One year since Exeter-based entrepreneurs Darren Westlake and Luke Lang launched Crowdcube, they claim to have helped business raise £2.3 million from investors – members of the public and high net worth individuals.
Category: Finance
Financial advice for owners and managers of small and medium sized business SMEs in the UK All your tax, borrowing and administration advice
GoCardless launches new payment service to replace merchant accounts
GoCardless, the new service which allows you to collect money directly from your customers’ bank accounts has gone live providing a real, and cost effective, alternative to accepting credit and debit cards.
HMRC set to plug into electricians
Electricians could be in for a shock as they have moved to the top of the taxman’s targeted campaign list as the Electricians Tax Safe Plan (ETSP) will begin in February 2012 and give an opportunity for electricians and electrical fitters to come forward and declare unpaid tax.
Entrepreneurs fail basic financial fitness test
In lean times, businesses need to be on top of their game, but when testing the financial fitness of a group of entrepreneurs, Intuit, the makers of QuickBooks accounting software, found many in dire need of a workout.
2012 with herald SME acquisition boom
A new survey has revealed that ten per cent of small and medium-sized businesses are actively considering acquiring a competing business.
Preparing your business for HMRC’s Real Time Initiative
HM Revenues & Customs (HMRC) is proposing a complete overhaul of the way employee information is filed, with the introduction of its Real Time Information (RTI) reporting initiative. Employers and Payroll Managers are amongst those most affected by these changes, but effective planning and preparation will minimise disruption and allow for a smoother transition to the new system.
Exporters need more government support to grow say ICAEW
Exporters would value sector and country market intelligence in order to grow according to the ICAEW. This news comes as research shows that the rise in export activity will stagnate in 2012 due to turmoil in key global markets.
Avoid fines for failing to comply with VAT rules like Vince Cable
Vince Cable has spent the last few days squirming over a £1000 fine for failing to register for VAT on his reported £192,000 income from external sources but vowed he would continue to chase duty dodgers.
SME credit ratings are more like a lucky dip finds a new report
Hundreds of thousands of SMEs across the UK are still facing a lucky dip when it comes to getting a credit rating. The news follows a recent investigation into the practices of credit rating agencies leading to calls for the Government to force the credit ratings agencies to be more transparent in how they arrive at their recommendations.
UK’s first finance finding website for SMEs launched
Experian, the global information services company, have announced the launch of SME Finance Finder, a free online service for SMEs designed to match their particular finance needs to the most appropriate brokers and lenders.
2 days for VAT notification – what do you need to do?
This summer, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has been contacting small businesses across the country with information and warnings on who is eligible to pay VAT, what the deadlines are, and the penalties of either not taking action within the deadline, or disguising revenues for VAT avoidance Diana Flier, senior compliance analyst, Intuit UK explains what you need to be prepared for.
ICAEW launches service to help small businesses with accountancy issues
Small businesses across the UK are being offered free expert advice from ICAEW Chartered Accountants as part of a new initiative.
Cheques set to be given a reprieve as no alternative has been found
Small businesses outraged at plans by the Payments Council to end cheque clearing from 2018 have been given a lifeline as Mark Hoban, the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, said that cheques could not be scrapped until “a suitable alternative is found”.
Controlling your costs the professional way
Since I started my company Actinic 15 years ago, I’ve sold almost exclusively to small businesses – it’s been a blessing and a curse. A blessing in the sense that no single customer is too critical. Against this is that none of these guys has much money, which means we have to be incredibly cost conscious. This experience has taught me a few tips about keeping costs down.
Solving the riddle of your accounts
How successful is your business? We spoke to Emily Coltman, Chief Accountant at online accounting system providers FreeAgent to suggest five clues to look for in your accounts in order to reveal what your accounts are actually telling you, and how can they show you whether your business is successful?
