AJS - Bookkeeping, MTD and Finance Systems

AJS - Bookkeeping, MTD and Finance Systems Taking the headache out of your business finances. Expert bookkeeping, MTD setup & Xero/Sage training for local small businesses. Launching soon!

13/05/2026

Wait, is this a business expense or just a ‘treat myself’ moment? ☕️

We’ve all been there, staring at a receipt from Costa or Greggs trying to remember if that sausage roll was a subsistence cost during a client meeting or just, well, lunch.

In the eyes of HMRC, the rule is simple but strict: expenses must be “wholly and exclusively” for the purpose of your trade. Buying a laptop to run your business? Absolutely! Buying a ‘work’ wardrobe that you also wear to the pub? Unlikely.

Mixing your personal ‘Oops, I bought another plant’ spending with your business outgoings is a fast track to a chaotic Self Assessment. Let’s get it sorted before MTD deadlines hit!

Simple steps to follow:

📸 Snap your receipt straight onto you finance system as soon as it’s in your hand if it was for business.
🧾 Make a note on your receipt, like a client name, if you were at a business lunch.
✔️ Reconcile your bank account regularly while your spending is fresh in your mind.

Keep your books clean so you can spend your time growing your empire, not untangling your Tesco Meal Deal receipts!

If you have a pile of receipts in need of sorting, comment ‘EXPENSE’ below or drop me a DM and we can have a chat about how we can get it cleaned up ✨

Finding the peace 🐾🌬️Mental health isn’t always a big, dramatic conversation. Often, it’s just about finding small pocke...
12/05/2026

Finding the peace 🐾🌬️

Mental health isn’t always a big, dramatic conversation. Often, it’s just about finding small pockets of peace in a world that feels very loud right now.

For me, it’s a walk through the fields with Rumi or ten minutes away from my phone. For you, it might be something else. Whatever it is, make sure you make space for it this week.

Your worth isn’t defined by your productivity. It’s okay to slow down. It’s okay to rest.

Sending strength to anyone who needs it this week 💜

Stop leaving money on the table! 💸Most business owners and directors know the basics, but it’s the hidden deductions tha...
11/05/2026

Stop leaving money on the table! 💸

Most business owners and directors know the basics, but it’s the hidden deductions that really make a difference to your bottom line.

As we head toward the 2026 tax changes, staying on top of what you can actually claim is more important than ever. From your morning coffee meetings to the glasses you’re wearing to read this post, it all adds up!

Swipe through to see 5 tax-saving hacks you might have missed:

👓 Screen strain? Your business can cover the test and the specs.
🏡 Working from the kitchen table? You’re missing out on more than just “internet” deductions.
👕 Turn your wardrobe into a walking tax break with one simple branding move.
❌ Don’t pay tax on money you never received. Write off those bad debts!
🎁 The £300 “Trivial Benefit” is the taxman’s way of letting you treat yourself.

Which of these did you not know about? Let me know in the comments! 👇🏻

10/05/2026

If it is, I have the offer you need to help you get this cleared.

I’m offering a free 2 hour consultation to 3 small businesses to look at something that has been bogging you down.

Whether it’s queries on your bank rec, a messy chart of accounts or getting you MTD ready, just let me know and I will spend the time making it right for you. Completely free, no strings attached.

And even more, you will also receive an exclusive discount on regular bookkeeping services afterwards.

Comment RECONCILE below or drop me a message for more info ✨

HMRC's new rules are enough to make anyone pull their best concentration face.Luckily, I’ve already done the reading! I’...
10/05/2026

HMRC's new rules are enough to make anyone pull their best concentration face.

Luckily, I’ve already done the reading! I’m helping local businesses get MTD-ready now so 2026 is a breeze. DM for a chat (no dog treats required, but always greatly appreciated)

Hi 👋 I’m Andrea, the founder of AJS Bookkeeping & Finance Systems.I’ve lived in Daventry for most of my life (it’ll alwa...
09/05/2026

Hi 👋 I’m Andrea, the founder of AJS Bookkeeping & Finance Systems.

I’ve lived in Daventry for most of my life (it’ll always be my home!), and when I’m not balancing ledgers or untangling Xero feeds, my life is wonderfully busy:
🏡 At home: I live with my husband, our two energetic kids (ages 5 and 7), a very patient cat, and an extremely bouncy puppy!
🌲 To recharge: You’ll find me outdoors exploring with my family, lost in a good book, baking in the kitchen or sometimes even at a music gig when I get the chance.

