Insights
Useful things, written plainly.
Tax, funding and finance explained without the jargon.
150 articles
Tax
What Should Your Finance Function Look Like as Your Business Grows?
Your business has grown. You’ve got more customers, more money moving around, more people to pay, and more decisions landing on your desk.
Tax
R&D tax relief in 2026: what actually changed
The merged scheme, the intensity test and what it means for your next claim.
Funding
How to Know If Your Business Can Afford Its Next Big Move
Every growing business reaches a moment where the next move starts to feel possible. Maybe you’re thinking about hiring, investing in new equipment, or moving into a bigger…
FinOps
The five numbers every founder should know weekly
Cash, burn, runway, gross margin and pipeline. Here's why each one matters.
Funding
SEIS advance assurance without the headache
How to get HMRC's nod before you raise, and the mistakes that slow it down.
Funding
What to Fix Before You Raise Funding in 2026
Funding can unlock the next stage of your business. It might help you hire, invest in equipment, manage cash flow, launch a new product, move into bigger premises, buy asse…
Tax
Why Growth Feels Hard Even When Revenue Is Up
Revenue is growing. Sales are coming in. The business looks like it’s moving in the right direction. So why does it still feel so hard?
Tax
5 Signs You’ve Outgrown Your Accountant
Growth changes a business. What felt manageable in the early days starts to become more complex. Decisions carry more weight. Financial visibility becomes more important. T…
Funding
Planning to Scale in 2026? Don’t Start Without This Financial Foundation
Growth is exciting. Revenue is increasing, opportunities are opening up, and you’re starting to think bigger: new hires, new markets, bigger goals.
Growth
Building a Business You Can Step Back From
You started your business for freedom. More control over your time, more flexibility in how you work, and more space to focus on what matters most. But somewhere along the…
Tax
5 Conversations You Should Be Having With Your Accountant (But Probably Aren’t)
Growing a business means making decisions constantly. When to hire, when to invest, when to hold back, when to push forward. And behind every confident decision is one thin…
FinOps
How Better Reporting Transforms Decision-Making
You’re making decisions everyday... but are they supported by clarity?
FinOps
The 3 Numbers to Track Weekly in Q1 (If You Want to Grow This Year)
January rolls around and suddenly everyone’s talking about goals, growth, and “making this the year it all clicks”.
Tax
Autumn Budget 2025: What Business Owners Need to Know
The 2025 Autumn Budget landed with a thud, not just because the Office for Budget Responsibility accidentally published its forecasts early (a very 2025 moment). But becaus…
Tax
Is Your Accountant Doing Enough? Here’s What to Expect
You didn’t start a business to become a finance expert. You started it because you had a vision. A passion. A purpose.
Funding
Our Stress-Free Accounting Stack: The Tools That Make Finance Work With You
Ever wondered why you still feel stressed about your business finances, even when things look “fine” on paper?
Tax
Stop Settling for Reports That Don’t Help You Grow
Your accountant emails over a neat set of reports, full of figures, tables, and jargon.
FinOps
Why You're Still Stressed About Your Finances (Even If You're Profitable)
How small business owners can break free from finance stress and finally get the clarity they’ve been chasing.
FinOps
5 Ways We’re Revolutionising Finance for Our Clients & Our Team
You can spot a dying finance culture a mile away. Stale, suffocating, stuck in tradition. No spark, no drive, no soul.
FinOps
The Complete HQ Manifesto: Accounting for the Visionaries
Business is no longer about just surviving year to year, filing your taxes, and hoping for the best. It's about scaling. It's about innovating. It's about building somethin…
Tax
Avoid These 5 Financial Mistakes That Kill Small Business Growth
You didn’t start your business to become an accountant. You started it because you had a vision, something worth building. But here’s the thing: even the best ideas can fai…
Tax
Burnt Out by Your Business Finances? Here’s How to Get Your Time (and Headspace) Back
Running a business is tough enough without the added stress of chasing invoices, updating spreadsheets at 10pm, or figuring out how much tax you owe.
