A complete accountancy
and business service

Our approach

One firm. Every stage of your business life.

Maxwells Chartered Accountants offers a full range of services to businesses and individuals of all sizes — from straightforward tax cases through to complex groups of companies. Whatever the engagement, every client receives a high quality of service with a named partner and manager responsible for their work.

Use the sections below to explore what we offer, or get in touch to discuss your specific needs.

Service 01

1. 01
   Accounting & Bookkeeping

   We advise on setting up bookkeeping and accounting systems that work for your business, then support you as you grow. Our services include:

   • Preparation and interpretation of management accounts
   • Annual accounts for limited companies, including Companies House filing
   • Annual accounts for sole traders and partnerships
   • VAT returns and compliance

   As members of the Sage Accountants Club, we can supply Sage software, hardware and staff training directly.

2. 02
   Taxation

   Our dedicated Tax Department provides a full self-assessment compliance service and specialist advice across a wide range of areas:

   • Capital Gains Tax planning
   • Inheritance Tax advice and planning
   • National Insurance advice and claims
   • Retirement and tax planning
   • IR35 reviews and subcontractor forms
   • Trusts
   • Year-end tax planning meetings for corporate clients
   • Tax planning for individuals, partnerships and directors
3. 03
   Probate

   Maxwells is licensed by ICAEW for non-contentious probate in England and Wales (since 1 October 2015). We offer a full probate service, working with executors from the earliest stages through to final distribution:

   • Pre-death taxation and asset/liability collection
   • Completing IHT accounts and forms, and claiming IHT reliefs
   • Applying for the grant of probate
   • CGT and income tax of the estate during the administration period
   • Compiling and selling assets, settling debts
   • Identifying tax savings through deed of variation
   • Preparing final estate accounts and distributing assets to beneficiaries

   We understand this is a difficult time. Our approach is compassionate and timely. For probate enquiries, please contact:

   • Debbie Villis, Partner (BA FCA CTA) — debbiev@maxwellsaccountants.co.uk
   • Jon Shorney, Partner (BA FCA) — jon@maxwellsaccountants.co.uk
4. 04
   Payroll

   A comprehensive and confidential payroll service for businesses with 1 to 300 staff. We handle the full payroll cycle so you don't have to:

   • Gross pay calculation, statutory and voluntary deductions, net pay
   • Payroll forms and year-end returns to government departments
   • Document storage for DSS, HMRC and audit compliance
   • Advice on DSS and Inland Revenue enquiries
5. 05
   Business Planning & Start-Up

   Whether you are an established business planning ahead or an entrepreneur starting out, we provide structured support at every stage.

   For established businesses: strategic planning reviews and the financial aspects of business plans.

   For new ventures:

   • Advice on business structure — sole trader, partnership or limited company
   • Business plan, cash-flow projections, budgets and trading forecasts
   • Finance requirements assessment
   • Introductions to banks and solicitors
   • Companies House and HMRC registration
   • Internal accounting system setup

   We offer a free initial consultation for new businesses.

6. 06
   Fee Protection

   An HMRC enquiry can run for years and cost thousands in professional fees — even when you have done nothing wrong. Our fee protection insurance, provided via Markel, covers up to £75,000 of accountancy costs for a full enquiry, including:

   • Self-assessment and corporation tax investigations
   • VAT disputes
   • Employer compliance disputes (PAYE, NI, status)

   The policy also includes a Business Support Helpline covering employment law, health & safety and commercial legal advice. Available to limited companies, partnerships, sole traders, private clients, directors and partners.

   Examples from our own client files:

   Small family-run restaurant — 4-year enquiry

   HMRC claimed sales were understated. After four years, only minor additions were made. Accountancy fees of just over £7,000 covered in full by fee protection.

   Small family-run building firm — VAT dispute

   VAT registration dispute decided in the client's favour. Over £30,000 of VAT saved. Representation costs of approximately £8,500 over three years covered by fee protection.

   Sole trader landscape gardener — 3-year investigation

   HMRC claimed understated sales. After three years, fees of approximately £7,000 were incurred proving the sales were not understated — covered entirely by fee protection.

   Medium-sized retail firm — 18-month enquiry

   Enquiry ran for 18 months. Accountancy fees of just under £10,000 incurred. Following the enquiry, the company owed just £200 in additional tax. All fees covered by fee protection.

7. 07
   Funding, Company Secretarial & More

   Business Funding — We help clients source business finance, with access to more than 100 mainstream and independent UK lenders across a wide range of products, including asset finance, invoice finance, merchant cash advance, trade finance, working capital loans, and property finance (bridging, development and commercial). Contact us to discuss your funding requirements.

   Company Secretarial — Company formations, registered office provision, statutory returns filing, preparation of minutes and resolutions, maintenance of statutory books, registering charges at Companies House, share transfers and general company law advice.

   Management Accounts — Preparation of management accounts or setup of internal systems to generate management information, with interpretation of figures and suggestions to improve profits and support business growth.

   Information Technology — IT system evaluation, selection, planning and installation; upgrading and expansion of existing systems; accountancy software selection and staff training in implementation and management reporting.