Bookkeeping got you this far. What happens next?
Bookkeeping is the starting point, but once your business has a team, several income streams and more moving parts, keeping the transactions up to date is only part of what you need.
If you're still checking payment runs, trying to work out whether the month actually went well or pulling reports together yourself, the finance function is still sitting with you.
That's where Burtland steps in. Instead of relying on one person to keep your books up to date, you get a finance team that takes ownership of what happens after the bookkeeping too.
Part of your team, not another outside supplier
Working with Burtland should feel like having your own finance team, because that is exactly how we treat it. We work closely with you and your wider team, get to understand how the business actually runs and stay involved rather than appearing once a month to send over a report.
Finance affects almost every part of a business, so when something overlaps with operations, sales, payroll or client delivery, we work with the people involved to make sure everything works together.
This means finance and operations don't become two separate parts of the business. Decisions are made with the full picture, processes work properly from beginning to end and problems are picked up before they become bigger ones.
So what do we actually do?
Our support is split across three connected packages. Every client starts with Foundations, then Reckoning and Narrative are added depending on the level of financial control and information your business needs.
Foundations: Day to day finance operations
The day-to-day finance work that keeps everything moving, from bookkeeping and supplier payment runs prepared for your approval to credit control, payroll administration and VAT.
Reckoning: Month end close
A properly completed month end, including reconciliations, adjustments and checks, so you know the figures are complete and reliable.
Narrative: Management accounts and reporting
Clear monthly management reports, forecasts and useful information that help you understand what is happening and make better business decisions.
As your business changes and grows, the support can change with it, so you won't need to start again or find someone new.
Why Burtland works this way
I'm Ashley Holland on LinkedIn (opens in a new tab), the founder of Burtland.
Burtland was built from my experience working in both permanent and contract finance roles across a range of businesses. This gave me experience across the whole finance function rather than keeping me in one small part of it.
That experience includes working across a variety of systems such as NetSuite, Xero, QuickBooks, Zoho and many more. As a result, Burtland can work with the systems you already have in place or help improve or migrate them where needed.
I chose creators because I find the whole industry fascinating. I love anything creative and the finances are rarely straightforward, which means more problems for me to get stuck into. The complexity is what puts a lot of people off, but it is exactly the bit I enjoy, and it fits perfectly with my vision for Burtland to have a team that can work flexibly from different locations.
I've also worked closely with IT, sales, customer service and operations to improve processes and understand how the wider business works. It means I can see how decisions made in one department affect the numbers elsewhere, even when the connection isn't immediately obvious.
That experience now shapes how Burtland supports every client. We look beyond the transactions, work with the wider business and help solve the problems that stop finance and operations working properly together.
Problem solving and curiosity are a big part of how Burtland works. That approach will remain the same as the company grows, so clients continue to receive the same thoughtful and connected support.
Frequently asked questions
No. Burtland runs your finance function throughout the year, while your accountant remains responsible for the statutory accounts and tax returns. We make sure they receive complete, well-managed records and work with them when needed, so you don't have to sit in the middle passing information between everyone.
You can, and for a smaller or simpler business that may be all you need. The gap usually appears when the bookkeeping is being completed and the year-end accounts are being filed, but nobody is taking responsibility for everything that needs to happen in between.
Burtland joins those pieces together by managing the month end, reporting, systems and everyday finance function throughout the year, while working closely with your team and external accountant.
No. Every client starts with Foundations, which covers the essential day-to-day finance function.
Reckoning is added when you need a properly managed month end, while Narrative builds on both packages when you also need management reporting, forecasts and clearer information for decision-making. We'll agree the right level of support based on how your business currently operates.
It's different for every business, but a good sign is when you find yourself wishing you understood the numbers better or need your finance and operations to work together more closely.
If a short update every once in a while is no longer cutting the mustard and you need regular input, useful reporting and someone actively involved in the finances, it may be time for more than bookkeeping.
Let's work out what you actually need
If your business has outgrown basic bookkeeping but you're not sure what level of support you need, book a quick call and talk us through how things currently work.
Tell us how your finance function works now, what isn't working and what you need more help with. We can have a chat about whether Burtland is the right fit and what the next step could look like.