01Who do you work with?+
Yes. Langner & Co. provides finance and accounting support to businesses operating in the UK. We work mainly with small and medium-sized businesses, owner-managed businesses, growing companies and self-employed individuals. Most of the businesses we support are smaller businesses where the owner or Managing Director is directly involved in running the company and making financial decisions. Our support can range from helping to set up or organise bookkeeping, keeping financial records up to date and preparing financial information, through to more ongoing finance support. We work with businesses across different industries. We do not believe that every business needs the same type of financial support, so we start by understanding how your business operates and what you actually need. Whether you are starting a business, your bookkeeping needs bringing up to date, or your business has grown and you need more structured financial support, we can discuss the situation and identify where we can help.
02Do you work remotely?+
Yes. Langner & Co. operates remotely and provides finance and accounting support to businesses across the UK. Remote working allows us to work with clients regardless of where they are based, while keeping the focus on what matters — keeping financial information organised, maintaining accurate records and providing useful financial support. For small and growing businesses, this can provide access to experienced finance support without the need to employ a full-time member of staff. The way we work depends on the client's requirements. This may include regular communication, sharing financial information and documents electronically, reviewing accounts and reports, discussing financial issues and providing ongoing support. Remote does not mean distant. We believe good financial support still requires communication, understanding your business and being available when you need us.
03Do you work with Xero?+
Yes. We can work with businesses using Xero as part of their accounting and finance processes. Xero is a useful accounting platform, but having accounting software does not automatically mean that the financial information is complete, accurate or useful. The quality of the information depends on how the system is set up and maintained, how transactions are recorded, how accounts are reconciled and how the information is reviewed. Depending on what you need, we can support areas such as bookkeeping, bank reconciliations, financial reporting, management accounts and other finance-related tasks. We can also work alongside an existing accountant where appropriate. If you already use Xero, there is no need to change your system simply because you need additional support. We can first understand your current setup and identify what, if anything, needs improving.
04Do you work with QuickBooks?+
Yes. We can support businesses using QuickBooks as part of their accounting and finance processes. As with any accounting software, the system itself is only part of the picture. Good financial information depends on the underlying records being maintained properly and the information being regularly reviewed. Depending on your requirements, our support can include bookkeeping, reconciliations, financial reporting, management accounts, cash flow and other finance support. We can also work alongside an existing accountant or accounting practice where they handle areas such as year-end accounts, tax or statutory compliance. Our objective is not simply to process transactions. We want to help make sure your financial information is organised, reliable and useful to you as a business owner. If your business already uses QuickBooks, there is no need to change systems simply because you are looking for additional finance support.
05Do you work with an existing accountant or accounting practice?+
Yes. We can work alongside your existing accountant or accounting practice. You do not necessarily need to change accountants in order to receive additional finance and bookkeeping support from Langner & Co. Many small businesses have a good relationship with their accountant but still need someone to deal with the financial side of the business more regularly. For example, your accountant may deal with annual accounts, tax or statutory matters, while you may need additional help with bookkeeping, financial records, management accounts, cash flow, budgeting, credit control or other finance tasks during the year. In this situation, Langner & Co. can work as an additional finance resource alongside your existing accountant. The aim is to create a clear division of responsibilities and avoid unnecessary duplication. We would first establish what your accountant currently handles and what support you actually need.
06Can you provide part-time finance support?+
Yes. We can provide flexible, part-time finance support for businesses that need additional help without employing a full-time finance professional. Not every small or medium-sized business needs a full-time Finance Manager or Finance Director. However, there can come a point where basic bookkeeping is no longer enough and the business needs more help managing its financial information. Depending on the business, this could include bookkeeping, financial reporting, management accounts, cash flow, budgeting, credit control, financial control or more senior finance support. The level of support can be shaped around what your business actually needs. This means you can access experienced finance support without automatically taking on the cost and commitment of a full-time employee. As the business changes, the level of support can change with it.
