Money Talk
As well as visiting the links on this page to help you with the money side of your business, you might also like to try out these very useful calculators, supplied to us by the kind people at Palo Alto — specialists in business planning software.
There's no question that good planning helps you run a better business. These tools will help you make sure you don't run out of money.
Organisations
Accountants
The Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) — professional membership body for accountants who specialise in tax.
ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) — international body for accountants. ACCA also provides advice on choosing an accountant and you can search online for an ACCA member or an ACCA business adviser.
Institute of Chartered Accountants (England & Wales) — online directory of chartered accountants and FAQs relating to running a small business.
Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS) — the world's first professional body of accountants.
Association of British Insurers — the Association of British Insurers is the trade association for the UK's insurance industry.
Banking
Banking Liaison Group — Provides a professional service to UK businesses in getting business finance at good terms and providing advices on disputes and other banking issues.
Abbey National Business Banking
Bank of Scotland
HBOS (Halifax/Bank of Scotland)
Natwest
The Royal Bank of Scotland
www.rbs.co.uk
Better Payment Practice Group — website promoting good payment practice among UK businesses. You can sign up to a code of practice.
Business Link — Business Link is an easy to use business support, advice and information service managed by the DTI. Free downloadable publications such as A User’s Guide to late payment legislation and many more.
ChargeChecker — business software to help you to check your bank charges.
www.chargechecker.co.ukGrants and finance
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) — the Small Firms Loan Guarantee (SFLG) guarantees loans from the banks and other financial institutions for small firms that have viable business proposals but who have tried and failed to get a conventional loan because of lack of security.
www.dti.gov.uk/sflgFinancial Ombudsman — provides consumers with a free independent service for solving disputes with financial firms.
Grantfinder — advises and guides both industrial and professional clients on all matters relating to grant aid – from identifying what is available to whom, through to making an application. www.grantfinder.co.uk
Grant Guide — aimed at businesses, public sector organisations and their advisers, Grant-guide.com is designed to help users find the best form of funding for them.
Grants and equity — The BVCA represents around 165 private equity and venture capital firms. In conjunction with PricewaterCoopers, they have produced a Guide to Private Equity aimed at entrepreneurs considering private equity and venture capital as an option for raising investment. Available as a free download from their website.
Her Majesty’s Courts Service — forms and links to related guidance.
www.hmcourts-service.gov.ukInsolvency Service — an Executive Agency of the Department of Trade and Industry which deals with insolvency matters in England and Wales. The Redundancy Payments Service is part of The Insolvency Service and deals with redundancy and associated payments in England, Scotland and Wales.
www.insolvency.gov.ukInstitute of Business Advisers (IBA) — provides information for
business advice professionals.
www.iba.org.ukj4b — register to search for information about grants within your area or market sector. You are sent regular updates of any new information and grants available.
www.j4bgrants.co.ukNational Business Angels Network (NBAN) — Trade Association representing the UK’s Business Angel Networks. Established in 1999 and supported by the DTI, NBAN ‘can help identify the right investors with the right management and skills while protecting confidentiality and commercial interests’.
www.vcr1978.comUK businesses — contains a search facility to help organisations looking for funding. The industry body for asset finance.
www.fla.org.ukTaxation
Chartered Institute of Taxation (CTA, ATII, FTII) — the professional body for Chartered Tax Advisers; can help you find one in your area.
www.tax.org.ukHM Revenue & Customs
• National Advice Service (VAT) — www.hmrc.gov.uk
• New employer’s helpline — www.hmrc.gov.uk
