Professional services & education
MTD software for freelance bookkeepers.
Keep your own books as clear as your clients’.
Client deadlines can push your own bookkeeping to the end of the list. Avona helps freelance bookkeepers gather their practice income, subscriptions and receipts into a routine that fits around client work.
- Who it is for
- Freelance bookkeepers working as sole traders, managing their own business records and MTD for Income Tax updates.
- Available now
- Digital records, bank feeds, statement imports, transaction categorisation and quarterly self-employment updates. Pro adds customer invoicing, VAT accounting and reporting.
- Monthly price
- From £15/month for Lite. Pro is £20/month.
- Free trial
- Full access for 7 days. No credit card required.
- Annual-return limitations
- Quarterly updates do not replace your annual tax return. HMRC lists annual-return items including PAYE income, interest, dividends and pensions as in development. Check the listing and confirm support for your income sources before relying on Avona for your annual return.
Making Tax Digital
It’s what comes in.
Before costs go out.
Monthly retainers, catch-up projects and software recharges can create several payment streams. Record your practice’s fees separately from money or records you handle for clients.
Understand Making Tax Digital →When does MTD apply?
Combined qualifying self-employment and property income, before expenses:
- Over £50,000 in 2024/25
- From 6 April 2026
- Over £30,000 in 2025/26
- From 6 April 2027
- Over £20,000 in 2026/27
- From 6 April 2028
Eligibility and exemptions matter. These are income thresholds, not tax-free allowances.
Check HMRC’s eligibility guidance ↗From the work to your records
Clear records for your bookkeeping catch-up project.
Bring the evidence into Avona, review the suggested categories and check the figures before submitting. These three examples show the records behind your bookkeeping catch-up project, shared purchases and a monthly bookkeeping retainer.
| What you bring | How you use Avona | What you check |
|---|---|---|
| £780 for your bookkeeping catch-up project £115 spent on practice software and reference access | Connect your bank or import the payment, then upload the invoice or receipt for practice software and reference access. Review the income and the purchase as separate records. | Keep £780 as the sale and the £115 cost separately. The £665 left after this cost is not turnover. Check that the spending is eligible for your business. |
| £100 mixed purchase £80 for stationery for bookkeeping work; £20 for supplies for household administration | Upload the itemised receipt and review the suggested category. Identify stationery for bookkeeping work separately from supplies for household administration. | Only the eligible £80 business portion belongs in business costs. Exclude the £20 personal purchase, and check that importing both the bank transaction and the receipt has not counted the spending twice. |
| £300 monthly service payment An agreement covering a defined service period | Bring the bank payment into Avona and retain the agreement for a monthly bookkeeping retainer. Check which month or service period the receipt covers. | Repeated descriptions can represent legitimate payments for different periods. Check the agreement before treating one as a duplicate, and keep one-off project fees or extra work separately identifiable. |
Keep supporting documents alongside your figures, review business use and apply your accounting method consistently. HMRC: keeping business records ↗
The costs behind your work
Six expenses worth
keeping records for.
Examples for freelance bookkeepers. Claim only eligible business costs; mixed use, equipment and your accounting method can change the treatment.
Practice software
Professional insurance
Business-use computer costs
Business stationery
Website hosting
Eligible business travel
One thing to watch
Separate client subscriptions from your own practice tools
A platform used to run your business and a licence you recharge to a client need clear records. Retain the supplier invoice and related client charge so neither side is missed.
HMRC: keeping business records ↗Fit the admin around the work
A routine around your bookkeeping catch-up project.
Review your own bank transactions on a regular date, attach subscription invoices and reconcile client retainers and project balances.
Capture the supporting documents
Upload receipts or invoices for practice software and reference access. Keep the date, supplier and amount legible, and distinguish stationery for bookkeeping work from supplies for household administration.
How document capture works →Reconcile your bookkeeping catch-up project payments
Review each customer receipt against the work it covers. Keep the breakdown for a monthly bookkeeping retainer available alongside the bank entry, so fees, refunds or timing differences can be explained.
How bank review works →Review before you submit
Review Avona AI’s suggested categories, check that your bookkeeping catch-up project income is complete, and remove duplicate or personal spending. Keep the evidence for a monthly bookkeeping retainer ready for your annual-return review too.
Before you get started
Questions from freelance bookkeepers.
Does MTD apply to everyone in this profession?
No. This page covers freelance bookkeepers working as sole traders. Your start date depends on combined qualifying self-employment and property income before expenses, and any exemptions. Employment and limited-company work have different reporting arrangements.
How do I separate my practice records from client records?
Use your own practice transactions for your accounts and keep client datasets clearly separate. Client funds or documents you handle are not automatically income or spending of your business.
How do I record a monthly bookkeeping retainer?
Example: £300 monthly service payment (an agreement covering a defined service period). Repeated descriptions can represent legitimate payments for different periods. Check the agreement before treating one as a duplicate, and keep one-off project fees or extra work separately identifiable.
Which bookkeeping issue should I watch for?
Separate client subscriptions from your own practice tools. A platform used to run your business and a licence you recharge to a client need clear records. Retain the supplier invoice and related client charge so neither side is missed.
Can I keep using my existing spreadsheet?
Yes. Bring your bookkeeping catch-up project income records and evidence of practice software and reference access into Avona using supported spreadsheet uploads. Check dates, categories, personal spending and duplicates against the original documents before you approve the records.
Do quarterly updates complete my annual tax return?
No. You still need the annual tax return and any relevant adjustments or other income. HMRC currently lists annual-return items including PAYE income, interest, dividends and pensions as in development for Avona. Confirm support for your own income sources and circumstances before relying on Avona for the annual return.
Built for the way you earn
Give your own bookkeeping a regular slot.
Choosing Avona
Your questions, answered.
Can I create customer invoices?
Yes. You can create customer invoices with Avona Pro.
What if I am VAT-registered?
Full VAT accounting is available with Avona Pro, so you can manage your VAT-registered business with Avona.
Can my accountant review my records?
Yes. You can connect your Avona account to your bookkeeper or accountant so they can review your records.
Can I use my phone on site?
Yes. Every feature has a mobile-friendly version, so you can manage your accounts from your phone while you are on the move.
Can I keep using my personal bank account?
Yes. Avona supports Open Banking connections and PDF bank statement uploads. You can clearly separate personal and business transactions to keep your business records organised.