Author: Glenn

Many business owners make decisions based on instinct, but intuition alone can be unreliable. Having timely, accurate management information replaces guesswork with insight and leads to stronger profitability.

Management information differs from year-end accounts because it focuses on what is happening now and what is likely to happen next. A short monthly report showing key performance indicators can reveal issues before they become serious. Typical measures include gross profit margin, average debtor days, overhead ratios and cash flow trends.

Modern accounting software provides real-time figures that allow you to spot changes early. For instance, if sales remain steady but margins start to fall, it may signal higher costs or increased discounting. Acting quickly can prevent these trends from eroding profits.

Regular review meetings, even if only quarterly, make these reports more valuable. Discussing results with us can identify opportunities to improve efficiency, adjust pricing, or strengthen cash flow. Small improvements made consistently can produce meaningful gains over time.

Good management information does not need to be complicated. What matters is clarity and regular review. Once you have the right information in place, decision-making becomes easier, more confident and more profitable.

Well-structured information is one of the best tools for improving business performance and we can help you make full use of it.

Every business faces unexpected challenges. Rising costs, supply delays, late payments and sudden changes in demand can all place pressure on cash flow. The businesses that cope best are usually those that have taken time to build financial resilience.

Resilience is not simply about holding large sums of cash. It is about planning ahead and understanding the numbers that drive the business. A simple but effective starting point is to maintain a rolling 12-month cash flow forecast. Updating this regularly helps you see when pressure points are likely to occur, so that action can be taken early rather than reacting when funds run short.

Another sound step is to build a small reserve fund. Setting aside a proportion of profits each month can create a buffer that covers at least three months of fixed costs. This can make all the difference when faced with a delayed payment or an unexpected expense.

Relationships matter too. Clear communication with suppliers and customers helps avoid surprises. If customers pay late, early contact and clear terms often improve recovery rates.

We also recommend using sensitivity analysis to test “what if” scenarios — for example, what if energy costs rise by 10% or a key customer pays two months late? Discussing these possibilities can highlight practical ways to strengthen your position.

A resilient business is one that can manage uncertainty with confidence and seize opportunities when others are forced to hold back.

As of April 2025, directors of close companies and self-employed taxpayers face new mandatory reporting requirements on their Self-Assessment returns.

Up to 900,000 company directors and 1.2 million taxpayers carrying on a trade will be impacted by new rules that require them to provide more information when filing their 2025-26 self-assessment returns.

Legislation has been enacted that introduces mandatory reporting obligations for certain taxpayers, including those who begin or cease trading and directors of close companies. These measures came into effect on 5 April 2025 and apply for the current 2025-26 tax year and later tax years.

Company directors of close companies will face new reporting requirements. Most small private companies will meet the definition of a close company and there are some specific tax rules that apply to these companies. From 5 April 2025, taxpayers impacted by the change must confirm whether they are directors of a close company and provide further details, including the company’s name and registered number, the value of dividends received and their percentage shareholding in the company. If shareholding changes during the year, the highest percentage held must be reported. Answering these questions will be mandatory when submitting 2025-26 tax returns and beyond.

The new rules also introduce a mandatory requirement to report the start or cessation of a trade that was previously a voluntary requirement. Taxpayers are now required to include the date of commencement or cessation of their business in their tax return, whether for personal tax, partnerships or trustees. This change applies to tax returns for 2025-26 and beyond.

Many people rely on state benefits, but it is not always obvious which payments are taxable and which are tax-free.

HMRC’s guidance outlines the following list of the most common state benefits on which Income Tax is payable, subject to the usual limits:

• Bereavement Allowance (previously Widow’s Pension)
• Carer’s Allowance or (in Scotland only) Carer Support Payment
• Contribution-Based Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Incapacity Benefit (from the 29th week you receive it)
• Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Pensions Paid by the Industrial Death Benefit Scheme
• The State Pension
• Widowed Parent’s Allowance

The most common state benefits that are not subject to Income Tax include:

• Attendance Allowance
• Bereavement Support Payment
• Child Benefit (income-based – use the Child Benefit tax calculator to see if you’ll have to pay tax)
• Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• Free TV Licence for Over-75s
• Guardian’s Allowance
• Housing Benefit
• Income Support – though you may have to pay tax on Income Support if you’re involved in a strike
• Income-Related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Industrial Injuries Benefit
• Lump-Sum Bereavement Payments
• Maternity Allowance
• Pension Credit
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• Severe Disablement Allowance
• Universal Credit
• War Widow’s Pension
• Winter Fuel Payments and Christmas Bonus

Business Asset Disposal Relief (BADR) still offers a valuable tax break, but the CGT rate has risen to 14% from April 2025 and will increase again to 18% in April 2026.

BADR provides a valuable tax advantage by offering a reduced rate of Capital Gains Tax (CGT) on the sale of a business, shares in a trading company, or an individual’s interest in a trading partnership.

The limits for BADR increased for disposals made on or after 6 April 2025. This has seen the CGT rate now applied at a rate of 14% (up from 10%). This change is now in effect and applies to any qualifying disposals taking place within the 2025–26 tax year.

The rate is set to increase again from 6 April 2026, to 18%. This means that disposals qualifying for BADR on or after this date will face a significantly higher CGT rate when compared to the previously long-standing 10% rate.

The lifetime limit for claiming BADR remains at £1 million, allowing individuals to benefit from the relief more than once, provided the cumulative gains from all qualifying disposals do not exceed this threshold.

Additionally, changes have been made to Investors’ Relief. The lifetime limit for this relief was reduced from £10 million to £1 million for qualifying disposals made on or after 30 October 2024. In addition, the CGT rates for Investors’ Relief are now aligned with those for BADR, currently set at 14% and increasing to 18% from April 2026.