When a UK-based retailer was unexpectedly left without a bookkeeper and with a VAT return looming, they turned to Hour Hands for emergency outsourced bookkeeping help. The Hour Hands company bookkeeping team was at work within a few days: setting up new employees on the payroll system, reconciling payments, and managing eCommerce transactions. At the end of the two months contract, the VAT return was filed successfully and a new, permanent employee installed within the clients business. Job done. Client happy. Another bookkeeping business success.

Margate-based Haeckels, creates, manufactures and sells wild fragrance and natural skin care and beauty products in their shops and online. They also offer treatments and other in person services at Haeckel’s Houses in Margate and London.

The Challenge

After the departure of their in-house bookkeeper and two months before the next VAT return was due, Haeckels needed an interim, remote bookkeeper whilst they were waiting for the perfect new candidate to join them. This was a busy time of growth for the company, with online orders booming.

The Solution

Working virtually, the Hour Hands bookkeeping agency managed eCommerce business on Shopify, reconciled payments on Clearco, triggered batch payments on the Xero app, Telleroo, and managed expense on Pleo, cleared emails and set up 20 new employees on the payroll system. In all, the team handled over 5000 transactions on Xero, paid all employees on time, and the VAT return was filed correctly, ensuring that the business met all regulatory requirements. 

The Result

Hour Hands were pleased to quickly fulfill an interim bookkeeper role working closely with the MD, Charlie Vickery and the Haeckel’s team. They fitted seamlessly into the function, liaising via Zoom when required.

“When we needed to quickly find a professional bookkeeping agency, we turned to the internet and were delighted to discover Hour Hands. The whole team was quick to respond to our needs, was diligent and engaged throughout the contract and everyone was a pleasure to work with. If you need to find a bookkeeper for your small business – or even your large business! – then I would have no hesitation in recommending Hour Hands for all your SME bookkeeping needs.”

If you’d like to learn more about how the Hour Hands bookkeeping team can help your business with all of your bookkeeping needs either on a permanent or short term basis, then please reach out to us. We’re experienced in traditional bookkeeping and with using a range of cloud-based applications including Xero and Shopify. No request is too big, too small or too ‘short term’. We’re flexible and we’re here to help you deliver.