SLW Accountancy

01/07/2025

🚨 The Real Reason You’re Always Chasing Cash (Even When You’re Flat-Out Busy)

"Booked solid, but still skint? 🤯
You’re not alone — and it’s not about working harder."

You’re smashing jobs out every week. The diary’s full.
So why’s the bank balance always low… and the stress always high?

Here’s the brutal truth:
Being busy ≠ being profitable.

💥 If your invoices aren’t being tracked...
💥 If payments are going out faster than they come in...
💥 If you're guessing your prices and hoping for the best...

Then you’ve got a cash flow problem — not a work ethic problem.

3 QUICK WAYS TO FIX IT:

✅ 1. Set clear payment terms upfront.
No more waiting weeks to get paid. 7-day terms. Auto reminders. Be firm but fair.

✅ 2. Track what’s owed and what’s paid.
Use a spreadsheet or accounting app (like Xero) to stay on top. If you don’t track it, you can’t chase it.

✅ 3. Review your pricing.
You might be doing £5,000/month in jobs… but spending £4,800 on materials, fuel, and labour.
That’s not profit — it’s surviving.

Want help sorting your cash flow?
We work with trades businesses like yours to get the numbers working for you — so you keep more of what you earn.

03/06/2025

📣 It’s June… and if your bookkeeping still isn’t sorted, it’s time.

Too many trade business owners leave it until VAT deadlines or year-end to try and figure out what’s going on. By then, it’s chaos – chasing receipts, guessing who owes you, and hoping you’ve got enough for the tax bill.

If that sounds like you, here’s the truth 👇
✅ You should always know who owes YOU
✅ You should always know who YOU owe
✅ You should be able to open your phone and see if you’re making profit – not wonder where the money’s gone

Good bookkeeping isn’t about ticking a box for the taxman. It’s about running your business like a business.
Profitably. Calmly. Confidently.

These days, you don’t need piles of paper. Snap receipts on the go. Upload invoices in seconds. Track jobs and cashflow without spreadsheets and guesswork.

📲 If you’ve ever taken a photo on site, you’ve got the skills to do this – or better yet, hand it off to someone who gets trades and knows how to keep you organised (and tax-efficient).

👉 I’m now taking on a few new clients who are ready to get sorted, stay sorted, and actually feel in control of their numbers.

Drop me a message if you want to chat. Let’s get this off your plate before it causes you more stress (or costs you more tax).

08/05/2025

🚨 Making Tax Digital for Income Tax is coming — are you ready?

From April 2026, quarterly reporting to HMRC will become mandatory for:

✅ Sole traders with gross income over £50,000
✅ Landlords with rental income over £50,000
✅ Or a combined income from both sources totalling £50,000+

This is not based on your profit — it's your total income from the 2024/25 tax return that determines whether you're in the first group affected.

If you're still using paper records or Excel spreadsheets, now is the time to make the shift. Waiting until the deadline will only add stress.

📲 At SLW Accountancy Limited, we help sole traders and landlords move to easy-to-use digital systems so you're fully compliant and in control of your figures — not just ticking HMRC’s boxes, but understanding your business better too.

✅ Simple software
✅ Ongoing support
✅ Tax done right, every quarter

💬 If you know your income is over £50k, get in touch — let’s get you set up before the rush.

07/05/2025

We do more than just “put the numbers together.” 💼🔍

At SLW Accountancy, we help you understand your numbers — so you can make smarter decisions that actually move the needle. Whether it's boosting profits, improving cash flow, reducing tax, or planning for the future, we're here to guide you every step of the way.

✅ Want to know which jobs are actually making money?
✅ Need help using your software day-to-day — not just leaving it to your accountant or bookkeeper?
✅ Ready to stop guessing and start planning?

Your software should be a tool YOU use to stay in control — not just something you log into once a year.

We don’t just “do the books.” We help you use your figures to grow your business with less stress.

📩 Drop us a message if you're ready to take back control.

09/04/2025

☀️ The sun’s out and we’ve had a run of good weather – which means most trades are getting busier by the day. April’s here, the new tax year has started, and now is the perfect time to get your systems sorted before summer chaos kicks in.

📲 Start with your receipts – snap them into Hubdoc as soon as you buy something (or at least weekly). Don’t let things pile up.
✅ It’s quick
✅ Saves stress
✅ And means you’re not wasting time chasing paperwork later

But beyond that – this is also the time to get clear on your project costs.

