By Post:

Liberty Accounts
Shieling House
Invincible Road
Farnborough
Hampshire
GU14 7QU
UK

By telephone:
t: 0845 230 9803

By E-mail:
Click to email general enquiry

How do I get started with Liberty Accounts?

Getting started with Liberty Accounts couldn't be easier. Simply click on 'Free Trial' above. Registration is free, entails no financial commitment and allows you to login to the user area where you can define new businesses via the "Business" option on the menu.

What do I need to run Liberty Accounts?

All you need is the computer that you are using now.

A typically configured computer with an internet connection and a modern W3C standards compliant web browser is all that is required.

To view reports you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader.

For further information read our system requirements

Does Liberty Accounts work on a dial-up modem?

Yes - Liberty Accounts can be used over dial-up, GPRS (mobile phone data), G3 Data, ISDN, and broadband.

Naturally, the application will feel more responsive with a faster internet connection.

Where do I go for help?

If you have accounting questions you should contact your accountant. For technical issues relating to your use of Liberty Accounts you can email Support

There are extensive help resources available in Liberty Accounts, including online help facilities within the application. We also provide downloadable user guides in pdf format with more complete explanations of various accounting processes. All of the online documentation is fully searchable.

Is my data secure with Liberty Accounts?

Security and privacy of your data is given the utmost priority.

We use industrial strength operating systems on industrial strength hardware. Your data is kept safe and confidential during transmission by employing full 128 bit encryption - the industry standard for secure transactions over the Internet.

The Liberty Accounts database is backed up to an offsite location on a daily basis. Our servers are physically protected in a secure data centre and electronically protected behind restrictive firewalls that are constantly monitored.

In the unlikely event of a major disaster at our datacentre, our disaster recovery plan will restore normal service with minimal disruption.

Do I have to back up my own data?

One of the advantages of using Liberty Accounts is that your data is stored in a central shared database. On a daily basis we ensure that this database is backed up and that secure copies are kept offsite.

We'll take care of the technology while you take care of your business.

Does liberty Accounts have a Service level Agreement?

Yes: Service Level Agreement

Can I file my VAT Declarations from Liberty Accounts?

Absolutely - Liberty Accounts has achieved recognition from HM Revenue and Customs for internet filing of VAT declarations (VAT100,VAT101 EC Sales list).

We were the first accounting software to get recognition and have supported online filing through the Government Gateway since the service was launched on 14th December 2006. One of our users filed the first declaration to be submitted through the Gateway on the day HMRC launched the service.

VAT Online Filing Recognition Certificate

HMRC Site Recognition Listing

"The automatic VAT filing worked like a dream! A great saving in time and effort. Overall, Liberty Accounts almost eliminates the administrative overhead of being VAT registered."

Dr Tim Jervis - Spark Limited

As Liberty Accounts is multi-user, can I see who has done what on the system?

There is a full transaction audit trail that shows what each user has done and when they did it.

Can I easily see the financial state of my enterprise?

Key control items are displayed on the home page and are always up to date. In addition full reports are easily prepared covering all financial aspects of the enterprise.

Can I raise and record sales invoices as well as ensuring my customers pay them?

Invoices are raised in an intuitive process, which even allows for custom logos to be uploaded and printed. The invoice is automatically recorded in the accounts with no further user action required. Outstanding items are always displayed on the Business Home page and credit control reports are readily available to assist in collection.

I run a retail (cash and card based) enterprise, can I use Liberty Accounts?

Liberty Accounts has processes specifically designed to easily and accurately record financial transactions for a retail business.

Does Liberty Accounts support the VAT flat rate scheme?

Yes, Liberty Accounts supports both the Flat Rate Scheme and the Cash Based Turnover method.

How easily can I set up my enterprise details so that I can use Liberty Accounts?

Liberty Accounts provides a number of aids to help set up as swiftly and easily as possible:

Account templates assist is ensuring the relevant accounts are available. Customer and supplier details can be imported together with invoices and bills outstanding. An easy to use opening balance feature allows any additional information to be enter very quickly. Batch Input of invoices, bills and expenses can speed up the input of any current transactions.

Can I use Liberty Accounts if I am not in the Office?