07Can you provide monthly management accounts?+
Yes. We can provide monthly management accounts to help business owners understand how their business is performing throughout the year. Annual accounts are important, but they are generally not enough on their own to give an owner a clear and timely view of what is happening in the business. Monthly management accounts can provide information about revenue, costs, gross profit, net profit and other relevant financial information. Depending on the business, they can also help answer practical questions such as: Are we performing as expected? Is revenue increasing or decreasing? Are margins changing? Are costs under control? Is profitability improving? How does current performance compare with previous periods or the budget? Are there areas that need attention? The exact content should reflect the business. We do not believe that producing pages of numbers automatically makes financial reporting useful. The purpose is to provide information that helps you understand what is happening in your business and make better decisions.
08Do you offer one-off financial reviews?+
Yes. We can provide one-off financial reviews for businesses that want a practical look at their financial position and current finance processes. A business does not always need ongoing finance support. Sometimes the immediate need is simply to understand what is happening financially and identify areas that may need attention. A financial review can look at areas such as profitability, margins, cash flow, outstanding debts, financial reporting, financial processes, budgeting or the quality of the existing financial information. The purpose is to look beyond whether the bookkeeping is simply up to date. The more important question is: Does your financial information give you a clear enough picture of your business to make informed decisions? Depending on the circumstances, a review may identify issues such as limited visibility over cash flow, pressure on profit margins, slow-paying customers, disorganised financial processes, insufficient management reporting, lack of meaningful budgeting or forecasting, or uncertainty about the true financial performance of the business. Our Finance Health Check is specifically designed around this type of practical financial review.
09Do you work with small and owner-managed businesses?+
Yes. Small and owner-managed businesses are an important part of the businesses we support. We understand that, in a smaller business, the owner or Managing Director often has to deal with many different areas of the company. Finance can easily become something that gets dealt with when there is time available. This can lead to bookkeeping falling behind, financial information becoming difficult to understand or important issues not being identified early enough. We can support businesses with areas such as bookkeeping, financial reporting, management accounts, cash flow, budgeting, credit control and financial control. We can also provide more advanced finance support where the business has grown beyond what basic bookkeeping can comfortably support. Our approach is practical and flexible. We focus on what the business actually needs rather than assuming that every client needs the same service.
10Can you support a growing business?+
Yes. Growth is often one of the points at which a business starts to need more structured financial support. As a business grows, the financial processes that worked when the company was smaller may no longer be enough. You may start to need more regular financial reporting, better visibility over cash flow, budgeting and forecasting, closer monitoring of profit margins, stronger credit control, improved financial processes, more structured month-end procedures or additional finance support. We can support businesses at different stages of their development, from specific finance tasks through to broader and more senior finance support. The level of involvement can also change as the business changes. The important thing is not simply whether the business is growing, but whether it is growing profitably and sustainably.
11Can I use only one of your services rather than a full package?+
Yes. You do not have to take a full package of services. We understand that businesses have different needs, and those needs can change over time. Some businesses may only need help with bookkeeping, annual accounts preparation, cash flow, credit control or another specific area. Others may need broader support covering management accounts, financial reporting, budgeting, financial control and ongoing finance support. You may also already have some finance arrangements in place but need additional help in one particular area. For example, you may already have an accountant but need someone to keep your bookkeeping organised and up to date throughout the year. In that situation, it may make more sense to address the specific requirement rather than introduce services you do not currently need. Our services can therefore be used individually or combined depending on your circumstances. The aim is to provide the support your business actually needs — not to sell you services you do not need.
12How do I get started with Langner & Co.?+
The first step is simply to get in touch and tell us a little about your business and what you need help with. You do not need to know exactly which service you need before contacting us. You may know that your bookkeeping has fallen behind, that your financial records need organising, that you need help with your annual accounts, that cash flow is becoming difficult to manage, or that you simply need someone to take care of the financial side of the business. You may also feel that you do not have enough visibility over your numbers. We can start from there. The initial conversation is about understanding your business, your current finance arrangements, what is working, what is not and where you need support. Depending on your circumstances, this could lead to support with one specific service, several areas of finance or a more comprehensive finance arrangement. If you are unsure where to start, a Finance Health Check may also be an appropriate first step. There is no need to prepare a complicated brief before getting in touch. An honest conversation about your business and what you need help with is the best place to start. We can then determine whether Langner & Co. is the right fit and what type of support would make sense for your business.