If you don’t know:
🔸 What each job is costing you
🔸 Where your profit is on each project
🔸 Or if you’re even pricing jobs right

…then it’s time to get a system in place.

Keep your books up to date. Track your costs per job. And make sure you’ve got a trusted advisor in your corner – someone who can help you understand your numbers and make smart decisions.

Don’t wait until you’re drowning in summer work. Get sorted now and stay in control.

27/03/2025

🚨 Tradespeople – Still Chasing Invoices? Read This 👇
I speak to a lot of roofers, landscapers, and other trades every week…

And one thing keeps coming up:

“The job’s done, but I’m still waiting to get paid.”

Sound familiar?

If you’re fed up chasing money and wondering where your cash flow’s gone — I’ve put together a free guide to help you get back in control.

It’s called The Fast Cash Fix, and it shows you:

✅ How to get paid UPFRONT (without losing the job)
✅ How to split payments across the project to keep cash flowing
✅ The exact words to use on quotes so clients don’t delay payment
✅ Easy follow-up templates when payment is late

It’s short, simple, and already helping trades business owners get paid faster — and stress less.

📩 Want a copy?
Drop a “FAST” in the comments and I’ll DM it to you.

(If you’re serious about sorting your cash flow this year, you’ll want this.)

Download The Fast Cash Fix guide and discover how to get paid before the job starts, avoid late payments, and boost your cash flow – stress-free.

19/03/2025

🚨 Tax Year-End is Coming – Have You Taken Action? 🚨

If your tax year-end is 31st March or 5th April, now is the time to legally reduce your tax bill while reinvesting in your business.

✅ Need new tools or equipment? Buy now and claim them under the Annual Investment Allowance (AIA) 💪
✅ Thinking about upgrading your van? You might be able to deduct the cost! 🚐
✅ Paying into a pension? Reduce your taxable profit while saving for the future 📈
✅ Claim ALL allowable expenses – fuel, workwear, training, software… it all adds up! 💼
✅ Writing off bad debts? Don’t let unpaid invoices inflate your tax bill!

These are 100% legitimate ways to keep more money in your business instead of handing it to HMRC. But the deadline is fast approaching!

💬 Want tailored tax-saving advice for your trade business? Drop me a message or comment below! Let’s make sure you’re not paying more tax than you need to! 👇👇

26/02/2025

🚨 Tired of Chasing Payments? This is for You! 🚨
If you’re a trades business owner, you know the pain of:

❌ Customers dragging their feet on payments
❌ Finishing a job… then waiting weeks (or months) to get paid
❌ Awkwardly chasing invoices, feeling like a debt collector
❌ Running jobs out of your own pocket while waiting for cash to come in

The worst part? It doesn’t have to be this way!

I’ve put together a simple system to help you:

✅ Get paid upfront (without scaring customers off)
✅ Set up staged payments so cash keeps flowing
✅ Stop late payments before they even happen
✅ Avoid ever chasing an invoice again

💥 COMING SOON: The Fast Cash Fix – your no-BS guide to getting paid ON TIME, EVERY TIME.

If you want early access before it drops, comment "FAST CASH" below and I’ll make sure you’re the first to get it! 👇💰

18/02/2025

💰 Are You Guessing How Much You Need to Earn? Or Do You Actually Know?

Most trades business owners—whether you’re a fencer, landscaper, roofer, or electrician—work hard every day, taking on jobs and hoping the money adds up at the end of the month.

But here’s the real question…
👉 Have you actually sat down and worked out how much you NEED to earn?

I don’t mean just "enough to get by." I mean:
✅ Enough to cover ALL your running costs (fuel, tools, materials, insurance… the lot!)
✅ Enough to pay YOURSELF properly (not just what’s left after everyone else is paid!)
✅ Enough to cover tax (so you’re not hit with a nasty surprise from HMRC!)
✅ Enough profit to grow your business, take a holiday, or buy that shiny new tool you’ve been eyeing up!

So, How Do You Work It Out?
Simple—work backwards!

💡 Let’s say you want to take home £50k per year. Here’s a rough breakdown:
📌 £50,000 for you
📌 £15,000 for tax & NI
📌 £35,000 for business costs (van, tools, materials, rent, insurance, etc.)
📌 £10,000 extra to reinvest & grow
➡️ You need £110,000 revenue per year

Now, break it down:
✔️ £110,000 per year = £9,167 per month
✔️ £9,167 per month = £2,115 per week
✔️ If your average job is worth £1,500, you need 1.5 jobs per week to hit your goal.

👀 Suddenly, the numbers are clear, and you’re not just hoping you’ll make enough—you’re planning for it.

