DRIVING BUSINESS GROWTH
If you have ever been surprised by an unexpected cost, or ‘lucky’ windfall, you are not in control of your business, you are a passenger.
Many small businesses do not have true financial oversight of their activities and therefore don't actively measure and manage their success.
Typically, efforts go into securing business and driving growth without much thought about whether those efforts are focused most efficiently.
This is not about your annual accounts or VAT/tax returns. Statutory accountants keep you legal. We are management accountants; we help you to take control of your business by helping you to take control of the money.
We work closely with a wide range of small and medium sized business owners to help them take control of the finances, understand where the money is going, and identify where the opportunities for growth are.
Developing regular financial reporting processes allows a business to move away from making decisions based on gut instinct or personal bias. With the right tools SMEs are able to develop the sound commercial decision making processes demonstrated by much larger companies, and challenge their competitors in the process.
HOW WE CAN HELP
BUDGETING
Budgeting puts your hands on the steering wheel.
Every company should set out relevant budgets ahead of each year’s trading.
If you don’t budget you cannot reasonably know if you are on track during the year, and you are more likely to be surprised by the numbers.
If you budget you can accrue money for possible cost increases and build reserves.
QUARTERLY FORECASTING
Once you have a budget you need to manage it.
Reviewing your numbers once a quarter allows you to make sure you are on track.
By forecasting you spot unexpected costs, which means you can do something about them. It stops you compounding mistakes.
Forecasting allows you to identify areas that are making more money than you expected, so you can exploit those opportunities and inform your business plan.
PROFIT AND LOSS ANALYSIS
Translating numbers into understandable language and clear action points.
A comprehensive monthly profit and loss statement is your primary tool to control the performance of your business.
Many SMEs think they understand the margin they work on, and have a grip on their cost base, but without a comprehensive monthly P&L there is no way to sense check these assumptions.
The introduction of a monthly P&L with exceptions highlighted is the quickest way to start driving positive financial grip in a business.
TESTIMONIALS
Amazed at the positive difference just a few days input made to the business.
Great working with Sarah, she has a real knack with demystifying numbers.
Leigh Wilkinson
I can't believe the money we were wasting without even realising it!
Thoroughly recommend getting Sarah to look at your numbers.
Helen Jenkins
Great, jargon free service that helped us secure a national contract at tender.