We used just an acountant last year (who was very good) but
this past financial year saw my husband work on and off on ABR, and I worked on ABR. How confusing it all was. After just 2 months we were drowning under receipts for everything - not knowing what was useful. Then ....we discovered Joy at BooksinaMess (I must honestly admit a friend of a friend) who actually charges very little to receive one's bundle of paper scraps each month and sort them them out, keeping up to date records. It is rather difficult for me to describe exactly what she does because she does something I can't do! She is not an accountant but makes that end of year thing so much easier if you are self-employed. Her business also advises you how to better your own business. I hear she has had much success but cannot confirm as I have not needed that advice thus far. Her business also teaches MYOB. I would like to learn this but am computer illerate in many ways and if I can employ someone, at a reasonable rate, to do something for me - why bother learning it myself!
As I said, we merely used an accountant last year. This past year saw a change in our employments. When you're an employee for a short while and then self-employed for the next month ...it all becomes very tricky. It was a relief to post our receipts/invoices to Booksinamess every month and let them figure it all out! It has certainly speeded up the process of our tax return this year.