Small Business Guides

Tips, tricks and accounting essentials for business success

Articles hot off the press

How to do bank reconciliation

3 min read

There’s a slow way and a fast way.

What is bank reconciliation?

3 min read

Learn why it’s so important.

What is inventory accounting and why do it?

3 min read

Learn what it can do for you.

Choosing an inventory valuation method for your business

5 min read

How to keep tabs on your stock.

What is depreciation and why should I care?

5 min read

It’s not as hard as you think.

Cash versus accrual accounting explained

3 min read

What’s the difference, anyway?

What is accounts receivable and where can it go wrong?

4 min read

The ins and outs of getting paid.

How to create your first export invoice

4 min read

What to do when something sells overseas.

How to cash in on direct debit for small business

4 min read

No more waiting for payment.

Invoicing Survival Guide

Getting paid quickly should be easy – but the invoicing process can often take more time than the work itself. Read our in-depth invoicing guide to help your business thrive.

Read guide

Invoicing Survival Guide

How to Start a Business: The Ultimate Guide

It can be hard to know where to begin when you’re starting a business. Check out our in-depth guide for tips on everything from business plans, accounting, marketing and much more.

Read guide

How to start a business guide

A Complete Guide to Hiring Staff

How do you find the best people to join your business? Read our in-depth hiring guide to help you on your hiring journey, from finding your first employee to building a team.

Read guide

Complete guide to hiring staff

Invoicing

What is accounts receivable and where can it go wrong? 4 min read
How to create your first export invoice 4 min read
How to cash in on direct debit for small business 4 min read
How to build a watertight accounts receivable process 3 min read
Got outstanding invoices? Here are 8 things you can do 3 min read
How to make an invoice that will get you paid 3 min read
Invoice format tips for beginners 3 min read
How to send an invoice (and what to do if it’s ignored) 4 min read
9 steps to an awesome invoicing process 4 min read
7 basic invoicing questions you were afraid to ask 4 min read
12 cool things online billing software can do for you 5 min read
Credit control policies and procedures for small business 5 min read
How to accept payments online 3 min read
How to simplify construction invoices, get paid sooner 4 min read
6 secrets to getting prompt payment 3 min read
Create an invoice that's accurate: 12 ideas 7 min read
How to nail invoice management 7 min read
The 7 benefits of online invoicing 7 min read
Invoice payment terms: Top seven tips 7 min read
How to streamline your invoicing process 9 min read
Why the best invoicing software is easy to use 3 min read
See more articles >

Cloud accounting

Accounting

How to do bank reconciliation 3 min read
What is bank reconciliation? 3 min read
What is inventory accounting and why do it? 3 min read
Choosing an inventory valuation method for your business 5 min read
What is depreciation and why should I care? 5 min read
Cash versus accrual accounting explained 3 min read
What is a business credit score and how to improve yours 5 min read
Creative-agency accounting 5 min read
Franchise accounting tips 8 min read
Why you need to get an accountant 7 min read
What does an accountant do? 8 min read
Take the pain out of accounting data entry 5 min read
How to create a small business budget 7 min read
Job costing for construction 4 min read
New Year’s accounting resolutions 7 min read
5 restaurant accounting software tips 5 min read
Accounting for professional services 6 min read
When you should hire an accountant 11 min read
How to choose the right accountant 12 min read
Mac accounting software that’s elegant and intuitive 7 min read
Move from Excel to accounting software 4 min read
Make small business accounting fun 3 min read
See more articles >

