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.

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

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.

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?

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.

Tax

Will I have to pay back VAT?

My turnover is well below the current VAT threshold. If I cancel my VAT registration, will I have to pay back the VAT I have already claimed?

Crowdfunding for Business

Why banks can’t fix the UK economy by themselves

James Meekings, co-founder of Funding Circle, argues that crowdfunding is set to steal a major chunk of the business financing market from the banks.

Accounting

Conquering late payment

Clive Kahn, CEO of payment solutions company CardSave, considers how small businesses can combat the UK's late payment culture.

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.

Business Technology

Friendly guide – top tips for small businesses switching to VoIP

With the landline shutdown coming fast, there’s never been a better time to switch to VoIP. Don’t let your small business be left behind!

Export & Import

Avoid delays with exports and imports

Many factors can affect products’ journeys from A to B. Here are some tips for best practice for successful shipping in the modern world