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Companies Act, 2013 (India)

Section 128(1) requires every company to prepare and keep the books of account and other relevant books and papers and financial statements at its registered office.

Bookkeeping is the process of recording, organizing, and maintaining a company’s financial transactions systematically. It involves documenting every financial activity, such as sales, purchases, payments, and receipts, to ensure accurate financial records.

 

Bookkeeping is the practice of systematically recording and maintaining a company’s financial transactions. It includes documenting all financial activities, such as sales, expenses, and payments, on a daily basis. The goal of bookkeeping is to ensure that all financial records are accurate and organized, providing a clear picture of a business’s financial health. Bookkeeping is essential for creating financial reports, tracking cash flow, and preparing for tax filing, ultimately helping businesses make informed financial decisions.

Improved Financial Management

Bookkeeping helps track your business's income and expenses, providing a clear overview of your financial health and making it easier to manage cash flow.

Tax Compliance

Accurate bookkeeping ensures that your financial records are up-to-date, making it easier to file taxes on time and avoid penalties for non-compliance.

Better Decision Making

With organized financial records, business owners can make informed decisions based on real-time financial data and trends.

Cost Savings

Proper bookkeeping helps identify unnecessary expenses and areas where costs can be reduced, leading to better profitability.

Improved Business Growth

By understanding your financial position, bookkeeping allows for better budgeting, planning, and allocation of resources to support business expansion.

Easier Financial Audits

Organized and accurate financial records make audits simpler, faster, and less costly, reducing stress during audits or financial reviews.

Eligibility Criteria for Bookkeeping Services

Bookkeeping services are essential for all businesses, but the eligibility criteria for hiring or using professional bookkeeping services depend on several factors:

  1. Business Type

    • Any business, whether a sole proprietorship, partnership, limited company, or corporation, can benefit from bookkeeping services.
  2. Business Size

    • Bookkeeping is essential for businesses of all sizes, from small startups to large enterprises. While small businesses may do their own bookkeeping, larger businesses usually require professional services due to more complex financial transactions.
  3. Income Level

    • If a business exceeds a certain income threshold, it may be required to keep formal accounting records as per tax regulations, making bookkeeping mandatory.
  4. Legal and Regulatory Requirements

    • Businesses in certain industries (e.g., financial services, healthcare, retail) may have specific legal requirements for maintaining accurate books. Compliance with tax laws and other financial regulations also requires bookkeeping.
  5. Scope of Business Operations

    • The more diverse and expansive the business operations (e.g., multiple locations, international transactions), the more sophisticated the bookkeeping system needed.
  6. Record-Keeping Standards

    • Businesses that need to apply for loans, investments, or engage in audits must maintain clear, accurate, and comprehensive records, making bookkeeping an essential service.

Checklist for Bookkeeping

To ensure your bookkeeping is accurate and efficient, follow this checklist:

  1. Business Information

    • Ensure all company details (business name, type, address) are updated in the bookkeeping records.
  2. Bank Statements

    • Reconcile all bank statements with the bookkeeping records regularly to identify discrepancies or missed transactions.
  3. Income and Revenue Tracking

    • Record all sources of income, including sales, payments, and other income-generating activities.
  4. Expense Documentation

    • Track all business-related expenses, including rent, utilities, payroll, and materials. Keep receipts or invoices for verification.
  5. Invoice Management

    • Keep a record of all issued and received invoices, noting payment due dates and received payments.
  6. Payroll Records

    • Maintain accurate payroll records, including employee wages, taxes, and benefits. Ensure compliance with legal requirements.
  7. Tax Records

    • Maintain detailed tax records and file taxes on time, ensuring proper tax deductions and payments are made.
  8. Accounts Receivable & Payable

    • Monitor accounts receivable (money owed to you) and accounts payable (money you owe), ensuring timely payments and collections.
  9. Financial Reports

    • Generate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports (e.g., balance sheet, income statement, cash flow) to assess business performance.
  10. Software/Tools

    • Utilize bookkeeping software (e.g., QuickBooks, Xero, Zoho Books) to streamline the process and avoid manual errors.
  11. Backup and Security

    • Regularly back up your financial data and ensure it is stored securely to prevent data loss.
  12. Audit and Review

    • Conduct regular audits and reviews to ensure the accuracy and completeness of your financial records.

 

Necessary Documents for Bookkeeping

To maintain accurate and efficient bookkeeping, the following documents are essential:

 

  1. Receipts and Invoices

    • All receipts for purchases and sales invoices to track income and expenses.
  2. Bank Statements

    • Monthly bank statements from your business bank accounts for reconciliation.
  3. Payment Records

    • Documentation of all payments made and received, including credit card statements, checks, and online payments.
  4. Payroll Records

    • Employee payment records, including salaries, wages, bonuses, tax deductions, and benefits.
  5. Tax Returns

    • Copies of filed tax returns and related documents (e.g., GST filings, income tax returns) for accurate tax reporting.
  6. Accounts Receivable and Payable

    • Detailed records of money owed to your business (accounts receivable) and money your business owes (accounts payable).
  7. Purchase Orders and Bills

    • Copies of purchase orders, supplier bills, and receipts for all business purchases.
  8. General Ledger

    • A record of all transactions, categorized by account type (e.g., assets, liabilities, equity, income, expenses).
  9. Business Agreements and Contracts

    • Agreements with clients, suppliers, and vendors that outline payment terms and obligations.
  10. Loan Documents

    • Documents related to business loans or lines of credit, including loan agreements and repayment schedules.
  11. Fixed Asset Records

    • Documentation related to the purchase, depreciation, and sale of fixed assets (e.g., machinery, equipment).
  12. Expense Claims

    • Documentation for employee expense reimbursements, including receipts and detailed explanations.

