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Business expenses the easy way

In a time of remote working, let’s harness the tools that allow us to do what we do, better. As a limited company owner, there’s lots to keep on top of and lots of roles and responsibilities to juggle. Especially in times as volatile as these, our focus has shifted to doing everything we can to survive and thrive in the coming weeks and months. This means keeping a close eye on the numbers, what you’re spending and what this means for the coming months ahead.  One of the simplest thin...

When is a Van not a Van?!

There has recently been the conclusion to a fairly significant tax tribunal between HMRC & Coca-Cola over how Coca-Cola have been providing their employees with crew-cab vans instead of company cars. What’s the significance of the case? Well, HMRC are now able to classify crew-vans as cars for tax purposes, which could cause a myriad of changes in how vans are used within companies and the tax effects of having those vans. Let’s explore the detail. What’s the issue? HMRC weren’t happy t...

Which accounting software should I choose?

The accounting landscape has shifted massively in the past few years. Gone are the days of spreadsheets, stacks of receipts and manually logging transactions in ledgers. With the shift to online systems, we’ve seen a revolution in the way we do business. Business owners now have the freedom to work from anywhere on any device, instead of being tied down to a single computer.  In recent years, we’ve seen a boom in online accounting software, with hundreds of tools available for forward-t...

Planning for the future of your architecture business

With a return to operations in the construction industry, now is a key time for architects to consider the core financial elements of their business to plan and adapt to the sector post-Covid-19. Keeping a close eye on the numbers will help you recover from the financial impacts of the pandemic and build an even stronger business. At Complete, we’re lucky enough to work with a range of businesses in the construction industry, helping them steer their business through the pandemic and plan...

How to boost your business

At Complete, we believe in building for better. We love helping businesses get to where they want to be. By getting the right foundations in place, we empower business owners to save time, plan for the future and achieve their goals. Because your business matters to us, we love nothing more than seeing you succeed. But this has to be underpinned by clever tools, strategy, and a clear vision of where you want to be. Whether you’re a startup or an established brand, here’s how to harness ...

Limited company accounts: what do I need to file and when?

Just set up a new limited company or transitioned from a sole trader? Congrats! Running a limited company can have some fantastic benefits and it’s an exciting next step on your journey. If you’ve made the switch from being a sole trader, there are slightly different things to consider compared to just completing a tax return as a non-incorporated business. Whilst owning a limited company comes with a lot of great benefits, it also requires more filings with government departments each year...

How easy is it to switch accountants?

Your accountant should feel like a vital part of your business. But what can you do if things aren’t working?  You might feel like your accountant doesn’t understand your business, or that you’ve just outgrown them. Maybe you’re looking for someone who has a better understanding of your needs and ambitions, someone who can provide you with more than just compliance work.  Think of your accountant as a core member of your team. A good accountant will feel like your business part...

Our best tips for managing your cash

How can you ensure your business stays profitable and healthy, whatever comes your way? It’s all about organisation! Here at Complete, we believe managing cash is one of the best things you can do for your business. Although it sounds obvious, it’s so often overlooked. It’s no secret that most businesses fail due to cash flow issues. But why is that? Without a proactive approach to managing cash, you’re setting yourself up to fail. Ever found yourself having cash flow problems, and wi...

Using technology to grow your architecture firm

Are you a dynamic, forward-thinking architecture business looking to utilise technology to grow your practice?   As an architecture firm, you’re likely using technology to deliver outstanding, bespoke projects for your clients. And your finances should be no different. There’s a range of financial technology you could be using to gain huge efficiencies in your practice. Implementing the right financial software can help boost your profits and help you manage your projects more effi...

Taking control of your business

Struggling to grow your business or keep on top of your finances? Running a great business all starts with managing your cash flow.  The current pandemic has highlighted the importance of managing cash flow more than ever. By keeping on top of the numbers, you can ensure you have extra cash to draw on if you ever need to respond to unexpected problems, like temporarily closing your premises or halting business operations. It also gives you a failsafe action plan for going forward and adapti...

Why do you do what you do?

We all know what we do, but do we spend enough time thinking about why we do it?  We recently read Simon Sinek’s book ‘Start with Why’ and it really got us thinking about how we can all use our Why to supercharge our organisations, to achieve our goals and to build better businesses.  So, what’s your Why? What’s your founding purpose, cause or belief? What do you believe in? How do you want to make a difference and what do you want to achieve with your business...

How divergent thinking can help you improve your business

Want to build a better business and improve the way you do things? Divergent thinking fosters creativity and innovation, helping you see things in a different light. It can help you challenge the way things are done and come up with your own original ideas to customer problems.  With divergent thinking, you can: Plan for the futureMake your processes more efficientAchieve your goalsLead great teams.  But what is divergent thinking?  It’s all about using your imagination to spark...

