The Invoice Lifecycle Understanding the accounts payable process An invoice goes through various stages, from the moment a sale occurs to when you get paid. Understanding and managing every step efficiently can make a massive difference to your bottom line, especially in the case of new start-ups and small businesses. By understanding all... Read more

Is adopting accounting software worth the time? You will often hear your Accountant, or more likely your bookkeeper, speak about a "Chart of Accounts" or "General Ledger" which stores all of your business transactions in much the same way that the cupboards, shelves and draws in your kitchen are used to store the pots, pans and ingredients... Read more

Mind your own bees wax There is a common misconception in business that doing something manually without external help is more cost effective than getting someone else to do it for you. There are many distractions facing business owners today and unless they focus on the areas that bring in the greatest return they are... Read more

The perils of shoebox accounting for SMEs Small business offices around the country contain shoe boxes full of business receipts and invoices. As the months roll by and the data accumulates, your business is sitting on a growing problem. I believe that maintaining financial information in a digital form is an essential survival tool and a competitive... Read more

Accounting automatons Remember how the rise of the PC was going to free us from mundane tasks, opening up great swathes of time for more interesting activities? Accounting software is one area where that promise came true. Helen Bradley considers the options. It’s not a glamour application but accounting software is, nevertheless,... Read more