Documents necessary for filing SPICe+ form (INC-32) for the registration of a private limited company are outlined as follows:

A. For Indian Nationals serving as directors and subscribers:
  • Affidavit on stamp paper: a declaration by all subscribers affirming their intention to become shareholders of the company
  • Office address proof like the Rental Agreement or Ownership Deed
  • Electricity bill, water bill and other utility bills of the last two months
  • Copy of approval if required
  • Trademark registration details
  • NOC from property owner
  • Proof of identity and address
B. Required Documents For Foreign Nationals serving as directors/Shareholders
  • Passport: Proof of identity
  • Address proof: Accepted documents include a driving license, residence card, bank statement, or government-issued identification with a valid address.

Types of Bookkeeping

In India, private limited businesses are differentiated into different types based on share distribution and other aspects. Here are 3 different types of PVT ltd Companies:

Single-Entry Bookkeeping

This is the simplest form of bookkeeping, where each financial transaction is recorded once (either as an income or expense). It is mainly used by small businesses with straightforward financial activities.

Double-Entry Bookkeeping

This method records each transaction twice: once as a debit and once as a credit. It provides a more comprehensive view of the business's financial situation and ensures that the accounting equation (Assets = Liabilities + Equity) always balances.

Computerized Bookkeeping

This method uses accounting software (such as QuickBooks, Xero, or Zoho Books) to track financial transactions automatically. It helps streamline and automate the process, reducing human errors and improving efficiency for businesses of all sizes.

Characteristics of Bookkeeping

  • Systematic Recording

    • Bookkeeping involves the systematic recording of all financial transactions, ensuring every expense, income, and adjustment is properly documented.
  • Accuracy

    • It requires precision to ensure financial records are accurate and free from errors, which is essential for correct financial reporting.
  • Consistency

    • Consistent recording of financial data is crucial for tracking performance over time, ensuring comparability between financial periods.
  • Transparency

    • Bookkeeping provides clear visibility into a company’s financial status, making it easier to understand the flow of money and resources.
  • Regulatory Compliance

    • It helps businesses stay compliant with legal and tax regulations by maintaining accurate financial records that can be reviewed by tax authorities.
  • Financial Analysis

    • The information recorded in bookkeeping enables business owners to analyze their financial position, helping in decision-making, budgeting, and forecasting.
  • Timeliness

    • Regular and timely updates are essential to maintain accurate and current financial records, which are vital for tracking and controlling business finances.
  • Supports Auditing

    • Organized and detailed bookkeeping makes audits easier and more efficient, ensuring businesses can produce required documentation when needed.
  • Cost-Effective

    • Proper bookkeeping can help identify areas where businesses can reduce costs, optimize spending, and improve profitability.
  • Helps in Tax Filing

    • Bookkeeping ensures that businesses have all the necessary documents ready for tax filing, making it easier to calculate tax obligations and file returns on time.

How to Register for Bookkeeping Services

step
  • Determine Your Business Needs

    • First, assess the complexity of your business finances. Small businesses may manage bookkeeping in-house using simple software, while larger businesses may need professional services to handle more complex transactions.
  • Select the Type of Bookkeeping

    • Choose whether you want to manage your bookkeeping manually (single-entry), use software (computerized bookkeeping), or hire a professional accountant for double-entry bookkeeping.
  • Choose Bookkeeping Software or Service

    • If opting for software, choose a reliable bookkeeping tool such as QuickBooks, Xero, or Zoho Books. Alternatively, you can hire a professional bookkeeper or a bookkeeping service that offers tailored solutions for your business.
  • Register with a Service Provider (if hiring a professional)

    • If you decide to outsource, research and register with a certified bookkeeping service provider. Make sure they have experience with your industry, good reviews, and can handle your specific requirements (tax filings, payroll, etc.).
  • Prepare Necessary Documents

    • Before starting bookkeeping, gather your business’s financial documents, such as bank statements, invoices, receipts, tax records, and payroll details. These will be needed to set up and maintain accurate records.
  • Set Up Your Financial Systems

    • Set up your accounting systems, whether by integrating software with your business accounts or establishing a manual process for tracking income and expenses.
  • Ongoing Recordkeeping

    • Regularly update your bookkeeping system with every transaction. If using a service or software, ensure proper integration with your business bank accounts for seamless tracking.

Private Limited Company Registration Fees

There are several criteria that determine the total fees structure to form a private limited business in India. Fees like stamp duty and government fees are required. Professional fees will be assessed if you engage any experts. Apart from this, applications for filing DSC, DIN, Notary fees, PAN, TAN and GST registration should be accounted for. An all-in-one platform for online private limited company registration in India is offered by Vakilsearch. Depending on your demands, you can choose from our affordably priced packages and begin the registration process.

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