Accountants help you prepare your taxable accounts for HMRC, help you calculate how much tax you need to pay and can certify that their calculations are correct.

If you have been earning money from sales or other activities outside regular employment and have not registered as self employed, then you have three calendar months to notify HMRC before you are subject to a penalty.

To register, you will need to contact your tax office and request your Unique Taxpayer Reference number (UTR) – this is the number you need to quote on invoices for your self-employed work so you can get paid without the organisation paying you taking off tax and paying it to HMRC on your behalf.

An invoice is basically a bill you send to someone for the amount they owe you for payment of fees.