It’s nearly time to file your end of year accounts, claim the relevant tax allowances, and get ready for the new financial year. Fortunately, you don’t need to be an accounting expert to meet your tax obligations – all you need are these 5 business printing essentials that will help you maintain clear records and avoid compliance issues both this financial year, and in years to come.

Business Printing Essentials

Keeping on top of your company accounts is an ongoing process for any business owner or company director. You will need to file these accounts, including profit, expenses, and loss, with HMRC each year, and whilst digital filing may be the standard approach, this often does not work for companies that prefer paper-based accounting.

Digitising your accounts requires setting time aside each week to scan all physical documents, invoices, and forms, and to store them alongside any electronic documents. Most business records must be kept for up to 6 years by law, and sometimes even longer, so if you largely operate with printed transaction records (and dread the thought of OneDrive, iCloud, and password-protected folders), then set yourself up for success with these business print essentials.

1. Invoices

Having a ready supply of invoice templates to hand will make it much easier to keep track of payment requests made to and from your business, and to compile the necessary paperwork at the end of the financial year.

All invoices need to have your business name, logo, address, and contact information clearly printed, and they must also include:

• The invoice date
• Order number
• Account number
• VAT registration number
• And company registration number

As well as sequential numbering on every page to help you track which payments have been made, and when, without a complicated accounting system or digital software. Stock up on custom invoice sets, pads, and books today to manage your transaction records the straightforward way!

2. Purchase Orders

Whether you are contracting other local businesses or responding to orders yourself, printed order forms are used to request, authorise, and record the purchase of goods or services. They are used most often in wholesale and retail transactions, and (like invoice forms) should include the company and VAT registration numbers, as well as:

• The order date
• The required (by) date
• Who placed the order
• And who the order was placed with

To ensure that your records are as detailed as possible for tax purposes. Purchase orders are straightforward to use and easy to store, so go for an NCP pad to make as many copies as needed of each order in the new financial year.

3. Delivery Notes

Proof of Delivery notes are needed to confirm that an order has been fulfilled and that the delivery has been received. They should include all the details of the order, including the number of goods, product descriptions, and relevant dates, and as always we recommend going for NCR pads to make copies for both your business and your recipient.

Opting for physical notes means that your delivery team isn’t relying upon a weak internet connection or battery-powered device to confirm deliveries. All they need to do is fill in the relevant information, ask the recipient to sign it, and then provide whoever does your accounts with a copy. They can be used anywhere, anytime, and all you need to keep track of these important physical records is a pen and a folder – no passwords required!

In the interests of clarity and compliance it’s advisable to keep track not only of the goods leaving your premises, but the ones coming back as well, so stay prepared for any customer returns with printed goods return forms.

4. Receipts

Your brand should be visible across all business interactions, from the initial order right through to the final receipt. Like all the other printed materials in this guide, printed receipts are not just practical resources; they are a great way to consolidate your brand’s identity across your business network.

Every time a contractor receives a branded document they should know just by glancing at it that it is from your business. By including your company colours, logo, and font across all your physical forms you are aiding brand recognition, and this, combined with professionalism, quick responses, and excellent quality goods, will establish your business as the go-to choice for repeat orders across the new financial year.

5. EOY Reports

Before you order your business printing materials for the new financial year, it’s time to finish off the current accounting period with EOY reports.

You must always send copies of your statutory accounts to shareholders in your business, as well as HMRC, as part of your Corporate Tax obligations. Sending this information is a formality, but why not also provide the relevant stakeholders with a professionally printed report that details your business financial performance throughout the year?

Including a high-quality brochure alongside this required paperwork allows you elaborate on, and provide insight into, specific financial decisions that have been made, as well as any challenges that the business has faced. These printed resources not only update your board on the company’s performance, but also reinforces your business’s commitment to accountability and transparency across all financial matters.

Same Day Printing For Small Businesses

Maintain clear records of everything that your accounting team (and HMRC) needs to know with business printing services from Russell Printers.

Same day printing is available on orders received before 11am, so don’t leave it any longer to invest in the printed resources you need. Click here to view their full list of products, and contact them directly to place your order.