Consultancy Services
Starting a business or managing finances as a small business owner can be challenging, especially when you’re not sure what support you need. Our Consultancy Service is designed to help if you’re uncertain whether you need an accountant, which business structure to choose, how to begin organising your finances, or what tasks to entrust to a professional. We offer friendly, professional guidance tailored for small businesses, sole traders, and freelancers in the UK. Our goal is to give you clarity and confidence in making these decisions – all without diving into complicated tax planning or HMRC-specific matters.
With over a decade of experience in accounting and bookkeeping, EVLAteam understands the common questions and hurdles new entrepreneurs face. Think of our consultancy as a relaxed yet informative conversation where you can get answers to all those questions you have (and even the ones you might not know to ask yet). We pride ourselves on explaining things clearly and jargon-free, so you can make well-informed choices for your business.
Our Service Areas
We focus on key advisory areas to support your business decisions. Here are some of the main ways we can help:
Business Start-Up Guidance
Not sure how to start your business or what business entity to choose? We’ll walk you through the essentials of starting a business in the UK. This includes discussing the pros and cons of operating as a sole trader vs. a limited company (or other structures), registration steps, and basic legal and financial obligations. Our aim is to ensure you set off on the right foot with a solid understanding of what’s required to launch your venture successfully.
Bookkeeping & Accounting Setup
Setting up a bookkeeping system can be daunting if you’ve never done it before. We help you figure out how to organise your finances from day one. This might involve choosing the right accounting software or record-keeping method, deciding on an accounting cycle (e.g. how often to update your books), and establishing a structure that fits your business size and needs. We’ll also advise on best practices for managing invoices, receipts, and expenses so that you stay on top of your finances with minimal stress.
“Do I Need an Accountant?” Consultation
Many entrepreneurs wonder if they can handle their finances alone or if they should hire a professional. In this consultation, we’ll assess your specific situation – considering factors like the complexity of your transactions, your comfort with numbers, and the time you can devote to bookkeeping. You’ll get an honest evaluation of whether you would benefit from hiring an accountant or bookkeeper.
We’ll also outline which tasks you might manage yourself (such as issuing invoices or basic record-keeping) versus what’s best left to a professional (such as annual accounts or complex compliance). By the end, you’ll have a clearer idea of the support you need, if any, and what to outsource to save you time and ensure accuracy.
Flexible Consultation Options
We understand that everyone’s schedule and location is different, so we make our consultancy as accessible as possible. Flexible consultation options mean you can choose the format that works best for you:
Online Meetings: We frequently conduct consultations via video conferencing (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, etc.). This is convenient if you prefer a face-to-face conversation but can’t visit our office. All you need is an internet connection – we’ll send you a meeting link and you can chat with us from the comfort of your home or office.
Phone Consultations: If you’re on the go or just feel more comfortable on the phone, we can hold the consultation as a telephone call. Just let us know your number (or we can provide a number for you to call) and we’ll set up a time to talk. This option is great for quick discussions or if you’re not set up for video calls.
In-Person Meetings: For those who prefer to meet face to face, we offer in-person consultations at our Uckfield office in East Sussex. You’ll be welcomed to a friendly, no-pressure meeting where we can discuss your questions over a cup of coffee. (Please note, in-person meetings are subject to scheduling and availability, and we’ll of course follow any current health and safety guidelines.)
Pricing
We believe in transparent and fair pricing for our consultancy services. Here’s how it works:
Free for Clients and New Enquiries: If you are an existing EVLAteam client or you’re considering becoming one, general consultancy is free. This means if you already use our accounting/bookkeeping services, or you’re a new business owner reaching out to see if you need our help, we won’t charge for the consultation. It’s part of our commitment to support our clients and to help new entrepreneurs get started on the right path.
£35 (+VAT) for a 30-Minute Session (for others): If you’re simply looking for a one-off advice session and do not (yet) intend to use our ongoing services, we offer consultancy at an affordable rate of £35 (+VAT) for a 30-minute session. In many cases, 30 minutes is enough to cover the key questions and give you the guidance you need. If you think you’ll need a longer session, we can arrange a longer meeting or multiple sessions accordingly (at proportionate rates).
