5 Accounting Tips Every Northampton Small Business Owner Should Know

Running a small business in Northampton is something to be proud of but it comes with its fair share of admin.

Whether you’re a self-employed hairdresser, an electrician, or you’ve recently launched your own shop or consultancy, one thing’s for sure: keeping on top of your finances can feel overwhelming at times.

To help make things a little easier, here are five straightforward accounting tips that we share with our local clients at Northampton Accounts no jargon, just good advice.

1. Keep Business and Personal Separate

It might seem easier to use the same bank account for everything but separating your business finances makes your bookkeeping much clearer.
Open a dedicated business account and try to keep all your business income and expenses flowing through it. It’ll save you hours later.

2. Stay On Top of Your Records (Little and Often)

You don’t need to be a bookkeeping expert but getting into the habit of tracking your income and expenses regularly will help massively.
A simple spreadsheet, a receipt-scanning app, or cloud software can all do the trick. 10 minutes a week beats 10 hours in January!

3. Understand What You Can Claim

Many small business owners in Northampton miss out on claiming legitimate expenses like:

• Travel and mileage

• Home office costs

• Business-related software or phone bills

• Professional memberships

If in doubt, speak to an accountant or HMRC’s expenses guide it’s always worth checking.

4. Don’t Leave Tax Returns to the Last Minute

We know how fast the year flies. But filing your tax return early:

• Gives you peace of mind

• Helps you plan for any tax owed

• Means you’re not rushing in January with everyone else

Plus, you don’t have to pay straight away just knowing the amount early helps with planning.

5. Ask Questions; It’s Your Business!

Whether you’re using accounting software or have an accountant helping you, don’t be afraid to ask questions if something doesn’t make sense.
Your finances should feel clear, not confusing. A good accountant will always be happy to explain things in plain English.

Want More Tips Like This?

At Northampton Accounts, we love making numbers feel simple.
We work with local businesses all over Northamptonshire, helping them feel more in control and less stressed about money.

We’ll be sharing more helpful blogs, guides, and free checklists, so feel free to bookmark this page or follow us on social media for more.

📧 Interested in having a chat? Email us at hello@northamptonaccounts.co.uk we’re always happy to help.