Your Xero isn't messy because you're bad at bookkeeping.
It's messy because of what's feeding it. Paper job sheets and a till that doesn't talk to anything end up in Xero as guesswork, and most accountants only tidy it up once a year. We fix the system behind your numbers, then keep it right every month. Plus everything a normal accountant would do.
If you just want to speak to someone, either call us or book your free in-person or video consultation.
Book a free callHow much can you trust your business numbers?
Take our 5-minute finance check and get a personalised report showing what's working, what needs attention and what to fix first.
What worries you most about your business finances?
Your report is free. There's no obligation to book a call.
Sound familiar?
Your Xero has hundreds of unreconciled lines and nobody is quite sure which ones are right.
Someone spends days every month typing the same numbers into two or three different places.
You only hear from your accountant when the year-end bill arrives, and by then the accounts describe a year that's already gone.
You'd like to know whether last month made money, but the honest answer is "ask me after the accountant's been".
Know what to fix first in your business finances.
Answer a few simple questions and get a free personalised report showing what’s working, what needs attention and where to start.
Your free report
Where to start
A practical next step, not a sales pitch. You’ll see where your finance systems are strong and what deserves attention first.
Most messy books aren't a bookkeeping problem
We see it week after week. The mess starts before anything reaches Xero, with delivery notes written on paper and customers nobody has an email address for. A traditional accountant tidies it all up at year end and sends the bill, and twelve months later does the same again. We look at the part before Xero as well, so the numbers arrive right in the first place and nobody has to keep tidying up.
We run our own practice the same way. When a new client fills in our questionnaire, it turns into a priced proposal, a signed agreement, a direct debit and a set of jobs for the team, without anyone typing anything twice.
We've been in your corner since 2013.
Systems accountants in Newcastle, working with businesses across the North East and the UK.
Orange Umbrella is run by Justin and Sue Turner, a husband and wife team who started this practice because they believed business owners deserved better. Better advice. Better communication. And an accountant who actually cares about the person behind the numbers.
Justin is a systems accountant. Before he became an accountant he spent more than ten years running a web development company, which is why we look at the systems behind your numbers as well as the numbers themselves.
Today we're a team of 8, and that belief hasn't changed. We treat every client the way we'd want to be treated ourselves, with honesty, patience, and a phone that gets answered.
Because running a business is hard enough. You shouldn't have to do it without proper support.
13
Years in practice
500+
Clients helped
100%
Human support
Everything you need.
Nothing you don't.
Xero rebuilds and finance systems
We start with a health check of your Xero and the way money comes in and goes out of your business. Then we fix it for a fixed price: catching up the backlog, setting up bank rules, getting bills in without anyone typing them, getting you paid faster and connecting the software you already use. After that, we keep it right every month.
Find out morePlus everything a good accountant should do
Accounts & Tax Returns
Never miss a deadline or pay a penny more than you owe. We handle everything and keep you right with HMRC.
Cloud Bookkeeping
From automated data entry to software integrations, we understand how modern businesses run — and how to make yours run better.
Personal Tax Returns
We make sure you claim everything you're entitled to and never pay more than you should. No jargon, no surprises.
Company Secretary
From setting up your limited company to keeping on top of Companies House filings — we handle the admin so you don't have to.
Financial Consultancy
Not sure whether to go limited, buy an asset, or take on a member of staff? We help you make the big calls with confidence.
Payroll
We run your payroll every month so you never have to think about it. Pensions, holidays, sick pay — all sorted.
Not sure what you need? Take the 5-minute test, or book a free call and we'll tell you.
Getting started is simple.
Take the test
Five minutes, free, and you get a report scoring your finance set-up red, amber or green.
Book a call
We go through your report together and look at your Xero with you. One hour, no obligation.
Get a fixed-price plan
A clear proposal showing what we’ll fix first and exactly what it will cost. No surprises, ever.
We keep it right
Monthly bookkeeping and accounts on a system that works, with proactive advice and a phone that gets answered.
Questions people ask
What is a systems accountant?
A systems accountant looks at the whole system that produces your numbers, not just the accounts at the end of the year. At Orange Umbrella in Newcastle, that means your Xero, the software connected to it, such as card machines, job systems, Dext and GoCardless, and the everyday steps that feed it, like job sheets and delivery notes. Get the steps right and the books stay right all year.
Can you fix a Xero that's in a real mess?
Yes. We regularly see Xero licences with hundreds of unreconciled lines, the same supplier set up three times and a VAT figure nobody trusts. We start with a health check, then quote a fixed price to catch up the backlog, set up bank rules and get bills arriving through Dext without anyone typing them in. Then we fix the steps before Xero that caused the mess, so it doesn't come straight back.
