00 / The Workshop

Step by step. Done right.

From filing your first VAT return to reading a balance sheet, these guides cover the practical steps that textbooks skip. Written for founders and directors, not accountants.
Back to Resources

01 / Guides

7 step-by-step guides.

Tax & HMRC Intermediate

How to declare a dividend

A step-by-step guide to checking distributable profits, approving the dividend, issuing vouchers, recording the entries and keeping the right paperwork.

12 min Read guide
Tax & HMRC Intermediate

How to monitor turnover for VAT

A practical guide to tracking taxable turnover, applying the rolling 12-month VAT test and acting before registration becomes urgent.

10 min Read guide
Tax & HMRC Intermediate

How to register for VAT

A practical walkthrough of the VAT registration process, including what to prepare, which dates matter, and what to do while waiting for your VAT number.

12 min Read guide
Companies House Intermediate

How to prepare a confirmation statement

A practical guide to reviewing Companies House records, checking ECCTA requirements, and filing your annual confirmation statement correctly.

13 min Read guide
Bookkeeping Beginner

How to read a profit and loss statement

A practical guide to understanding turnover, gross profit, operating profit, margins and the difference between profit and cash.

14 min Read guide
Business systems Beginner

How to Plan Your Business Online Presence

A practical guide to deciding what your business actually needs online, from a domain email and basic website to Google Business Profile, reviews, social media and content.

10 min Read guide
Business systems Beginner

Founder's finance stack in the first 90 days

A practical UK founder guide to setting up the core finance systems in the right order, from banking and bookkeeping to payroll, automation and working properly with your accountant.

12 min Read guide
Tax & HMRC·Bookkeeping·Software·Year End·PayrollTax & HMRC·Bookkeeping·Software·Year End·Payroll

02 / Quick Index

The full list.

  1. 01
    How to declare a dividend
    12 min
  2. 02
  3. 03
    How to register for VAT
    12 min
  4. 04
  5. 05
  6. 06
  7. 07
End of page · How-to Guides Lean Ledger