Advice and Ideas for UK Small Businesses and SMEs
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.
I am 25 and I have some debt from University, which is a £6,000 loan, £3,000 credit card and a student loan which is paid through my employer. Would this type of debt stop me starting up my own business and getting the finance for it?
Business Loans
Alternative finance
Invoice finance and factoring are becoming mainstream alternatives to overdrafts, term loans, letters of credit and even private equity.
Small Business Banking
Charges and services vary a great deal from bank to bank so it pays to do your homework and find out what suits you and your business.
Small Business Banking
Without wanting to overstate the obvious, cash is the lifeblood of your business. Running out of it could finish you off. Cash flow is the balance of all the money flowing in and out of your business and forecasting it will make you better prepared for peaks and troughs throughout the year.
Accounting
When you run a business, you are legally required to keep certain financial records, like tax returns and VAT details. You might decide to do some of this yourself, but you need to weigh up the cost of a professional accountant against the time and potential headaches it could cause you.
Accounting
Red tape is a necessary evil in all businesses, so you need to make sure you're on top of it.
Accounting
If operating as a sole trader, profits (or losses) will be taxed under Income Tax rules and you can continue working in employment under PAYE (Pay As You Earn).
Small Business Banking
Business banking is a fiercely competitive market and high street banks now offer added-value services to small and medium-sized enterprises.
Accounting
If operating as a sole trader, profits (or losses) will be taxed under Income Tax rules and you can continue working in employment under PAYE (Pay As You Earn).
Small Business Banking
Business banking is a fiercely competitive market and high street banks now offer added-value services to small and medium-sized enterprises.
Accounting
As shown by a recent Smallbusiness.co.uk poll Christmas can be a difficult time for small businesses as sales fall away over the festive period causing cash flow problems. Follow these ten golden rules to avoid financial headaches over Christmas and into the new year.
Accounting
Is commission charged to our company vatable?
Accounting
Is your business ready for the Christmas rush? You have a great opportunity to make the most of the annual surge in consumer spending, however, you also need to avoid seasonal excesses. Overtrading is one of these risks, where your business takes on orders and tries to fulfil them at a level that cannot be supported by working capital or current assets.
Accounting
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.
Business Technology
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
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.
Partner content
Read here for 16 tried and tested tips and tricks to improve potential cash flow problems