Online Accounting for SMEs

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What is Online Accounting?

Online accounting keeps all your financial records in cloud-based software, giving you and your accountant access to the same information throughout the year, whenever and wherever you are.

Xero is our preferred platform as it makes things simple for both parties. Bank transactions feed into it, invoices and bills can be managed through it, and other finance apps can be connected where they are useful.

For growing businesses, having everything properly connected makes the day-to-day finance work easier and gives you a much clearer view of how the business is performing.

How We Help

First we’ll review your current finance function and how the numbers are being produced and used.

That includes how bookkeeping is being handled, how invoices, bills and expenses flow through the system, and how much oversight you currently have on the quality and timing of the information coming out of it. In many cases the software is already in place, but the reporting, controls and consistency around it can still be improved.

From there, we can refine your Xero setup, tighten the processes around it and make sure the data feeding into your accounts is reliable and up to date. We can also support the wider finance function where needed, including bookkeeping, VAT returns, annual accounts, management accounts, cash flow forecasting and outsourced finance support.

The aim is to give you confidence in the numbers you are looking at, and a finance function that supports decision-making rather than just record-keeping.

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Why online accounting?

Keep your financial information up to date throughout the year, with fewer gaps between bookkeeping and reporting.

Bring bank feeds, invoices, bills and other finance tools into a more joined-up system.

Get a clearer view of cash flow, costs and performance when you need to make decisions.

Is it right you?

Online accounting tends to make the biggest difference when:

Spreadsheets and manual processes are starting to have limitations
You want a clearer view of cash flow and performance during the year
Xero is already in place, but you know the setup could be working better
Your finance team needs more support as the business grows
You’re changing accountants and want to improve the finance setup at the same time

If your business has grown but the finance side hasn’t quite kept pace, this is usually a good place to start.

Our Process

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We get to know your business

We’ll look at how your accounts are being handled now, what’s working, where things get stuck and what you want better visibility over.

We get everything set up

We’ll sort the Xero setup, move over the information we need and connect any apps that make sense for the way your business works.

We get everyone up to speed

Your team will know what they need to do, what we’re taking care of and how the day-to-day process will work.

We stay involved

Once everything is running, we keep close to the numbers throughout the year. You’ll have current information and someone to speak to when something needs attention.

Why choose Accounts and Legal?

We’ve worked with more than 1,000 UK businesses since setting up in 2015, from owner-managed companies to complex, multimillion-pound organisations.

We were one of the first UK firms to become a Xero Platinum Partner and were named Xero’s Large Firm of the Year in 2023. In 2025, we were also shortlisted for the Accounting Excellence Client Service Award.

Our clients get quarterly performance reviews as standard, giving you regular time with your accountant to go through the numbers and talk about what’s happening in the business.

You also have accounting, tax, legal and corporate finance expertise under one roof. As the business grows and the decisions get bigger, you’ve already got a team around you that understands where you’ve come from and where you’re heading.

Speak to an expert

Jessica Hall

Business Development Consultant

Get in Touch

Know what you need? Get a quote.

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What Our Clients Say

Accounts and Legal have been fantastic to work with over the last few years. Kath Meehan-Lacitignola, who handles our bookkeeping, is incredibly thorough, efficient and friendly. She’s quick to respond, genuinely cares and is always ready to help with any question. Special thanks to Jack Dawber-Axon, Senior Manager, who is our go-to for tax and accounting queries. Jack is exceptionally talented, thinks outside the box and has been instrumental in increasing our tax efficiency & saving us money. Both Kath and Jack make a real difference to our business.

Emma Williams, Founder of Seene Digital

Blowing our own trumpet

Jonas Kibrick

Very helpful in taking care of everything I need. Even when I'm not the easiest customer Jonas Kibrick

Nikki Dingle

We have just joined accounts and legal and could not ask for more. The support so far has been amazing. Being beginners in business we feel really looked after and excited about our future collaboration with this team. Thank you!

Fleurette Mulcachy

We've been working with A+L for over 5 years and would highly recommend the team! Friendly, knowledgeable and always happy to help. They have been fantastic at every stage if our business, from start-up to growth. A professional and approachable...

Challenge Sophie – Business Planning

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Challenge Sophie – Business Planning

Sometimes we really love our job, and meeting clients like Sophie Storm Roberts from Challenge Sophie is exactly why. So what does Sophie do? I suppose you could say that Sophie is ‘living the dream’. After...

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   Léopold Forest 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I have been using A&L for my business since launch for more than 2 years and it has been working very efficient. They are very proficient in using the latest technologies, from helping me with my accounts, managing better my costs, helping with my payroll, but also on the legal side, helping me understand better legal documents and registering my trademark. A big praise to Sam Millward, who has been overseeing my account very well there. Cannot recommend more !
  
 
        
   Santana Kaiki 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Accounts and Legal are always so reliable and their communication is fantastic. As we are an international business they always have time for our queries and provide suitable solution when needed. Special mention to the payroll team for always being attentive.
  
 
        
   chloe 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Stephanie at A&L has been extremely helpful in supporting me with any finance queries I may have. She have offered to complete training for certain aspects that I needed help with, and is always more than happy to assist. Carys has also been great in supporting and facilitating training.
  
 
        
   Gary Booth 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. A great team to have on-side.............. Providing a professional but very personal approach, A&L have been a breath of fresh air throughout our business expansion into the UK. Since being introduced to the company, A&L have readily provided sound, practical advice and have managed our accounts meticulously well. Amy and Shagun, which aptly means 'blessing' in India, have been absolute stand-outs in the support they have provided. I would highly recommend A&L to any business/institution looking for solid, long-term financial support. A quick update to this review, a year on and we are still receiving amazing support from A&L.  A particular shout-out to our more recent A&L team - Carys and Stephanie in the accounting area and Millie in payroll. Thanks for your ongoing support, patience and good humour. Date of experience: 09 November 2023
  
 
        
   Lucy Mullins 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Excellent service from Jack.
  
 
        
   Lotte Manson 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We have been with Accounts and Legal a couple of months now and couldn't be happier with their service. From initial onboarding all the staff have been great. Our accountant is Sam Millward and from our first meeting both myself and my business partner felt at ease and confident we had made the right choice. Sam is patient with us, explaining all things finance so we both understand. Thanks Sam, this part of the business is no longer scary for us and actually enjoyable!
  
 
        
   Wick Guru 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I've had the pleasure of working with Sam for my accounting needs, and I couldn't be more impressed. Sam is incredibly knowledgeable, detail-oriented, and always goes the extra mile to ensure everything is in order. He’s quick to respond to any questions and takes the time to explain things in an easy-to-understand way. His enthusiasm is infectious, and he consistently goes above and beyond. I’m incredibly grateful to have him as my accountant. Thank you, Sam, for everything you do!
  
 
        
   Adam Farrugia 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. After some pretty disappointing experiences with accountancy firms I have been fortunate to finally find a service that meets my needs. The onboarding has been smooth and Hannah has been brilliant (as have all the team) in helping me with what can be seen as a daunting process. The price is competitive and I am already more positive in the results that can be achieved for my business
  
 
        
   Temi Olugbenga 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We hired A&L for our accounting needs & the process has been absolute bliss. After having a rough time with our previous accountant, Hannah McBride made sure the process of onboarding was smooth & fun. A genuine pleasure to work with!
  
 
  
  
 
 
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