About

Hello, I'm Martin.

I'm Martin Schmalenbach. These free guides, checks and help sheets come from MRS Bookkeeping, my bookkeeping practice in Dolton, North Devon.

Why these free resources exist

Most small business owners who struggle with their paperwork aren't careless. Financial admin competes with everything else: customers, suppliers, family, deadlines, cash flow and the actual work of the business. Receipts end up in different places, statements get downloaded but never sorted, and eventually the problem stops being "bookkeeping" and becomes fog.

These resources are here to help clear that fog: to show you where you stand, what needs attention and what to do next. They're free to use and share, whether or not you ever use a bookkeeper.

My background

I served as an officer in the Royal Air Force, then worked in training, process improvement, sales enablement and business support. The same habits carry into this work: organise what exists, find what's missing, explain things in plain English, and focus on the next practical step. I'm continuing my bookkeeping and accountancy training, and I'll update this page as my professional status develops.

Credentials

How these resources are written

• Plain English, with official GOV.UK and HMRC sources linked wherever it matters.
• General information, not advice. Official guidance always comes first.
• No sign-up, no tracking, no cookies. The checkers run in your browser and send nothing anywhere.
• Honest about commercial interest. Where I offer a paid service, or might benefit from a recommendation, I'll say so clearly. You're free to choose another provider.
• Already have an accountant? Keep them. These resources can help you get your records to them in better shape.

Get in touch

Please don't send bank statements, ID or other confidential documents until we've agreed a secure way to share them. A short description is enough to start.

Read the full About page on the main website · Legal and policy information