 2024, and from that moment, I knew I wanted to switch accountants. Her presence is simply incredible. She’s not only extremely knowledgeable but also genuinely supportive of both you and your business, always striving to achieve the best outcomes. I’m so grateful to have met her and can’t wait to grow my business with Stacey by my side!Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.Tom Alderton2025-01-28Stacey is the best around 🙂Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.Sophia Kelleway2025-01-28Stacy was fantastic with helping me sort out my self assessment, she made it so easy for me to understand and she was so easy to talk to. I can't recommend her enough🥰🥰 xxTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.Alin Lebanov2025-01-28I cannot praise enough the quality of services offered by Stacey @ Swan Books along with her team. This is the first time I'm using their services and I would recommend them 100%. The whole process was so straight forward and the communication crystal clear. Definitely going ahead with them for the next financial year!Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.Ash2025-01-28Excellent service thanksTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.Kirbie Shrimpton2025-01-22Stacey & her team are beyond helpful! I could not recommend them more, no question is a silly question! They make being a sole trader EASY! Soooo happy i found them!!Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.Harry Couture2025-01-14Brilliant service - I had a few complications that were easily ironed out and explained by Stacey. Would recommend to anyone!Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.Gina Toyer2025-01-08Brilliant and patient accountant highly recommendTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.Ian Bement2025-01-03Great service, kept fully informed of when things would happen. Can't fault Stacey for the way she dealt with our tax returns. First time using Stacey, everything straight forward and all information presented to us in an easy to read/understand format.
Our Process
Initial Consultation
Understand your business, your challenges, and your aspirations.
Onboarding
Seamless integration with your existing systems, training provided if necessary.
Tailored Solutions
We propose a bookkeeping solution adapted to your unique needs.
Regular Check-ins
Periodic reviews to ensure your financials are on track and to address any concerns.
Year-End Finalisation
Ensure everything is aligned, compliant, and ready for HMRC submissions.
What Can Pet Professionals Expense?
For pet professionals, navigating through allowable expenses is key to maintaining a healthy financial status for your business. The HMRC guidelines allow for a variety of business-related expenses to be claimed. Here’s an inclusive list of such expenses:
Office and Administration
- Mobile Phone: A percentage of your phone bill, based on its business use.
- Use of Home: Claim for home office expenses if you manage administrative tasks from home.
- Subscriptions: Fees for professional subscriptions relevant to pet care.
- Printing, Postage, & Stationery: Costs for printing contracts, postage, and other office supplies.
- Bank Charges: Monthly fees for business bank accounts.
- Card Machine Charges: Fees associated with card payment processing.
- Accountancy Fees: Costs for professional accounting services.
Travel and Transportation
- Petrol (Actual Costs) or Mileage (Flat Rate): Fuel expenses or mileage claims for business travel.
- Travel & Subsistence: Expenses for food and drink during business-related travel.
- Large Purchases for Transportation: Claiming Annual Investment Allowance for assets like a van.
Marketing and Advertising
- Advertising: Costs for website maintenance, business cards, and Facebook ads.
- Branding and Uniform: Expenses for branded clothing and uniforms.
Workspace and Equipment
- Rent and Business Rates: Costs associated with renting a space for your pet care business.
- Equipment and Repairs: Purchase and maintenance of baths, scissors, shavers, etc.
- Consumables: Expenses for shampoo, dog biscuits, towels, poo bags, and other pet care items.
- Blade Sharpening: Specific costs for maintaining grooming equipment.
Clothing and Protection
- Protective Clothing: Waterproof and other protective gear essential for pet care tasks.
- Uniform: Cost of specific uniforms used for your pet care services.
Training and Development
- Training Courses: Expenses for refresher courses (Note: courses to learn new skills are not typically allowable).
- Publications: Costs for professional journals and publications relevant to pet care.
Insurance and Legal
- Insurance: Expenses for professional indemnity, employers, and public liability insurance (Note: income protection insurance is not typically an allowable expense).
- Legal & Professional Fees: Costs for legal advice and professional consultations.
Product Sales and Purchases
- Purchases for Resale: Expenses related to items you sell as part of your business, like dog accessories.
Miscellaneous
- Annual Investment Allowance: For large purchases over £100, such as equipment, that are classified as assets.
It’s important to maintain detailed records and receipts for all these expenses. When in doubt, consult with an accountant specialising in pet care services to ensure that you are maximising your allowable expenses and maintaining compliance with HMRC guidelines.
Stacey has been great from start to finish. She has explained everything helping me understand and put my mind at ease throughout the process.
I highly recommend Swan Books for anyone looking for an efficient local accountant.
Stevie-May Cole
Island Paws Doggy Daycare Essex
Would highly recommend Stacey. She was super friendly in our initial chat and throughout my experience, put me at ease and answered any questions I had with quick response times. Will be using her services going forward without any worries!
Nicole Dryden
Pawfect Pooches Grooming
Our Pricing
At Swan Books, we tailor our pricing to fit your business’s specific needs. Our bookkeeping services ensure that your business finances stay up-to-date using leading cloud accounting software like Quickbooks or Xero. Whether you prefer monthly or quarterly updates, we keep you informed about your business profits consistently. We cover all areas of bookkeeping, ensuring thoroughness and precision.
The pricing for our bookkeeping services varies based on the volume of transactions each month. For a customised quote and a detailed breakdown, please contact us.
Registration
£
45
00
-
Registration of you and your business self employment with HMRC.
Self Assessment Tax Returns
£
250
00
Prices From -
Preparation of tax calculation, preparation and submission to HMRC and financial statements
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Prices may vary based on your business records. Please get in contact for a free consultation.
Bookkeeping
varies
-
Keeping your business finances up to date with cloud accounting software Quickbooks or Xero. Monthly or Quarterly updates providing you updates of business profits. All areas of bookkeeping undertaken.
-
Prices vary permitting to volume of transactions each month.
Books Clean Up
varies
-
If your accounts are in need of a tidy up and you want to upgrade your internal procedures for easier processes, you have come to the right place!
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Prices vary client by client, please get in touch to discuss further.
VAT Returns
£
175
00
Prices From -
Quarterly VAT returns prepared and submitted with Making Tax Digital compliant software with all deadlines met.
-
Prices start from £175.00 per quarter
Power Hour
£
65
00
Prices From -
One to one power hour discussing your business accounting and how to make improvements to make your finances run more efficiently within the cloud software of your business alongside training on how to get the best of your software.
Payroll
£
20
00
Per Payroll -
All aspects of payroll processes ensuring all tasks are carried out by all deadlines and RTI compliant.
- Weekly or monthly payrolls
- Pension administration completed
- RTI compliant with HMRC
- Payroll year end service and reporting