With Liberty Accounts, you and any of your authorised users can work with your accounts using a suitable browser on any internet connected computer.

Can I work online at the same time as one of my colleagues?

As Liberty Accounts uses a single shared database, you and your other authorised users are able to view and update your accounts at the same time and from different locations.

All updates are immediate, so you can be sure that you are always working with the latest financial view, regardless of who or from where the latest changes were made.

When is Liberty Accounts available?

Liberty Accounts is available at any time during the day or night, giving you the freedom to work when you choose.

We may need to take the application offline for short periods to undertake maintenance. Where possible users are warned of such outages in advance and they will be timed to minimise disruption.

Can I set up multiple users?

Yes - Every business you set up on Liberty Accounts can be accessed by up to five users, each with their own individual user id and password. A designated "primary user" has the ability to grant or remove access for specific users as required.

If you are using the system through one of our partner accountants you may grant access for more than five users to a business. Note that additional costs will be incurred for each user over the standard allowance. For specific costs please refer to your accountant.

Can I use Liberty Accounts for more than one business?

Yes - You can keep accounts for as many businesses as you want with Liberty Accounts. For each business an additional monthly charge will be incurred.

Is the payroll Inland Revenue accredited?

The payroll has been tested against the HMRC standard. For the moment a small number of less used requirements of the standard are not available, when complete, Accreditation will be sought.

We do have HM Revenue and Customs recognition for Internet filing of PAYE year-end returns.

Will I be able to receive the incentives for electronic filing?

Liberty Accounts has achieved recognition from HM Revenue and Customs for internet filing of PAYE year end returns (P14,P35). Recognition is renewed each year.

HMRC Site Recognition Listing

For the year ended 5th April 2005 and onwards, you will be able to file electronically your payroll information. If you have less than 50 employees and the quality standards for the data are met, then you should qualify for the incentives.

Incentives available for electronic filing
PAYE Year	Amount
2004/05	£250
2005/06	£250
2006/07	£150
2007/08	£100
2008/09	£75
Total	£825

What are the costs of using payroll?

The standard subscription includes two active payroll employees (employees paid through the payroll). If you need more than two active payroll employees there is a charge of £1.00 per month per additional active employee.

Will I need to pay for and install the annual updates?

No, as with accounting, any updates that are required will be made automatically. There will be no additional fee, nothing to load or configure; you just continue to use the system.

Can I control access to payroll?

Yes, access is controlled at the user level. The primary user for an entity can grant or withdraw access at the click of a button.

Who are Liberty Accounts?

Liberty Accounts is the online accounting and payroll software offered as a managed service by Athene Systems Limited.

Athene, founded in 1996, started life providing bespoke software development and consultancy; specialising in the intelligent application of technology to streamline and manage business processes.

In 2000 the business identified an emerging trend towards provision of business application functionality as a service over the Internet. Business financial management and payroll was identified as the most promising sector and significant investment has since been made in the development of the Liberty Accounts product. The first code was cut in 2001 and we have been providing service to our customers since launch in October 2003.

Ongoing promotion, development and management of Liberty Accounts is the sole activity of Athene Systems Limited.

Athene Systems Limited
Registered Office:
Shieling House
Invincible Road
Farnborough
GU14 7QU

Registered in England and Wales No. 3156080

Does Liberty Accounts Offer Accountancy Services?

Liberty Accounts is not an accounting practice and we do not offer accounting advice. We recommend that you use Liberty Accounts in conjunction with a suitably qualified professional accountant.

Work With One Of Our Partner Accountants

If you like what you have seen and want to use an accountant who is familiar with the benefits of online accounting software we can put you in touch with one of our partner accountants.

To locate a partner accountant contact us on 0845 230 9803, or send an e-mail to Sales

Work With Your Existing Accountant

If you have a good relationship with your existing accountant and want to use Liberty Accounts with them, just get them to register as a user and grant them access to your business. There is no additional cost involved because each business can have up to five users.

Are there any future plans for Liberty Accounts?

We have a planned programme of future enhancements to Liberty Accounts. These will be made available to you without the need to upgrade - ensuring you are always using the most up-to-date version available.