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Starting a business

Starting up a new business can seem like a minefield. With our extensive experience in working with new businesses we can assure you that our advice will be tailored to meet your specific business goals and objectives. The links above will guide you through essential aspects of the start-up process, from preparing an initial business plan to developing an e-commerce strategy to give your business a competitive advantage. Please contact us to discuss how we can be of further service to the growth of your new business.

Employed or self-employed?

The question as to whether someone is employed or self-employed is not as straightforward as it might at first appear. Many people assume they are free to choose, but HMRC state this is not the case.
Buying a business

Buying an established business that someone else wishes to sell provides many with a route into business and enables them to fulfil their desire to enter into business or expand existing operations.
Initial costs of starting in business

No new business is the same as another even if the product or service is similar. Review our summary of likely costs as well as making use of our start up funding calculator. This guide may assist in identifying some of those ‘easy to overlook’ costs.
Proving your credentials to investors

People don't invest in ideas; they invest in people. You can have the world's best business plan with a truly original idea that is guaranteed to make a fortune, but you could fail to attract investment if the people behind the idea do not inspire confidence or have the necessary plans in place.
The tax system for the self-employed

If you start working for yourself, you must register with HMRC.
Business deductions

In order to attract a deduction in computing the profits of a trade or business, direct costs and running expenses must be incurred wholly and exclusively for the purpose of the trade.
Claiming expenses

The rules which determine what expenses can be deducted from profit for tax purposes are essentially the same whether you operate as a limited company, sole trader or partnership.
Choosing your accounting date

You are free to select your choice of accounting date. Under the current year basis, the taxable profit for a particular tax year is determined by the accounts that end in that year.
Buying a franchise

Is buying a franchise of interest to you? This is one approach that many adopt in order to become an owner of an ‘established’ business.
The construction industry

There are special tax rules affecting the construction industry, which are designed to ensure that tax is paid by workers in the sector whether they are employed or self employed.
Preparing your business plan

Do you have a written business plan? Failing to plan is the first step towards planning to fail.
Essential record-keeping

Ideas on how you can reduce the time we take to prepare your year-end accounts.
The national minimum wage and the national living wage

An employer must pay their workers a minimum amount per hour as defined by law. This is referred to as the national minimum wage or the national living wage. There are severe penalties for non-compliance.
Working from home

Some people work at home; others see the home base as the perfect solution to a noisy office, endless interruptions, or a long and expensive commute. But if you are thinking of leaving the office on a permanent basis, there are a number of questions you must first consider.
Insuring your business

Adequate insurance is fundamentally important for a business. And in many cases, it is actually a legal obligation. What follows is a brief guide to the types of insurance a business must have and the types of insurance it might consider desirable.
Tax planning for businesses

If you are thinking of starting a business, you should consider, among other factors, the impact of being the business owner on all areas of your life and the degree of risk involved. Devising a strong business plan is essential to aid and help you navigate the direction of the business.

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