I’ve always enjoyed working with numbers, but what really matters to me is helping people understand what is going on and what they actually need to do next.I’m Steffen Kemmerzehl, founder of Friendly Assist Accountancy and an AAT Licensed Accountant.
Helping clients across the UK and overseas with:
• Self Assessment and everyday accounting
• Limited companies, bookkeeping and accounts
• HMRC problems, late returns and unusual tax issues
• UK tax where you live, work or receive income abroad
Not sure what service you need? That’s fine. Tell me what has happened and I’ll help you work out the next step.
Some people come to me knowing exactly what they need. It might be a tax return, bookkeeping or annual company accounts. Others start the conversation very differently. They may have an HMRC letter they do not understand, records that have fallen behind, income from another country, a company that has changed direction or simply a feeling that something does not quite add up. That is absolutely fine.
You do not need to know the answer before speaking to your accountant. My job is to understand the situation with you, explain what matters and help you find a practical way forward.
A little about me
My journey with numbers started in Germany, where I studied and researched at the University of Jena and also tutored students in statistics and mathematics. I enjoyed the analytical side of that work, but I also learned that knowing the answer is not enough. You have to be able to explain it in a way that makes sense to the person you are helping. That has stayed with me. Over time, my interest moved increasingly towards business, finance and how people make decisions with the information available to them.
In 2017, I published a short German book about the concept of materiality in business. It looked at how technology and better processes could improve quality, save time and reduce unnecessary work.
Focus your time and attention on the things that actually matter.
After moving to Newcastle upon Tyne, I gained further professional experience in accounting and finance, completed my AAT qualifications and became an AAT Licensed Accountant.
What that means in practice
For me, accounting should not be about making a simple situation sound complicated. And if things have become complicated, we can help work out what needs sorting first.. If your records are in good order and the work is straightforward, it should be dealt with efficiently and at a clear price. But sometimes something genuinely does need a closer look.
An HMRC figure may not make sense. An earlier return may need checking. Records may be incomplete. Your circumstances may have changed halfway through the year. You may have moved countries or have income coming from several places. In those situations, the important thing is not to rush into doing everything at once. It is to work out what matters first. Sometimes the answer is surprisingly simple. Sometimes it turns into a larger piece of work. Either way, I would rather understand the position properly and explain it to you than make assumptions.
The people I work with
I support sole traders, freelancers, landlords, small businesses and limited companies, as well as individuals dealing with UK and international tax matters. A lot of the work is everyday accounting: bookkeeping, Self Assessment, annual accounts, Corporation Tax and ongoing support. But I am also very comfortable with situations that are less tidy.
Maybe you are behind with your records. Maybe you have already spoken to HMRC and are still not sure what is happening. Maybe your business has changed, you have moved abroad or returned to the UK, or something has happened that does not seem to fit neatly into a standard accounting service. You do not need to make the story sound perfect before getting in touch.
Tell me what has happened. We can work from there.
Clear about the work and the cost
I believe you should understand what you are paying for. Where the work is clearly defined, we offer fixed fees and monthly packages with a clear scope.
Where the problem itself needs understanding first, it can make more sense to start with a review and work out what actually needs doing before committing to a larger piece of work. If something turns out to be substantially more complicated than expected, I will explain what has changed and what further work may be needed. That does not mean you should worry about asking questions.
You are not expected to understand HMRC terminology, tax legislation or accounting software before speaking to an accountant. You should feel comfortable saying, “I don’t understand this,” or, “Something here doesn’t look right.” Those are often very good places to start.
Friendly Assist Accountancy
Clear fees. Practical advice. Professional support.
Steffen Kemmerzehl
AAT Licensed Accountant and founder of Friendly Assist Accountancy.
Please get in touch if you’re interested in arranging an appointment.