You’re a bookkeeper, not a compliance officer. But HMRC doesn’t care.
The reality is that bookkeepers now face the same AML obligations as accountants. The problem? Most AML software for bookkeepers is built for big accounting firms with big budgets and dedicated compliance teams.
You need something different. AML software for bookkeepers that’s simple enough to use solo, affordable enough for your practice economics, and powerful enough to keep you compliant without hiring specialists.
This post shows why FigsFlow is the best AML software for bookkeepers who want enterprise-level compliance at bookkeeper-friendly prices.
60 Second Summary for Busy Readers
Here’s what you need to know about best AML software for bookkeepers:
- Bookkeepers face mandatory AML compliance under Money Laundering Regulations 2017 when offering company formation, acting as company secretary or handling client money
- HMRC enforces the same penalties on bookkeepers as accountants, regardless of practice size
- Most AML software fails bookkeepers because it’s designed for accounting firms with different workflows and budgets
- Five essential requirements for AML software for bookkeepers: fits bookkeeping workflows, simple for solo use, affordable pricing, covers complete client journey, integrates with bookkeeping tools
- FigsFlow combines proposals, engagement letters, document collection, and AML compliance in one platform at £18/month plus £2.10 per check
- Real scenarios show how solo bookkeepers, growing practices, and those adding company formation use AML software effectively
- Decision guide helps determine if integrated AML software fits your practice needs
- Key Consideration – Can you justify separate tools versus an all-in-one solution for your bookkeeping practice economics
Why Bookkeepers Need AML Software
AML compliance isn’t optional anymore. Under Money Laundering Regulations 2017, bookkeepers face the same legal requirements as accountants when providing specific services.
AML software for bookkeepers is mandatory when you offer services like:
- Company formation services
- Acting as company secretary for clients
- Handling client money beyond standard bookkeeping fees
- Managing trust or nominee arrangements
These services trigger full AML obligations with serious consequences for non-compliance.
The stakes are high. HMRC issues unlimited fines for serious breaches. Criminal prosecution can lead to imprisonment. Practice closure orders shut down non-compliant firms. Professional reputation damage spreads quickly in local business communities.
Recent enforcement trends show regulators treating bookkeepers exactly the same as accountants. The challenge is meeting accountant-level compliance on bookkeeper budgets. You can’t skip AML compliance or rely on generic business software that wasn’t built for regulated services.
The cost of getting it wrong? Recent cases show bookkeepers receiving the same penalties as larger accounting firms. HMRC doesn’t reduce fines based on practice size.
The 5 Things Every Bookkeeper Needs from AML Software
Not all AML software for bookkeepers is created equal. Most tools are built for accountants handling annual engagements and complex compliance scenarios. Bookkeepers need something different: software that fits monthly client reviews, handles high volumes of straightforward clients efficiently, and works within bookkeeping practice economics. Here’s what actually matters:
- Fits Bookkeeping Workflows – Works with monthly client reviews, not annual engagements. Handles high volumes of smaller clients efficiently. Quick onboarding suits typical bookkeeping scenarios where clients expect fast turnaround. Batch processing helps when onboarding multiple similar clients at once.
- Simple Enough for Solo Practitioners – Requires no compliance team or specialists. Clear guidance at every step eliminates guesswork. Junior staff or VAs can handle routine checks confidently. Works for bookkeepers who wear all the hats in their practice.
- Affordable for Bookkeeping Practice Economics – Pricing makes sense for bookkeeping fee structures. Per-check pricing works better than paying for unlimited checks you’ll never need. ROI comes from time saved, not just compliance checkboxes. No enterprise costs designed for big accounting firms.
- Covers Complete Client Journey – Professional proposals that win bookkeeping clients. Engagement letters specific to bookkeeping services. Document collection portals eliminate email chaos. Ongoing client management and renewals stay organised. Integration with the entire onboarding process creates seamless workflows.
- Integrates with Bookkeeping Tools You Already Use – Works seamlessly with Xero, QuickBooks, and Receipt Bank. Reduces double entry between systems. Fits your existing tech stack without disruption. You shouldn’t have to change how you work to meet compliance requirements.
Most AML software built for accountants fails bookkeepers on three or four of these requirements. The best AML software for bookkeepers delivers on all five.
Introducing FigsFlow: The Best AML Software for Bookkeepers
FigsFlow isn’t just best AML software for bookkeepers. It’s everything you need to run your practice in one platform.
