Your Questions. Our Answers.
Straightforward, jargon-free guides that help UK business owners understand their numbers, avoid costly surprises, and make confident financial decisions.
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Accounts Receivable / Credit Control (UK): set terms, deposits, and a chasing rhythm that actually gets you paid
Accounts Receivable & Credit Control (UK) Terms, Deposits, Chasing Rhythm
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DSO explained: turn ‘days’ into £ cash you can collect (UK service SMEs)
DSO (Days Sales Outstanding): Formula & 7 Fixes (UK) What DSO means, how to calculate it (simple vs countback), and seven ways to cut days, with a worked example and calculator for UK service SMEs.
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EBIT, EBITDA or Operating Profit: which one actually matters for UK service SMEs?
You’re profitable on paper, yet the bank asks for EBITDA, DSCR and a covenant pack. Which number are they really judging, and how do you present your figures so you don’t undersell your business? If you’ve searched “EBITDA UK small business”, this guide explains what lenders actually look at, in plain English, with a worked…
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Markup vs Margin (UK): the plain-English guide service SMEs use to stop under-quoting
Markup vs Margin (UK): plain-English guide + calculator Stop under-quoting. Learn margin vs markup, convert between them, and quote correctly, with a tiny calculator and UK VAT clarity.
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Gross margin: the one number that pays your wages (UK service SMEs)
Gross Margin for UK Service SMEs: Benchmarks, COS, Fixes What good gross margin looks like for UK service firms, how to classify COS, margin vs markup, and 5 levers to lift GP fast. Benchmarks + a worked example.
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Xero vs QuickBooks vs FreeAgent for service SMEs (UK 2025/26): which fits your finance stack?
Xero vs QuickBooks vs FreeAgent (UK 2025/26): Best pick for service SMEs Compare Xero, QuickBooks and FreeAgent for UK service businesses. Pricing (monthly & annual), user limits, projects/time, multi-currency, CIS, MTD VAT. Worked scenarios + clear next steps.
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Management Accounts in Seven Working Days (UK 2025/26): The Month-End Close Playbook
Management Accounts in Seven Working Days (UK 2025/26) he UK month-end close playbook for service SMEs: a simple Day 0–7 schedule, clear roles and controls to ship management accounts in ≤7 working days, plus a 52-week rolling forecast.
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Best Bookkeeping Setup for SMEs (roles, controls, calendar) 2025/26 edition
Best Bookkeeping Setup for UK SMEs (2025/26) The 2025/26 UK bookkeeping setup for service SMEs: roles, key controls and a month-end timetable that delivers management accounts within seven working days, plus a 52-week rolling forecast.
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Monthly vs Quarterly Bookkeeping (UK 2025/26): Cashflow and Risk Trade-offs
Monthly vs Quarterly Bookkeeping (UK): Cashflow & Risk UK guide to monthly vs quarterly bookkeeping: cashflow, VAT risk, MTD rules, and worked scenarios. See when monthly wins and how to avoid penalties and surprises.