As an AAT licensed bookkeeper, Real Key Accountancy provides clear, practical bookkeeping and agreed accountancy support for sole traders, landlords, freelancers and small businesses. We work from a written scope so every client understands what is included, what information is required and when specialist support may be necessary.
Our professional status
Real Key Accountancy Limited operates under AAT practice licence number 1010375. The practice is led by an AAT bookkeeping member entitled to use the professional letters AATQB. AAT describes AATQB as its professional bookkeeping membership. It recognises eligible bookkeeping qualifications and requires members to maintain professional standards.
Professional membership and a practice licence are not blanket permission to provide every accounting or tax service. AAT confirms that services are approved individually. We therefore provide work only where it is covered by the practice’s current licence, our competence and an agreed written scope.
Learn more from the official AAT bookkeeping membership guidance and AAT licence and service information.
Services that may fall within an AAT Licensed Bookkeeper licence
AAT lists the following Tier 4 service areas for Licensed Bookkeepers. Approval is individual, so availability is confirmed before engagement:
- Bookkeeping: recording transactions, bank reconciliation, maintaining financial records and agreed digital record support.
- Accounts preparation for sole traders and partnerships: where covered by the practice licence; this excludes statutory company accounts.
- VAT: record maintenance, return preparation and submission, and routine VAT work where individually approved.
- Computerised accountancy systems: agreed setup, demonstration or training support.
- Payroll: routine payroll calculations, payslips and applicable RTI submissions where individually approved.
Services outside our approved scope
We do not claim to provide every accounting, tax, assurance or company service. Work outside the practice’s approval or competence is not accepted as an in-house service. This may include specialist personal or business tax advice, Corporation Tax, statutory limited-company accounts, inheritance tax, capital gains tax, audit, assurance, forensic accounting and other regulated or specialist work unless the necessary authorisation is held.
If a matter falls outside our scope, we will explain the limitation and recommend that you obtain help from an appropriately qualified and authorised professional. We do not guess or present general information as personalised specialist advice.
How we work with clients
- Initial discussion: we learn about your business, records, software, deadlines and the support you are seeking.
- Scope assessment: we establish transaction volume and confirm whether the requested service is within our approved scope and competence.
- Written proposal: you receive a clear description of the service, responsibilities and agreed fee.
- Onboarding and checks: required identity, engagement and compliance steps are completed before work begins.
- Records transfer: we agree how documents and information will be supplied securely.
- Ongoing communication: queries, missing records and deadlines are managed through the agreed contact process.
Our working principles
- Clear scope: no uncertainty about what is included.
- Accurate records: careful processing and reconciliation based on the information supplied.
- Confidentiality: business and personal information is handled with care.
- Professional limits: work is declined or referred when it falls outside approval or competence.
- Plain English: practical explanations without unnecessary jargon.
- No unrealistic promises: we do not guarantee tax savings, refunds, funding, outcomes or HMRC decisions.
Who we support
We support suitable sole traders, partnerships, landlords, freelancers, delivery drivers, tradespeople and owner-managed businesses. Our main local focus is Wolverhampton and the West Midlands, including Birmingham, Walsall and Dudley, while many services can be delivered remotely across the UK.
Before we begin
The correct service depends on your legal structure, transaction volume, record quality, software, filing position and deadlines. We confirm availability only after reviewing the services required and the relevant licence scope.
Contact Real Key Accountancy to explain what support you need. We will ask the necessary questions and provide a written next step.
What clients can expect
Learn what happens after you enquire, including our response aim and onboarding steps, and read how we approach data security and confidentiality.
Information on this page explains our general professional approach. It does not provide personalised accounting, tax, legal or financial advice.
Choosing an AAT licensed bookkeeper
An AAT licensed bookkeeper should explain professional status, permitted work, responsibilities and the written service scope clearly before accepting an engagement.
How our professional process works
- First, we discuss the records and support you need.
- Next, we check that the requested work sits within our permitted scope.
- Then, we explain the information and documents required.
- After that, we confirm responsibilities in writing.
- However, we do not begin work until the agreed checks are complete.
- Therefore, both sides understand the timetable and service limits.
- In addition, we agree how you will share records securely.
- Finally, we review the arrangement when your circumstances change.