Everything Bookkeepers Need in One Place
- Professional Proposals – 100+ bookkeeping service templates ready to customise and send.
- Engagement Letters – Built for monthly retainers, VAT returns, payroll processing and year-end accounts.
- Service Pricing Calculator – Calculate and present pricing for bookkeeping packages.
- Secure Document Portal – Clients upload payroll, receipts, and invoices securely.
- Electronic ID Verification – Automated checks against government databases.
- Sanctions & PEP Screening – Runs automatically in the background.
- Risk Assessment Templates – Pre-built for sole traders, small, limited companies, property landlords and e-commerce businesses.
Additionally, it offers seamless integration with Xero, QuickBooks, Stripe and GoCardless, plus invoicing and payment tracking all in one platform.
Most Affordable Yet Reliable
FigsFlow starts at just £18/month:
- £8 for proposals and engagement letters
- £10 for AML module, plus £2.10 per check
Compare that to paying £50-200/month for AML software alone, plus separate costs for proposals, engagement letters, and document management.
At 20 new clients per year, you spend £60 on checks versus £600-2,400 on subscription-only tools. Pay for what you use, not enterprise features you’ll never need. The most affordable AML software for bookkeepers without compromising reliability or features.
Simple Enough for Anyone to Use
Junior staff and VAs handle everything confidently from day one with clear guidance at every step. No compliance specialists required. No weeks of training. No complex enterprise systems. Just simple, reliable software that works the way bookkeepers actually work. It’s why leading UK bookkeepers call FigsFlow the best AML software for bookkeepers.
Quick Decision Guide: Is FigsFlow the Right AML Software for Your Bookkeeping Practice?
Not sure if FigsFlow is the best AML software for bookkeepers like you? Here’s a simple guide:
FigsFlow is Right for You If You Tick Most of These Boxes:
☐ You need AML compliance for company formation or client money handling
☐ You want professional proposals and engagement letters for bookkeeping services
☐ You need secure document collection from clients
☐ You want electronic ID verification and sanctions screening
☐ You use Xero or QuickBooks and want seamless integration
☐ You’re looking for affordable pricing that fits bookkeeping practice economics
☐ You want simple software that junior staff or VAs can use from day one
☐ You’re tired of juggling multiple tools for proposals, letters, and compliance
☐ You need risk assessment templates for typical bookkeeping clients
☐ You want invoicing and payment tracking integrated
☐ You run a solo practice or small team (up to 10 people)
Still unsure? Book a demo and see exactly how FigsFlow works for bookkeepers like you.
Additional Resources
Conclusion
Bookkeepers face accountant-level AML requirements but operate on bookkeeper budgets. Most AML software for bookkeepers is either too expensive, too complicated, or built for big accounting firms.
FigsFlow is different. Purpose-built for how bookkeepers actually work with bookkeeper-friendly pricing at £18/month plus £2.10 per check. Simple enough for solo practitioners with no compliance team needed. Complete solution with proposals, engagement letters, and AML all integrated.
Leading UK bookkeepers choose FigsFlow because it treats bookkeeping practices like bookkeeping practices, not small accounting firms. You can stay fully compliant without enterprise software or enterprise prices.
Start your free 30-day trial today and discover why UK bookkeepers choose FigsFlow as the best AML software for bookkeepers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, if you provide company formation services, act as company secretary, manage trust arrangements, or handle client money beyond standard fees. Under Money Laundering Regulations 2017, bookkeepers must comply with the same AML requirements as accountants for these services.
Most AML software is built for accountants handling annual engagements and complex compliance scenarios. Bookkeepers need tools that fit monthly client reviews, handle high volumes of straightforward clients efficiently, offer per-check pricing instead of expensive unlimited plans, and integrate with typical bookkeeping workflows.
Yes, with the right AML software for bookkeepers. AML software like FigsFlow provides clear guidance at every step, pre-built risk assessment templates for typical bookkeeping clients, and simple workflows that junior staff or VAs can follow confidently without weeks of training or compliance specialists.
Absolutely. FigsFlow is designed for solo bookkeepers. The interface is intuitive with no training or IT support needed. You handle client onboarding, AML checks, and ongoing monitoring yourself in minutes without requiring compliance specialists or technical knowledge.
FigsFlow costs £8/month for proposals and engagement letters, plus £10/month for the AML module, plus £2.10 per check. For a bookkeeper onboarding 10 new clients annually, that’s £237 first year total. Compare this to £600-2,400/year for other AML software where you’d still need separate tools.