Payroll

Can payroll software actually save you money? 7 min read
How much should I pay my employees? 7 min read
6 ways to optimise payroll for the holidays 8 min read
Managing payroll for remote employees 5 min read
Payroll software for Mac that’s easy to use 5 min read
How to record payroll taxes accurately 5 min read
11 small business payroll trends you need to know 6 min read
How to bring your payroll system up to date 7 min read
Should you hire a payroll consultant? 7 min read
When should you add yourself to the payroll system? 7 min read
Payroll compliance for an employee’s first day 7 min read
Setting up online payroll with your bank 7 min read
10 steps to perfect small business payroll this year 8 min read
How payroll accounting software benefits your office 7 min read
Payroll software that makes things simple 6 min read
Small business payroll: To outsource or not? 5 min read
How to prevent common small business payroll mistakes 6 min read
Understanding online payroll for small business 7 min read
See more articles >

Women in business

Checklists

How to

Marketing

Bookkeeping

Business management

Your business exit strategy in 9 steps 4 min read
Starting a farm business in a flat market 7 min read
Setting up your first online store 7 min read
Questions to ask before becoming a franchisee 8 min read
Be a data-driven business 7 min read
Managing growth in a client services business 5 min read
Why your business needs online timesheets 5 min read
Track small business cashflow without spreadsheets 6 min read
Common traits of successful small business owners 3 min read
How to apply for a business loan 6 min read
B2B tips for working with big companies 7 min read
How to not grow your lifestyle business 6 min read
How to grow your family business 6 min read
When to give a raise 6 min read
How retail management software can simplify your business 5 min read
Outsourcing inventory management 7 min read
Mobile technology trends for small businesses 5 min read
How to be an effective leader: 10 tips 5 min read
How to improve gender equality in the workplace 6 min read
Home-based business productivity tips for parents 6 min read
How much should I charge? 5 min read
How to start a business 8 min read
Inventory optimisation and why it matters for your business 5 min read
How to create the perfect business plan in 10 steps 6 min read
Getting a tax refund 5 min read
How to freelance on the side 5 min read
5 important business negotiation strategies 4 min read
Get free business advice while you wait 6 min read
What to look for in a small business mentor 6 min read
How to turn your passion into a business 6 min read
5 steps to faster payment 4 min read
Beating procrastination in your small business 6 min read
Hire an independent contractor or employee? 6 min read
How to manage sales and use tax 9 min read
Automate your business expense reporting 6 min read
How to protect your business from payment fraud 5 min read
How to achieve business success 6 min read
How to build a successful ecommerce business 7 min read
How to make the most of a business internship 8 min read
What are KPIs and how can your business use them? 6 min read
How to create an efficient inventory management system 7 min read
What business reporting can tell you 7 min read
How to make price quotes work for you 7 min read
Five rules for managing small business cashflow 4 min read
Crowdfunding your business idea 7 min read
How to hire the best graduates for your business 7 min read
How angel investment can help your business 7 min read
Apprenticeship programmes are good for business 6 min read
Construction accounting basics 5 min read
How to get your work-life balance right 6 min read
How to pitch a business idea 6 min read
Make a mobile office work for your business 7 min read
Why you should use online project management software 5 min read
10 ways to stay out of debt 7 min read
How your business can compete with large retailers 7 min read
Why you should have a youth employment programme 6 min read
What you need to know about the freelance economy 6 min read
Market research for small business 4 min read
How to write a consulting business plan 7 min read
How to have a paperless office 7 min read
An introduction to cloud security 8 min read
Why you should use job and time tracking software 9 min read
Why use financial management software? 7 min read
Simple CRM for small business 8 min read
Why use business software? 5 min read
How to handle customer complaints 7 min read
The pros and cons of hiring an independent contractor 7 min read
How much should you pay yourself? 7 min read
How to hire the right employees 7 min read
How to build a great small business team 7 min read
The benefits of being an independent contractor 6 min read
How to raise money for your business: Part I 3 min read
How to raise money for your business: Part II 8 min read
How to succeed in the online retail business 4 min read
How retail POS software benefits your business 6 min read
How to build real customer loyalty 3 min read
How to manage debt 7 min read
How to manage your finances and cashflow 7 min read
How to find the best insurance for your small business 8 min read
Use online shipping to build customer loyalty 6 min read
The best inventory management software for small business 5 min read
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