Behind On Digital Records? How BES Gets North London Xero Or QuickBooks Ready Before The First MTD Deadline
- bes Accountancy Services
- Jul 19
- 4 min read
For many sole traders, landlords and small business owners in North London, Making Tax Digital is becoming a real deadline, not a future admin task.
The challenge is not only having Xero or QuickBooks. Your income, expenses, receipts, VAT records and Self Assessment information must also be accurate, organised and ready to submit.
BES Accountancy is a leading London based accounting company supporting businesses and self employed professionals across the UK. Founded in 2020 and led by Besnik Vata, a certified bookkeeper with an AAT licence, BES helps clients keep clear financial records, stay compliant and prepare for HMRC deadlines with confidence.
learn more about BES Accountancy on our About Us page
Want to dive deeper into accounting for businesses?
Read our related blog, where we provide a full guide to submitting your File Your Tax Return Early.
Why MTD Preparation Matters
Making Tax Digital changes how many sole traders and landlords keep and report their records. Instead of sorting everything at the end of the tax year, those within the scope of MTD need to maintain digital records and send quarterly updates through compatible software.
For small businesses, this means bookkeeping needs to be kept up to date throughout the year. Missing receipts, unreconciled bank transactions and unclear expense categories can all create problems before the first quarterly update.
Besnik Vata, director of BES Accountancy, a London-based accounting company, explains:
“MTD is not just about submitting figures. It is about making sure the records behind those figures are correct.”
What BES Checks in Xero or QuickBooks
Xero and QuickBooks are useful tools, but only when they are set up properly. BES Accountancy helps clients check the key areas before the first MTD deadline, including:
Bank feeds and reconciliations
Sales income and invoices
Expenses, receipts and supplier bills
VAT codes where relevant
Personal and business transactions
Self Assessment records
Property income and expenses for landlords
Old spreadsheet records that need to be moved into accounting software
Why Clean Bookkeeping Comes First
MTD preparation starts with bookkeeping. If your records are behind, accounting software alone will not fix the problem.
Clean bookkeeping helps you understand what has been earned, what has been spent and what needs attention before important deadlines. It also makes VAT returns, Self Assessment, cash flow and year-end accounts easier to manage.
BES provides a full suite of accountancy services, including bookkeeping, payroll management, VAT returns, financial accounting and account preparation for sole traders and partnerships. The team also supports clients with Xero and QuickBooks, helping them maintain accurate and efficient digital records.
Common MTD Mistakes to Avoid
Many business owners know MTD is coming but leave their preparation too late.
Common issues include setting up accounting software without cleaning old records, failing to reconcile bank transactions, mixing personal and business spending, using the wrong VAT codes and keeping some records in spreadsheets while others remain in accounting software.
In our view, MTD should not be treated as a one-off tax task. It should be used as an opportunity to build a better financial system for the business.
How BES Accountancy Helps North London Businesses
BES Accountancy is built around three core values: availability, efficiency and trust.
For clients who are behind on digital records, BES can help review their current position, clean up bookkeeping records, set up or improve Xero and QuickBooks, reconcile bank accounts, check VAT treatment and prepare for quarterly updates.
This support is ideal for sole traders, landlords, start-ups, growing SMEs and established businesses that want clear records without the stress of last-minute tax preparation.
Final Thoughts
If your digital records are behind, the best time to act is before the first MTD deadline creates pressure.
BES Accountancy helps North London sole traders, landlords and small businesses get their Xero, QuickBooks, bookkeeping, VAT and Self Assessment records ready for Making Tax Digital.
If your records feel unclear, BES can help you bring everything together and prepare with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the First MTD Quarterly Update Deadline?
The first standard MTD quarterly update deadline is 7 August 2026.
Can BES Help if My Digital Records Are Behind?
Yes. BES can review your records, clean up your bookkeeping, reconcile bank transactions and prepare Xero or QuickBooks for MTD.
Do I Need Xero or QuickBooks for MTD?
You need compatible software. Xero and QuickBooks are popular options, but they must be set up and maintained correctly.
Does MTD Replace Self Assessment?
No. MTD changes how records are kept and reported during the year, but Self Assessment responsibilities still need to be managed.
Does BES Only Work With London Businesses?
No. BES is based in London and works with clients across the UK, although London remains its main client base.
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