Our VAT add-on service is designed for clients who manage their own bookkeeping but would like an accountant to review and submit their VAT return.
This service ensures your VAT return is reviewed by our team before submission to HMRC, helping to identify common errors and ensure VAT is reported correctly.
Because bookkeeping remains your responsibility under this service, there are limits to the adjustments we will make when reviewing the return. This article explains what is included and what falls outside the scope of the VAT add-on.
What the VAT Add-On Includes
As part of the VAT add-on, our team will review your VAT return in Xero or QuickBooks before submission and carry out checks to ensure transactions are coded appropriately for VAT purposes.
This includes:
- Reviewing VAT codes - We will review the VAT rates applied to transactions and correct VAT codes where they have been applied incorrectly (for example, where standard rate VAT has been used instead of zero-rated or vice versa)
- Checking VAT return box reporting - We will check that transactions are pulling through to the correct boxes in the VAT return and make adjustments if something is reporting incorrectly.
- Correcting the chart of accounts used - If a transaction has been posted to an incorrect account in the chart of accounts, we may adjust the account used where this impacts the VAT reporting.
- Minor bookkeeping adjustments - We may correct small, one-off errors or omissions identified during our VAT review where these are quick to resolve and necessary for the VAT return to be submitted correctly.
What the VAT Add-On Does Not Include
The VAT add-on is not a bookkeeping service. If more substantial corrections are required, these will need to be completed by you or may require a separate bookkeeping quote.
The following items are not included within the VAT return service:
- Re-recording transactions as invoices or bills
- Where transactions have been recorded as “Spend Money” or “Receive Money” entries but should properly be recorded as invoices or bills, we will not re-enter these transactions.
- Uploading invoices or supporting documentation
- Completing bank reconciliations. All bank accounts should be fully reconciled before the VAT return period is reviewed.
When Bookkeeping Support May Be Needed
If we identify significant bookkeeping issues during our review that impact the VAT return, we will let you know. In these cases you may:
Correct the entries yourself in Xero, or
Ask us to assist under a separate bookkeeping service.
Preparing Your Xero File for VAT Review
To ensure your VAT return can be reviewed and submitted efficiently, please ensure:
All bank transactions are reconciled
Transactions are recorded as invoices or bills where appropriate
Receipts and invoices are attached in Xero
All transactions for the VAT period have been entered
If you have any questions on any of the above please reach out to our Support Team at support@beany.uk