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.

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?

Alternative finance

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.

Small Business Banking

Use credit cards safely as a small business owner

Business owners are increasingly using personal credit cards to fund their businesses, particularly when it comes to major purchases such as vehicles and equipment.

Tax

Dealing with tax and VAT

Small businesses are often tempted to 'go it alone' rather than seek professional help with their accounts – usually this is a cost-saving exercise, but can be a false economy in the long run.

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

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.

Tax

Partnerships and VAT

Determining whether a partnership exists, particularly in respect of VAT, can sometimes be a difficult task.

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.

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.