How can bookkeepers help grow your business

How can bookkeepers help grow your business

How can bookkeepers help grow your business

4 piles of coins with trees on the top

Are you a business owner struggling to keep up with your financial records? Many business owners believe bookkeeping is just about recording numbers, but it’s actually a powerful tool for business growth.

A professional bookkeeper can provide financial clarity, organisation, and insights that will help you make better decisions, improve cash flow, and ultimately grow your business.

Here’s how hiring a bookkeeper can support your business success.

Gain control over your cash flow:

Cash flow is the lifeblood of any business, and without proper tracking, it’s easy to run into financial trouble. A small business bookkeeper ensures:

  • Your income and expenses are accurately recorded;
  • You always know where your business finances stand
  • You can plan for future expenses and avoid cash shortages

When your business accounting is up to date, you can make data driven decisions with confidence.

Identify cost saving opportunities:

Are you overspending without realising it? Many business owners lose money on unnecessary costs without even knowing. A professional bookkeeper can help you:

  • Spot unnecessary expenses or overpayments
  • Reduce costs by analysing spending patterns
  • Ensure you’re getting the best value from suppliers

Bookkeeping services help you cut waste, increase profits, and improve financial stability.

Keep your business finances organised:

Messy books lead to stress, confusion, and financial mistakes. A bookkeeping expert keeps everything organised, so you:

  • Know exactly how much your business is earning and spending
  • Never lose track of unpaid invoices or overdue payments
  • Have accurate financial records for strategic decision making

With an efficient bookkeeping system, you can focus on business growth instead of financial stress.

Prepare for business growth and scaling:

Thinking about expanding? Whether you’re hiring more employees, investing in new tools, or launching a new product, scaling a business requires financial planning. A bookkeeper helps you:

  • Determine if your revenue can support business expansion
  • Plan budgets to allocate resources efficiently
  • Build a strong financial foundation for long-term success

Growth requires stability, and outsourcing bookkeeping ensures your finances are structured for success.

Save time and boost productivity:

As a business owner, your time is valuable. Instead of spending hours on bookkeeping and financial management, why not let a professional handle it? With a bookkeeper, you can:

  • Spend more time on sales and client relationships
  • Focus on scaling your small business
  • Reduce stress and avoid costly financial mistakes

By hiring a bookkeeper, you’re investing in your business’s efficiency and profitability.

Looking for professional bookkeeping services?

At Cactus Bookkeeping, we specialise in helping businesses stay financially organised and on track for success. We are now accepting new clients from April 2025!

Contact us today to book your spot and take control of your finances.

 

 

ABOUT SUE

Sue Haynes is the founder of Cactus Bookkeeping and helps business owners
with all aspects of Bookkeeping to save them time so they can concentrate on running their
business. Sue is licensed, regulated and supported by the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB)

 

 

 

End of financial year preparation: A guide for business owners

End of financial year preparation: A guide for business owners

End of financial year preparation: A guide for business owners

Calculattor, stacks of coins and paperwork showing financial graphs

As the end of the financial year (EOFY) approaches, business owners should take the time to review their financial records, reconcile accounts, and prepare for the year ahead. Staying organised ensures you have a clear understanding of your business’s financial position and allows you to make informed decisions for growth.

Here’s a structured guide to help you get your business finances in order before the financial year closes.

Review and reconcile your financial records:

Accurate financial records are essential for understanding your business’s performance. As the EOFY nears, take the time to:

  • Ensure all income and expenses are recorded correctly
  • Reconcile bank statements with business transactions
  • Address any discrepancies to maintain accurate financial data

Keeping well organised records helps with reporting, forecasting, and setting financial goals for the next year.

Follow up on outstanding invoices:

Unpaid invoices can impact cash flow and business stability. Before the year ends, make sure to:

  • Review any outstanding customer payments
  • Send reminders for overdue invoices
  • Update your records to reflect payments received

A proactive approach to accounts receivable helps maintain a healthy cash flow and ensures a smoother transition into the new financial year.

Organise and review business expenses:

Tracking expenses efficiently allows business owners to manage costs effectively. Ensure that:

  • All receipts and invoices are stored and categorised
  • Recurring expenses, such as subscriptions and operational costs, are reviewed
  • Any unnecessary spending is identified for potential cost-saving opportunities

Regularly reviewing expenses provides insight into spending patterns and helps you adjust to improve profitability.

 Assess cash flow and financial planning:

A strong cash flow strategy is key to sustaining and growing a business. As the financial year closes, take time to:

  • Analyse income and expenditure trends
  • Identify opportunities to optimize cash flow
  • Develop a financial plan for the next 12 months

Understanding how money moves through your business allows for better decision making and financial stability in the long term.

Back up financial data and reports:

Maintaining secure and accessible financial records is a best practice for any business.

Ensure that:

  • Digital copies of receipts, invoices, and financial reports are backed up
  • Data is securely stored in cloud-based accounting software or external storage
  • Records are easily accessible for future reference

A well-maintained financial record system simplifies reporting and ensures that historical data is readily available when needed.

Seek professional support for financial organisation:

Preparing for the end of the financial year can be time consuming, and ensuring financial accuracy is crucial. A bookkeeper can assist with:

  • Keeping your financial records well organised
  • Providing insights into cash flow and spending patterns
  • Helping you establish better financial processes for the future

If you’re looking for a professional bookkeeping service to help manage your financial records, Cactus Bookkeeping is accepting new clients from April 2025.

Get in touch to ensure your business is financially organised for the year ahead.

Enter the new financial year with confidence and a strong financial foundation.

