Award winning Chartered Accountants providing accountancy and tax services, passionate about businesses and helping them grow
At Spicer & Co, we can help remove the burden of managing your accounts and tax affairs with our friendly and personalised service to local business owners and individuals. We offer professional help and advice at affordable prices to suit your budget.
18/03/2026
Rachel Reeves’ Spring Statement didn’t arrive with the fanfare of anticipation that accompanied the Autumn Budget.
This low-key announcement was made on 3rd March. It was overshadowed by events in the Middle East and not reflecting their imminent impact on inflation and energy costs.
We have shared the key announcements here
A helpful summary of today’s Spring Statement. Update from Spicer & Co Chartered Accountants, based in Dunstable.
17/03/2026
☘️ Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
May your day be filled with laughter, love, and a bit of Irish luck!
16/03/2026
What’s involved with transitioning to a limited company?
With Making Tax Digital for Income Tax going live on 6 April 2026, people with over £50,000 of qualifying income may find that becoming a limited company rather than a sole trader offers greater tax efficiency. It would exempt you from MTD IT; however, more costly and time-consuming administration would be involved.
We had two birthdays in the office last week both on the same day!
Happy birthday to Mandy and Shivani - we hope you had a lovely day and thanks for all your support and hard work throughout the year!
12/03/2026
Thinking of starting a business?
Starting a business is exciting but getting the foundations right early can save you stress, time and money later on. Here are 3 of the essentials you need to consider -
1. Cash flow (not just profit)
You can have a great idea and still struggle if money doesn’t move when you need it.
Know your start-up costs, how long before you get paid, and how you’ll cover expenses in the early months.
2. Pricing & value
Too many new business owners underprice out of fear.
Your prices need to cover costs, tax, and your time not just win work.
3. Structure & tax basics
Sole trader or limited company?
The right structure affects tax, admin and risk and it’s worth getting this right from day one.
Talk to us about which is best for you.
Remember that a business should support your life, not drain it. Thoughtful planning makes all the difference.
You might be entitled to free support and advice from your local enterprise agency - drop us an email and we can arrange a chat and advise you on what resources are available.
11/03/2026
We are sorry to keep bashing on about this topic but so many businesses owners have not actioned the impending Making Tax Digital changes taking place soon!
6 April 2026 is the mandatory start date for self-employed individuals and landlords with qualifying income over £50,000 to register.
Anyone showing gross qualifying income above £50,000 for the tax year ending 5 April 2025 will be contacted by HMRC to confirm they must comply from April 2026.
Contact us for advice and help NOW!
09/03/2026
Are you paying yourself in the most effective way?
Many SME owners default to “whatever’s left in the account” but that’s rarely the best strategy.
Things worth reviewing:
• Salary vs dividends
• Regular drawings vs ad-hoc payments
• How your income links to personal tax and long-term plans
Paying yourself properly isn’t indulgent, it’s good business discipline.
Your business should support your life, not just survive month to month!
If you are in this situation - please contact us for advice.
We can help make sense of your numbers and look at your business finances. We offer not just accounting services but business advice too.
08/03/2026
Its International Women’s Day 2026 and the theme is “Give to Gain.”
It’s a powerful reminder that when we invest in women, the returns are felt far beyond the individual.
At Spicer & Co, we see first-hand the ambition, creativity and resilience women bring to business.
But we also know that many women still face barriers when it comes to scaling, strategic decision-making and accessing the right financial insight to grow confidently.
That’s where giving really matters.
Giving time to listen and help them to experience and financial clarity.
We pride ourselves on providing strategic insight that helps business owners steer with confidence.
When women are supported with the right financial expertise, they gain the clarity to:
✔ Make informed decisions
✔ Plan for sustainable growth
✔ Build stronger, more resilient businesses
✔ Create opportunities for others
And when women-led businesses grow, they don’t just transform their own futures, they strengthen the wider economy and inspire the next generation of female entrepreneurs.
Because giving support, knowledge and guidance isn’t a loss.
It’s an investment in growth.
This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the women leading businesses and ask:
What will you give to help women gain?
06/03/2026
🎉 Happy Employee Appreciation Day!
Today, we celebrate our incredible team who brings passion, dedication, and accuracy every day to the work they do managing clients accounts, bookkeeping, VAT and Tax returns.
Your hard work doesn't go unnoticed! Let’s raise a toast , to teamwork and success. 🥂
04/03/2026
Issues with cash flow is the silent business killer.
A business may be profitable but this doesn’t always mean sustainable.
Many SMEs fail not because they’re unprofitable but because they run out of cash.
Common cash-flow traps:
• Customers paying late
• Tax bills landing unexpectedly
• Growing too fast without reserves
Here are 3 simple actions that help -
- Keep a rolling 3–6 month cash-flow forecast
- Separate tax money into a dedicated account
- Review payment terms and assess if they are they still serving you.
Cash flow clarity is vital for any business and of course you will sleep better sleep and make better decisions. Talk to us if you need help and advice as soon as you hit any issues.
01/03/2026
Happy Birthday to our founder and Managing Director, Suzanne Spicer.
Wishing you a wonderful day!
26/02/2026
Did you miss the Self-Assessment tax deadline? You’re not alone. An estimated 1 million people failed to file their Self-Assessment tax return by the 31 January deadline this year. This was slightly better than last year but still a big number.
Missing the deadline means an automatic £100 penalty, even if you don’t owe any tax.
And the sooner you act, the more you can avoid further charges and interest.
Make next year easier by filing your return as soon after the tax year ends! You can submit at any time after April, not just at the last minute!
Filing earlier gives you time to spread the cost of your tax bill rather than paying it all at once.
It also means dealing with HMRC when things are quieter which is much easier if you need to query or clarify anything.
OUR TOP TIP: Treat your tax return like any other business task and plan ahead, stay organised and avoid the last-minute rush.
If you need help understanding your tax position or want support planning ahead for next year, give us a call!
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“My career began when I trained and qualified as a chartered accountant with a local firm, working my way up to audit manager. I then held UK finance controller roles for a FTSE-100 company and a UK subsidiary of a company quoted on the New York Stock Exchange. When my daughters came along, I became a home-based accountant, building up a roster of regular clients through word of mouth.
Ten years later my husband, Steve – who worked in the construction industry – was made redundant. And we had one of those lightbulb moments! Why don’t we team up to grow the accountancy practice as a family firm? In 2013, Spicer & Co became a reality when we moved into our first office in Dunstable and we have now opened a second office in Newport Pagnell.
Since then our accountancy firm has grown – I’m still head honcho, Steve is director of business development and we have a fantastic team working with us. But we’ve never got too big for our boots. We’re known for our friendly and personal approach, always ready for a jargon-free chat over a coffee.
We do more than just accountancy. We build long-term relationships with you and pro-actively work with you to help your business to prosper. We’re not just here for tax returns and VAT – we’re here to set your business up for success”.
