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Accountancy, tax and business FAQs for Sierra Leone

Short answers to the questions clients ask us most about accountancy, tax, consultancy, investing, recruitment and training in Sierra Leone. Each group links to the page with the detail, and if your question is not here, ask us directly.

What does SLONEC Accountancy do?

We keep your books, run your payroll, prepare and file your tax returns with the National Revenue Authority, and help you with year-end accounts, audits and donor-grant reporting.

Do you work with NGOs and donor-funded projects?

Yes. For NGOs and donor-funded projects we manage grant budgets and donor financial reporting as well as payroll and tax compliance.

Can you help if I own a business in Sierra Leone but live in the UK?

Yes. We work with owners based abroad, including in the UK, who need a team they can rely on to look after their business finances in Sierra Leone.

How do I get a quote?

Use the Request a quote form or book a discovery call. We agree the scope, what we need from you and who your contact will be, then send you a quote.

Can you take over from our current accountant or bookkeeper?

Yes. We agree a handover date, collect the records and files we need, check the opening balances and any returns that are outstanding, and then take over the routine. If there are gaps, we tell you what they are and how we plan to close them.

Tax / Compliance

Which tax returns can SLONEC file for my organisation?

We prepare and file PAYE, NASSIT contributions, GST, companies’ income tax (including estimates and annual returns) and withholding tax, and we help with tax clearance.

What happens if the NRA raises a query or starts a field audit?

We help you respond: gathering the records, preparing explanations and dealing with the National Revenue Authority alongside you.

Do you keep track of Finance Act changes?

Yes. Tax rules change with each Finance Act. We track the changes and explain what they mean for you in plain terms.

Is there a free tool I can use first?

Yes. Our Sierra Leone tax calculator and the free Compliance Checklist are available on this site.

We have missed some returns. What should we do?

Tell us what has not been filed. We work out what is outstanding, prepare the missing returns from your records and help you deal with the NRA, which is usually better than waiting for the NRA to find the gap.

Can you represent us in an NRA audit?

We help you prepare for and respond to field audits: gathering the records, preparing explanations and attending meetings with the NRA alongside you.

What do I need to do to set up a business in Sierra Leone?

The first steps are to register the business, register for tax, open a bank account and make sure you and your staff can legally live and work here. We handle these in the right order, with complete documents.

Can SLONEC register my company with the NRA and NASSIT?

Yes. We help you choose the right type of entity, prepare and file the registration documents, and register with the National Revenue Authority and NASSIT.

Can you help with residence and work permits?

Yes. We help investors, expatriate staff and their families with residence permits, investor visas and work permits, preparing the applications and following them up.

Do you help NGOs register?

Yes. International and local NGOs have their own registration and reporting requirements; our guides explain the steps and our team can help.

Do you register NGOs?

Yes. International and local NGOs have their own registration and reporting requirements. We can guide you through them and keep your filings up to date. See our guide to setting up a charity or NGO in Sierra Leone.

Can you help with work permits for expatriate staff?

Yes. We manage residence and work permits from start to finish. Depending on the permit, our own team handles the application or we work through trusted local partners, and you have one point of contact throughout.

Recruitment / Workforce

How does SLONEC’s recruitment process work?

We agree the brief with you, advertise the role and search our registered candidates and networks, screen applicants against the brief, and give you a shortlist with notes on each candidate. You make the final decision.

Can I use only part of the process?

Yes. You can use the whole process or just the part you need, such as advertising or shortlisting.

Do you offer outsourced staffing or employer of record support?

Yes. SLONEC offers outsourced staffing and employer of record support for organisations that need people working for them in Sierra Leone but do not want to, or cannot yet, employ them directly.

Do candidates pay SLONEC?

No. We never charge candidates. Job seekers can register their CV for free on our jobs page.

Can you employ staff on our behalf?

Yes. Through our outsourced staffing and employer of record support, people can work for you in Sierra Leone while SLONEC handles their employment, payroll and statutory deductions.

Can you recruit for several roles at once?

Yes. For a larger recruitment project, email recruit@slonec.com or send a hiring request and we will agree a plan for each role.

What does SLONEC Consultancy do?

Strategic planning, business transformation, organisational design, leadership and governance, systems and processes, mergers and acquisitions, and support for investors and companies setting up in Sierra Leone.

Do you only work with large organisations?

No. We work with SMEs, family businesses, NGOs, financial institutions and public bodies. The scope and fee are set to the size of the job.

Can you work alongside our own team?

Yes. Most of our engagements are done with your managers, so that the knowledge stays in the organisation once we step back.

How is a consultancy engagement priced?

After a scoping call we send a written proposal with the scope, fee and timetable. Work starts only once you have agreed it.

Can you help us put the recommendations into practice?

Yes. We can stay with you while the changes are made, and bring in our accountancy, recruitment and training teams where the plan needs them.

I am investing from abroad. Where do I start?

With market entry for registration, bank accounts and permits, and investor support for licences, partners and due diligence.

Can you design a course just for our organisation?

Yes. Most of our training is designed for a single organisation, based on a needs discussion with you.

Where are courses held?

At your premises or ours in Freetown. We can discuss other locations in Sierra Leone for larger programmes.

Can the course be run in stages?

Yes. Longer programmes can be split into shorter sessions over several weeks, so staff can attend without leaving their work for long.

Can individuals join a course?

Yes. We run open courses for individuals. Use the booking form to ask about dates.

How do you measure whether training worked?

We agree what success looks like before the course and follow up afterwards to review how it went and what comes next.

How much does training cost?

It depends on the course length, number of participants and venue. Request a quote and we will send a written proposal.

Investor support

Can you help with a gold or diamond mining licence?

Yes. We guide first-time applicants and existing miners through the regulatory steps, prepare the application and manage it through to a decision, with one point of contact throughout.

What do I need to export gold or diamonds?

Mineral exports need the right licence, certification and documents through the proper government channels. We help you prepare the export application and keep the paperwork in order. Our guide to setting up a mineral export business explains the main steps.

Can you check a local partner before I invest?

Yes. We help with introductions and with financial and tax due diligence, so you know the state of the books, the tax position and any obvious risks before you commit money.

Do I need a local company to invest?

Most investments need a locally registered company, a corporate bank account and permits for investors and expatriate staff. Our market entry service handles these.

I am based in the UK. Who do I contract with?

You can contract with SLONEC in Sierra Leone, or with SLONEC Advisory Group from the UK through Your route into Africa. Either way, the work in Sierra Leone is done by our Freetown team.

Do you give investment advice?

No. We do not advise on whether to invest or arrange investments. We help with the licences, partners, checks and paperwork once you have decided to go ahead.

Ask us directly

Send us your question or book a short call.