Category

Financing

The financing channel looks at the different small business funding options available to start-up companies and established SME businesses looking to grow. Read a wealth of guides and tips to help manage your accounts and cash flow better, views on the future of business banking and where to source alternative finance.

How to get a business loan in 5 steps

Follow this 5-step plan if you want to secure a loan for your small business. There is a wealth of high-street banks and alternative SME lenders to choose from.

Business Loans

Accounting

How to manage your accounts and bookkeeping as a sole trader

Accounting

Self-employed allowable expenses you can claim

Accounting

Is it worth hiring an accountant as a small business?

Accounting

What is payment on account and how do I pay it?

Accounting

How to spend less time on accounting and payroll

Accounting

Mileage allowance in the UK – what is it and how does it work?

You can claim back hours spent on the road for your small business, whether you’re an employee or self-employed. What are the rules around mileage allowance?

Accounting

Small business bookkeeping software

Bookkeeping is something every small business needs to keep on top of. So, what is the best bookkeeping software for your small business? We compare 7 of the best for keeping track of income and expenditure

Accounting

Mileage allowance in the UK – what is it and how does it work?

You can claim back hours spent on the road for your small business, whether you’re an employee or self-employed. What are the rules around mileage allowance?

Accounting

Small business bookkeeping software

Bookkeeping is something every small business needs to keep on top of. So, what is the best bookkeeping software for your small business? We compare 7 of the best for keeping track of income and expenditure

Tax

Self-employed hit with interest rate hike on overdue tax bills

HMRC imposes 7.5% interest rate on overdue self-employed tax bills from Monday, July 31

Business Loans

What is a working capital loan for your business?

A working capital loan can cover your short-term operational needs, whether that’s payroll, rent and any debt repayments. They are especially useful for seasonal businesses.

Accounting

Top 5 accounting software providers for UK small businesses

Looking for a new accounting software provider for your UK small business? Here are 5 accounting software providers to choose from.

Alternative finance

The benefits of invoice finance

Digital technology and open banking are evolving invoice financing, explains Hector Macandrew. Digital entrants are disrupting the market, driving down costs

Business Technology

Future-proof your business communications set-up

Landlines as we know them will be scrapped in 2027 – along with a raft of upcoming business changes. Here's how to ensure your communications set-up is fit for whatever the future brings

Business Technology

Friendly guide – top tips for small businesses switching to VoIP

With the landline shutdown coming fast, there’s never been a better time to switch to VoIP. Don’t let your small business be left behind!

Export & Import

Avoid delays with exports and imports

Many factors can affect products’ journeys from A to B. Here are some tips for best practice for successful shipping in the modern world

Business Technology

The connection between digital skills and fraud prevention in small businesses

With fraud posing a significant threat to small businesses, Rachael Tiffen from Cifas addresses the role of digital skills in fraud prevention