Frequently Asked Questions

Page Ivy offers a full range of accountancy services for UK businesses, including bookkeeping, VAT returns, payroll, self-assessment tax returns, company formation, and strategic financial advisory. We work with sole traders, limited companies, and growing SMEs across construction, hospitality, e-commerce, beauty, and content creation. Whether you need ongoing monthly support or a one-off filing, we have a service to suit. See our services overview for full details.

Page Ivy is built for UK founders, owner-operators, sole traders, and growing SMEs who want straightforward, reliable accountancy without the corporate jargon. We have deep sector knowledge in construction and CIS, hospitality, content creation, e-commerce, and beauty and wellness. If you are starting out or scaling up and want an accountant who genuinely understands your industry, Page Ivy is for you.

Yes, Page Ivy (trading name of S-Mouzo Accountancy Ltd) is a UK-registered accountancy practice. We operate remotely across the whole of England, Wales, and Scotland, so you are not limited by geography. All our work is governed by UK tax law and HMRC regulations, and we hold the appropriate professional qualifications and registrations.

Page Ivy combines proper professional accountancy with a clear, personal service that puts plain English first. We do not use confusing jargon, we respond promptly, and we take the time to understand your business rather than treating you as a number. Our sector expertise means we understand the specific pressures facing construction contractors, hospitality operators, and e-commerce sellers — not just the numbers on a spreadsheet. We are also fully digital and cloud-based, so working with us is seamless wherever you are in the UK.

Our pricing is based on the specific service you need rather than a one-size-fits-all monthly plan. Recurring services such as bookkeeping, VAT, and payroll are quoted based on your transaction volume and complexity, while one-off services like company formation and confirmation statements have fixed prices. Visit our pricing page for indicative ranges, or request a quote for a tailored figure within 24 hours.

Yes. Every new enquiry starts with a complimentary discovery call so we can understand your situation and make sure we are the right fit. There is no obligation and no hard sell — just a straightforward conversation about your business and what you need. Book your free call and we will get back to you within one business day.

We accept bank transfer (BACS), direct debit for recurring monthly engagements, and most major debit and credit cards. For ongoing services we set up a simple monthly direct debit so there are no invoices to chase or miss. One-off services are invoiced and payable by bank transfer or card.

No. Our ongoing services run on a rolling monthly basis with 30 days notice to cancel — there are no lengthy tie-ins or exit penalties. We earn your business every month through the quality of our work. One-off engagements are agreed per project with no ongoing commitment unless you choose to continue.

For most individuals and self-employed people in the UK, the self-assessment tax return deadline is 31 January following the end of the tax year (5 April). For example, the 2023/24 return must be filed and any tax owed paid by 31 January 2025. Paper returns have an earlier deadline of 31 October. Filing late triggers an automatic £100 penalty, so we recommend submitting well in advance — we typically aim for October or November. See our tax returns service for how we can help.

You are not legally required to use an accountant, but it is almost always worth it. A qualified accountant will make sure you claim every allowable expense, avoid common errors that trigger HMRC enquiries, and file on time — all of which can save you far more than the cost of the fee. If your income comes from self-employment, property, investments, or CIS work, the rules are complex enough that professional advice pays for itself. Book a free call to find out how much we could save you.

You can claim any expense that is incurred wholly and exclusively for the purpose of running your business. Common examples include office costs, travel and mileage, professional subscriptions, marketing spend, software, and a proportion of home-working costs. The rules differ depending on whether you are a sole trader or a limited company, and some expenses (such as entertaining) have specific restrictions. We review your expenses as part of our bookkeeping and tax services to make sure you are not leaving money on the table.

You must register for VAT once your taxable turnover exceeds £90,000 in any rolling 12-month period (the threshold as of April 2024). You can also register voluntarily below this threshold, which can be beneficial if your customers are VAT-registered businesses. Missing a compulsory registration deadline can result in penalties and back-payment of VAT you should have charged. We monitor your turnover and advise you in good time — see our VAT service for more.

We primarily work with QuickBooks Online and Xero, both of which are Making Tax Digital (MTD) compliant and widely used by UK businesses. If you already use one of these we can connect directly to your account; if you are starting fresh we will recommend the best fit for your business size and sector. We handle the setup and ongoing reconciliation so you can focus on running your business. See our bookkeeping service for full details.

Yes. We run payroll for businesses ranging from a single director to teams of 50 or more employees. Our payroll service covers monthly or weekly pay runs, Real Time Information (RTI) submissions to HMRC, auto-enrolment pension contributions, P60s and P11Ds, and CIS deduction statements for contractors in the construction industry. If your team grows we scale with you at no disruption.

We can form a UK limited company through Companies House in as little as 24 hours on a standard working day. The process includes registering your company name, setting up the share structure, and providing the statutory documents you need. We also advise on the most tax-efficient shareholding and director arrangement before you incorporate. See our company formation service for what is included.

Switching is straightforward and we manage the process for you. Once you sign our engagement letter we will write to your previous accountant requesting professional clearance and your records — this is standard practice and they are required to cooperate. We will also handle HMRC agent authorisation so we can act on your behalf. Most switches are completed within 5 to 7 working days with no gap in your compliance. Get in touch and we will walk you through every step.

To onboard you as a new client we need proof of identity (passport or driving licence) and proof of address (a recent utility bill or bank statement) for anti-money laundering compliance — this is a legal requirement for all UK accountants. Beyond that, we will ask for access to your bookkeeping software or bank statements, your HMRC Government Gateway login details (or we can set up a new one), and any prior-year tax returns or accounts. We will send you a clear checklist after your discovery call so nothing is missed.

In most cases we can begin within 48 hours of completing onboarding. After your free discovery call we send the engagement letter and ID verification request; once those are returned we are ready to go. If you have an urgent filing deadline or a time-sensitive situation, let us know and we will prioritise accordingly. Book your call today to get the process started.