Everything
a UK sole trader
needs to know about ACCOUNTING and
MAKING TAX DIGITAL
DESIGNED FOR NON-ACCOUNTANTS
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JARGON FREE • BEGINNER FRIENDLY
No accounting background required. Learn the essentials of running your accounts as a sole trader, understand Making Tax Digital, and find the MTD software that fits your business — all through clear explanations, practical examples and straightforward comparisons.
✓ Understand the accounting essentials
✓ Know what records and expenses matter
✓ Understand Making Tax Digital
✓ Compare 20 MTD software options
✓ See which software suits different sole traders
Accounting feels harder when nobody explains what actually matters.
Most sole traders do not struggle with the numbers. They struggle with knowing what to record, what they can claim, what HMRC expects — and which tools they actually need.
PROBLEM
You have receipts, invoices and bank transactions—but no clear system.
Learn exactly what records to keep, how to organise them and how to separate business from personal spending.
PROBLEM
You’re unsure which expenses are allowable and how to treat mixed-use costs.
Understand common expense categories, business-use proportions and larger purchases through practical examples.
PROBLEM
Making Tax Digital is coming — but which software should you actually use?
Understand what MTD requires, compare your software options and see which solutions may suit your business and the way you work.
DESIGNED FOR NON-ACCOUNTANTS
What you'll learn in
Everything a UK Sole Trader Needs to Know
About Accounting
01
Understand accounting basics
Learn the difference between income, expenses, turnover, profit and cash—and how allowable expenses affect your taxable profit.
02
Navigate the UK tax system
Understand registration, Self Assessment, Income Tax, National Insurance, VAT and the important deadlines you need to know.
03
Prepare for Making Tax Digital
See when MTD applies, what digital records are required, how quarterly updates work and why compatible software matters.
04
Follow a complete practical example
Walk through a sole trader’s full year—from initial purchases and daily transactions to quarterly records and the final profit calculation.
05
Apply the rules to your industry
See how accounting considerations differ for service businesses, online sellers, construction, hospitality, creative work and freelancing.
06
Avoid common costly mistakes
Recognise missing records, mixed personal spending, poor expense evidence, forgotten thresholds and failing to reserve money for tax.
DESIGNED FOR NON-ACCOUNTANTS
What you'll learn in
Making Tax Digital Software for Sole Traders
01
Understand your software options
Learn the difference between all-in-one accounting software, simpler MTD solutions and spreadsheet bridging software — and when each might make sense for you.
02
Compare 20 MTD software options
Compare 20 options selected with UK sole traders in mind, from established accounting platforms to free, lower-cost and spreadsheet-based solutions.
03
Compare the features that actually matter
See how each option compares on price, MTD functionality, tax returns, bank feeds, receipt capture, invoicing, mobile access, Excel, VAT, ease of use and support.
04
See which software might suit you
Explore 10 realistic sole trader examples — from Excel users and new hairdressers to IT contractors, VAT-registered businesses and growing businesses — and see which options may be worth considering.
05
Compare everything easily in Excel
Use the included Excel comparison table to view the 20 software options side by side and make it easier to narrow down your choices.
06
Choose with more confidence
Bring everything together to identify what matters for your business — whether that's keeping Excel, automating bookkeeping, managing VAT, keeping costs low or getting more support.
START HERE FOR FREE
Get 2 free guides for UK sole traders
Start with the accounting essentials, then get ready for Making Tax Digital — all explained in plain English for non-accountants.
✓ The Self-Employed Accounting Essentials
✓ Making Tax Digital Starter Guide
*You’ll also join our newsletter for practical accounting and MTD tips. Unsubscribe anytime.
WHO’S TEACHING YOU?
Accounting expertise, made clear for UK sole traders.
I’m Neda Mecheres, an ACCA member with experience in accounting, controlling and financial audit, as well as leading an accounting team in a multinational company. I created this course because accounting should not feel inaccessible. My aim is to give sole traders clear, practical guidance and the confidence to understand their own business finances.
READY?
Choose the guide that fits what you need
Start with the accounting essentials, focus on choosing the right MTD software, or get both guides together.
Whether you're learning how to manage your accounts or trying to decide which software will work for your business, choose the option that matches where you are now.
ACCOUNTING GUIDE · MTD SOFTWARE GUIDE · BOTH GUIDES
THREE WAYS TO GET STARTED
✓ Understand your accounting
Get Everything a UK Sole Trader Needs to Know About Accounting for clear, practical guidance on records, expenses, tax and MTD.
✓ Choose your MTD software
Get Making Tax Digital Software for Sole Traders to compare 20 software options, explore practical examples and use the included Excel comparison table.
✓ Get the complete package
Get both guides together for the full picture — from understanding your accounting to choosing the software that works for you.
£59 each · £99 for both — save £19
ACCOUNTING MADE SIMPLE.
MTD MADE CLEAR.
PRACTICAL GUIDANCE FOR UK SOLE TRADERS.
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