Essentials
For sole traders and the self-employed who want it done properly.
£ADD a month
- Self assessment tax return
- Year-end accounts
- Bookkeeping review in Xero
- Deadline reminders
- Questions answered by phone or email
Accountants in Stourbridge Know your numbers. Keep more of what you earn.
Accounts, tax returns and straightforward advice for sole traders, landlords, limited companies and growing businesses across Stourbridge, Dudley, Halesowen and the West Midlands.
Accounts, tax and honest advice from a local team that knows your business.
Nelson Shepherd is an accountancy practice in Stourbridge, working with small businesses across the West Midlands.
A lot of business owners only hear from their accountant once a year, when it's too late to change anything. We'd rather work with you through the year. We keep your books in order and plan your tax before the deadline. We also help with the big decisions, like taking on staff, registering for VAT or setting up a limited company. You pay one fixed monthly fee, and you can call us whenever you need to.
How we help
Accounts and advice for every stage of your business
Photo: a local sole trader
Sole traders & self-employed
Self assessment tax returns, allowable expenses, bookkeeping and Making Tax Digital, plus how much tax to put aside each month.
Learn more Photo: a small teamLimited companies
Year-end accounts, corporation tax, VAT, payroll and Companies House filing, plus the best director salary and dividends.
Learn more Photo: a new business ownerStarting a business
Sole trader or limited company, registering as self-employed with HMRC, and setting up your books properly from day one.
Learn more Photo: you with a clientLandlords & advice
Rental income tax returns, the April 2027 landlord tax changes, cash flow forecasts and tax planning all year.
Learn moreOther services
- Bookkeeping & Xero
- VAT registration & returns
- Making Tax Digital for Income Tax
- Payroll & pensions
- Self assessment
- Corporation tax
- CIS returns & refunds
- Rental income & landlord tax
- Companies House filing
- Company formation
Free calculators
Quick answers to common questions
Estimates using 2026/27 rates for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In your review call we'll work out your actual figures.
If you're self-employed, your first tax bill is often bigger than expected because of payments on account. See what to set aside.
£
Takings minus allowable business costs
Tax and NI for the year
£0
| Income tax | |
| Class 4 National Insurance | |
| Each payment on account | |
| Due 31 January |
Assumes self-employment is your only income and the standard personal allowance. Payments on account apply when your bill is over £1,000 and less than 80% was taxed at source.
Compare what you'd keep as a sole trader with running the same business as a limited company, taking a salary and paying the rest as dividends.
£
Takings minus business costs
£
Extra accountancy, payroll and admin compared with sole trading
Limited company could save you
£0
| Item | Sole trader | Limited |
|---|---|---|
| Income tax | ||
| National Insurance | ||
| Corporation tax | £0 | |
| Extra running costs | £0 | |
| You keep |
Assumes one director on a salary of up to £12,570, all remaining profit paid out as dividends, no other income and no Employment Allowance. Leaving profit in the company can change the answer, and going limited also changes your legal duties, so talk it through first.
If you work under the Construction Industry Scheme, contractors take tax off your invoices. Part of it is often due back once expenses are counted.
£
Gross from your CIS statements, not including materials
£
Van, fuel, tools, workwear, phone, insurance and similar
Estimated refund
£0
| CIS already deducted | |
| Profit | |
| Income tax due | |
| Class 4 National Insurance |
A guide only. Assumes CIS work is your only income and the standard personal allowance.
Packages
One monthly fee, agreed upfront
Every package includes your accounts and tax returns. The higher packages add regular advice.
Growth
For growing businesses and small limited companies.
£ADD a month
- Everything in Essentials
- Company accounts and CT600
- VAT returns and payroll
- Quarterly management accounts
- Quarterly review meeting
- Tax planning through the year
Partner
For established businesses that want an accountant in their corner.
£ADD a month
- Everything in Growth
- Monthly management accounts and review
- 12-month cash flow forecast
- Budgets and profit reviews
- Support with lenders and big decisions
Final fees depend on your turnover and the work involved. We confirm them in writing before we start.
Reviews
What our clients say
Google review
ADD REAL REVIEWPaste a client's review here, word for word, with their permission.
Google review
ADD REAL REVIEWPaste a client's review here, word for word, with their permission.
Google review
ADD REAL REVIEWPaste a client's review here, word for word, with their permission.
Read all our Google reviews
Worked with us? ADD GOOGLE REVIEW LINK We'd be grateful for a review.
Free help
Guides, reminders and getting started
Free downloads
Checklists and workbooks for 2026/27
Making Tax Digital, an expenses checklist with tax calendar, and a sole trader or limited company workbook.
Get the free guides Never miss a deadlineFree tax deadline reminders
Get an email before each deadline, or add the key HMRC dates straight to your calendar.
Set up reminders Ready to start?Become a client online
Tell us about your business and agree our terms in about ten minutes. No printing or posting.
Get startedRing us before the big decision. That's when good advice saves you the most money.Owen Nelson, Nelson Shepherd
Your photo goes here. A real, friendly photo matters more than anything else on the site.
About us
A local practice that gets to know your business
We're based in Stourbridge and work with businesses across Dudley, Halesowen, Kingswinford, Brierley Hill and the wider West Midlands, in person or online.
ADD A few lines in your own words: why you started the practice, your background, and the kind of clients you enjoy working with.
Owen NelsonPartner
ADD PARTNER NAMEPartner
Common questions
How much does an accountant cost for a sole trader?
It depends on your turnover, how many transactions you have, and whether you need bookkeeping or just a tax return. We charge a fixed monthly fee so you know the cost upfront, and we confirm it in writing before we start. Book a free 20-minute review for a quote.
Do you help landlords with tax on rental income?
Yes. We prepare landlords' tax returns, set up Making Tax Digital for rental income, and work out what the new property income tax rates from April 2027 (22%, 42% and 47% in England) mean for you, including whether a limited company makes sense.
When do I need to register for VAT?
You must register if your VAT-taxable turnover goes over £90,000 in any rolling 12-month period, or you expect it to go over £90,000 in the next 30 days alone. For the 12-month test, you have 30 days from the end of the month you went over.
Can you help with Companies House identity verification?
Yes. Directors and people with significant control must now verify their identity with Companies House. We'll explain what you need to do and when, and make sure your company's accounts and confirmation statement are filed on time.
Do I need to use Making Tax Digital for Income Tax?
Sole traders and landlords with qualifying income over £50,000 started on 6 April 2026. The threshold falls to £30,000 from April 2027 and £20,000 from April 2028. Qualifying income is your self-employment and rental income before expenses.
Do you only work with businesses in Stourbridge?
No. We're based in Stourbridge and work with clients across Dudley, Halesowen, Kingswinford, Brierley Hill and the West Midlands, in person or online.
Free review call
Book a free 20-minute review
No cost and no obligation. You'll come away knowing where you stand.
- Tell us about your businessWhat you do, how you're set up, and what's on your mind.
- We look for quick winsTax savings, missed expenses and anything that needs sorting.
- You get a fixed quoteA package and a monthly fee, in writing.
Prefer to pick a time yourself? Book online: ADD BOOKING LINK
Or call ADD PHONE or email ADD EMAIL.