Terms of Engagement

These Terms of Engagement ("Terms") govern the bookkeeping services provided by Muhammad Zaid Ashfaq ("I", "me", "my") to clients ("you", "your") who engage my services through this website or otherwise. By instructing me to perform bookkeeping work, you agree to these Terms.

1. Services

I provide bookkeeping services including, but not limited to: bookkeeping clean-up, catch-up bookkeeping, bank and credit-card reconciliation, transaction categorisation, monthly bookkeeping and overflow bookkeeping support for accounting and bookkeeping firms.

The specific scope of work, deliverables, timeline and fees for each engagement will be agreed in writing before work commences ("Letter of Engagement" or equivalent written agreement).

I do not provide accounting, tax, legal, financial or investment advice. Where such advice is required, you should consult a suitably qualified professional.

2. Enquiries and Free Consultation Calls

Submitting an enquiry through this website or booking a free 30-minute consultation call does not create a contractual obligation on either party. A binding engagement only exists once both parties have agreed the scope in writing.

The free consultation call is provided without charge and without obligation on your part or mine.

3. Your Responsibilities

To allow me to complete the agreed bookkeeping work accurately and on time, you agree to:

• Provide access to the relevant bookkeeping software, bank statements, receipts, invoices and any other source documents required.
• Ensure that information you provide is accurate, complete and not misleading.
• Respond to reasonable requests for clarification within a reasonable timeframe.
• Review completed work and notify me of any material errors or discrepancies within 14 days of delivery.
• Not provide access to confidential client data for third parties without appropriate authority to do so.

4. Fees and Payment

Fees are agreed individually for each engagement and set out in the Letter of Engagement. Fee structures may include fixed project fees, hourly rates or monthly retainers, depending on the nature of the work.

• Invoices are payable within the period stated on the invoice (typically 7–14 days from the invoice date).
• Late payments may attract interest at 8% per annum above the Bank of England base rate under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998.
• I reserve the right to pause or cease work if invoices remain unpaid beyond the agreed payment terms.
• All fees are quoted exclusive of VAT unless otherwise stated.

5. Confidentiality

I will treat all information you share — including financial data, client information and business details — as strictly confidential. I will not disclose your confidential information to any third party except:

• Where you have given explicit consent;
• Where required by law or regulatory authority;
• To service providers who assist in delivering the agreed services, subject to appropriate confidentiality obligations.

For accounting and bookkeeping firms: where I provide overflow bookkeeping support on your client files, I will work within the confidentiality framework agreed between us and will not contact your clients directly unless you have authorised me to do so.

6. Intellectual Property

Upon receipt of full payment, you will own the deliverables produced as part of the agreed bookkeeping work (e.g. corrected ledgers, reconciliation schedules, reports). Working methods, templates and proprietary processes remain my intellectual property.

Case studies, reports and any materials published on this website remain the intellectual property of Muhammad Zaid Ashfaq. Client-specific information in published case studies is used only with explicit client approval and is anonymised or generalised where appropriate.

7. Limitation of Liability

My total liability to you for any claim arising from or in connection with the services provided (whether in contract, tort, negligence or otherwise) shall not exceed the total fees paid by you for the specific engagement giving rise to the claim.

I am not liable for:

• Any indirect, consequential, special or incidental loss or damage;
• Loss of profits, revenue, business opportunity or goodwill;
• Errors or omissions arising from inaccurate, incomplete or misleading information provided by you;
• Decisions made by you or any third party based on deliverables I have produced;
• Tax penalties, interest charges or regulatory consequences arising from historical bookkeeping errors that predate my engagement.

Nothing in these Terms limits liability for fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation or any other liability that cannot lawfully be excluded.

8. Termination

Either party may terminate an engagement by giving written notice as specified in the Letter of Engagement. In the absence of a specific notice period, 14 days' written notice applies.

Upon termination, you will pay for all work completed up to the date of termination. I will provide all completed work and return access to any materials or systems provided by you.

9. Anti-Money Laundering

As a bookkeeping professional, I may be subject to obligations under the UK's anti-money laundering regulations. I reserve the right to request identity verification documents and may be required to report certain matters to relevant authorities without notifying you, in accordance with applicable law.

10. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

11. Changes to These Terms

I may update these Terms from time to time. Any material changes will be communicated before they take effect for ongoing engagements. The current version of these Terms applies to all new engagements.

12. Contact