Accounting

Key Articles

An Introduction to Small Business Finance – Factoring and Invoice Discounting

Key Topics

Accounting and Finance help and information for small business

Accounting:

Accounting and taxation are important subjects for all small businesses; the articles available here can help you keep control of these often difficult areas of business.

Below are articles to help you with your company accounts, VAT, budgeting, PAYE, balance sheets, income tax, National Insurance, tax credits, small business bank accounts and many other areas of accounting. Our articles also provide help on dealing with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), including details of important deadlines.

Cash Flow and Credit Control:

Effective credit control is a vital part of maintaining a healthy cash flow. Good credit management runs through the whole business, from sales to the collection of payments. The articles below detail good credit control practices, as well as useful information and tips.

The articles cover a range of topics including credit reviews, invoicing, days sales outstanding, debtors, credits and payment warning signs, collection methods, avoiding cash flow problems and aged debt analysis.

Business Credit:

Credit policy is the art of knowing how and when to provide credit for your customers; including how to cut the risk of giving credit to potentially bad debtors.

The articles inside this section cover many topics, including credit policy standards and procedure, credit assessment, risk assessment, risk ratios, applying and enforcing late payment interest, and credit repair.

Bankruptcy and Insolvency:

Bankruptcy occurs when a company or individual can no longer manage their debt. This may be down to business failure or simply poor cash flow. These articles have practical advice for commercial bankruptcy and personal bankruptcy.

They cover insolvency, luquidations, Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA’s) and dealing with creditors, company rescues, as well as general advice if your business is at risk of bankruptcy.

Debt Collection:

Every business is owed money at some point, but what do ou do if the debtor decides not to pay up? Debt collection is the art of getting your invoices paid, and getting them paid on time.

The articles inside provide useful information on recovering debts, using the courts and County Court claims, Sherriffs vs Bailiffs, and using an external debt collection agency. Cash flow is vital to small businesses and debt collection combined with good credit policy and credit control helps you do look after it.

Commercial and Personal Insurance:

There are many types of insurance that offer protection for businesses; some insurance is mandatory, but others are for peace of mind in different situations.

The articles on this page are designed to help you understand the different types of insurance, using a broker, & trade insurance so you are better placed to make decisions about what insurance options are worthwhile for your business.

Tips to help you with your Company Accounts

If you prefer to leave the accounts to someone else, you need to understand the basic concept of Management Accounts
Company accounts are not something you do once a year - you must keep daily records - as a minimum update once a week

Some smaller companies are better off not using a computer accounting system - do the benefits match the time and resource

Cash is not profit - if you find yourself with a 'few grand' extra in the bank without good reason - something has gone wrong

Use budgets to control costs - a cash flow forecast is a must

Use cash flow information to discover trends in your business - telling your bank manager in advance of a cash squeeze will 'usually' impress them

Make sure at least two staff/friends/relatives etc. can 'do the books' in case of sickness, holiday ...

We all need training as we can forget 90% of all knowledge we once had: your bookkeeper and in-house accountant included

Written accounts procedures are easily updated once completed and are an indispensable aid to new accounts personnel

Only seeing your accountant once a year is a false economy - talk to your accountant regularly about minimizing financial costs