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.

Businesses turning to legal solutions to conquer bad debt

An increasing number of businesses are turning to the law to tackle the scourge of late payment and reduce their losses, research finds.

Accounting

Can I claim back VAT?

I started a new business eight months ago but was not VAT-registered. Now I want to sell machinery and close the business. Can I claim VAT back and do I need first to register then sell the business?

Accounting

Get to grips with Real Time Information payroll before it’s too late

Mark Paraskeva, CEO of the SME division at IRIS Software Group, discusses the upcoming Real Time Information payroll changes and how businesses can prepare.

Accounting

Eight points to help manage cash flow

Alternative finance specialist Platform Black outlines how businesses can stay on top of their cash flow management.

Small Business Banking

How the Business Bank will help small companies

Rory Earley, CEO of Capital for Enterprise, breaks down the concept of the Business Bank and what small businesses can expect from such an institution.

Alternative finance

Struggling to raise £20,000

I am struggling to raise £20,000 for my start-up plumbing business. What options are there for me in regard to alternative finance?

Accounting

Can I impose a wage reduction?

My business is suffering from a cash flow problem and I am considering consulting with staff and imposing a temporary 30 per cent wage reduction for three months. I would then pay this back to them with an additional bonus. What should I consider?

Government Grants

Grants available to Scottish businesses

Mike Newman, founder of Glasgow-based My1login, received an array of cash grants to develop his small business, which provides an encrypted vault service for logins, passwords and pins.

Accounting

Can I impose a wage reduction?

Government Grants

Grants available to Scottish businesses

Mike Newman, founder of Glasgow-based My1login, received an array of cash grants to develop his small business, which provides an encrypted vault service for logins, passwords and pins.

Government Grants

Getting a grant from an enterprise agency

Caroline Eccles, co-founder of Lancashire-based film company Huckleberry Films, received a business grant of £2,000 from enterprise agency Hyndburn Enterprise Trust.

Accounting

Can I reclaim 100 per cent VAT on the lease hire of a vehicle?

If a leased company car is not left at the premises of the company for security purposes overnight, can I reclaim 100 per cent VAT rather than the cap of 50 per cent on the lease hire of the vehicle? Does 50 per cent VAT reclaimable apply to the purchase of fuel?

Accounting

Businesses warned of HMRC fines

The Forum of Private Business has urged entrepreneurs to keep HM Revenue & Customs up to date with any changes to their business, no matter how small.

Alternative finance