The Accounts Centre

28/05/2026

Bank branches disappearing might not sound like big news anymore.

But for many small businesses, it still causes real problems.

The government has now launched an independent review into access to face to face banking across the UK.

While online banking works well for many businesses, others still rely on local branches for paying in cash, handling change, or getting support quickly when issues arise.

As more branches close, it becomes harder for some businesses to operate efficiently day to day.

It is a reminder that convenience is not always the same for every business.

Sometimes the small operational things have the biggest impact.

26/05/2026

A lot of people are worried about retirement savings right now.

A new report from the Pensions Commission says around 15 million people in the UK are currently under saving for retirement.

Some of the findings were eye opening.

45% of working age adults are not paying into a pension at all.
Only 1 in 25 self employed workers is actively saving for retirement.
Many people are withdrawing pension pots early and spending them straight away.

It is easy to push pensions down the priority list, especially when costs are high and cash flow is tight.

But small contributions made consistently over time can make a huge difference later on.

If you have not reviewed your pension for a while, now is probably a good time to check where you stand.

21/05/2026

The Final Blog of May is live!!!

Click this link to give it a quick read:

19/05/2026

Most businesses do not need a revolutionary idea to improve profit.

Usually, it comes down to tightening up a few basics consistently.

Almost every profit improvement falls into one of four areas.

1. Get better customers
Not all customers are good customers.

Some take too much time, create stress, and barely make you money. Work out which customers are actually profitable and focus on attracting more like them.

2. Sell more to existing customers
This is often the easiest win.

Your existing customers already trust you. Ask yourself what else they need that you could provide.

3. Put prices up
Many businesses avoid this for too long.

If certain jobs always overrun or become difficult, the price is probably wrong. The right customers will pay for value.

4. Cut waste, not essentials
Review subscriptions, software, suppliers, and little costs that quietly build up over time.

You would be surprised how much money leaks out of a business unnoticed.

Improving profit is rarely one big decision.

It is usually a series of smaller ones done consistently over time.

14/05/2026

Credit control is not glamorous.

But it is one of the main things that keeps a business alive.

A lot of businesses do not struggle because they are unprofitable. They struggle because cash arrives too late.

One customer paying 30 days late can put real pressure on a small business.

A few simple habits make a huge difference.

Send invoices quickly
The longer an invoice sits unsent, the longer you wait to get paid.

Set clear payment terms
If your terms are 14 days, act like they are 14 days.
Not 45.

Chase early and professionally
Most good businesses expect a reminder if payment is overdue.
It is not rude. It is normal.

Watch for changes in behaviour
If a usually reliable customer starts paying late, pay attention.
It can be an early warning sign.

Make it routine
Good credit control is consistent.
Not reactive.

The businesses that stay on top of cash flow are usually not the loudest or flashiest. They are often just disciplined with the basics.

12/05/2026

Another new blog is live!

This one looks at e-invoicing for SMEs and the practical steps businesses should start taking now before the 2029 rollout.

Most businesses are less prepared than they think. Clean data, better processes and the right systems will matter far more than rushing into new software.

07/05/2026

Starting a business is exciting.

Growing one is different.

The decisions you make early on will shape how easy things are later. Here are five that matter more than most.

Be clear on the problem
People do not buy features. They buy solutions.

Know who your customer is, what problem they have, and why they would choose you.

Watch your cash
Profit is one thing. Cash is another.

Many businesses fail because money runs out at the wrong time.
A simple cash forecast can save you a lot of stress.

Do not build a business that depends on you
In the early days, you do everything.

But growth means building systems others can follow.
Simple processes and checklists go a long way.

Think about people early
Who you hire matters.

Set standards early.
It is much easier than fixing problems later.

Track a few key numbers
You do not need everything.

But you do need something.
Know what drives sales, retention, and time.

05/05/2026

Our May news round up is live!

This month we look at energy costs for businesses, changes to consumer spending, Help to Buy findings, and how unprepared many SMEs are for e-invoicing.

Check it out:

May’s updates highlight a continued theme across the UK economy. Energy costs for businesses remain high, consumer behaviour is shifting, and policy changes

28/04/2026

Apple has just announced its next CEO.

Tim Cook will step aside in 2026, with a long planned handover to someone who has been in the business for 25 years.

Big company.
But the lessons apply to small businesses too.

Here are three worth thinking about.

Succession is not a last minute decision
Apple has clearly been planning this for years.

In smaller businesses, succession often gets left too late.
If you want to step back one day, the process needs to start well before that.

Internal successors reduce risk
Promoting from within brings continuity.

They already understand the business, the people, and the way things work.
An external hire can disrupt more than people expect.

Stepping back needs structure
Tim Cook is not disappearing. He is moving into a defined role.

This is where many owners struggle.
Stay too involved and you slow things down.
Step away too fast and things can drift.

Getting that balance right matters.

Full article here:

Apple announced Tim Cook will become executive chairman of Apple’s board of directors and John Ternus will become Apple’s next CEO.

23/04/2026

Quick tip most people miss.

If you earn interest on savings, you might be paying tax without realising.

Banks no longer deduct tax at source. It is your responsibility to report it.

You do get a Personal Savings Allowance
£1,000 if you are a basic rate taxpayer
£500 if you are higher rate
£0 if you are additional rate

Anything above that is taxable.

With interest rates still relatively high, more people are crossing that limit without noticing. Especially if you have money spread across multiple accounts.

If you are employed, HMRC often adjusts your tax code to collect it.
If you do a tax return, you need to include it yourself.

It is one of those small things that can turn into an unexpected bill later.

Worth a quick check.