Starting a business
- For
- Anyone going self-employed or forming a company
- Covers
- Sole trader or limited company, registrations, simple records, and a start-up offer built around you
- You get
- The right set-up from day one
Accountant and tax advisors
Your accountant, minus the stress.
Friendly, plain English accountancy and tax for start-ups and small businesses. Prompt answers, and one person who actually picks up the phone.
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About
Numbers in order.Answers in plain English.
John Donegan, founder
I set up John Donegan & Co to take the stress out of accounting and tax, so you can focus on what you do best. You deal with me, not a department.
My job is to be proactive. Regular bookkeeping, updates on profit and loss, and advice on tax through the year rather than a surprise in January. If you're starting out, I'll set you up properly from the outset. If you're further down the line, I'll get you on the right path.
I've worked with businesses in property, technology and entertainment as well as general practice, so there's a fair chance I've seen your situation before. Either way, I'll explain it in plain English. Nobody should feel like they're talking to their accountant from a scary place.
01
Friendly first
You should be able to talk to me normally. Ask the daft question. It's never daft.
02
Plain English
If I use a word you don't know, that's on me. Ask, and I'll explain it properly. No eye-rolling.
03
Prompt answers
Infrequent contact is the biggest complaint people have about accountants. You'll hear from me through the year, and quickly when you ask.
04
You'll know the cost first
I'll tell you what it costs before any work starts, and put it in writing. No surprises on the invoice.
Who I help
A few sectors I know well.
Different businesses need different things. Pick yours, or get in touch if it's somewhere in between.
01
Start-ups
Set up properly from day one. Sole trader or limited company, the right registrations and simple records, so good habits start early.
Read more 02
Property and construction
Landlords, developers and trades. Rental accounts, CIS, VAT on building work and the tax that comes with buying and selling.
Read more 03
Entertainment and talent
Performers, creators and the people behind them. Irregular income, expenses that need explaining and tax that arrives in lumps.
Read more 04
Technology and gaming
Studios, developers and founders. Clean books, contractor and platform income sorted, and numbers investors can read.
Read more Services
Everything an accountant should do, without the jargon.
Every service comes with a price agreed before any work starts, and a real person on the end of the phone.
Bookkeeping
- For
- Any business that wants to know where it stands
- Covers
- Regular bookkeeping and profit and loss updates
- You get
- Numbers you can make decisions with
Management accounts
- For
- Businesses that want to look ahead, not just back
- Covers
- A more in-depth look at your current figures, compared to a budget or target, or forecast for the future
- You get
- A clear picture of where you're heading
VAT and CIS returns
- For
- VAT-registered businesses, or ones getting close, and anyone working under CIS
- Covers
- Registration, the right scheme, and VAT and CIS returns filed on time
- You get
- No last-minute scramble
Payroll
- For
- Anyone with staff, including directors paying themselves
- Covers
- Payslips, RTI filings, auto enrolment and P11Ds
- You get
- Your team paid right, and HMRC told on time
Annual accounts and corporation tax
- For
- Limited companies
- Covers
- Year-end accounts, Companies House filing and the company tax return
- You get
- Accounts that show how the year really went, explained before you sign
Self assessment
- For
- Sole traders, landlords, directors and anyone HMRC has asked to file
- Covers
- Your personal tax return, what you can claim, and Making Tax Digital for Income Tax where it applies
- You get
- A bill you understand, and no January panic
Capital gains
- For
- Anyone selling property, shares or a business
- Covers
- Reliefs, reporting deadlines and the calculation
- You get
- The right tax paid, not a penny more
Company secretarial and registered office
- For
- Limited company directors
- Covers
- Confirmation statements, director and share changes, and a registered office address
- You get
- Every filing on time, and your home address off the public register
There is no one size fits all start-up package. Every new business is different, so I put together a bespoke offer for start-ups based on what you actually need in year one. Tell me what you're setting up and I'll tell you what it would cost. It also means your advice comes from an accountant, not your mate's mate's uncle down the pub.
See all servicesWhat happens next
From first call to first filing.
You tell me about the business. I tell you what needs doing, what it costs and when. Then I get on with it and keep you posted through the year.
- 01
A relaxed call
A chat about where you are, what you need and what's bugging you.
- 02
A clear quote
A written price for exactly what we agreed. Nothing starts until you say yes.
- 03
Handover
I collect what I need from you and, if you have one, from your previous accountant.
- 04
Through the year
Regular updates, questions answered promptly, and tax planned through the year, not after it.