Golden rules for managing your small business finances
Effective financial management is crucial to keeping your business on track. Here’s how to do it.
From understanding business expenses as your team grows to accessing emergency funding, here are some expert guides to keep your business on the right track.
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There's a lot to think about when you're running a business, but these key guides selected by our experts can make things more efficient.
Guide
Guide
Common cash flow problems and solutions
Learn more about some of the most common cash flow problems for businesses and the steps you can take to resolve them.
Guide
VAT explained: what it is and how it works
It’s important to understand how to manage VAT for your small business and how to calculate your VAT return.
Meet small business owners
Case study
"I started making the brownies in 2019 and I made it my mission to create a delicious vegan recipe."
Cake or Death, a vegan bakery business, was founded by Katie Cross in 2019 and customers across the UK can’t get enough of its sweet treats.
Here, Katie reflects on the past six years and explains how a rejection from a famous bakery competition set her on the right path.
Case study
"I really wanted to build an everlasting legacy in my family’s name"
Starting a business is never easy, but add in a global pandemic and everything gets harder. This was the reality for Tinique Hay when she set up her events management agency, Hay Events, in February 2020.
Here, she reflects on her resilience throughout these challenging years.
Case study
"I bought a business online and turned it into a million-pound sustainable enterprise"
Mark Farr became CEO of Purple Planet Packaging in 2019 because he wanted to make a positive, sustainable impact for the next generation.
Mark shares his business story so far, and how buying a business online became a million-pound success story.
Budgeting fundamentals
Essential budgeting advice every small business owner should know.
A step-by-step guide for creating a small business budget
Budgeting in business: what you need to know
How to separate your personal and business finances
Handling tax
Find out which taxes affect your business and how to manage them smoothly.
Business tax explained
Corporation tax: everything you need to know
How much should I save for taxes?
Understanding cash flow
Get a clear picture of your cash flow and how to manage it effectively.
What is cash flow and why is it important to a small business?
How to improve cash flow for small businesses
What is a cash flow forecast and how can you create one?
Expenses
A clear guide to managing and claiming expenses for your small business.
Business expenses: what you can (and can’t) claim
How to track and keep on top of business expenses
What business expenses can self-employed people claim?
Managing business finance
Understand your business finance options and find the right fit for your needs.
Everything you need to know about business finance
How to get finance for a business
What is equity finance for businesses?
Debt and borrowing
Smart borrowing tips to help you manage debt and strengthen your business.
How to manage business debt as a small business
Can business debt affect your personal finances?
How to access emergency business funding
Business support
Get expert help to navigate challenges and grow your business with confidence.
How to protect your business from payment fraud
Tax advisers vs tax accountants: which should you choose?
What can a financial adviser do for your business?
Guides
Tax advisors vs tax accountants: which should you choose?
Do you need help with your small business taxes? In this guide, we explain how a tax adviser or accountant could ensure you don’t pay more than you owe.
Read MoreHow to Track and Keep on Top of Business Expenses
Take control of your business expenses to boost your profitability, reduce your tax bill and ensure your accounts remain accurate and up to date.
Read MoreWhat business expenses can self-employed people claim?
If you’re self-employed you may be able to offset business expenses as part of your tax returns.
Read MoreVAT returns explained: complete guide for UK small businesses
Learn how to stay compliant with HMRC, file VAT returns accurately, avoid penalties and manage VAT with confidence using this practical guide.
Read MoreBusiness tax in the UK: 7 key types you need to know about
Confused about business tax? Learn more about the types of tax your business needs to pay and how to make payments.
Read MoreCorporation tax in the UK: What businesses need to know
Learn how to calculate and reduce your corporation tax bill. This guide provides all the tips on allowances and reliefs you need.
Read MoreHow much should I save for taxes? A practical guide
Whether you’re self-employed, a sole trader or run a limited company, it ’s vital to save enough money to pay your annual tax bill. Here’s how.
Read MoreHow to improve cash flow in a small business: 8 practical ways
Learn how to improve cash flow in your small business with actionable tips on forecasting, payments and costs to keep your growth on track.
Read MoreWhat is budgeting in business and why is it important?
Discover how budgeting helps manage business finances to ensure long-term success
Read MoreBusiness finance explained: how to choose the right funding for your business
Explore the key types of business finance, why they matter and how to find the right funding option for your business needs.
Read MoreWhat is cash flow and why is it important to a small business?
Find out how to stay on top of your cash flow and why it’s a crucial part of running a business.
Read MoreWhat Is Equity Finance For Businesses?
If you have a new business with little credit history, equity finance could help you get the funding you need. Our guide explains how it works.
Read MoreWhat can a financial adviser do for your business? Benefits explained
The right financial adviser can help you grow your business and ensure it is profitable in the long term. Learn how to pick the right adviser for your company.
Read MoreCan business debt affect your personal finances and credit score?
If you have a poor business credit file, it may negatively impact your personal credit score. We examine whether you could be affected.
Read moreHow to get out of business debt in eight steps
Use our step-by-step guide to address business debt and regain control of your finances.
Read MoreWhat is VAT and how it works: a clear guide for business owners
If you run your own business, make sure you understand when you need to register for VAT and how to submit your VAT return.
Read More13 golden rules for managing your small business finances
Discover the key rules for managing your business finances to improve your chances of long-term success.
Read MoreBusiness expenses: what you can (and can’t) claim
Discover what counts as a business expense and how claiming such expenses can lower your tax bill.
Read More13 practical ways to get finance for your business
Discover the different types of business finance, along with their pros and cons, so you can decide what works best for you.
Read MoreOvercoming cash flow challenges: practical solutions for small businesses
If your small business faces cash flow problems, it’s important to know how to fix them. This guide offers seven solutions to common cash flow challenges.
Read MoreHow to create a small business budget in 5 simple steps
Budgeting is an essential part of running a successful small business. Find out how to create a budget with our user-friendly guide.
Read More8 practical tips to separate your personal and business finances
Discover how to differentiate your business and personal spending with this essential five-minute guide.
Read MoreWhat is a cash flow forecast and how can you create one?
Discover our 4-step plan for creating a cash flow projection for your business plan.
Read MoreHow To Protect Your Business from Payment Fraud
Payment fraud is an increasing issue for businesses. Protect your company with these payment fraud prevention tips.
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