How Soon Should I Get an Accountant After Starting a Business in Bedford?

One of the biggest mistakes I see new Bedford business owners make is trying to handle everything alone in the first year. I completely understand why. Money is tight, you are trying to get customers and it feels like bringing an accountant in early is an unnecessary cost. I have seen this hundreds of times and the outcome is nearly always the same. The business owner ends up spending far more time fixing mistakes than they would have spent getting things right from the start.

The truth is simple. You should get an accountant much sooner than most people think.

So how soon should you get an accountant?

Ideally, before you start trading.
At the very latest, within the first 1–2 months of starting the business.

This is because the early decisions you make determine:

• How much tax you pay
• What you are allowed to claim
• Whether you overpay VAT
• Whether your bookkeeping is correct
• Whether you fall behind with deadlines
• How easy the first year will be

The first few months are when most of the issues start. Sorting them out later is always more expensive and more stressful.

Why you should get an accountant before trading starts

Most people register their business, launch their website or start work without thinking about the financial structure. This can lead to long-term problems.

A good accountant will help you set up correctly by advising on:

• Sole trader vs limited company
• Correct VAT setup and whether to register
• Flat Rate Scheme vs Standard VAT
• PAYE registration if needed
• How to record expenses from day one
• What you can and cannot claim
• Making Tax Digital requirements
• How to structure income
• Using business bank accounts properly

Setting these things up correctly at the beginning can save you thousands over the next few years.

Why waiting until year end is a mistake

If you wait until the end of the year to get an accountant, this is what we usually see:

• Receipts lost
• No bookkeeping
• VAT claimed incorrectly
• Missed VAT registration threshold
• Wrong expenses claimed
• Incorrect salary and dividends
• Director’s Loan Account in a mess
• Overdrawn DLA that triggers extra tax
• Missed allowable costs
• Missed tax planning opportunities

At that point the damage is already done and we are left trying to fix a year’s worth of errors.

I have seen clients pay thousands in tax penalties or overpayments purely because they waited too long to get help.

The earlier you get an accountant, the more they can save you

A good accountant helps you:

• Avoid tax mistakes
• Claim all allowable expenses
• Set up the correct structure
• Build a clean bookkeeping system
• Register for the right taxes
• Avoid penalties
• Understand how to pay yourself
• Build predictable cash flow
• Plan ahead for your first tax bill

Early support means you do not spend the first year confused, stressed or worried about HMRC.

Start-ups benefit massively from early tax planning

Tax planning starts on day one. A good accountant can immediately help you with:

• Salary and dividend strategy
• Home office claims
• Mileage tracking
• VAT scheme selection
• Pension planning
• Choosing the right accounting software
• Understanding business banking
• Setting up payroll
• Using allowances correctly

These decisions all affect your first-year tax bill. If you get them wrong from the beginning, you lose money unnecessarily.

When you absolutely MUST get an accountant

If any of the following apply, you need an accountant immediately:

• You are going limited
• You plan to be VAT registered
• You employ staff
• You have multiple income streams
• You have no time for bookkeeping
• You are unsure what to claim
• You want to avoid HMRC problems
• You want to grow quickly
• You want support with mortgages or lending

Trying to do all of this yourself usually leads to oversights or errors.

What if your business is still small?

Even small Bedford businesses benefit from early support because:

• Your first-year choices shape your future tax
• You avoid forming bad bookkeeping habits
• You learn what to claim from day one
• You get the right VAT guidance early
• You build a clean foundation for growth

Small mistakes in the first year become big problems later.

How Towerstone supports new Bedford businesses

At Towerstone we work hand in hand with new business owners. Although we do not offer weekend or in person evening appointments, we do speak with clients during early evenings where needed.

When you start your business with us we:

• Set everything up correctly
• Help you choose the right structure
• Register everything with HMRC
• Set up your bookkeeping
• Explain your first-year tax position
• Plan how you will pay yourself
• Track your deadlines
• Keep you compliant
• Support you throughout the year

Clients often tell us they wish they had come to us sooner because the peace of mind is priceless.

The Bottom Line for Bedford Start-Ups

You should get an accountant as soon as possible after starting your business. Preferably before you trade, and definitely within the first couple of months. Early guidance saves you time, money and stress and prevents the common mistakes that hurt new businesses every year.

If you want a strong start, proper planning and a clear understanding of your tax, the earlier you get support, the better.