Accounts and Accounting

Accountancy advice tailored for small businesses

Accountancy is one of the most important areas of business. Every SME owner needs to have their finances in excellent shape – disorganised or inaccurate figures could harm business and impact the bottom line. Why not browse through articles in this section to polish up your knowledge on topics ranging from tax returns and PAYE, to accountancy software and budgeting?

A Simple Guide to Accessing Your VAT Returns

A Simple Guide to Accessing Your VAT Returns

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A Simple Guide to Accessing Your VAT Returns

When you apply for a business loan or other type of business funding, a lender might ask to see your VAT returns. Here's how you can access them online

Excel Tips for Business

Excel Tips for Business

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Excel Tips for Business

Microsoft Excel is the world's most important piece of business software. Business owners won't need an accountant with these handy little spreadsheet hacks

The Difference Between Gross Profit and Net Profit

The Difference Between Gross Profit and Net Profit

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The Difference Between Gross Profit and Net Profit

Entrepreneurs often forget the difference between gross and net profit when filing their accounts or pitching for investment. Elizabeth Tansley explains how to calculate both for your income statement

What’s an SME?

What’s an SME?

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What’s an SME?

The definition of an SME can vary – we give you the micro, small and medium enterprise business criteria from HMRC, the EU, Companies House and others

How to Declare or File for Bankruptcy in the UK (Step-by-Step)

How to Declare or File for Bankruptcy in the UK (Step-by-Step)

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How to Declare or File for Bankruptcy in the UK (Step-by-Step)

Filing for bankruptcy? Learn what it involves, how long it lasts, what happens to your assets, and what options you may have before taking this step.

How to Conquer Your Debt

How to Conquer Your Debt

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How to Conquer Your Debt

Debt can be overwhelming, but there are steps you can take to get back on track. Read our guide to setting up a debt management plan and other alternatives

What’s an Individual Voluntary Arrangement?

What’s an Individual Voluntary Arrangement?

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What’s an Individual Voluntary Arrangement?

We explain the steps to finding an insolvency practitioner who'll help you get an Individual Voluntary Arrangement.

What's a Creditors' Voluntary Arrangement?

What's a Creditors' Voluntary Arrangement?

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What's a Creditors' Voluntary Arrangement?

We dive into Creditors’ Voluntary Arrangements and the steps you need to take.

Registering Your Business as a Limited Company

Registering Your Business as a Limited Company

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Registering Your Business as a Limited Company

​Being a sole trader may offer you the business structure you want, but it doesn’t give you the protection a limited company gives you.

5 Useful VAT Schemes for SMEs

5 Useful VAT Schemes for SMEs

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5 Useful VAT Schemes for SMEs

We all like to save a bit of money here and there. It's especially important for small businesses. Here are our top 5 VAT schemes to save you a few pounds..

Declaring Your Second Income

Declaring Your Second Income

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Declaring Your Second Income

If you're lucky enough to have a second income, not declaring it could land you in a whole heap of trouble with HMRC, so here's how to declare it.

Leaving Your Family Business

Leaving Your Family Business

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Leaving Your Family Business

Leaving your family business is always hard, after all you don't want to upset family members. Here's everything you need to know.

Business Debt Consolidation Loans: How to Consolidate & Your Options

Business Debt Consolidation Loans: How to Consolidate & Your Options

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Business Debt Consolidation Loans: How to Consolidate & Your Options

​If your business is struggling financially, debt consolidation is an effective first step towards getting things back on track. Here's how you can start.

The Best Cloud Accounting Software for SMEs

The Best Cloud Accounting Software for SMEs

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The Best Cloud Accounting Software for SMEs

We've picked our favourite cloud accounting software that's currently available for small businesses.

How to Forecast Your Annual Profits

How to Forecast Your Annual Profits

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How to Forecast Your Annual Profits

Knowing how to forecast your profits is essential to small business. We share the basics of putting together an annual forecast.

Accountants: Outsourcing vs In-house

Accountants: Outsourcing vs In-house

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Accountants: Outsourcing vs In-house

Looking for an accountant, but unsure whether to outsource or go in-house? We weigh up the pros and cons of both, and evaluate cloud solutions such as Xero

Registering and Unregistering for VAT

Registering and Unregistering for VAT

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Registering and Unregistering for VAT

A clear guide to UK VAT registration, deregistration, and re‑registration. Understand thresholds, the VAT 7 form, and key steps to stay compliant.

Steps to Business Insolvency

Steps to Business Insolvency

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Steps to Business Insolvency

When your business goes beyond the brink, it can lead to insolvency. But just what is insolvency? Hint: It's got nothing to do with Bankruptcy.

How to Transfer Your Business Assets

How to Transfer Your Business Assets

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How to Transfer Your Business Assets

We take a look at how to transfer business assets, and the reasons why you need to ensure you seek professional guidance when doing so

Appealing a VAT Penalty

Appealing a VAT Penalty

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Appealing a VAT Penalty

Appealing against a VAT penalty from HMRC means following the guidelines relating to an indirect tax appeal. This article outlines the appeals process.