If you’ve established a limited company and plan to pay yourself (and other employees) a wage, then PAYE (Pay As You Earn) is something you’ll need to organise. It’s how Income Tax and National Insurance are deducted from wages, and because you’re a company director, you’re responsible for organising it. Here’s an easy and rapid guide to register for PAYE as employee.

When You Must Register

When you’ve decided to reward yourself with a salary from your company or recruit your first employee, you’ll need to register for PAYE as employee with HMRC. Even if there’s only you on the books, PAYE kicks in.

Some directors choose to take only dividends, but if you want to pay yourself a monthly salary (usually a wise move to stay tax-efficient), PAYE is unavoidable.

How to Register for PAYE

Below are a few steps you must follow:

· Register your limited company (if you haven’t already). You will need a Companies House registration number.

· Register as an employer with HMRC – Register online on the HMRC website. You will need your company details and inform them when you will start paying people.

· Wait for your PAYE reference numbers – HMRC will send you an employer PAYE reference and an Accounts Office reference. This should take 5–10 working days.

· Choose payroll software – This will be used to calculate pay, tax, NI, and report to HMRC. There are plenty to choose from—FreeAgent, QuickBooks, Xero, or even HMRC’s free Basic PAYE Tools.

· Start reporting under RTI (Real Time Information) – Once you’re set up and trading, you’ll be required to report payroll details to HMRC each time you pay yourself or employees.

A Few Extras to Remember

· If you’re earning a low director’s salary (say, below the NI threshold), you’ll still need to declare it.

· Keep proper records—HMRC may ask for them at any moment.

· Make sure you pay the PAYE tax and NI on time by the 22nd of the month (or the 19th if paying by post).

Conclusion

PAYE registration can appear to be more complicated than it is, but once you have it set up, it’s like clockwork. The secret is to get everything in place before your first payday. That way, you are compliant and won’t worry about future hassles.

How FigsFlow Is Helping Bookkeepers Simplify Their Proposal Process

Ask any bookkeeper and they’ll tell you—sending out proposals isn’t the most exciting part of the job. In fact, it’s often one of those admin-heavy tasks that quietly eats away at your time. From chasing signatures to fiddling with templates, proposals can feel more like a chore than a value-adding process.

But it doesn’t have to be that way.

FigsFlow’s proposal software is making life easier for bookkeepers by turning this once manual and clunky task into something that’s simple, quick, and surprisingly satisfying to tick off your to-do list.

Why Proposal Admin Slows Firms Down

If you’re running a busy bookkeeping practice, you’re probably juggling a long list of responsibilities—from reconciling bank accounts to helping clients understand their numbers. Spending half an hour (or more) drafting a new proposal, double-checking engagement terms, and waiting days for a signed copy to be emailed back is far from ideal.

For many, it’s not the actual work that’s difficult—it’s the repetitive admin that surrounds it. Over time, that friction adds up. You lose time. Clients experience delays. And something that should feel like a great start to the working relationship ends up feeling more like a formality to get through.

Making Proposals Easier with FigsFlow

That’s where FigsFlow comes in. It’s been designed with bookkeepers and accountants in mind, so it’s not trying to be a one-size-fits-all tool. It understands what you need: a way to send out clear, professional proposals with the correct services, fees, and terms—without spending hours each time.

With FigsFlow, you can build a proposal using pre-set templates, drop in services and pricing, and send it out for electronic signing in just a few clicks. No faffing about with PDFs. No need to chase people down. And no more starting from scratch every time.

It’s not just about speed—it’s about consistency too. Your documents stay on-brand and compliant, and you can see exactly where things stand: who’s opened what, who’s signed, and who might need a gentle nudge.

Why Bookkeepers Are Getting on Board

Bookkeepers who’ve adopted the platform often say the same thing: “Why didn’t I start using this sooner?”

For one, it helps smaller firms look more polished. Whether you’re a solo bookkeeper or managing a small team, having sleek proposals and engagement letters sent digitally helps you stand out—and builds trust from day one.

It also makes it easier to scale. If you’re growing your client base or bringing new team members on board, standardised templates keep everyone singing from the same hymn sheet. No more hunting through old emails to find the right wording or wondering if you’re using the latest terms.

Most importantly, it gives you your time back. Time you can spend on your clients, your team, or maybe just getting out of the office on time for once.

With proposal software for bookkeepers like FigsFlow, you’re not just making your own life easier. You’re improving the experience for your clients too.

Conclusion

Bookkeeping is about attention to detail, building relationships, and helping clients feel confident in their numbers. But too often, admin gets in the way.

FigsFlow offers a refreshingly straightforward way to take the pain out of proposals and get back to what matters. Whether you’re tired of clunky documents, slow approvals, or simply want to look more professional, it might be time to make the switch.

If you’ve been wondering whether proposal software for bookkeepers is worth it, the answer might just be in the hours you’ll get back—and the headaches you’ll avoid.