Frequently Asked Questions about Our Consultancy Services
We understand you may have some questions. Here are answers to some of the most common queries we receive from freelancers and small business owners about our consultancy services:
Who can benefit from this consultancy service?
Our consultancy service is ideal for aspiring or current small business owners, sole traders, and freelancers who need guidance on business finances and setup. Whether you’re about to launch a startup, recently started trading, or even have an established small business but feel uncertain about your accounting approach, you can benefit.
In short, if you have questions about accounting or business administration but you’re not ready to commit to a full-time accountant (or just want clarity on what you need), this service is for you. We tailor our advice to your situation, so both newcomers and more experienced business owners are welcome.
What kind of questions can I ask during a consultation?
You can ask anything related to general accounting and business administration for your small business. Common topics include: how to register a new business and choose the right business structure, what bookkeeping system or software to use, what your record-keeping obligations are, how to stay compliant with basic accounting rules, and whether or not you should hire an accountant. We encourage you to bring any questions or concerns you have about managing your business finances (no matter how simple or “silly” they may seem – we’re here to help!). The only exception is tax-specific questions – for example, detailed tax planning or how to fill in a specific tax form – since those are outside the scope of this general consultancy service.
Is it really free for existing or prospective EVLAteam clients?
Yes! If you are already an EVLAteam client (meaning we handle your bookkeeping, accounting, or other services on an ongoing basis), or if you are considering becoming a client, we provide general consultations at no charge. This is our way of supporting our clients and helping potential clients make the right decisions upfront. “Prospective clients” generally means anyone who is interested in possibly using our services – for example, maybe you’re meeting with us to decide if you need an accountant. In such cases, that initial advisory session is free of charge. For those who simply need a one-off consultation without any intention of using our ongoing services, we do charge a fee (see the Pricing section). We’ll always clarify this with you when you get in touch, so you know what to expect.
How do I schedule a consultation and how is it conducted?
Consultations should be booked primarily through our online booking system, which is quick and convenient. If you’re unable to use the system for any reason, you’re welcome to call us or send an email, and we’ll arrange a suitable time manually.
Consultations can take place online via video call, over the phone, or in person at our office – depending on your preference and location. Our office is based in Uckfield, East Sussex, but we work with clients from all over the UK, so remote consultations are very common. Once you’ve booked, we’ll guide you through the next steps and confirm the format that works best for you. There’s usually no long wait – we aim to be flexible and responsive because we understand that your questions may be time-sensitive.
What if I need advice on taxes or help with a tax return?
We do not provide tax advice, and we do not complete tax returns as part of our consultancy service. However, if your Self Assessment or personal tax situation seems unusual or complex, we can use the consultation to review your case and help you determine whether it’s something you can manage yourself or if involving an accountant would be advisable.
Examples of situations we can discuss include:
having income from abroad,
having multiple sources of income (e.g. employment plus self-employment),
receiving rental income from property,
or being unsure as a new sole trader whether you need to submit a tax return at all.
In these cases, our role is to talk through your situation and provide clarity on whether professional accounting support may be needed. We won’t give step-by-step instructions on completing the return, and we don’t offer specialised tax advice – instead, we help you understand your options and decide on the right direction for your circumstances.
What if after the consultation I realise I do need more help or ongoing support?
That’s absolutely fine – our consultancy is often just the first step. If you decide you need ongoing assistance (for instance, hiring us to do your bookkeeping or handle annual accounts), we can smoothly transition from the initial consultation into providing those services. There’s no obligation to sign up for anything beyond the one-off session, but if you do find you’d like further help, we’re happy to discuss how EVLAteam can support your business on a regular basis. Many of our long-term clients started with a simple consultation to get advice, and later chose to partner with us for full accounting support once they saw the value of professional help.
Still have questions? Feel free to reach out – we’re here to provide the clarity and support you need for your business.
Ready to Get Expert Answers and Clear Advice?
If you have any other questions about our consultancy services, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’re here to help you make sense of the numbers, make smart financial decisions, and succeed in your business endeavours.
Contact EVLAteam today to schedule your free consultation and let us help take the stress out of your accounting needs – we look forward to being your trusted advisors every step of the way!
- Phone
01825 222 825
- Email
info@evlateam.co.uk
- Address
1a Falmer Court, London Road, Uckfield, East Sussex TN22 1HN