Why Thinking Like a CFO Can Help You Shape Your Business For many small and medium-sized business owners, bookkeeping, payroll and VAT returns are seen as a necessary part of their routine. These tasks are essential, but in terms of shaping your business, they can only tell you what has…
How to Save on Childcare Costs with the Tax-Free Childcare Scheme Running your own business often means juggling a lot – and for many, that includes childcare. With autumn school breaks rapidly approaching, HMRC is reminding working families that the Tax-Free Childcare scheme can be a good way to make…
Preparing for Recovery as Well As Defence Cyber incidents continue to feature in the news headlines, with airports now joining large UK retailers and manufacturers in experiencing serious disruption to supply chains and services. While small businesses are unlikely to grab the same headlines, the risks are just as real.…
New Legal Requirement: Directors and PSCs Must Verify Their Identity from November 2025 From 18 November 2025, identity verification will become a legal requirement for all company directors and people with significant control (PSCs). This is part of a wider reform under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023,…
Cyber-attacks are on the increase and smaller businesses are by no means immune. Have you been the victim of an online scam or cyber-attack? Or worried that something like that may happen? If so, a collection of resources from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) could be helpful to you.…
Be Ready for 2026 The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) is encouraging businesses to sign up for a business rates valuation account so they can find out their new commercial property valuation. Every three years the VOA updates the rateable values of all business properties in England and Wales. The next…
The government has launched its Small Business Plan which it believes will help small businesses to grow and encourage entrepreneurs to start businesses. The plan recognises that small businesses make a vital contribution to the economy, employing 60% of the UK’s workforce and generating £2.8 trillion in turnover. Here is…
Google is launching a new AI-powered search feature that could change how people find information online – and how they find your business. The update, known as ‘AI Mode’, offers users a conversational-style summary instead of the familiar list of blue links. It will be optional for users, but this…
New guidance on using an agent to manage your business rates has been published by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA). Many business owners choose to manage their own business rates, but others prefer the convenience of appointing an agent to help them. The VOA are keen to make sure that…
There are new grants available now for SME businesses in the West Midlands region. The Grant Programmes are open to businesses meeting the following requirements: SMEs (Less then 250 employees) Spend on the project(s) must NOT already have been incurred Existing profitable businesses (min. 12 months trading) Energy saving grant…