On Sun, 23 Oct 2011 10:22:25 +0100, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:

If you're going self employed, find yourself a good accountant. Ask
other people doing the same job as you who they use. He or she will save
you far more than they cost.

Agreed it may also be worth looking for an accounant who specialises
in tax matters rather than just "an accountant". BTW you don't get
them to do your books just take your books and produce the tax return
(and audit if your turnover is high enough).

Another thing to do is go on a "starting in business" course. Check
out your local business link or similar organisation. It'll give you
a good grounding in what you have to do, what you need to do and the
basics involved in running your own business from structure (sole
trader, partnership, Co-op, Ltd Co.) to record keeping, VAT (register
or not) and so on.

--
Cheers
Dave.