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Frequently Asked Questions

Below are the questions prospective clients ask us most often, grouped by topic. If yours isn’t here, just get in touch — we’re always happy to help.

General questions

Who does KPG Accounting Services Limited work with?

We work with small and medium businesses, owner-managed companies, sole traders, start-ups, growing businesses and not-for-profit organisations across Ireland. We also provide outsourced, white-label support to other accountancy practices. Whether you’re just starting out or well established, if you want a responsive, commercially minded finance partner, we can help.

Yes. As a fully digital, paperless practice we work with clients right across Ireland — from Dublin to Donegal to Cork — without anyone needing to travel. Where you’re based makes no difference to the service you receive.

Yes. Everything is handled securely online using cloud accounting and document portals, so you get the same responsive, personal service without in-person meetings. We’re always happy to talk by phone or video whenever it suits you.

Absolutely. We hold consultations and reviews by video call or phone at a time that suits you. Many clients prefer it — it’s quicker, easy to fit around a busy day, and means you deal with the same people wherever you are.

Usually a quick picture of your business: your structure (sole trader or company), the services you need, roughly how many transactions or employees you have, the software you use, and whether anything is behind. From that we can give you a clear, fixed quote — no obligation.

Quickly. We aim to reply to new enquiries within one working day, usually sooner. You deal with a real person, not a ticket number and a queue, and once you’re a client you’ll have a named contact who knows your business.

Changing accountants and onboarding

How do I change accountants?

It’s straightforward, and we handle most of it. You let your current accountant know you’re moving, sign a short letter of authority, and we take it from there — requesting your records, obtaining professional clearance and registering as your agent. You can switch at any time of year.

Yes, with your authority. As a professional courtesy we write to your previous accountant to let them know of the change and to request the information and records needed to take over your affairs. It’s routine and we manage the whole exchange.

Professional clearance is a standard courtesy between accountants. When you appoint us, we write to your previous accountant to confirm there’s no professional reason we shouldn’t act, and to request your records. It’s a normal part of switching and nothing to be concerned about.

Typically a signed letter of authority, proof of identity for anti-money-laundering checks, your latest accounts and tax references, and access to your bookkeeping software. We give you a simple checklist at the start so you know exactly what’s needed and nothing is left unclear.

Usually one to two weeks from agreeing to proceed. We gather your details, set up secure access, obtain clearance and register as your agent with Revenue and the CRO where needed. We manage the transition so your deadlines keep being met throughout.

Yes. You don’t need to wait until year end — we take clients on at any point in the year and pick up your filings and deadlines from wherever they stand, so nothing falls between the two firms.

Yes — it’s one of the most common reasons clients come to us, and it’s completely fixable. We bring your records up to date, reconcile everything, get you compliant, and then put a simple routine in place so you stay current going forward.

Fees and engagement

How are fees calculated?

Fees are based on the services you need, the size of your business and the amount of work involved — for example your transaction volumes, number of employees and complexity. We quote for your specific situation up front, so there are no surprises.

Yes. Most ongoing work is offered as a fixed monthly fee, so you can budget with certainty and spread the cost evenly across the year rather than facing a large one-off bill. One-off assignments are quoted as a fixed price.

Exactly what we agree in your engagement letter — the specific services, deliverables and support. We set this out clearly at the start so you know precisely what’s covered, and we’ll always tell you before doing anything outside it.

Third-party charges such as CRO filing fees are outlays and are normally shown separately from our fee, so you can see exactly what’s ours and what’s a statutory charge. We’ll always make these clear in your quote and engagement letter.

Only for work outside your agreed scope, and never without telling you first. If something extra comes up — a one-off project, a Revenue query, additional filings — we’ll agree the fee with you before starting, so there are no unexpected bills.

Yes, always. Every client receives a written engagement letter setting out the services, responsibilities, fees and terms before we begin. It protects both sides and makes sure everyone is clear on what’s included.

Accounting and bookkeeping

What bookkeeping records do I need to keep?

Your sales and purchase invoices, bank statements, and details of expenses and receipts. With cloud accounting and tools like Hubdoc, most of this flows in automatically, so there’s very little manual work for you. We’ll show you the easiest way to capture and share everything.

Yes — we’re a Xero-first practice. We set Xero up, migrate you across, clean up existing files, connect bank feeds and Hubdoc, and support you day to day. If you’re on another platform we can usually work with it or move you to Xero.

Yes. We handle full migrations from spreadsheets, Sage, QuickBooks or other systems into Xero, making sure your opening balances and history come across cleanly so nothing is lost in the move.

Yes. Clean-ups are common: we review what’s there, correct errors and mispostings, reconcile the accounts, and bring everything back under control — then keep it right with a regular routine.

Yes. We keep your books accurate, reconciled and VAT-ready on a regular monthly cycle (more often if your business needs it), so you always know where you stand and year end is never a scramble.