Stop Guessing. Start Growing.
Most trades business owners just hope they’ll make enough money. The smart ones plan for it.

So, be honest—have you worked out your income goal? Or are you just taking on jobs and hoping it all adds up?

Drop a comment below 👇 or send me a message—I help UK trades businesses set clear income goals so they can stop stressing and start growing.

14/02/2025

💖 Roses are red, violets are blue… when was the last time your business showed love to YOU? 💖

📢 Let’s be real—your business is one of the longest relationships you’ll ever have. But is it a happy one? Or are late invoices, messy books, and unexpected tax bills giving you heartache? 💔

💡 Here’s how to fall back in love with your business:
✅ Know your numbers – Understanding profits & costs = less stress.
✅ Get paid faster – Late payments shouldn’t be part of the relationship.
✅ Plan for tax savings – Because nobody loves a surprise HMRC bill!

If your business is making you feel more "it’s complicated" than true love, let’s chat. 💬 I can help you keep more of what you earn & take the stress out of bookkeeping.

💬 Drop a ❤️ if you love getting paid on time!

12/02/2025

💸 You Got Paid… But Did You Actually Make a Profit?

Getting paid for a job feels great—but that doesn’t always mean you made a profit.

For fencing contractors, landscapers, gardeners, and other trades, it’s easy to forget how quickly costs can add up. Between materials, labour, fuel, and even tool maintenance, your earnings can disappear faster than you think if you’re not tracking your numbers.

Why You Should Track Job Costs

If you’re not keeping an eye on what you’re spending, you could be underquoting without realizing it. Comparing your quotes to actual costs helps you:

✅ Spot where you’re overspending
✅ Adjust future quotes so you’re not working for less
✅ Boost your profits without taking on more jobs
✅ Avoid nasty surprises when it comes to cash flow

What Costs Should You Keep an Eye On?

It’s not just about materials and labour. Here’s what you should be tracking on every job:

🔨 Materials – From fencing panels to landscaping supplies (don’t forget delivery charges!)
👷 Labour – Your time AND any subcontractors you hire
🚚 Travel Expenses – Fuel, vehicle wear & tear, and time spent driving to the site
🛠️ Tool Maintenance & Replacements – Tools don’t last forever!
🗑️ Waste Disposal – Skip hire or fees to clear up after a job
📝 Admin Time – Quoting, invoicing, chasing payments… it all adds up
📜 Insurance & Certifications – Make sure you’re spreading these costs across your jobs

How to Make It Easier with Xero

Tracking costs doesn’t mean drowning in paperwork. With Xero, you can easily see where your money’s going and compare it to your quotes.

Here’s how you can simplify it:

1️⃣ Tracking Categories – Tag every expense and bit of income to a specific project, so you know exactly how much each job costs you.
2️⃣ Xero Projects – A great tool to record time, track costs in real-time, and even send quotes & invoices. Plus, you can quickly see if you made a profit or not!
3️⃣ Regular Reviews – After every job, compare your quote to what you actually spent. Are you underestimating materials? Is labour taking longer than expected? Adjust your future quotes based on what you find.

Final Thought

Being busy isn’t the same as being profitable.

By tracking your job costs and regularly comparing them to your quotes, you can make sure every project is making you money, not just keeping you busy.

If you’re not sure where to start or need help setting up your job costing in Xero, send me a message. I help trades businesses like yours boost profits and reduce stress by making sure your numbers work for you—not against you!

11/02/2025

🛠️ Fencing Contractors: Are Your Quotes Making You Enough Profit?

Quoting a fencing job isn’t just about materials, plant hire, and labour. If you’re not including indirect costs, you could be working for less than you think.

Here are some common costs that get missed in quotes:

👉 Admin time – Quoting, invoicing, and chasing payments takes time.
👉 Insurance & certifications – Liability cover isn’t free, and it adds up over the year.
👉 Tool maintenance & replacements – Tools wear out. Are you budgeting for that?
👉 Travel costs & vehicle wear – It’s not just about fuel; your van takes a hit too.
👉 Waste disposal & skip hire – Clearing up after a job costs money.

And here’s the kicker…
💥 When was the last time you compared your quotes to your actual job costs?

If you’re not reviewing your jobs regularly, you might be losing money without even knowing it. The contractors I work with have boosted their profits just by making sure their quotes match reality.

Want to know how to price your jobs for profit and peace of mind? Drop me a message—I’m here to help fencing businesses like yours make more money without the stress.