My mam is self employed and she doesn't have an accountant.
It is a bit of a ball ache filing the tax return but it is do-able by yourself.

As for the stocks. Many people get paid to work out this shit and get it wrong countless times. You friend was very lucky.
I think you will need to do your homework on various companies to work out which would give the best chances of profit.
I'd go main stream IT sector preferably in Artificial Technology with the company origionating from middle to Eastern Europe.

Otherwise, spend it on investing in a great website like - www.puaforums.co.uk