7 apps to streamline your business

In an increasingly online world where everyday tasks are automated at the touch of a button, technology is one of the best tools for streamlining your business, whatever industry you’re in. With the right tech stack in place, you can take back control and spend more time planning for the future of your business.  At Complete HQ, we use a bunch of tech products to provide the best service to our customers. With these tools, you can raise finance, get paid on time, manage your team, manage ...

How to plan for the future of your business

As we start to ease into the world of remote working, now is the perfect time to sit back, take stock and reassess your business. This could be a once-in-a-business-lifetime opportunity for you to devote attention to your overall business plan without the distractions of everyday life.  In this post, we’re going over the ways you can review your business model, plan for the future and implement ideas that will future-proof against any similar issues down the line.  Let’s take a loo...

CIS Subcontractor? Tips to help you complete your tax return

If you work in the construction industry as a self employed subcontractor it’s likely that you’ll have a fairly simple tax return to complete, and whilst your are taxed at source on all of your income there are also some expenses that you can claim against your income to limit your tax bill (or increase any tax refund) due. Here are a few tips to use when preparing your return. Getting Started Before you can file your return you need to have an online account with HMRC. You can do that here,...

Tips to maximise your cash during Covid-19

** This is a fast-moving situation, so we'll update this post every week with new information as it becomes available. ** Whilst we’re currently living in uncertain times with Covid-19, there are a bunch of steps you can take to limit the impact on your business. As the situation evolves, our government, banks and lenders are stepping up to the mark, offering new initiatives to support their customers through the crisis. Below we’ve detailed some of the best ways you can maximise your cash d...

How to take money out of your company

Getting money out of your business can be a big concern when switching from a sole trader to a limited company. With so many different options available, it can be difficult to know the best ways to withdraw money from your own company, and how to pay yourself. Here we’ll run you through some of the most common and tax-efficient ways of getting money out of your company, from dividends to expenses.  The main thing to get your head around when you start trading through a limited company is...

The best apps to help you manage your construction business

Business has moved on from the world of paper invoices, carrier bags of receipts and managing accounts on spreadsheets. Luckily, there’s a better and easier way to keep on top of your day to day tasks. The world of financial technology has created some amazing apps that can be used to streamline your construction business and save you valuable time. Here we’ve rounded up some of the best pieces of software to help you transform your business, and why you’ll wish you had them sooner!  ...

Tips for setting up your first construction business

What makes a truly successful construction business? What can you do to ensure that everything runs smoothly?  In this mini blog series, we’re outlining everything you need to know about the world of construction, beginning with setting up your first business. Whether you’re a tradesman making the leap into self-employment, a new subcontractor, or you’re moving from a senior employed position to start your own business, this guide will help you get the right things in place from ...

R&D Tax Credits. The most under claimed tax relief of them all?

Do you want to know what one of the most valuable, yet most overlooked, tax allowances for companies is? Not the best opener to any conversation is it, but as you’re here the answer is…. R&D Tax Credits So, are you making your claim? Do you know if you’re even entitled to make a claim? Because in all honest, thousands of business don’t realise. And HMRC will potentially PAY YOU when you put a claim in. What’s not to like?! R&D tax credits were introduced by HMRC in 2000 to assist ...

Challenger Banks - Banking 2.0?

First things first. Let’s just clear up what a challenger bank actually is. "A Challenger Bank is a relatively small retail bank set up with the intention of competing for business with large, long-established national banks." That’s what Google tells us anyway. To us, challenger banks are those that are completely confronting the stale approach that most of the high street banks have towards servicing businesses. Business is no longer a 9-5, Monday to Friday world. It’s no longer normal ...

What's the point of management accounts?!?!

You already get a set of accounts completed once a year, so why does my accountant keep telling me to prepare management accounts too? “What’s the bloody point of management accounts?” It’s interesting, as that’s a question that comes up quite often. Not always put as bluntly as the above, but it’s usually what people are thinking. Well, in our opinion, management accounts are far more important than one set of annual accounts. Regular management accounts provide far more insight as...

Cashflow tips for construction businesses

Whether you’re working directly with end users, providing contracting services, subcontracting, or providing a mixture of all of the above, cashflow can (on occasion) be a nightmare to manage for construction businesses. But by using tools available, as well as some careful planning, you will be able to get through the peaks and troughs of cashflow and end up with a profitable business that also has cash in the bank. Plan for extended payment terms Now, hopefully you won’t end up in the po...

So, how much do accounting services ACTUALLY cost?

It’s the one thing that all prospective clients want to know, but is something that appears to be steeped in mystery by the vast majority of accounting businesses. How much do we need to pay you to get the job done? In all honesty, there is a reason why a lot of accounting businesses don’t publicly set a “one size fits all” policy in terms of their pricing. Because every business is different. And the needs of every business is different. Put it into perspective. I could spend £175k bu...