Hornton Financial Services

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Hornton Financial Services

Advisory & Compliance Accountants : driving clarity, confidence, and growth for local SMEs.

We offer accounting services from bookkeeping through to Finance Director for a wide range of businesses in the UK. Our directors, Carole & Graham Mullett jointly have over 60 years experience as Chartered Management Accountants (CIMA) in a range of industries and size of company. We use our wealth of experience from the corporate world to help growing companies.

We offer accounting services from bookkeeping through to Finance Director for a wide range of businesses in the UK.

26/05/2026

We met a local new client recently….

It’s a good family business and it was impressive what they have achieved over the last couple of years. They have been growing quickly and their enthusiasm really shone through.

After about ten minutes we asked a question, we always ask our prospective clients as it’s a really important one: "What percentage of your revenue comes from your biggest client?"

They said its "About sixty percent, I think. Maybe more."

Not saying anything too dramatic we just pointed out that this was a risk as it can be viewed as a dependency which doesn’t show up in their reporting.

The business is making healthy profits, and they are working really hard, but it felt like this client held too many cards and it needed looking into.

Identifying risks even when things are going well can help sure things up so that you can grow with confidence. We're working on that now.

If your top client walked out next week, how long could you keep going?

Email: [email protected]

Website: Horntonfs.co.uk

19/05/2026

Accounting for Small Businesses is changing....

We talk to a lot of SME owners and what we find is most of them are so focused on running their business day to day, that some of the bigger shifts in how finances can be managed are passing them by.

Here are 4 things to highlight that are changing right now and why they matter to you.

1) Making Tax Digital isn't going away, HMRC now requires digital software for most businesses. Spreadsheets won't cut it much longer. If you haven't switched yet, it's worth doing sooner rather than later.

2) Automation/AI is assisting with the boring stuff, Invoicing, reconciliation, chasing payments. Having good accounting software handles more of this than most people realise. Meaning less admin, fewer errors, more time back.

3) Real time numbers are available and not a luxury anymore. Costs have gone up and margins are tighter, The NIC rise and minimum wage increase hit a lot of small businesses hard.

4) A good finance partner is worth more than compliance. SMEs that work closely with their accountant grow faster on average 11.5% more revenue.

The best financial relationships aren't just about filing returns.

5.7m SMEs in the UK that's 99% of all businesses.

30% of businesses make it past 5 years. Financial visibility is a big part of why.

The businesses that treat their finances as a tool for growth not just a compliance box to tick are the ones that tend to still be here in 5 years' time.

If any of this resonates, we'd love to have a chat.

Questions about your business? We'd love to help.

Email: [email protected]
Website: horntonfs.co.uk

Or message us here.

18/05/2026

Been a while, just setting off to see a potential new client …….

One example of a visit not so long ago was a good business, hardworking with long term customers but like many others now were feeling the squeeze of rising costs with profits under pressure.

They had accounts and were not short of data, but what they did not have was a clear picture of where they were, where they were heading, and what choices they have.

We spent time together discussing the business going through the numbers and what became clear was they wanted a proper forecast not a finger in the air, but a proper view of what was ahead.

So, we began building a provisional set of numbers, a working forecast and a plan that gave a clear picture of their current position and started mapping out a more profitable way forward. It wasn’t a polished report but a practical tool to help them make decisions.

That’s what good FD support looks like for an SME. It's not just about getting the accounts filed and sorting the tax. It's about understanding your business clearly enough to ask the right questions and make better decisions.

If your costs have crept up and profit feels harder now, and this sounds like the kind of support you are looking for drop us a line.

Email: [email protected]
Website: www.horntonfs.co.uk

Or just drop us a message in the comments here.

14/05/2026

You can be profitable on paper and still run out of cash.

It happens more often than you think.

A business with strong sales but with clients that are slow to pay up can face very real issues, with payroll due, suppliers chasing, HMRC expecting payment.

Here are 3 things every founder should build into their business from day one:

· A simple rolling cash flow forecast, so you know what money is coming in and going out

· Establish clear client payment terms for which you are ready to enforce if need be.

· A cash buffer, aim for at least 2 to 3 months of fixed costs.