Why did I start AJS?
I’ve spent over 15 years navigating the world of finance, but I realised recently that what I love most isn’t just the numbers, it’s the people and the stories behind the businesses.

My career has taken me everywhere, from the structured halls of Royal Mail and the fast-paced world of Motor Sports, to supporting local charities and small businesses as a consultant.

I decided it was time to take all that big business knowledge and small business heart and build something of my own. A business where I can help fellow entrepreneurs in my community stop stressing about HMRC and start focusing on what they love.

I’m not your typical suit and tie accountant. I’m a systems-obsessed partner who wants to make your bookkeeping invisible so you can get back to your own family, your own hobbies, and your own growth.

It’s lovely to meet you all! If you’re a local business owner or landlord, drop a comment and say hi, I’d love to know what you do! 👇

Ps, turns out almost every photo I have with me in it is a selfie, I’m usually the one behind the camera… mum life 🤦🏻‍♀️

One of the biggest hurdles for small business owners and landlords is not knowing what they’re paying for, or even worse...
09/05/2026

One of the biggest hurdles for small business owners and landlords is not knowing what they’re paying for, or even worse, when the next surprise bill from their accountant is coming.

At AJS Bookkeeping, I believe your bookkeeping should be a fixed investment, not an unpredictable expense.

Whether you need a one-off Xero rescue mission or someone to take the entire MTD burden off your plate, I’ve kept my pricing simple and transparent.

Looking for total peace of mind? 🤝
While I offer hourly rates, most of my ongoing clients prefer a fixed monthly retainer. This gives you:
🌟 Predictable cash flow: No surprise invoices.
🌟 Ongoing priority: I’m your dedicated finance partner every week of the year.
🌟 Value-based service: You pay for the results (clean books and zero fines), not just my time.

(Please note: Final quotes are bespoke based on your transaction volume and business complexity. I’ll always give you a clear, upfront price before we start!)

Ready to get your weekends back?
DM me ‘PRICE’ or comment below to book a free 15-minute consultation. Let's find the package that fits your business perfectly.

Still keeping receipts in a shoebox (or your car dashboard)? 🚘🫣With Making Tax Digital (MTD) arriving in 2026, that shoe...
08/05/2026

Still keeping receipts in a shoebox (or your car dashboard)? 🚘🫣

With Making Tax Digital (MTD) arriving in 2026, that shoebox is about to become a major liability. HMRC is moving to quarterly digital updates, and manual paperwork simply won’t keep up.

But here’s the good news: MTD is actually an opportunity to get your weekends back.
I’ve put together a brand new, 1-page guide: The 5-Minute Month-End Checklist. 📋✨

It’s the exact 5-step system I use to help my clients automate their bookkeeping using Xero. If you follow these steps, you’ll:

🌟 Stop losing receipts (and missing out on tax relief).
🌟 Never lose a Sunday afternoon matching bank statements.
🌟 Know exactly how much profit you’ve made by Friday lunchtime.
Bookkeeping doesn’t have to be a big task at the end of the month, I can help you make it a 5-minute habit.

Want the checklist? Comment ‘SYSTEM’ below, and I’ll send the high-res image directly to your inbox! 📩

The Annual Tax Return is officially evolving. Are you ready? If you’re a sole trader or landlord, April 2026 marks the b...
07/05/2026

The Annual Tax Return is officially evolving. Are you ready?

If you’re a sole trader or landlord, April 2026 marks the biggest change to the UK tax system in a generation. HMRC is moving to Making Tax Digital (MTD), which means the old way of doing things, one big panic in January, is over.

The shift in a nutshell:
✅ If you earn over £50k, you’re up first.
✅ Paper records are out; digital software is in.
✅ 1 annual return is becoming 4 quarterly updates + 1 final declaration.
I know this sounds like a lot of extra admin, but it doesn’t have to be. With 15+ years of experience in finance systems, I specialise in making this transition invisible for you.

By setting up the right automation in Xero now, you won’t just be compliant, you’ll finally have a real-time view of your profits (and your tax bill!) all year round.
Swipe to see the key dates and find out if you’re affected.
Don’t leave it until the August deadline rush. Let’s get your systems MTD-ready today.
📩 DM ‘MTD’ to book a free 15-minute systems chat.

Address

Daventry

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