One of the quickest wins I help small businesses achieve is cutting down the time spent on reconciliation by getting Xero bank rules right. When set up properly, bank rules stop duplicated receipts, automatically allocate recurring expenses, and keep your bookkeeping consistent. I’ve seen clients save hours each month simply by tightening their rules and understanding how Xero matches...
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Selling vouchers and gift cards feels like a simple way to boost cashflow before the festive rush, but VAT can turn...
I get asked a lot: “Can I hire someone just for year-end without handing over the keys to my business?” The short...
I’ve been following niche e-commerce retailers for years, both as someone who advises small businesses and as a...
I’ve been following niche e-commerce retailers for years, both as someone who advises small businesses and as a regular player on the court, so when I spotted an attractive padel racket sale at Bandeja Shop I immediately started thinking about the practical lessons for merchandising, customer...
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Working from home raises a recurring question for many sole traders: can I reclaim the VAT on my home expenses, and if so, how do I record it properly in Xero? I've helped lots of small business owners sort this out, and the short answer is: you can reclaim VAT on the business proportion of...
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Onboarding a new supplier in hospitality can feel dull compared with menu design or front-of-house training, but get it wrong and you’ll see late costing, margin erosion and frustrated teams fast. Over the years I’ve seen kitchens lose margin because a line was coded incorrectly, pubs pay for...
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Losing a major client is one of the sharpest shocks a small business can face. I’ve guided many owners through this exact moment, and the first 60 days are critical: act too slowly and you risk cashflow strain that affects payroll, supplier relationships and your ability to win new work. Act...
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I’ve seen it happen more times than I’d like: a busy business owner or a payroll handler runs payroll, authorises payments, and then—because of a second user click, an unclear bank feed, or a duplicate Direct Debit—HMRC ends up receiving two PAYE payments for the same pay period. It’s an...
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Switching accounting software can feel like moving house: awkward, time-consuming and a little terrifying when you think about what might get left behind. I’ve helped dozens of small businesses make the jump — from sole traders to micro-limited companies — and I’ve seen the same issues come...
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Running payroll feels straightforward until an RTI submission bounces back with a cryptic error code. I’ve spent years helping small businesses wrestle with payroll software, HMRC quirks and those afternoons when PAYE and National Insurance totals refuse to reconcile. In this guide I walk you...
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When you run an owner‑managed SME, one of the most common—and frustrating—questions is: how much should I pay myself as salary, and how much as dividends? I see this with almost every client: founders want to take a sensible income, minimise tax and National Insurance, keep the company...
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Running a freelance consultancy is rewarding — and chaotic. Early on I learned the hard way that tidy bookkeeping isn't just about compliance; it’s what lets you see where your business is going, price services correctly and avoid last-minute panics at tax time. Below I share the practical,...
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I often tell clients that management accounts are like a torch in a dark room — they don’t have to be perfect or beautiful, but they must show you where the furniture is so you don’t trip over it. A simple, well-structured management accounts pack gives you the essential information to make...
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