Payroll

Can you process weekly and monthly payroll?

Yes. We run payroll on whatever cycle suits your business — weekly, fortnightly or monthly — calculating pay, tax and deductions and producing payslips accurately and on time, every run.

Yes. We handle your real-time submissions to Revenue under PAYE Modernisation with every pay run, so your payroll stays fully compliant and your PAYE, PRSI and USC are reported correctly.

Yes. We handle payroll for employees and for director/proprietary payrolls, including the specific treatment directors require, and we’re on hand to answer employee payslip and deduction queries.

Yes. You receive clear payroll reports each period — gross-to-net summaries, Revenue liabilities, departmental costs and payslips — so you always know what payroll is costing and what’s due

VAT and tax

When do I need to register for VAT?

Broadly, once your turnover exceeds (or is likely to exceed) the Irish VAT thresholds — currently €42,500 for services and €85,000 for goods — though you can also register voluntarily. We’ll assess your position and handle the registration if it’s needed.

Yes. We prepare and file your bi-monthly VAT returns through ROS, correctly coded and on time, and make sure every reclaim you’re entitled to is captured. We keep your records VAT-ready year-round so returns are straightforward.

Yes. If VAT or other returns have fallen behind, we bring them up to date, deal with Revenue on your behalf, and help minimise interest and penalties where possible — then keep you on track going forward.

Yes. We prepare and file your company’s corporation tax return (CT1) with Revenue, computed in line with your annual accounts, and advise on preliminary tax and payment dates so nothing is missed.

Yes. We prepare and file Form 11 income tax returns under self-assessment for sole traders, company directors, landlords and contractors, calculating your liability and making sure you claim the reliefs you’re entitled to, well ahead of the deadline.

Yes. If you can’t pay a liability in full, we can help you engage with Revenue and put a phased payment arrangement in place, and make sure your filings are up to date so you’re in the best position to agree terms.

Annual accounts and CRO

Do you prepare annual accounts?

Yes. We prepare statutory year-end financial statements for limited companies, and year-end accounts for sole traders and partnerships — reviewing and reconciling your records first, coordinating the tax, and explaining what the numbers mean.

Your Annual Return Date (ARD) is the date each year by which your company must file its annual return (Form B1) with the CRO. The first ARD is six months after incorporation; after that it’s annual. We track your ARD so it’s never missed.

Yes. We prepare and file your B1 annual return through CORE, with the financial statements attached, within the 56-day window — on time, every year, so you keep your audit exemption and good standing.

A late annual return brings financial penalties and, critically, the loss of your audit exemption for two years — meaning an expensive audit you’d otherwise avoid. Persistent non-compliance can lead to strike-off. We manage your deadlines so this doesn’t happen.

Yes. We form new Irish companies correctly from day one, and we can also handle voluntary strike-off or closure when a company is no longer needed, dealing with the CRO and Revenue steps involved.

Management accounts and advisory

What are management accounts?

Management accounts are regular (usually monthly or quarterly) reports showing how your business is performing right now — profit, cash flow, and the KPIs behind them — rather than waiting for year end. They give you the information to make decisions with confidence.

Most owner-managed businesses find monthly or quarterly works best — often enough to spot issues and act, without creating unnecessary admin. We’ll recommend a rhythm based on your size, pace of change and the decisions you’re making.

Yes. We build realistic budgets and rolling cash-flow forecasts so you can see peaks, troughs and tax bills before they arrive, plan with confidence, and track actual performance against your plan.

Yes. We prepare the figures, forecasts and projections that lenders and funders expect, and help you present a credible, well-supported application — so you go into the conversation prepared.

It’s a complete, managed finance department delivered by our team instead of employees — bookkeeping, management accounts, payroll and financial control, with CFO-level input — for a fixed monthly fee. You get the capability of a finance team without the cost of hiring one.

Security and communication

How do I send documents securely?

Through our secure, encrypted cloud portals and accounting software rather than email attachments. As a paperless practice, secure digital document sharing is built into how we work, so your information stays protected.

We treat all client information as strictly confidential and handle personal data in line with GDPR and our professional obligations. Data is stored securely in reputable cloud systems, access is controlled, and nothing is shared without your authority.

Yes. You deal with a named person who knows you and your business — the boutique advantage — rather than a call centre or a different voice each time.

As often as suits you and your service. Compliance clients might hear from us around key deadlines and reviews; outsourced-finance and advisory clients typically have a regular monthly rhythm. Either way, we’re responsive whenever you need us in between.

Yes. With cloud accounting you can see your own numbers any time, from any device — invoices, bank position and reports — so you always have visibility, while we handle the work behind the scenes.

Still have a question?

If it’s not answered above, get in touch and a member of the KPG Accounting Services Limited team will come back to you — clearly, quickly and in plain English.