The Friendly Accountant

The Friendly Accountants is a firm of qualified accountants and tax advisers that provides specialist services to small businesses, contractors, and e-commerce entities across the UK and overseas. The firm distinguishes itself through its fully online operational model, leveraging advanced technology and online software to support its diverse client base throughout the year, rather than solely at year-end. This digital-first approach enables the company to offer flexible and accessible accounting and taxation services, catering to modern business needs. The company holds expert knowledge in leading online accounting systems, specifically FreeAgent and Xero, which are often included as standard in its business packages.

The firm identifies Xero as particularly suitable for smaller businesses requiring enhanced functionality, while FreeAgent is noted for its user-friendliness, making it ideal for contractors and freelancers. The firm is led by highly experienced professionals, including Richard Baldwyn, an ex-HMRC qualified tax adviser with over 25 years of experience, and Lesley Ward, a qualified chartered accountant with over 25 years of experience, having previously served as an FD of a FTSE company. The Friendly Accountants places a strong emphasis on the importance of working with appropriately experienced and qualified professionals, noting that all team members possess the necessary credentials to ensure clients receive accurate and reliable advice. The company is a proud member of leading accounting and taxation bodies, which mandates adherence to stringent professional rules, standards, ethics, and guidelines.

Qualified accountants within the firm are required to hold Practicing Certificates and maintain professional indemnity insurance, offering clients significant protection and assurance in their services. This commitment to formal training ensures that the firm's professionals are exposed to a comprehensive range of accounting and taxation aspects, and are required to keep their knowledge current with changing regulations. Beyond general accounting and tax compliance, The Friendly Accountants offers specialized expertise in several niche areas tailored to contemporary business environments. The firm is widely recognized for its proficiency in crypto taxes and NFTs, providing essential guidance to clients navigating the complexities of digital asset taxation.

Additionally, the company assists with intricate property tax planning, aiming to optimize tax positions and achieve significant savings for clients with diverse property portfolios. The firm's comprehensive service offering extends to various business structures, including sole traders, LLPs, partnerships, and owner-managed limited companies, whether standalone or part of a group. This broad and specialized expertise ensures that clients receive highly tailored advice relevant to their specific business needs and industry sectors. The Friendly Accountants is committed to providing a client-focused service, characterized by all-year-round support and advice delivered in clear, plain English.

The firm operates on an affordable fixed-fee basis, promoting transparency and predictability in its service costs, which helps clients manage their budgets effectively. To further empower its clients, the company provides exclusive access to an online support hub known as 'The Friendly Hub,' which contains extensive invaluable advice compiled from many years of experience assisting small businesses and sole traders across the UK. This hub, along with complimentary resources such as tax-saving eBooks and calculators for salary, dividends, and Making Tax Digital, demonstrates the firm's dedication to equipping clients with valuable tools and knowledge to manage their finances effectively. The company's physical address for correspondence is Arena Business Centre, Holyrood Close, Poole, Dorset, BH17 7FJ, UK.