In message , Robin
writes

And if the OP's going to buy a van for the work I'd recommend getting
advice on how to deal with that for tax purposes as there are more
options than ever with the cash basis and AIA on top of simplified
expenses. All too difficult for me these days.

We're getting further away from the original question now but, if the OP
is becoming self employed for the first time, it is important to know
just what can be deducted for tax purposes. Working from home?
Dedicate a part of the home as office, and claim, say, ten percent of
all household bills. Going out in the car? Buy something for the
business, and claim car running expenses, including parking. Just keep
all receipts. Forever.

Using a home PC for business records and accounts? Claim for it - and
the cost of modems, routers, ISP, cables, printers, inks, paper etc.
Claim for the cost of any new desk, filing cabinet, files etc.

Married? Employ the wife if she is not working elsewhere. Make sure
she does something, though. Pop to suppliers, write cheques, file
invoices, type quotes or whatever. Claim for her car too, if she uses
it for business.

Claim for overalls, boots, gloves, masks, tools etc.

As regards the accounts, I found it easiest to start with a blank profit
and loss account, with all the required fields blank, then work
backwards from that, so I knew where I needed to end up, with the
figures.
--
Graeme