90% of UK businesses experienced late payments in 2025. The average SME loses almost 90 hours annually chasing invoices. That's almost 2 and a half weeks of time you could spend growing.

Cash flow isn't just an accounting issue it's a strategy issue effecting small and larger firms.

Questions about your business? We would really like to help.

Email us at: [email protected]

Visit us: horntonfs.co.uk

Or message us here.

12/05/2026

It's good to be back. (The picture is just one we like)...

We've missed the routine, the conversations, the clients, the satisfaction of helping someone get to grips with their business finances and feel better for it.

We work with SME's across Oxfordshire and further afield. Some are just getting started, others have been going for years but feel like they're running to stand still. All of them just want someone they can trust to give them a straight answer.

That's what we do.

If you've been meaning to sort your finances out, or just want a chat about where your business is heading, drop us a message.

[email protected]

www.horntonfs.co.uk

05/05/2026

Back at our desk …

After a difficult few weeks, it feels good to be returning to the work we love.

Supporting business owners and listening to their challenges, helping them find clarity, watching them grow is something we genuinely care about and right now, getting back to that feels like exactly the right thing to do.

Thank you to everyone who has reached out with such kindness and support. The business community we are part of has shown us just how generous people can be, and we won't forget that.

Katharine House Hospice were extraordinary in their care and support, and if you ever feel moved to support them, they are truly deserving.

🌐 www.katharinehouse.org.uk

We're here, we're ready, and we're looking forward to reconnecting with clients old and new.

If you've been thinking about getting your finances in better shape, or just want a conversation now is a great time to reach out.

[email protected]
www.horntonfs.co.uk

27/04/2026

The last month has been, I think, the most testing of all.

What has helped us through, is that we have had so much support from family, friends, the medical team and clients.

The routine of life and work is returning, which, to be honest, is the best tonic.

My husband, son and I want to thank everyone for all their support recently, and the amazing team at Katharine House Hospice who have been with us every step of the way.

With this support, we are able to return to our lives, as different as they are, but with motivation and acceptance. It is the start of the journey but we feel we have made a start.

Thankyou so much, as we return to routine and look forward to enjoying our work once again.

11/03/2026

Founders, a privilege…

Some of our clients are highly motivated founders at the start of their journey, and it is great to see the enthusiasm and professionalism they bring to what they are doing.

They are focused, driven, and clearly building something they really believe in. It is so interesting to see how these journeys develop.

For us, it is such a privilege to be able to support clients at the very start of their business journey and then watch them grow as their businesses develop.

At each stage there are different decisions to make, how to structure things, how to plan for growth, and how to manage the challenges that come with running a business. Being able to guide and support them through those stages is incredibly rewarding.

Helping young businesses find their feet and grow into something successful is one of the parts of the job we enjoy the most.

Clarity. Insight. Success.

If you're starting out in business and would like some guidance, feel free to get in touch.

Send us a message here

www.horntonfs.co.uk
[email protected]

23/02/2026

Recently we met a prospective client for coffee.

This is what we do, before taking on a client we have a discovery meeting, a chance to ask some questions but more importantly to listen and answer question ourselves.

We spent half an hour talking about her business and the journey she’s been on. Founded some years ago, the company has performed well. But more recently, things started to feel too stretched. Revenue is strong, but profits have been gradually reducing.

It was interesting to hear how the business started and evolved. In the early days, with a small team and relatively low running costs, things worked well.

As the business grew, so did the complexity, overheads increased, and margins began to reduce. They are still making a profit, but this has reduced and they are concerned about the direction they are travelling in.

These are exactly the kinds of conversations we have with businesses at Hornton.

Management teams who are doing many things right, staying profitable, but recognise that something needs looking at and need support.

Once engaged, our role is to step back, dissect the financials, and look at what is really driving the change in results. Because only by understanding the current position and how you got there can you gain the clarity needed to move forward with confidence.

- Clarity leads to insight
- Insight leads to better decisions.
- Better decisions lead to stronger outcomes.

This approach has been pivotal for many of our clients, and it’s why they continue to work with us year on year.

If your business is experiencing similar pressures or you would just and like a fresh perspective, you can contact us by DM or by email at [email protected]

Address

Banbury
OX171HL

Website

http://Horntonfs.co.uk/

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