Category

Accounting

The accounts section, brought to you in partnership with Sage, features in-depth guides and features for UK small businesses and start-ups needing advice on how to manage company accounts, including topics such as cashflow management, late payment, bad debts and bookkeeping.

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Predicting financial ups and downs

Studies show that one of the main causes of business problems is lack of one specific type of planning: financial forecasting. Don't miss this advice out how to look into the future.

Accounting

Accounting

Chip and PIN – what you need to know

If your business accepts face-to-face credit or debit card transactions, you need to ensure that the system you have in place is secure and that the risk of fraud is minimised.

Accounting

Tips on saving tax for small business owners

No one likes paying tax, least of all small business owners, so here are some tips for ways to reduce your tax bill or claim back tax already paid.

Accounting

Guide to wages records

Legally, you must keep proper records of all wages paid to employees and this guide will show you exactly what information to record.

Accounting

How start-ups are taxed

Many people starting their own businesses like to start up part-time initially while still remaining in full time employment in order to test their idea or even to run their venture on a permanently part-time basis.

Accounting

Give credit only where it’s due

More than two-fifths of small businesses are offering credit to new customers without checking their creditworthiness, leaving themselves open to bad debts.

Accounting

Guide to pre-trading expenditure

If you have expenses in respect of your self-employment in the seven years before you commenced trading, you may be able to claim these items against your profits.

Accounting

PAYE when working full time and with a ‘side gig’

One of our readers has posed the following question related to PAYE when working a full time job and also a 'side gig' job.

Accounting

Guide to pre-trading expenditure

If you have expenses in respect of your self-employment in the seven years before you commenced trading, you may be able to claim these items against your profits.

Accounting

PAYE when working full time and with a ‘side gig’

One of our readers has posed the following question related to PAYE when working a full time job and also a 'side gig' job.

Accounting

Catering and VAT

HM Customs and Excise (HMCE) says that the supply of most food and drink of a kind used for human consumption is zero-rated, but there are exceptions; catering being one of them.

Accounting

A beginner’s guide to VAT

Registration for VAT is compulsory in certain situations, but also available on a voluntary basis subject to specific criteria.

Accounting

Company Director’s Pay – Dividends or Salary

There are numerous ways in which company directors can pay themselves in a tax-effective manner. However, the most topical debate raging at the moment concerns the notion of taking a high proportion of your earnings as a dividend rather than via a salary.

Accounting

The best type of company for you

The legal form of your business is an important decision to make. If you are setting up a business with others, you can choose between partnership, limited company, limited liability partnership or co-operative.

Business Loans

A guide to getting a small business loan

Everything you need to know on what small business loans are and what types of loan are available for your business.

Partner content

Small business owners: discover alternative funding solutions to help fuel your growth

Business Technology

Why you should upgrade your tech now rather than later

To run an optimal business, you must have optimal tech. We explain why you must upgrade your business technology on a regular basis

Investing in a franchise

Should I buy a franchise or go solo?

Starting a new business is an exciting venture. But – especially in well-established industry sectors – a key question is whether it would be better to buy a franchise or go solo.