M Webb Accounting & Payroll Ltd

30/01/2026

Small business friends, if you’re a sole trader, freelancer, or company director who hasn’t filed your Self Assessment yet, this is it – crunch time. No judgment here (we’ve all been busy), but please don’t ignore this! Missing the deadline will cost you at least £100 in HMRC fines right off the, and the fines only go up from there.
The good news: You still have time this weekend to get it done.
The deadline for filing and paying your tax bill is tomorrow night (31st January) at midnight.
Don’t miss it.

28/01/2026

It’s Data Privacy Day — so let’s have a quick, honest chat about how you’re protecting the financial data that keeps your business running.
If you’re a growing service-based business, you’re already handling a lot of sensitive information — client details, invoices, payment data, payroll… the works. Your clients trust you with it.
And while earning that trust takes years, losing it can take one breach.
Here are a few gentle prompts to check whether your data protection game is as strong as your ambition:
When did you last update your passwords?
If your go-to is still “Password123”, it’s time for an upgrade. Strong, unique passwords + a password manager = a very easy win.
Is two-factor authentication switched on?
For your accounting software, email, banking apps… all the important stuff.
Yes, it adds 5 seconds to login. No, you won’t regret it.
How are you sharing documents with your bookkeeper or accountant?
If spreadsheets are still flying around via email, it might be time to move to a secure portal or encrypted files. Regular email is handy… but not exactly Fort Knox.
I care about this because safeguarding client data is genuinely non-negotiable for me.
If you’d like to know more about the secure systems, portals, and GDPR-friendly processes I use behind the scenes, drop a comment or send a DM.
Happy to walk you through how I keep your numbers safe — and how you can do the same.
Stay safe out there — financially and digitally.

26/01/2026

New year, fresh start. But let's skip the resolutions that fade by February.
Reflect on last year - What went well financially? What didn't? Maybe you landed great clients but got hit with a surprise tax bill. Jot down 2-3 takeaways. They'll shape your goals.
Set 1-3 specific goals for 2026 - Not "make more money." Try: Increase net profit by 5%. Save £50k buffer by year-end. Cut business debt in half. Hire once revenue hits £X. Specific and measurable wins.
Break goals into actions - A goal without a plan is just a wish. Want to save £10k? That's £833/month. Set up automatic transfers. Cut one expense. Add one upsell. If your goal is revenue growth, decide: "Contact 5 potential clients weekly" or "Increase marketing spend 20% in Q1 and track results."
Schedule key dates now - Mark your calendar: tax deadlines (31 Jan, 6 Jul), VAT quarters, annual accounts due date. Add your own: "Price review in June," "Mid-year budget check in July." Set a monthly money date with yourself - one hour to review accounts and track progress.
Get accountability - Tell someone your top goal. Your bookkeeper, a business friend, your team. If your team knows you're improving profit margins, they'll help reduce waste. If your bookkeeper knows you're cutting costs, they'll flag opportunities.
What's one financial goal you're setting for 2026?
Need help turning goals into action plans? Let's talk.

23/01/2026

Most business owners plan based on revenue goals alone.
But revenue means nothing without profit, cashflow, and capacity behind it.
Your plan becomes far more powerful when it’s built around real numbers and clear priorities.
Good planning gives direction. Great planning gives clarity.
What’s the first thing you want to change about your business this year?

21/01/2026

Business growth doesn't happen by accident.
It starts with understanding your numbers, knowing your margins, and making decisions based on data rather than hope.
The businesses that grow consistently are the ones that review performance regularly and adjust quickly.
Growth is a process, not a moment.
What financial decision have you been putting off?

20/01/2026

Most sole traders miss out on legitimate business expenses because they're unsure what's allowed.
From home working to mileage, software, training and professional fees, these small costs add up to real tax savings.
The key is keeping clear, consistent records throughout the year so nothing gets lost.
Understanding your allowable expenses isn't about reducing tax for the sake of it. It's about keeping more of the money you worked hard to earn.
Which expenses are you unsure about claiming?

