Making Tax Digital Barnstaple
Making Tax Digital for VAT, sorted in Barnstaple.
MTD for VAT has been mandatory for most VAT-registered businesses since 2022 — but plenty of Barnstaple businesses are still not fully compliant, either using bridging software as a workaround or keeping records in a way HMRC would not approve on inspection. It is fixable, and it is not complicated once set up correctly. Fixed monthly fee, ICAEW chartered, same-day replies.
- Fully MTD-compliant records kept on Xero — no bridging workarounds
- Quarterly VAT returns filed digitally through HMRC-approved software
- VAT threshold monitored so you are not caught out by an unexpected registration obligation
- An accountant based in Barnstaple who understands local businesses and HMRC compliance from day one
No long-term contract. If it is not working after three months, you leave with compliant, current records and nothing owed.
Get a free quote
Fixed pricing. Same-day reply.
What our clients say
★★★★★
Explained HMRC in Plain English
“Kieran explained everything in the best possible way, told me the price they’d charge after 5 minutes of speaking.”
★★★★★
Switched Accountants, Already Saving Money
“Having only recently switched my business to Swift from another accountant, I have found them efficient, friendly and professional, and they’re already saving me money.”
★★★★★
HMRC Support Explained Clearly
“Swift accounting and bookkeeping services have helped support my educational animal encounter business with excellent financial advice and HMRC support.”
★★★★★
Responsive and Professional Throughout
“Excellent and prompt service, great communications and above all really helpful. Highly recommend.”
Sound familiar?
Still not sure if your VAT setup is MTD-compliant?
Many VAT-registered businesses in Barnstaple have been managing with spreadsheets, bridging software, or manual records that technically work but would not hold up well under an HMRC compliance check. MTD for VAT requires more than just filing digitally — it requires a full digital audit trail from transaction to submission. The rules are not going away, and HMRC’s tolerance for informal workarounds is decreasing. It is solvable — it just takes longer the more you leave it.
- Records kept in spreadsheets that are not fully MTD-compliant under HMRC rules
- No clear view of the VAT position until the quarter-end, when it is already urgent
- Uncertainty over whether your current software and filing process genuinely meets MTD requirements
What compliant looks like
Digital records maintained correctly on Xero from transaction to filing — no manual transfer, no bridging gap. Your VAT position is visible throughout the quarter, not just at the deadline. And when HMRC comes asking, the audit trail is clean.
- Full digital records on Xero — compliant from transaction through to submission
- VAT position visible throughout the quarter, not just when the deadline arrives
- MTD-compliant filing as standard — no bridging software, no manual workarounds
- A fixed monthly cost that covers the bookkeeping, VAT return and ongoing compliance — no surprises
What Barnstaple clients say about us
We work with small businesses and limited companies across North Devon. Here are two clients who came to us wanting their accounts and HMRC obligations properly sorted.
Swift accounting and bookkeeping services have helped support my educational animal encounter business with excellent financial advice and HMRC support. Kieran was clear with information and explained everything in a way that I could understand.
One of the friendliest accounting companies I’ve ever spoken to. I was fairly stressed about all of the big terms HMRC use, but Kieran explained everything in the best possible way, told me the price they’d charge after 5 minutes of speaking.
What your monthly fee covers
Three things that keep your VAT records compliant, your returns filed correctly and your bookkeeping off your plate — for one fixed monthly fee.
MTD-Compliant Bookkeeping on Xero
Your transactions are recorded digitally in Xero every month, maintaining the full digital link HMRC requires under Making Tax Digital. Records are current, categorised correctly and ready for each VAT quarter without any end-of-period scramble.
Included as standardQuarterly VAT Returns Filed Digitally
Your VAT return is prepared from your Xero records and submitted to HMRC through MTD-approved software — no manual transfer, no bridging workaround. You will know what is owed before the submission is made, not after.
Quarterly, fixed feeVAT Compliance Review and Setup
If you are new to MTD or unsure whether your current setup is genuinely compliant, we will review your records, software and filing process and put it right. Once the foundation is correct, keeping it correct is straightforward.
One-off or ongoingBusinesses across Barnstaple trust Swift
Sole traders, limited companies and growing small businesses across North Devon. Usually arriving with records in some state of disarray. Leaving with considerably less to worry about.
Switched Accountants and Already Saving Money
“Having only recently switched my business to Swift from another accountant, I have found them efficient, friendly and professional, and they’re already saving me money. Would recommend. Nic Paton, Cormorant Media”
Two Years In, Still Highly Recommending
“I’ve been using Swift Accounting for two years now after my previous accountant retired and recommended Kieran. Excellent and prompt service, great communications and above all really helpful. Highly recommend.”
Fast, Reliable Work at Short Notice
“Great work by Kieran sorting out my business accounts really fast and at short notice on multiple occasions. Many thanks and I would highly recommend them for all accounting needs.”
Why Barnstaple businesses choose Swift
There is no shortage of accountants. Here is what is different about working with one who is based in Barnstaple, ICAEW chartered and already familiar with MTD requirements.
MTD handled correctly from the start
Making Tax Digital is not complicated when the bookkeeping is done properly — but a lot of businesses have been making do with workarounds that will not hold up. Xero is set up correctly, the digital link is maintained throughout, and the VAT return comes from the same records, not a separate spreadsheet. Which is how it is supposed to work.
Replies the same day
Questions get answered the day you ask them. Not logged with a helpdesk, not queued behind other clients — answered. If you are unsure whether a purchase affects your VAT position, you will know before the end of the day.
One price, clearly agreed
Your monthly fee is fixed and does not move. No hourly billing, no invoice that arrives larger than expected, no additional charge every time you ask a question. Your accounting costs are as predictable as your other fixed overheads.
Up and running in four steps
Four steps from enquiry to fully compliant records. No complicated onboarding, no forms that need a lawyer to understand.
Send your enquiry
Fill in the form on this page. Kieran reads every enquiry and responds the same day with a clear next step. No automated holding messages.
A short discovery call
Twenty minutes to understand your current setup, software and what needs sorting. At the end of the call you will know exactly what is covered, what it costs and what happens next.
We handle the setup
Xero is connected and configured correctly for MTD, your records are brought up to date and your VAT compliance is put on a proper footing. You do not need to do anything except confirm you want to proceed.
Ongoing — nothing falls through
Monthly bookkeeping, quarterly VAT returns filed digitally through MTD-approved software, and your records maintained correctly throughout the year. Your tax position is visible before it becomes urgent, and HMRC correspondence lands on the right desk.
“Kieran was really helpful and very knowledgeable with my circumstance, he gave me great advice and was very efficient with getting my tax’s submitted, really glad I found Swift and will definitely be using for future accounting.”
Questions Barnstaple businesses usually ask first
Stop guessing about your VAT compliance. Get it sorted.
Fixed monthly fee. MTD-compliant records on Xero. Quarterly VAT returns filed correctly. Same-day replies. No lock-in.