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The latest news, articles, hints and tips.
As a small business owner, it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day operations
and miss the bigger picture. You might rely on gut feelings or a quick glance at your
bank account to determine how well your business is doing.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has evolved from a peripheral concern to a central pillar in corporate strategy and governance, driven by changing societal expectations, regulatory pressures, and the recognition of its long-term benefits. Initially viewed as a philanthropic endeavor, CSR is now seen as integral to sustainable business practices.
If you’re a new parent, congratulations! Apparently, around 2,000 babies are born on 26 September each year – more than any other day.
The Charity Sector is a usually a wonderful environment full of opportunity and positive values, bringing together likeminded individuals for a common cause.
When in business, it’s not uncommon to be approached by another business with a view to you buying the business or entering a partnership deal. It might be a competitor that approaches you, or it could be a customer or supplier.
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have issued a press release debunking some common myths about whether or not someone needs to register to complete a self-assessment tax return.
Starting a business can be exciting, but it can also be a bit overwhelming with all the different types of companies out there, for example commercial trading companies and community interest companies (CIC) to name just two.
Due to economic uncertainty (perhaps caused by the General Election, civil unrest in the UK, war in Ukraine etc) we are seeing a variety of businesses being tested, and some, unfortunately failing.
Draft legislation has now been published to end the VAT exemption for private school fees. This has caused quite an emotional response from both parents and governors on both sides of the argument, but let’s take an unbiased look at the changes afoot.
Research has indicated that half of small business owners have had to raid their savings to fund their businesses. With interest rates as they are, this isn’t a terrible strategy, but it can be limiting and carries risk.
When admitting a new partner to a business, consider the reasons, such as facilitating a partner’s retirement, involving the next generation in a family business, or promoting a valuable employee. Here are key considerations to keep in mind.
We seem to be operating in an environment of constant flux, and in the wake of the election, we should expect the unexpected as well as those who have planned investment strategies “on pause” whilst the proverbial dust settles.
Bootstrapping is a term used to describe trying to establish and grow a business using just your own resources, i.e without any investors or financial support such as bank loans.
The so-called Micawber principle, as stated by Wilkins Micawber in Charles Dickens’ novel David Copperfield, says: “Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen and six, result happiness. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pounds nought and six, result misery.”
This widely used quote on personal finance is just as relevant for business finance. For any commercial and business to be successful and sustain itself over the long term, it must make a profit, i.e. revenue must exceed costs.
In H.M. Williams book about growing a business, entitled Proper Coffee & Other Ways to Grow Your Business, he looks at the parallels between owning a business and owning an elephant. It might sound bizarre, but here’s a summary for you to ponder.
Keeping your accounting records up to date can feel like a chore, but when your bookkeeping is kept up to date, you and your business can gain some significant benefits.
Charities are increasingly using AI for tasks such as fundraising, bid writing, and service delivery, with examples like the Surrey Wildlife Trust’s use of AI to map habitats. Charities are advised to evaluate AI’s potential applications, assess risks, and develop strategies for responsible implementation aligned with their objectives and trustee responsibilities.
VAT is a key factor for businesses, impacting cash flow and administration. The VAT Flat Rate Scheme (FRS), available to businesses with a turnover of £150,000 or less, offers simplified VAT accounting. However, its adoption requires careful consideration.
In the wake of a more positive economic outlook, businesses are often presented with opportunities for expansion and growth. But also, because there is a more favourable lending environment, or more eager investor interest, then it can be a more favourable time to exit a business.
In this article we look at the areas where a good shareholder agreement can benefit a business and its shareholders.
Exciting news for entrepreneurs! HMRC has overhauled its rules regarding tax relief for training programs, presenting fresh avenues for enhancing skills and professional growth. This update underscores the importance of investing in your expertise, not only for business advancement but also as a savvy financial strategy!
Penalties can be severe for failure to report CGT arising from residential property within 60 days.
Begbies Traynor’s latest Red Flag Alert reveals over 47,000 UK businesses near collapse, a 25.9% increase from the previous quarter. Construction and real estate sectors are particularly at risk, signalling a pressing need for support measures to avert widespread economic fallout.
From 1st January 2024, the Working Time Regulations, as amended by The Employment Rights (Amendment, Revocation and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2023, introduced reforms that simplify holiday pay and entitlements.
In the dynamic world of managing a business, one of the most critical elements to success is effective cash flow management. Cash flow forecasting is a fundamental tool for business owners to navigate financial challenges and ensure sustained growth.
In this article, we will delve into the importance of cash flow forecasting and talk about what is needed to master this essential financial practice.
Embracing change as an opportunity fosters innovation and adaptability, providing a strategic advantage for long-term business success.
It is very common in the world of small and micro-businesses for the directors to lend money to their company to finance the start up phase, or once more established it could simply be that cash needs to be retained for future investment, or the directors have decided they would rather use their own resources for working capital than borrow from a bank.
While switching accountants may not be a typical New Year’s resolution, if you’ve been dissatisfied with your current professional adviser, it might be worth considering a change. Explore the benefits of a fresh perspective and a more collaborative approach to accounting and taxation for the sake of your business.
Many Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) documents focus on contractors and subcontractors, but additional classifications exist for situations where your job doesn’t neatly fit into these categories.
Millions of over-55s in the UK are at risk of encountering financial difficulties in their retirement, new research has revealed.
The amount of VAT a business pays or claims back from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is usually the difference between the VAT charged by the business to customers and the VAT the business pays on their own purchases.
Our experts share 5 benefits to your company for outsourcing your accountancy needs to a management accountant.
In business, debt doesn’t have the same negative connotations as in our personal lives, in fact, many successful businesses choose to leverage investors’ or banks’ money over their own to maximise cash available for shareholders or to finance growth and innovation.
Income exceeding £60,000 results in the complete clawback of child benefit, with the £50,000 threshold unchanged since 2012 impacting a growing number of families.
This scheme could see you earn up to £7,500 (tax-free) per year!
Read on to see if you qualify and if so, how you can claim.
Three years on from the introduction of a tiered system of lockdowns, we offer Trustees some guidance on key discussion points for recovering from a period of change.
Income exceeding £60,000 results in the complete clawback of child benefit, with the unchanged £50,000 threshold since 2012 impacting a growing number of families.