Simple Bookkeeping Software. Serious Financial Control
BrightBooks is cloud-based bookkeeping software built for UK and Irish small and medium enterprises (SMEs) who want clear, compliant bookkeeping without complexity. It helps you manage invoices, expenses, bank transactions and VAT in one place while keeping you HMRC- or Revenue-compliant and ready for Making Tax Digital (MTD) in the UK.
Whether you’re moving away from spreadsheets or upgrading from basic tools, BrightBooks gives you confidence in your numbers and clarity over your business finances.
What It Is
BrightBooks is digital bookkeeping and accounting software that supports everyday financial tasks and HMRC compliance. It combines invoicing, expenses, bank reconciliation, reporting and VAT returns in one secure cloud platform.
BrightBooks supports full bookkeeping, helping you understand where your money comes from, where it goes, and what you owe, all year round.
Who It’s For
BrightBooks is designed for UK and Irish small and medium enterprises who want control over their finances without needing accounting expertise.
It’s ideal for:
- Business owners managing their own bookkeeping
- Sole traders and limited companies
- Landlords with straightforward income
- Businesses working closely with an external accountant
BrightBooks adapts to how you work today, while supporting cleaner records and easier collaboration with your accountant.
Key Features
BrightBooks includes the tools small and medium enterprises need to stay organised and compliant.
- Quotes and Invoicing
- Automated bank feeds
- Smart transaction categorisation
- Making Tax Digital (UK)
- Multiple VAT Schemes
- Clear Financial Reports
- Built-in CRM and Pipeline
- Mobile App
- Stock management tool
Professional quotes and invoicing
Create polished quotes and invoices in minutes and get paid faster with built-in online payment options. BrightBooks makes it easy to look professional from day one and reduce the time spent chasing payments.
Automated bank feeds with secure daily transaction imports
Connect your bank account and your transactions import automatically every day. No more manual data entry because your books stay up to date with a secure, reliable feed that saves you hours each week.
Smart transaction categorisation and easy reconciliation
BrightBooks intelligently categorises your transactions, so matching them to invoices and expenses takes seconds. Spend less time on admin and more time running your business, with reconciliation that’s simple enough to do yourself.
VAT returns and MTD submissions filed directly to HMRC
Prepare and submit your VAT returns directly to HMRC through Making Tax Digital — all from within BrightBooks. No switching between systems, no manual uploads. Stay compliant with confidence.
Support for multiple VAT schemes
Whether you’re on standard, flat rate, cash accounting, or another VAT scheme, BrightBooks handles it. Set up your scheme once and let the software calculate and report correctly every time.
Clear financial reports including Profit & Loss and Cash Flow
Get an instant view of how your business is performing with clear, accurate reports. From Profit & Loss to Cash Flow statements, BrightBooks gives you the financial visibility to make smarter decisions.
Built-in CRM to track customers and opportunities
Manage your customer relationships without needing a separate tool. BrightBooks’ built-in CRM lets you track contacts, log interactions, and nurture opportunities — keeping your sales pipeline and your accounts in one place.
Mobile app for invoicing and expenses on the go
Invoice customers, capture expenses, and check your finances wherever you are with the BrightBooks mobile app. Perfect for business owners who aren’t always at their desk.
Optional stock management for product-based businesses
Selling physical products? BrightBooks includes optional stock management so you can track inventory levels, link stock to invoices, and keep on top of what you have — without needing separate software.
Benefits & Outcomes
1. Stay compliant without the stress
BrightBooks handles VAT calculations as you work and prepares everything for direct submission to HMRC. You stay compliant without spreadsheets, last-minute rushes or technical complexity.
2. Save time every month
Automated bank feeds and smart matching reduce manual data entry. Transactions import automatically, so you spend less time on admin and more time running your business.
3. Get paid faster
Create quotes, convert them to invoices, and send professional invoices with payment links. Track what has been paid and what is still outstanding without guesswork.
4. Understand your finances clearly
Real-time reports show profitability and cash flow at a glance. When you need detail, you are able to explore your full Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet and VAT reports.
5. Work confidently with your accountant
Your accountant can access your books directly, reducing errors, duplication and year-end delays. Clean data makes advice more accurate and valuable.
Why Bright?
BrightBooks is designed for compliance-driven financial work, even when the user isn’t an accountant.
Compared to basic bookkeeping tools, BrightBooks offers:
- Compliance built in, not added later
- Clear, structured records that support year-end readiness
- Consistency between business and accountant views
- Connected tools within the Bright product offering
- Real human support when you need help
This matters because staying compliant shouldn’t mean feeling overwhelmed or uncertain about your numbers.
Built on compliance
How It Works
BrightBooks supports a simple, structured bookkeeping process:
- Create invoices, record expenses and connect your bank
- Transactions import automatically through secure bank feeds
- Review and approve suggested categories
- VAT is calculated continuously as you work
- Submit VAT returns directly to HMRC
- Share accurate records with your accountant at year-end
Effortless workflows
FAQs
Is BrightBooks suitable if I’m not an accountant?
Yes. BrightBooks is designed to be easy to use, with clear workflows and guidance for small and medium enterprise owners.
Is BrightBooks HMRC-compliant?
Yes. BrightBooks supports Making Tax Digital for VAT and Income Tax and submits returns directly to HMRC.
Can I still use Excel?
Yes. BrightBooks supports importing from Excel if you’re transitioning to digital bookkeeping.
Can my accountant access my BrightBooks data?
Yes. Your accountant can work directly from your BrightBooks records, reducing duplication and year-end delays.
Does BrightBooks include a mobile app?
Yes. BrightBooks includes an iOS and Android app for invoicing, expenses and on-the-go access.
