Set NeroBooks up in the right order and everything after is easier. Most of it is quick — the slow part is usually getting opening balances from whoever kept your records before.
What to have ready
- Your business type and the date your financial year ends
- Your company number and VAT number, if you have them
- Closing figures from your old records, or from your accountant
- A list of anyone you pay, if you plan to use payroll
The order
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1. Access is switched on | the header shows Access until and a date |
| 2. Accept the terms | in Settings, under Terms, authority & identity checks |
| 3. Describe the business | type, year end, currency and your references |
| 4. Pick your modules | switch on only what you need |
| 5. Enter opening balances | where your accounts stood on your start date |
| 6. Add bills, review payment income | this is what the Overview points you to |
| 7. Connect things | a bank, scanning, a bookkeeper — all optional |
💡 Note: Do steps 1 to 5 in one go. Reports read approved entries, so until opening balances are in, a balance sheet will not tell you much.
Your business details
Go to NeroBooks → Settings.
| Setting | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Business type | limited company, sole trader, partnership, LLP, landlord or charity |
| Financial year end | month and day, like 03-31 |
| Preferred currency | the one you trade in most |
| Company number | your Companies House number, if you have one |
| UK VAT number | your VAT number, if you are registered |
| Lock accounts through | owner only — the date entries can no longer change |
| NeroAi categorisation preferences | free text that guides draft suggestions |
⚠️ Warning: A locked period cannot be reopened from this screen. Only lock a period you are sure is finished.
Picking modules
Module switches control which areas show up at all.
| Module | Switch it on if |
|---|---|
| People | you employ anyone, use contractors or have directors |
| Payroll records | you want to work out UK PAYE pay, or keep pay records |
| Time entries | you track hours |
| Leave requests | you want a record of time off |
| Fixed assets | you own equipment, vehicles or similar |
| HMRC & tax | you want the tax areas visible |
Opening balances
Opening balances say where your accounts stood the day NeroBooks took over. Without them a balance sheet starts from nothing.
Go to NeroBooks → Bookkeeping and open Opening balances, transfers and other journals. Each one has two lines and the two sides must match. Bookkeeping has worked examples.
💡 Note: Not sure which accounts to use? This is the step to ask your bookkeeper about. Everything else is easier to fix later.
Optional connections
| Connection | What you get | Who sets it up |
|---|---|---|
| UK bank feed | bank movements pulled in read-only | the account owner only |
| Document scanning | where enabled, receipts read into an expense form | the account owner |
| Outside bookkeeper | limited access for a practice you choose | the account owner |
None of these record anything for you. See Bank feeds and Receipts and bills.
What good looks like after a week
- Opening balances entered and approved
- This period's bills entered and reviewed
- Payments in the inbox checked and added
- A profit and loss you recognise
Frequently asked questions
What if I do not know my opening balances?
Ask whoever kept your records before, or your accountant, for the closing figures at your start date. Guessing will make every report wrong from day one.
Can I change the financial year end later?
Yes, in Settings. Report periods like Financial year to date are worked out from it, so re-run anything you have already shared.
Do I need every module on?
No. Switch on what you use, and turn more on later if the business changes.
Why can I not see some screens?
The sidebar only shows a few. The rest are in the tab bar inside NeroBooks — see Getting around.
Can someone else set it up for me?
Some of it. Only the account owner can accept the terms, lock a period, connect a bank or grant access.
This article explains how NeroBooks works. It is general information about the software, not accounting, tax or financial advice. Nero Panda Ltd, trading as NeroPay, is not a tax agent, accountancy firm or financial adviser.
Still need help? Contact us at support@neropay.app or create a ticket.