How do I know if my finances need fixing?
Take our free five-minute finance test. You answer questions about how money comes in and goes out of your business, and you get a report scoring each area red, amber or green, with what to fix first. Here's a quick sign without the test: if you can't say whether last month made a profit without waiting for your accountant, something needs fixing.
Do you only work in the North East?
No. We're based in Newcastle upon Tyne and meet clients face to face across Newcastle, Gateshead, Sunderland, Durham and Northumberland. Everything we do runs on Xero and cloud software, so we work with businesses anywhere in the UK by phone and video.
Do I need to understand accounting?
No. Most of our clients would rather be with their customers than sitting at a desk. We explain what we've changed in plain English and show you the handful of numbers worth checking each month, so you know where you stand without waiting for year end.
What's the difference between a bookkeeper and a systems accountant?
A bookkeeper records what happened, while a systems accountant also changes how it gets recorded. We do the bookkeeping too, but we look at why the same jobs get typed in twice or why invoices go out late, and fix the process so there’s less bookkeeping to do.
Can you connect Xero to the other software I use?
Usually, yes. Most modern tills, card machines, booking systems, online shops and payment apps connect to Xero, either directly or through tools like Zapier. We work out which connections are worth having, set them up and check the numbers coming through. A bad connection can fill Xero with mistakes faster than any person could.
I'm not happy with my accountant. Is it hard to switch?
No. You sign our proposal, and we ask your old accountant for the handover on your behalf. You can switch at any point in the year, and switching is often the best moment to fix your Xero because we’re starting fresh anyway.
Will Making Tax Digital affect me?
If you're self-employed or a landlord, it probably will. Making Tax Digital for Income Tax started in April 2026 for people with more than £50,000 a year from self-employment and property, counted before expenses. The threshold drops to £30,000 from April 2027 and £20,000 from April 2028. You'll need software like Xero and must send HMRC quarterly updates. Our director, Justin Turner, wrote the book Making Tax Digital without the Panic.
How much does it cost to sort out a messy Xero?
It depends on how far behind the books are and how many systems feed them, so we always start with a health check. You then get a fixed price before any work starts, so you’ll never get a bill you weren’t expecting.
What our clients say
“After several bad experiences with 'budget' accountancy services, I switched to Orange Umbrella and have been with them for around 4 years now. I trust them implicitly with my company finances. Their advice is spot on and they always answer my questions quickly, delivering timely reminders as to when I need to provide information to HMRC. With Orange Umbrella, I know I'm in good hands. I can't recommend them enough!”
Tom F
Orange Umbrella client
“Great group of people work here, there for your every need or worry. Just pick up the phone and you can speak to someone whenever you need something. Keep you updated with grants or other help available. Great value and don't keep sending you invoices for every little thing they help you with. They sent me information on a council grant, I applied and got it — I would not have known without them. Fantastic service.”
Melanie Ieronynides
Orange Umbrella client
“I recently (2 months ago) moved my accounting, VAT and Payroll to Orange Umbrella. The transition was smooth and painless, everything was dealt with and I have had no issues with my first VAT submission and payrolls. Questions have been answered in a timely manner and the workload is spread across the specialists in the team. I would have no hesitation in recommending the services of Justin and the Orange Umbrella team.”
Peter Surridge
Orange Umbrella client
“Orange Umbrella is a small practise with very pleasant staff. The internet is used to simplify banking procedures and keep records updated. Justin uses the internet for online meetings which can save you long journeys.. especially if you are abroad.”
Stewart Jackson
Orange Umbrella client
“Justin & his team have been absolutely fantastic for my business. My previous accountant left me in a real mess and Orange Umbrella have worked tirelessly to fix it for me. My only regret is not finding them sooner. Admittedly (like most) the accountancy/bookkeeping side of the business is my weakness, but the OU team are happy to take the time to educate their clients where needed. I can't recommend Orange Umbrella's services enough.”
Will Larkin
Orange Umbrella client
“Always looking at what is best for the client, and doesnt matter how big or small the opportunity is - which isnt always the case with accountants. Helpful and know their areas of expertise very well.”
Paul Cooksley
Orange Umbrella client
“As a small business owner the support from OU has been a great help. Knowing I can always pick up the phone with any queries or issues is so reassuring and they are always willing to take time out to explain the (many!) aspects of accounting that are new and unfamiliar.”
Roar Office
Orange Umbrella client
Ready to get your finances sorted?
Take the five-minute test, or book a free call and we'll tell you exactly how we can help.