FreeAgent accounting software
Better records. Clearer collaboration. Less accounting admin.
FreeAgent brings everyday business finances into one organised system. It can connect with your bank, help you create invoices, record expenses, retain supporting documents and keep important accounting information visible throughout the year. Forest Finance uses FreeAgent to build a more consistent working routine between you and your accountant—reducing the need to reconstruct the records when a deadline arrives. FreeAgent access is included within our ongoing accounting packages. The agreed fee covers the software rather than presenting it as a separate “free” product or requiring you to choose a particular business bank.
Everyday business finances
Keep the records moving in one connected system.
FreeAgent brings the routine parts of business record keeping together. The exact setup will depend on how your business operates and which responsibilities are included within your Forest Finance service.
Bank transactions
Connect an eligible business bank account through an Open Banking feed so transactions can enter FreeAgent regularly and be explained against the correct accounting category.
Invoices
Create and send sales invoices, monitor what has been paid and keep outstanding amounts visible.
Expenses and receipts
Record business expenses and retain supporting documents while the information is still current, including through the FreeAgent mobile app.
Bills and business costs
Enter supplier bills and other costs so upcoming payments and outstanding balances can be reflected in the records.
Tax visibility
View available tax estimates and upcoming obligations using the information recorded in FreeAgent. Estimates depend on the completeness and accuracy of the underlying records.
VAT and Making Tax Digital
Maintain digital records and, where the relevant service is agreed, prepare information for VAT returns or MTD for Income Tax submissions.
Financial reports
View reports showing areas such as income, costs, profit, outstanding invoices and cash flow, helping you and your accountant work from the same underlying information.
Record the activity as the business runs—not months after it happened.
Software with accounting support
FreeAgent provides the system. Forest Finance helps make the records reliable and useful.
Accounting software does not remove the need for accurate information, consistent routines or professional judgement. We’ll agree how FreeAgent fits into your service and which responsibilities sit with you and with Forest Finance.
Set up around the business
Configure the account, financial year, bank connections, invoice details, tax settings and relevant business information.
Agree who handles what
Confirm who will create invoices, upload documents, explain bank transactions, maintain bookkeeping and review the resulting records.
Keep information moving
Establish a manageable routine for dealing with transactions, receipts, invoices and questions instead of allowing the records to build up until a deadline.
Review the records
Where included within the service, Forest Finance will reconcile key information, investigate unusual balances and identify items that need clarification.
Resolve questions together
You can provide context for unfamiliar transactions and business activity, while we explain the appropriate accounting treatment and any information still required.
Use the records for agreed work
The maintained information can support accounts, tax returns, VAT, MTD submissions, management reporting and other services included within your package.
Adapt the setup
As the business changes, we can review whether new bank feeds, invoice processes, integrations, reporting categories or additional support would be useful.
One shared system. Clear responsibilities. Better information throughout the year.
Getting started
New account, existing account or another system—we’ll agree a clear starting point.
New to accounting software
We can establish a FreeAgent account as part of the agreed onboarding work, configure the essential settings and explain the routine you will need to follow.
Already using FreeAgent
We’ll discuss connecting or transferring the existing account to Forest Finance, review the current settings and establish whether any records need attention before ongoing work begins.
Moving from other software
We’ll review the system currently being used, the quality of the records and the information that needs to remain available. We can then agree an appropriate transfer date and migration approach.
Using spreadsheets or informal records
We’ll assess what has been maintained and decide whether information should be imported, summarised or retained separately as supporting evidence.
Agree the historical work
Moving systems does not automatically correct incomplete or inaccurate bookkeeping. If earlier periods need reviewing, reconciling or rebuilding, we’ll explain the additional work and agree the scope before starting.
Connect the bank securely
You will normally need to authorise the relevant Open Banking connection. Forest Finance will not ask you to disclose your online-banking password.
Establish the new routine
Once the starting position is ready, we’ll confirm how invoices, expenses, bank transactions and questions should be handled going forward.
Start with the records you have. Build a more reliable routine from there.
Is FreeAgent suitable for you?
Designed for many small businesses—but the software should fit how you operate.
Sole traders and freelancers
Keep income, expenses, invoices, bank activity and Self Assessment information connected within one system.
Owner-managed limited companies
Maintain company records, monitor everyday finances and support the information needed for annual accounts and company-tax responsibilities.
Start-ups
Build an organised record-keeping routine from the beginning, with bank feeds, invoices and supporting documents kept together as activity develops.
Landlords and property businesses
Record rental income, property costs and supporting information using the appropriate FreeAgent setup for the ownership structure and reporting requirements.
Small employers
Where suitable, FreeAgent can support payroll records and submissions alongside the wider business accounts. The exact payroll service and responsibilities will be confirmed separately.
Service, project and contract businesses
Create invoices, record time or costs where appropriate and keep project-related activity visible within the wider financial records.
