bookkeeper in Bury St Edmunds

Bookkeeper covering Bury St Edmunds

Your books sorted by a local bookkeeper who actually picks up the phone

Bookkeeper in Bury St Edmunds: I work with small businesses and sole traders across West Suffolk, handling their books, VAT returns, payroll and self assessment so they can get on with running their business.

Whether your records are completely up to date or have not been touched in months, I can take it from here. Fixed monthly pricing from £25, no contracts and no handoffs to someone you have never spoken to.

Ben Kennell, bookkeeper in Bury St Edmunds and across Suffolk, working at a desk with Xero open
£25/mo Fixed monthly pricing from
Xero Expert and MTD compliant
5% of every invoice donated to St. Elizabeth’s Hospice
You speak directly with Ben, every time
Covering Bury St Edmunds and across Suffolk
QUICK CHECK — NO EMAIL REQUIRED

How much is your bookkeeping costing you right now?

Four questions. Takes 90 seconds. Find out where the real pressure points are.

How up to date are your business records right now?

How are you currently handling your VAT returns?

How confident are you about what you actually owe in tax this year?

What happens when you have a question about your finances or HMRC?

YOUR RESULT

Your books need attention before this gets more expensive

Unreconciled records, missed VAT deadlines and uncertainty about your tax position are the exact situations that lead to HMRC penalties and surprise bills. From 6 April 2026, sole traders with turnover above £50,000 are also required to use Making Tax Digital software, which adds another compliance obligation to the pile. A free call with me costs nothing and takes 20 minutes. We will look at where things stand and work out the quickest way to get you straight.

YOUR RESULT

You are managing, but it is taking more time than it should

Doing your own VAT returns and trying to keep on top of your records is possible, but it is pulling time away from the work that actually pays you. If you are not fully confident in the figures, small errors can compound into bigger problems at year-end. Handing this to someone who handles it every day, at a fixed monthly cost, is often cheaper than the hours you are currently spending on it.

YOUR RESULT

Your foundations are solid. Let us make sure they stay that way.

You are in a good position, and that is worth protecting. If your books are clean and your VAT is filed on time, the next question is whether your current setup can handle growth, payroll changes, or CIS if you start subcontracting. I am happy to have a quick call to check there are no gaps and that your Xero setup is configured to give you real-time visibility on cash flow.

WHAT I DO

Services built around what small businesses in Bury St Edmunds actually need

I handle the numbers so you can focus on the work. Every service is priced at a fixed monthly rate with no surprises.

01

Monthly Bookkeeping

I keep your records accurate and up to date every month using Xero, so you always have a clear picture of where your business stands. You get real-time financial data without having to spend evenings untangling transactions yourself.

Fixed monthly price
02

VAT Returns and MTD

I prepare and file your VAT returns on time, every quarter, and ensure your Xero setup is compliant with Making Tax Digital requirements. If you are a sole trader with turnover above £50,000, MTD for Income Tax applies from April 2026 and I can set you up correctly before the deadline.

MTD compliant
03

Payroll, CIS and Self Assessment

Whether you run a payroll, work under the Construction Industry Scheme, or need your self assessment filed accurately at year-end, I handle all of it directly. There is no team passing your work around, so nothing gets missed and you always know who to call.

All handled by Ben
WHY IT WORKS

Why working directly with a bookkeeper makes a practical difference

Large firms pass your work between staff members. I do not. Here is what that means for your business day to day.

You deal with the same person every time

Every email, every call, every question goes directly to me. You do not have to re-explain your business to a different person each time something comes up. That consistency means faster answers and fewer errors.

Fixed pricing with no hidden extras

Monthly bookkeeping starts from £25 and you know the cost before we start. There are no hourly rates that creep up unexpectedly and no bill at year-end that catches you off guard.

A portion of what you pay goes to a local hospice

I donate 5% of every invoice to St. Elizabeth’s Hospice in Ipswich. I lost my dad there and the donation is a personal commitment, not a marketing line. When you pay for your bookkeeping, a share of that goes back into the local community.

FROM CLIENTS I WORK WITH

What clients say

GETTING STARTED

How we get started

From the first call to your books being in order, here is what to expect.

01

Book a free call

We spend 20 minutes on the phone going over where your business is and what needs doing. No forms, no jargon and no commitment required. If your books are in a state, that is fine. I have seen it before.

02

Agree what is needed and what it costs

I will tell you exactly what services you need, what they will cost each month, and when we can start. Fixed pricing, no surprises. You decide whether it makes sense for you.

03

Get set up on Xero

If you are not already using Xero, I will set it up and connect your bank feeds so your transactions are flowing in automatically. If you are already on Xero, I will review the setup and correct anything that is not working as it should.

04

I take it from there

Your books are reconciled on a regular schedule, your VAT is filed on time and you get straightforward updates in plain English. You can ask me a question any time and you will hear back from me directly.

COMMON QUESTIONS

Common questions

I am based in Kesgrave, Ipswich, and work with businesses across Suffolk including Bury St Edmunds and the surrounding area. Most of my client work is handled remotely through Xero, which means you get a consistent, responsive service without needing to travel or wait for appointments. If a face-to-face meeting makes sense, we can arrange that too.
It is not too late. Most people who contact me are behind on their books, unsure what they owe, or have been putting this off for longer than they would like to admit. That is a very normal situation and not something I will judge you for. The first call is just a conversation about where things are and what it would take to get them straight.
Monthly bookkeeping starts from £25. The price depends on the volume of transactions and which services you need. I will give you a fixed monthly figure before we start so you know exactly what you are paying and what is included. There are no hourly rates and no bill at year-end.
There are no long-term contracts. If you want to stop at any point, you can. I would rather work with people who find the arrangement genuinely useful than hold anyone to a commitment that is not right for them.