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.
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
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.
Government Grants
Are there any grants available for starting a care home for the elderly?
Small Business Banking
I am having trouble securing an overdraft, do you have any advice?
Alternative finance
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
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
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
Legally, you must keep proper records of all wages paid to employees and this guide will show you exactly what information to record.
Accounting
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
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
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
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
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
More than two-fifths of small businesses are offering credit to new customers without checking their creditworthiness, leaving themselves open to bad debts.
Employing & managing staff
In Aviva’s latest SME research*, 57 per cent of employers surveyed agreed that nowadays employees expect benefits to protect against loss of income or earnings. What do you offer your people?
Partner content
Business broadband offers a host of advantages over standard domestic connections, here’s why you should be considering an upgrade
Partner content
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
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