Family-run accountancy practice Sunflower Accounts named a Gold Champion partner by software company Xero

Wiltshire-based accountancy firm, Sunflower Accounts has been named a Gold Champion partner by national software platform Xero for their proactive efforts to embrace technology.

The accolade comes as founder Steph Rickaby warns those in the SME sector that they need to be prepared for the HMRC’s April 2019 deadline of Making Tax Digital (MTD). From April next year it will be compulsory for UK businesses, above the VAT threshold (£85,000), to process their returns digitally.

“Early on in the development of digital accountancy software we understood the huge benefits that it would deliver and so quickly became early adopters of Xero, the cloud-based HMRC-recognised VAT software,” explained Steph Rickaby who together with her husband Mark are directors of Sunflower Accounts which operates from Calne.

“We have been working closely with our clients and showing them how to successfully use the Xero software since 2013, so they are already processing their VAT returns online and are MDT-ready without even realising it,” continued Steph. “Keeping and submitting manual and paper records is a thing of the past for them. However for other small businesses who are ‘doing things the way they’ve always done them’ it’s a different story.”

By achieving an increased level of clients using the Xero software and its successful completion of various training courses around MTD, Sunflower Accounts has been awarded Xero Gold Champion status. 

“This reflects our unrelenting focus on providing the best digital accounting solution to complement the specialised personal service,” said Steph.

“We regularly meet, monthly or quarterly, with clients to help them focus on the up-to-date numbers. Working together we help them to accurately understand their turn over and profitability to put the appropriate tax plans in place.”

Accountancy functions will become increasingly automated. Small businesses, stuck in the manual and paper world of spreadsheets, often need help to make the transition to digital reporting in order to be MTD compliant.

For more information about Steph Rickaby and Sunflower Accounts, based in Hilmarton, near Calne visit http://sunfloweraccounts.co.uk