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.

Chasing bad debt

I am a freelance designer and I find it impossible to get people to pay me on time. What’s worse, I often end up taking a discount on what I have charged just to get paid because I am short of money. What can I do?

Accounting

Accounting

Effective cash flow

One of the critical elements of running a successful business is being able to manage your cash flow.

Government Grants

Start up business grants

I have a great fledgling business but cannot move forward as I need money for advertising on the Internet. Are there any start-up business grants still available in this country? Can you suggest other methods of spreading the word?

Accounting

Deferring state pension: Good idea?

I am self-employed and shall be 65 on April 3rd and my wife is 62. I intend to draw a deferred pension accrued from when I was working. I understand my tax allowance will be increased this year. If I continue to work for a couple of years or so, and also employ my wife, part-time, to carry out book-keeping, what are the tax implications?

Accounting

How to forecast more accurately

If you already run a business, you will have a trading history and will be able to use this to make decisions about the future.

Alternative finance

How to punch above your financial weight

A key element of business growth is having the finance available to make the most of opportunities as they arise. Maintaining a steady cash flow and securing additional funds for expansion and development are two of the biggest challenges facing smaller firms.

Accounting

Buying property through a company

Can a private individual set up a company to buy houses and then buy their own house through that company and rent it back? Are there any benefits of doing this?

Tax

Taxman clamps down on dividends

An increasingly tough approach from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) means owner-manager shareholders could pay a high price for failing to stick closely to the rules relating to dividend payments.

Accounting

Buying property through a company

Can a private individual set up a company to buy houses and then buy their own house through that company and rent it back? Are there any benefits of doing this?

Tax

Taxman clamps down on dividends

An increasingly tough approach from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) means owner-manager shareholders could pay a high price for failing to stick closely to the rules relating to dividend payments.

Tax

Tax exemptions for home-based workers

I would like to find out what tax exemptions are available for home-based workers, if any, i.e. in terms of vehicle usage. Unfortunately, the Inland Revenue site is abysmal to say the least. Can you help?

Accounting

Business expenses claimable against Income Tax

I am a sole-trader who has been trading for 3 years. I currently have rented office space, however I am in the process of extending my home to provide me with the facilities to work there instead. What build / equipment costs, if any, can I write off against tax?

Accounting

Debt advice for small businesses

Many small businesses operate on a very tight budget. Figures published by the Insolvency Service show that up to 13,000 companies go into liquidation and 11,000 self-employed people are declared bankrupt annually. The need for debt advice for small businesses has never before been in such demand.

Government Grants

Business start-up grants

How could I get a grant for my new business, I've heard about start-up grants but I've never received one? Where could I get info on this?

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