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.

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

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?

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.

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

Grants for starting a care home business

Are there any grants available for starting a care home for the elderly?

Small Business Banking

Securing an overdraft

I am having trouble securing an overdraft, do you have any advice?

Alternative finance

Pros and cons of different business funding options

My brother and I plan to go into business on the internet selling cosmetics but we need money. What are the pros and cons of the different business funding options available?

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.

Partner content

What are the benefits of business broadband?

Business broadband offers a host of advantages over standard domestic connections, here’s why you should be considering an upgrade

Partner content

How should I select my business broadband provider?

As with any supplier, it’s important to do your research and ask important questions before you select a broadband provider for your business. But what are the must-have things you should take into consideration?

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 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.