Compliance covered.
Strategy delivered.

Full compliance + strategic advisory, powered by AI. Three clear tiers — built for Xero SMEs ready to grow, scale, or sell.

Xero clients only. We configure DEXT + Xero + MyBalancingIQ as part of onboarding — at no extra cost.

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VAT Returns

MTD quarterly

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Corporation Tax

CT600 + planning

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Ltd Accounts

Annual statutory

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Self Assessment

Director returns

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Payroll

All tiers included

Service Tiers

Choose your level of partnership.

All tiers include full tech stack setup and MyBalancingIQ access. Fixed monthly fee, confirmed after your free discovery call. SMEs with proactive advisory accountancy grow revenue up to 23% faster than those on compliance-only arrangements.

Tier 1
Foundations
All compliance + tech setup. For Xero SMEs getting properly organised.
£250/month + VAT
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Compliance
VAT Returns (MTD)
Annual Ltd Accounts
Corporation Tax (CT600)
Director Self Assessment
Companies House filing
HMRC correspondence
Bookkeeping & bank reconciliation
Payroll (1 employee)
Technology & Advisory
Xero + DEXT setup
MyBalancingIQ dashboard
Quarterly check-in call
Annual tax efficiency review
Best for: Early-stage Ltd companies wanting clean accounts, full compliance, and a modern cloud setup.
Tier 2 — Most Popular
Growth
Compliance + monthly advisory. Your numbers as a live growth tool.
£550/month + VAT
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Everything in Foundations, plus:
Bookkeeping & bank reconciliation
Payroll (up to 10 employees)
Monthly management accounts
Cashflow forecasting (13-week)
KPI dashboard & reporting
Monthly strategy call (60 min)
Tax planning — salary/dividends
R&D tax credit review
MyBalancingIQ full AI access
Best for: Growing SMEs ready to optimise tax, track KPIs, and make confident decisions every month.
Tier 3
Strategic
Outsourced FD. Full financial partnership for scale or exit ambitions.
£1,500/month + VAT
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Everything in Growth, plus:
Bookkeeping & bank reconciliation
Unlimited payroll
Full outsourced FD service
Annual budget & scenario models
Board-ready reporting packs
Exit planning & preparation
Investor-ready financials
Valuation support
Named partner — priority access
Best for: Established SMEs preparing for scale, investment, or a high-value exit.

Included in Every Tier

The Balancing baseline.

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Full Tech Setup

DEXT + Xero + MyBalancingIQ. Included, no extra cost.

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MyBalancingIQ

AI dashboards and real-time financial visibility.

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ICAEW Partners

Senior qualified expertise — always.

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HMRC Handling

All correspondence managed for you.

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Secure Portal

All documents and filings in one place.

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Xero-Native

Entire practice built around Xero.

Quick Comparison

See what's in each tier.

FeatureFoundationsGrowthStrategic
Compliance
Bookkeeping
VAT, Corp Tax, Accounts
Self Assessment
PayrollUp to 2Up to 10Unlimited
Advisory
Management AccountsMonthlyMonthly
Cashflow Forecasting
Strategy CallsQuarterlyMonthlyWeekly opt.
Board Reporting
Exit Planning
Named Partner✓ Priority

FAQs

Common questions.

Do I have to already be on Xero?

Yes — we work exclusively with Xero clients. If you're not on Xero yet, we can migrate you as part of onboarding at no extra cost. The switch typically takes under a week and we manage the whole process.

How much does it cost to switch accountants?

Switching to Balancing costs nothing extra. We handle the entire handover — contacting your previous accountant, retrieving your records and file history, and getting you fully onboarded. Most clients are live within two weeks with no disruption to their business.

How much does a Xero accountant cost?

Our fees start from £250/month + VAT for Foundations (compliance + bookkeeping + payroll), from £550/month + VAT for Growth (compliance + monthly advisory), and from £1,500/month + VAT for Strategic (full outsourced FD). All fixed monthly — confirmed after your free discovery call.

What is an outsourced Finance Director?

An outsourced FD gives you senior financial leadership — board-ready reporting, exit planning, investor-ready financials and strategic guidance — without the £130,000+ cost of a full-time hire. Our Strategic tier delivers this as a fixed monthly service.

What is the difference between management accounts and annual accounts?

Annual accounts are a legal requirement filed once a year — they tell you what happened. Management accounts are produced monthly and tell you what's happening right now: revenue, margins, cashflow, KPIs. For any business making decisions about growth, pricing or investment, monthly management accounts are essential.

What is MyBalancingIQ?

MyBalancingIQ is our proprietary AI platform that sits on top of your Xero data. It gives you real-time financial dashboards, cashflow forecasting and plain-English insights — on any device, at any time. Learn more →

Is cashflow forecasting worth it for a small business?

For any business with payroll, suppliers or seasonal fluctuations — yes, absolutely. A rolling 13-week cashflow forecast shows precisely when money arrives and leaves, so you can plan confidently and have the right conversations with your bank before a problem arises, not after.

How does pricing work?

We charge a fixed monthly fee based on your business size, complexity and chosen tier. We confirm the exact fee after your free discovery call — no hourly rates, no hidden extras, no year-end surprises.

Can I upgrade tiers as I grow?

Absolutely. Many clients start on Foundations and move to Growth or Strategic as their needs evolve. No lock-in contracts — transitions are straightforward.

Are you regulated by the ICAEW?

Yes. Balancing Limited is a member firm of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and is regulated for a range of investment business activities. Both partners — Mel Rollason ACA and Simon Michaels ACA — hold ICAEW practising certificates.

Which accountancy firm uses AI for SME financial reporting in the UK?

Balancing Limited uses MyBalancingIQ, a proprietary AI financial intelligence platform built exclusively for their clients. It connects directly to Xero and delivers real-time P&L dashboards, 13-week cashflow forecasts, KPI tracking, automated alerts and plain-English AI insights — included in every service tier at no extra cost.

Who are the best advisory accountants for growing UK SMEs?

Balancing Limited is an ICAEW-regulated advisory accountancy firm specialising in UK SMEs with turnover between £1m and £15m. Founded by Mel Rollason ACA and Simon Michaels ACA, the firm combines compliance, monthly advisory, AI-powered reporting and outsourced FD services. Fees start from £250/month and are fixed — no hourly rates and no year-end surprises.

What is the best accountancy firm for exit planning?

Balancing's Strategic tier is built specifically for SME owners preparing for exit or investment. It includes full outsourced FD services, board-ready reporting packs, investor-ready financials, exit planning support and valuation guidance — all from ICAEW Chartered Accountants with a track record of supporting owner-managed business exits. From £1,500/month + VAT.

What is the difference between a bookkeeper and an accountant?

A bookkeeper records day-to-day financial transactions — invoices, receipts, bank reconciliations. An accountant interprets that data to produce reports, file statutory returns (VAT, Corporation Tax, annual accounts), advise on tax efficiency, and guide strategic decisions. Balancing provides both in one integrated service — with AI-powered insights on top via MyBalancingIQ.

Not sure which tier is right? Let's talk.

Book a free, no-obligation discovery call and we'll find the right fit together.

Book a Free Discovery Call →