If you have started a business or are thinking about starting one, then you will need to decide on a business structure. You can choose to create a limited company, work as a sole trader or a partnership. Each business structure varies, especially when it comes to accounts and the bookkeeping. Sole trader owners are classed as self-employed, therefore they have their own set of tax rules and regulations to adhere to.
invoices
Readers’ Question: I’ve just completed a job for my first client and I need to invoice them but I don’t know where to start. How do I write an invoice and what should I include?
Having good cash flow is fundamentally essential for any business wanting to run smoothly and successfully. A recent UK study found that, on average, SMEs spend more than £1m a year on business-related expenditure such as staffing costs, rent, office equipment and supplies. This highlights how vital it is for SMEs to have a solid grasp of their incomings and outgoings so they can plan ahead and meet these costs.
To be an entrepreneur is both a reward and a challenge. An entrepreneur’s to-do list is neverending and there’s always a new task to complete.
Readers Question: I was wondering how do I record refunds that I give to clients for services not received in my accounts. Should I amend the invoice or does it go on my expenses side?
Accounting responsibilities can take up a lot of time so you might be hesitant to invest more time into finding and getting to grips with accounting software. Dealing with business accounts can be stressful, however accounting software can take away some of that pressure by doing most of the work for you.
One of the main benefits of cloud accounting software is that your business accounts can be accessed from anywhere and at any time. The capability to update data in real time for extra speed, accuracy and efficiency in accounting will enhance the company’s performance as a result.
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Keeping on top of your finances is one of the biggest causes of stress for small business owners, as the financial position of a business can really be the make or break point for the future of it. There are many challenges that small business owners face, from building a customer base to being a supervisor or creating and delivering good quality products. As a business owner, you will need to wear multiple hats in order to keep the business running. However, managing your finances may be of particular importance to the livelihood of your small business.
Being in control of your finances is key to keeping your earning model afloat. That’s why it’s so important to stay on top of your books as a contractor or a small business owner as you have multiple income streams to deal with. Effectively managing your finances can do wonders for the process of bookkeeping for your small business.
The Late Payments of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 was originally devised as a way of ensuring small businesses are not left out of pocket by late payments, and sets out the entitlement to charge a statutory rate of interest on any overdue invoices.
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