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.

How to open a foreign currency account

If your business has a strong hold in the overseas market, or you regularly receive and make payments in a foreign currency, then you may benefit from opening a foreign currency account.

Small Business Banking

Business Loans

Your first business bank loan

If your business plan and financial forecasts are sound, you may be feeling brave enough to approach a bank for funding.

Small Business Banking

Opening a Euro account

Whether or not to open a Euro account depends on your individual circumstances. It may or may not be in your best interests.

Accounting

Company Director’s Pay – Dividends or Salary

There are numerous ways in which company directors can pay themselves in a tax-effective manner. However, the most topical debate raging at the moment concerns the notion of taking a high proportion of your earnings as a dividend rather than via a salary.

Government Grants

Grants for technology businesses

There are millions of pounds in funding available for technology and communications companies in the UK from funding providers such as the Government and the European Union.

Accounting

The best type of company for you

The legal form of your business is an important decision to make. If you are setting up a business with others, you can choose between partnership, limited company, limited liability partnership or co-operative.

Government Grants

Gain access to grants

There are government grants available from both UK and EU organisations.

Accounting

New rules for businesses to get paid on time

With the European Directive on late payments coming into effect in less than three months, the Forum of Private Business is advising small businesses to revise their terms of trade now to reap the benefits.

Government Grants

Gain access to grants

There are government grants available from both UK and EU organisations.

Accounting

New rules for businesses to get paid on time

Accounting

PAYE online for free

A free online service allows employers to complete Pay As You Earn (PAYE) forms and returns and send them to the Inland Revenue via the internet.

Alternative finance

More SMEs using factoring to improve cashflow

The number of small- and medium-sized businesses using factoring to get quicker access to cash they are owed has risen noticeably over the past year, according to new research from the Factors & Discounters Association (FDA).

Accounting

Debt collection letters to improve SME cash flow

The Better Payment Protection Campaign (BPPC), a joint public-private initiative, has provided a series of example letters to help small firms in their efforts to collect debts and get to grips with credit management.