 

 

ABOUT SUE

Sue Haynes is the founder of Cactus Bookkeeping and helps business owners
with all aspects of Bookkeeping to save them time so they can concentrate on running their
business. Sue is licensed, regulated and supported by the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB)

 

 

 

5 Tips to Help Manage Cash Flow in Your Business

5 Tips to Help Manage Cash Flow in Your Business

5 Tips to Help Manage Cash Flow in Your Business

Office desk with laptop, cup of coffee, diary and plant

Managing cash flow is essential to keeping a business healthy. Whether you’re just starting out or running an established company, here are five key tips to maintain a steady cash flow and prepare for any financial challenges that come your way. 

  1. Use Cash Flow Software for Real-Time Monitoring

Leveraging accounting software like Sage, Xero, or QuickBooks makes tracking cash flow easier and more accurate. These tools allow you to access real-time data on income and expenses, generate cash flow statements, and set alerts for low balances or overdue invoices. Many of these platforms also integrate with banking and invoicing apps, offering a seamless way to stay on top of cash flow. With automated insights, you’ll have a clear picture of your financial health at all times. 

  1. Set Clear Payment Terms

Establish clear payment terms with your clients from the start. Consider setting shorter terms or discounts for early payments to encourage faster cash inflows. This can help reduce waiting periods and bring cash in sooner. 

  1. Manage Expenses Wisely

Prioritise necessary expenses and trim unnecessary spending. Regularly review expenses to identify areas where you can cut costs, which can improve your cash flow immediately. Even small reductions can add up over time, enhancing your financial stability. 

  1. Use Forecasting for Better Planning

Cash flow forecasting helps you anticipate upcoming cash needs. By estimating future inflows and outflows, you can prepare for slow periods or plan for major expenses. A forecast gives you the information you need to make proactive decisions. 

  1. Build a Cash Reserve

Whenever possible, set aside cash reserves to help you cover unexpected expenses or downturns. Having a buffer allows you to maintain operations smoothly, even if cash inflows slow down temporarily.

 Effective cash flow management ensures your business can meet financial obligations while investing in growth. If you need my help, don’t hesitate to reach out!

 

 

ABOUT SUE

Sue Haynes is the founder of Cactus Bookkeeping and helps business owners
with all aspects of Bookkeeping to save them time so they can concentrate on running their
business. Sue is licensed, regulated and supported by the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB)

 

 

 

National Living Wage Update 2025: What Business Owners Need to Know

National Living Wage Update 2025: What Business Owners Need to Know

National Living Wage Update 2025: What Business Owners Need to Know

Payslips with some pound coins

As your trusted Bookkeeper, I am here to keep you up to date on the National Living Wage (NLW) and National Minimum Wage (NMW) changes coming in April 2025, as announced in the latest UK budget. Understanding these updates is key to staying compliant and budgeting for potential increases in labour costs.

Key 2025 Wage Updates

From April 2025, the new rates will be:

  • Ages 21 and over: £12.21 per hour
  • Ages 18 to 20: £10.00 per hour
  • Ages 16 to 17: £7.55 per hour
  • Apprentice Rate: £7.55 per hour

These adjustments are intended to help workers manage rising living costs but will increase payroll expenses. Here is how to prepare.

Managing These Changes in Your Business

*    Update Payroll Systems: Before April 2025, It will ensure that your payroll software is updated to reflect the new rates.

*    Budget Adjustments: I will work with you to update your wage budgets, as well as calculate the impacts on your National Insurance Contributions (NICs) and pension contributions.

*    Employee Communication: If you have staff directly impacted by these changes, clear communication can help them understand what to expect and shows that you are proactive about fair pay.

These changes can have a significant impact, but I am here to help you manage the transition smoothly and efficiently. Let’s start preparing early so that your business stays compliant without unexpected budget strains.

For further details, please refer to GOV.UK or feel free to reach out with any questions.

 

 

ABOUT SUE

Sue Haynes is the founder of Cactus Bookkeeping and helps business owners
with all aspects of Bookkeeping to save them time so they can concentrate on running their
business. Sue is licensed, regulated and supported by the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB)

 

 

 

Payroll Forms – Which Form and When to Use It

Payroll Forms – Which Form and When to Use It

Payroll Forms – Which Form and When to Use It

Keyboard with a blue payroll key that has a finger on it

If you are running your own payroll, there are quite a few payroll forms you need to be aware of to ensure tax compliance.

Payslip

An employer must provide an employee with a payslip each payday, and it must show:

  • Earnings before and after deductions
  • The amount of any deductions, such as tax, National Insurance, and other relevant payroll deductions, as these may change each time a payment is made.
  • The number of hours worked, if pay varies depending on the time worked.

P11D Form

Form P11D is used if an employee received any taxable benefits in kind, such as a company car, interest-free loans, or medical insurance, during the year. This form summarizes all the benefits in kind received during the tax year.

  • P11D forms must be provided to the employee by 6 July following the end of the tax year (5 April).

P60 Form

The P60 is a summary of an employee’s payslips for the year. It shows the total pay, and the total tax and National Insurance taken from it.

  • P60 forms must be given to an employee by 31 May after the end of the tax year (5 April).
  • The only circumstance where an employer is not required to issue a P60 is if the employee left employment during the tax year. This is because all the necessary information would have been included on a P45.

P45 Form

A P45 must be issued when an employee has left the company. This document shows how much tax has been paid so far in the tax year (6th April to 5th April).

Starter Checklist

If a new member of staff cannot provide a P45 from a previous job, they will have to complete a Starter Checklist. This form will allow the employer to work out an appropriate tax code to use when paying the new employee for the first time.

If you are unsure about running your own payroll, or it’s just not your thing, book a discovery call to see how I can help with payroll management.

 

 

ABOUT SUE

Sue Haynes is the founder of Cactus Bookkeeping and helps business owners
with all aspects of Bookkeeping to save them time so they can concentrate on running their
business. Sue is licensed, regulated and supported by the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB)