Built from inside practice. Built by Mr H Hammad FCCA, ACA, ICAEW Chartered Accountant with over 20 years in practice.
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Free guideThe Connected Accountancy Practice · 50 pages

The free workflow guide for UK accountancy practices.

A practical 50-page PDF on how smaller UK accountancy firms can cut duplicate work, simplify workflows and move from bookkeeping to final accounts in one connected process. Download it free when you join the Balansix Founding Practice waitlist.

Get the free guideSee what is inside
50 practical pagesWritten for UK practicesWorks with your current software
Cover of The Connected Accountancy Practice, a free 50-page guide for UK accountancy firms by Balansix
What you getThe full 50-page PDF guide, free to keep and share with your teamA 10-minute time-loss audit and a 30-day workflow audit plan10 questions to ask any practice-software supplier in a demoA place on the Balansix Founding Practice waitlist
Founding Practice waitlist

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Quick answer

What is The Connected Accountancy Practice?

The Connected Accountancy Practice is a free 50-page guide from Balansix for smaller UK accountancy firms. It shows how to find the hidden work between software systems, including re-keying, CSV exports, year-end spreadsheets and repeated review. It then explains how to design one connected workflow from source records through bookkeeping, VAT, year end and final accounts under FRS 105 and FRS 102 Section 1A, without weakening professional control.

Its central idea is simple: the same client information should move forward through the work instead of being rebuilt each time the job crosses a software boundary. Most pages are operating ideas you can use with your current systems. Balansix appears only where it helps explain how a connected model can work.

Inside the guide

Six sections. One operating idea.

A practical route from spotting friction to testing a better process, written for owner-managed practices, not software buyers.

01Pages 4–12

Understand the hidden work

Why the biggest cost is what staff do between systems, the five kinds of duplicate work, and why year end becomes a second bookkeeping job.

02Pages 13–22

Design one connected workflow

The connected-practice principle, document-led and bank-led bookkeeping, and carrying opening balances and client context forward.

03Pages 23–34

Control the accounting record

Control accounts, VAT control, corrections instead of deletions, drill-down review, bank import integrity and where automation should stop.

04Pages 35–41

Connect year end and final accounts

Accounts production from an approved trial balance, choosing between FRS 105 and FRS 102 Section 1A, validation and filing as part of the workflow.

05Pages 42–46

People, clients and controls

Simple client portals, role-based permissions, practice-wide licensing and support organised around the job being done.

06Pages 47–50

Move from idea to implementation

Migrating in controlled cohorts, a 30-day practice workflow audit and ten questions to ask any practice-software supplier.

A preview from Section 1

The five kinds of duplicate work.

Duplicate work in an accountancy practice is wider than typing the same number twice. The guide groups it into five types so a firm can measure it.

1
Client dataNames, addresses, dates, VAT details, year ends and company information entered again.
2
TransactionsSales, purchases and bank activity reclassified or re-entered after the original posting.
3
BalancesOpening debtors, creditors, VAT, payroll and loans rebuilt outside the live record.
4
EvidenceInvoices, statements and working papers separated from the transaction they support.
5
ReviewThe same point checked more than once because the earlier decision is not visible.
Page 6 of the guide: five kinds of duplicate work in an accountancy practice
Page 6 · The Connected Accountancy Practice
A preview from Section 6

A 30-day practice workflow audit.

Use a short review cycle to turn frustration into measurable evidence. Keep the scope narrow: one real workflow, not a technology wishlist.

WeekFocusWhat to do
Week 1Map one client end to endRecord every system, handoff and repeated entry.
Week 2Measure repeated workTime exports, re-keying, spreadsheet maintenance and chasing.
Week 3Choose one workflow to simplifyPick a change that reduces work without weakening control.
Week 4Test and compareRun the revised process and compare time, clarity and review effort.
Page 48 of the guide: a 30-day practice workflow audit for accountancy firms
Page 48 · The Connected Accountancy Practice
Choosing practice software

10 questions to ask any practice-software supplier.

Use the same questions whether you are considering Balansix or another platform. A strong supplier should be able to explain the accounting model, not only show attractive screens.

  1. What is the source of truth for final accounts?
  2. Can I trace a reported figure to the ledger and evidence?
  3. How are corrections controlled after reconciliation or filing?
  4. How are opening debtors and creditors carried forward?
  5. What happens when an external filing is rejected?
  6. How are staff permissions separated?
  7. How does pricing change as client numbers grow?
  8. What data can be exported if we leave?
  9. How are backups restored and tested?
  10. What happens when automation is uncertain?

Download the full guide

Founding Practice waitlist

Help shape Balansix before launch.

Balansix is one connected platform for UK accountancy practices, from first proposal to final accounts and client insight. Before commercial launch we want to learn from real practices. Joining the waitlist is free and there is no commitment.

✓
Practical workflow sessionsShort sessions on the problems in this guide, using real practice examples.
✓
First access to controlled early testingFounding practices are invited first when early testing opens.
✓
Priority for the Launch PilotStart with a 10-client cohort for your first 90 days. See pricing.
✓
Founding practice terms offered firstAny early-adopter terms are offered to waitlist practices before they are announced publicly.
✓
Product updates and webinar invitationsOccasional, relevant updates only. Unsubscribe at any time.
Join the waitlist →
Who wrote itBuilt from inside practice.

Balansix and this guide are built by Mr H Hammad FCCA, ACA, ICAEW Chartered Accountant with over 20 years in practice. The guide is written from the accountant's side of the desk: what slows a practice down, and what a connected workflow has to protect.

This guide is educational. It does not replace professional accounting, tax or legal advice.

FRS 105FRS 102 Section 1AVAT controlCompanies HouseClient portals
Common questions

About the guide and the waitlist.

Is the guide really free?

Yes. The Connected Accountancy Practice is a free 50-page PDF. You receive it when you join the Balansix Founding Practice waitlist. There is no charge and no obligation to buy anything.

Who is the guide for?

Owners, partners, managers and practice leads in smaller UK accountancy firms who want to reduce duplicate work between practice management, bookkeeping, VAT, year end and final accounts software.

Do I need to use Balansix to benefit from it?

No. Most pages are operating ideas you can apply with your current systems, such as the time-loss audit, the 30-day workflow audit and the supplier questions. Balansix appears only where it helps explain how a connected model can work.

What does joining the Founding Practice waitlist involve?

You share a few details about your firm. In return you get the guide, practical workflow sessions, product updates, webinar invitations and first access to controlled early testing. There is no commitment and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Is there a founding practice discount?

Founding practices are offered any early-adopter terms before they are announced publicly. Standard pricing is £19.99 + VAT per active client per month, and practices can start with a 10-client Launch Pilot for the first 90 days.

How will you use my details?

Only to send the guide and to contact you about Balansix and the waitlist. We never sell or share your details, and every update includes a way to unsubscribe.

Can I share the guide with my team?

Yes. The guide works best as a practice review: pick one real client and walk the job from first records to filed accounts with the people who do the work.

Start with one client. See where the work repeats.

Download The Connected Accountancy Practice and run the 10-minute exercise this week. Or bring the same client workflow to a Balansix demo.

Get the free guideBook a demo