When another system may be more appropriate
FreeAgent will not be the best fit for every organisation. High transaction volumes, complex stock, specialist operational systems, group structures or detailed reporting requirements may justify another approach.
Forest Finance will consider how the business operates before recommending the software rather than treating FreeAgent as the answer in every situation.
Start with the business needs. Then choose the system.
Included within your service
FreeAgent access without a separate software subscription from Forest Finance.
Included within the accounting fee
FreeAgent access is included within Forest Finance’s ongoing accounting packages where it is the agreed software for the business. The cost is incorporated into the accounting fee rather than presented as a separate “free” product.
A clear proposal
Your proposal will explain the accounting services, software access and responsibilities included within the agreed fee. Catch-up work, specialist integrations or services outside that scope will be identified separately.
Optional additions
Some FreeAgent add-ons, connected applications or specialist migration work may involve an additional cost. We’ll explain this before anything chargeable is added.
If the accounting service ends
We’ll explain the available options for retaining or transferring access to the FreeAgent account. Continued access may require your own subscription, an arrangement with a new accountant or eligibility through a participating bank.
One agreed accounting fee, with the software arrangement explained clearly.
FreeAgent and Making Tax Digital
Digital records and submissions within one connected routine.
Making Tax Digital requires affected businesses and individuals to maintain appropriate digital records and submit information using compatible software.
FreeAgent can provide the software foundation for that process, but using accounting software does not automatically make the records complete or the submissions correct.
Keep digital records
Record relevant income and expenses within FreeAgent and retain the supporting information needed for the business.
Maintain the information regularly
Deal with transactions and bookkeeping throughout the reporting period rather than attempting to rebuild the records immediately before a submission.
Review before submitting
Where included within your service, Forest Finance will review the available records, raise important questions and help resolve issues before the relevant information is submitted.
Submit through compatible software
FreeAgent can support MTD for VAT and MTD for Income Tax submissions where the business or individual is within the relevant requirements.
Understand what remains outstanding
Quarterly or periodic submissions do not replace every year-end responsibility. We’ll explain the filings, adjustments or final information still required as part of the agreed service.
Compatible software, maintained records and accounting support working together.
FreeAgent FAQs
Common questions about using FreeAgent with Forest Finance.
What is FreeAgent?
FreeAgent is online accounting software designed to help businesses maintain financial records, create invoices, record expenses, connect bank transactions and view accounting information in one place.
Is FreeAgent included in my Forest Finance fee?
FreeAgent access is included within ongoing accounting packages where it is the agreed software for the business. Your proposal will confirm the services, software access and responsibilities covered by the fee.
Can I keep my existing FreeAgent account?
Usually, yes. We can discuss linking or transferring the existing account to Forest Finance and review the current settings and records before ongoing work begins.
Can you help me move from other accounting software?
Yes. We’ll review the existing system and agree what information needs to be transferred, the appropriate changeover date and whether any historical work is required.
Does FreeAgent complete the bookkeeping automatically?
No. Bank feeds and other features can reduce manual entry, but transactions still need to be reviewed, explained and supported by reliable information. The division of bookkeeping responsibilities will depend on your agreed package.
Can I photograph and upload receipts?
Yes. The FreeAgent mobile app can be used to capture receipts and record expenses while the information is current.
Will Forest Finance be able to see my records?
Yes. Connecting the account to Forest Finance allows your accountant to access the relevant accounting information and complete the work included within your service.
Does FreeAgent support VAT and Making Tax Digital?
FreeAgent supports digital record keeping and relevant MTD submissions. Whether you are required to use MTD and which submissions Forest Finance will complete depend on your circumstances and agreed service.
Can FreeAgent prepare my accounts and tax returns without an accountant?
The software can organise records, calculate estimates and support certain submissions, but the output depends on the information entered and the accounting treatment applied. Forest Finance will complete or review the professional work included within your package.
Are every feature and integration included?
The standard FreeAgent access included within your service may not cover every optional add-on, external application or specialist integration. Any additional cost will be explained before it is incurred.
What happens to the account if I leave Forest Finance?
We’ll explain the available options for retaining or transferring access. Continued access may require your own subscription, an arrangement with a new accountant or another qualifying route.
Is FreeAgent suitable for every business?
No accounting system is right for every organisation. We’ll consider the volume and complexity of the records, required integrations and reporting needs before recommending FreeAgent.
Still unsure whether FreeAgent fits? Tell us how your business currently keeps its records.
Ready to get organised?
Build a clearer accounting routine with FreeAgent and Forest Finance.
Whether you are new to accounting software, already use FreeAgent or need to move from another system, tell us how the records are currently maintained and what support you are looking for.
We’ll review the starting position, consider whether FreeAgent is appropriate and explain the setup, accounting services and responsibilities we recommend.
You do not need to move or change any records before speaking with us.
Quick start
Tell us what you need help with.
Share a few details and we’ll recommend the most useful next step.
- Share your details and the support you need.
- Forest Finance reviews your business setup.
- You receive the most useful next step.