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.

Business bank account checklist

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

Keep your cash flowing

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

Find an accountant

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

Income tax, National Insurance and VAT

Red tape is a necessary evil in all businesses, so you need to make sure you're on top of it.

Accounting

PAYE for sole traders

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

What banks can do for your business

Business banking is a fiercely competitive market and high street banks now offer added-value services to small and medium-sized enterprises.

Accounting

Christmas cash flow tips

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

Christmas cash flow tips

Accounting

Is commission charged to our company vatable?

Accounting

Avoid the pitfalls of overtrading

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

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.

Government Grants