Discover cost-effective ways to upskill your staff, from online training to available grants. Learn how small businesses can boost skills without overspending. For small businesses, staying competitive often means doing more with less. Upskilling your staff can help bridge skills gaps, boost productivity, and improve retention, without the need for constant recruitment. But with tight budgets and limited time, many business owners wonder how to upskill staff effectively and a

Are you overtrading? Spot the warning signs early and learn how to fix cash flow strain before it damages your business growth. Learn how you can prevent the dangers of overtrading and the measures you can put in place to grow sustainably and protect your bottom line. Overtrading may seem like a good problem to have in business. After all, landing a big contract means more orders and more sales. However, the risks of overtrading shouldn’t be ignored. A sudden rise in demand c

Open Banking lets small businesses securely share financial data, simplifying access to finance, improving cash flow & accounting. It also enables easier, more secure, and cheaper customer payments, offering a competitive edge. It's a UK government-backed initiative for better business management. What is Open Banking? Open Banking is a way for you to safely and securely share your business’s financial data, such as your bank transactions or account details, with other truste

Getting all the details in black and white is crucial. We share our top tips for writing your next freelance contract and explain why they’re so important.  Why are contracts so important as a freelancer? No matter what kind of freelance work you're doing, contracts are part of everyday life as a freelancer, but the devil is in the detail. A freelancing contract, commonly in the form of a contract for services or consultancy agreement, should include the details and expectat

Confused by IR35 rules? Our tax specialists from FSB Tax Investigation Protection explain what the new rules mean for freelancers working in the private sector. This content was last reviewed in August 2024. We’re here to help you understand the ins and outs of the off-payroll working changes introduced into the private sector in April 2021, so that you can stay compliant. What is IR35? IR35, also known as the off-payroll working rules or intermediaries legislation was origin

Learn how to approach risk management with confidence. Discover types of business risks, why risk management is important, and steps for reducing risk. With increasing liability claims, being able to identify and reduce risks can help to safeguard your financial stability. Preventing claims can keep your premiums reasonable and also enables your business to avoid significant costs and downtime from dealing with accidents. Legal and insurance experts at the Federation of Small

The Greenhouse Gas Protocol – which provides the most widely recognised accounting standards for greenhouse gas emissions – categorises...

Looking to improve your business credit score? Here are eight ways you can keep on top of your score and put yourself in the best position possible for business funding applications. Your business credit score is a measurement used to represent the status of your business’ financial health. Having a good business credit score will signify financial stability and creditworthiness to existing and potential customers, partners, suppliers and lenders. This means that whether you’

Are you a small business owner looking for ways to save time and money? Are you looking to incorporate more sustainable or energy...

Learn how to stay compliant as a start-up business. From tax to health and safety, our legal experts share four areas of business where you need to have legal documents in place. Learn how to stay compliant as a start-up business. From tax to health and safety, our legal experts share four areas of business where you need to have legal documents in place.  Setting up your own small business is exciting, but organising the paperwork is a time-consuming job as a new business o

Our guide covers the common causes of employment trials and what your first steps should be if you find yourself faced with one. Running your own team is rewarding, but if you find yourself being taken to an employment tribunal, it can be daunting, stressful and costly. Our legal experts from FSB Legal Protection Scheme explain what is involved in an employment tribunal, the issues that could cause one and the added protection available for FSB members at no extra cost.

Our guide to HMRC enquiries takes you through the whole process, including how long they take, what you need to do and how you can protect your business. As a business owner, you might find your business finances and tax position under enquiry. An enquiry by HMRC can feel like a time-consuming process that keeps you away from the task of working on your business, so knowing what to expect can alleviate some of the initial panic. What triggers a tax enquiry?

Not sure if apprenticeships are the right fit for your business? Accountancy apprenticeship provider AAT bust seven common myths about...

Get your invoices right from day one with our guide to how to write an invoice for sole traders and limited companies. From one-off freelance jobs to regular contracted work, invoicing is part and parcel of business life and ensuring you get paid on time. When you’ve just launched a new business, finance can seem like the least fun side of your business but knowing how to write a professional invoice correctly means you’ll get paid for all your hard work. What is an invoice?

Protect your data, your business, and your bottom line with these key documents, templates and guides for cyber security and data protection. Being your own boss means you’re responsible for protecting your business against the threat of cyber-attacks and data breaches. With seven million cyber-crimes targeted at small businesses in the UK every year, these incidents can happen to any business, no matter how small. It’s vital to put measures in place to safeguard your busines