19/01/2026

Your Books Can Actually Drive Growth (Here's How)
Most business owners see bookkeeping as a compliance job - something you do for the taxman. But your numbers can actually tell you exactly where to focus for growth.
Here's what to look for:
Find your profit stars - Not all revenue is equal. Calculate gross profit by product or service line. What has the highest margin? What brings repeat buyers? Focus your energy there. The 80/20 rule usually applies - 20% of your offerings generate 80% of profit.
Plug the leaks - Growth isn't just about more sales. Regular financial reviews show where money's disappearing. Duplicate software subscriptions? Supplier costs that crept up? Small leaks add up fast.
Forecast properly - Set a revenue goal, then map out the costs and cash needed to support it. Want to grow 50% next year? Can your inventory investment handle that? Does your marketing budget align? Better to spot cash gaps now than scramble later.
Track what matters - Pick 2-3 metrics and watch them monthly. Debtor days, gross margin, customer acquisition cost - whatever drives growth in your business. What gets measured gets improved.
Get a second opinion - You're too close to your own numbers. A quarterly review with someone who can spot patterns you're missing is worth it. "This service takes 20% of your time but only brings 5% of revenue" - those insights change everything.
Try this: Next time you update your books, take 30 minutes to analyse one thing. Profit margin by service? Monthly sales trends over the past year? Why were March and October so different?
Your bookkeeping is intelligence. Use it to make better decisions.
Want help turning your numbers into a growth plan? Let's talk.

16/01/2026

Few directors understand how the DLA works until it causes a problem.
Unplanned withdrawals or personal costs put through the business can create unexpected tax consequences.
Reviewing the account regularly avoids surprises at year end.
Clarity now protects you later.
When did you last review your director's loan?

15/01/2026

Is Your Bookkeeping System Working Against You?
If your sales have grown but you're spending more time on bookkeeping than ever, your system needs an upgrade.
Here's what actually works:
Go cloud-based - Move from spreadsheets to proper accounting software. Your bank feeds import automatically. Sales sync through. Manual data entry? Gone.
Set up bank rules - Teach your software once that "BT = phone expense" and it remembers forever. Most transactions will categorise themselves after a few weeks.
Ditch the shoebox - Use a receipt app. Snap photos as you get receipts. The app reads the details and attaches everything to the right transaction. No more fading paper.
Automate invoicing - Create and send invoices through your accounting software. It tracks due dates and chases late payments automatically. Your cash flow will improve.
Build a routine - Don't save everything for month-end. Do a weekly finance hour instead. Review what's imported, approve transactions, scan remaining receipts. Regular and manageable beats monthly marathons.
Know when to hand it off - Handle day-to-day transactions yourself if they're easy. Pass off reconciliation, VAT prep, or anything that takes you away from growing your business.
Good systems take effort to set up. But once they're running? You'll go from 8+ hours of frustration each month to about an hour of maintenance.
Your system should work for you, not against you.
What's your biggest bookkeeping time-saver?

14/01/2026

Sole traders: are you accidentally giving HMRC a tip?
So many new clients tell me they only claimed “a laptop and some stationery” last year… which usually means they’ve paid more tax than they needed to.
Not because they’ve done anything wrong — simply because they didn’t realise what else counts as an allowable business expense.
Here are a few of the most commonly missed ones:
Working from home
A portion of your heating, electricity, rent/mortgage interest — or the simplified flat rate — can all be claimed.
Phone + internet
If you use your personal mobile or broadband for work, you can claim a fair percentage of the bill.
Mileage
Those client visits, supply runs, and business trips add up. 45p per mile for the first 10,000 miles is far more than people realise.
Equipment & subscriptions
Laptops, software, printer ink, business apps — even the small stuff counts.
Professional fees & training
Memberships, relevant courses, business coaching, and yes… your bookkeeper’s fees too 😉
If it’s “wholly and exclusively” for business, it’s probably deductible — and those deductions directly reduce your taxable profit.
If you’re unsure whether something qualifies, drop me a message.
A quick chat could save you more than you think.

13/01/2026

13/01/2026

Most businesses lose money because they’re too polite to chase payments.
Credit control isn’t confrontation. It’s consistency.
Clear terms, automated reminders, and strong follow-up make all the difference.
Late payments aren’t a pricing issue. They’re a process issue.
How quickly do your customers pay you?