Tax
Stuck in the Daily Grind? How to Build a Business That Runs Without You
We’ve worked with countless business owners who hit the same roadblock: their business is successful, but it’s completely dependent on them. And the biggest culprit?
Tax
A Step-by-Step Guide to Implementing Fractional FinOps in Your Startup
Startups move fast. But as your business grows, so does financial complexity—cash flow, forecasting, compliance, and investor reporting can quickly become overwhelming. Hir…
FinOps
How to Build a Resilient Business in Uncertain Times
Did you know that, according to a study by the Harvard Business Review, 72% of resilient businesses report consistent growth, even in turbulent times?
FinOps
2025: The Year to Build a Business You Love
As a business owner, it’s easy to get caught up in the grind—the endless to-do lists, the financial pressures, and the constant balancing act. But when you strip it all bac…
Tax
5 Steps to Get Your Finances Ready for 2025
As an ambitious business owner, you're always striving to push boundaries, focus on what you love, and maximise your business's potential. With 2025 on the horizon, it's cr…
FinOps
The Tech Playbook for Growing Your Business Faster
Growing a business is an exciting journey, but it can feel like you’re spinning a dozen plates at once. Fortunately, technology makes it easier to scale smoothly, helping y…
FinOps
Scaling Smart: How to Grow Your Business Without Sacrificing Quality
You’ve done it—your business is on the rise, customers are flooding in, and growth feels exciting. But with growth comes a new challenge: How do you scale without losing th…
Tax
Step-by-step Guide to Create a Tax-Efficient Business Plan
For small business owners, effective tax planning is crucial to keeping more of your hard-earned money and reinvesting it back into your business. Developing a tax-efficien…
FinOps
How to Build a Reliable Cash Flow Forecast in 10 Steps
For small businesses, cash flow is the lifeblood that keeps everything running smoothly. Cash flow forecasting allows you to anticipate inflows and outflows, giving you a c…
Tax
How to Create a Financial Forecast for the Next Fiscal Year
A well-structured financial forecast is essential for planning your business’s growth, managing cash flow, and preparing for potential risks in the coming year. It enables…
FinOps
7 Steps to Increase Your Business’s Profitability in 6 Months
Profitability is a key indicator of your business’s success and sustainability. While increasing revenue is important, boosting profitability requires a strategic approach…
Tax
6 Things to Implement Before Scaling Your Business
Scaling a business is an exciting but complex process that requires careful planning. While growth can lead to higher revenues and a stronger market presence, scaling too q…
FinOps
5 Actionable Strategies to Grow Your Business in 2024
In today’s competitive business landscape, growth doesn’t happen by accident—it requires intentional strategies and well-executed plans. Whether you’re looking to scale you…
Tax
10 Common Financial Mistakes and How to Fix Them
Managing finances is a critical aspect of running a successful small business, but many owners make avoidable mistakes that can harm profitability and cash flow. Understand…
Funding
Innovative Funding Options You Might Not Know About
Think you know all about business funding? Think again. The world of finance is evolving faster than ever, and if you're still relying on traditional bank loans, you're mis…
Tax
5 Ways Your Accountant Can Help Skyrocket Your Business Growth
Running a business is like being a juggler in a circus, and trust us, we get it. Balancing customer demands, managing employees, and keeping an eye on the cash flow can be…
Tax
Avoid These Common Accounting Mistakes That Could Stunt Your Business Growth
Accounting isn’t just for people who love a good spreadsheet! It's the secret sauce that can give your business some serious pep. But watch out - there are some sneaky acco…
Funding
How financial forecasting shapes business strategy: a closer look
Have you ever tried throwing a dart blindfolded? That's what running a business without financial forecasting is like. You hope to hit the bullseye - success, growth, profi…
Growth
Achieving operational excellence: 5 more strategies to streamline your operations (Part 2)
Welcome back! In the first part of our mini-series, we shared some game-changing strategies to streamline your operations and boost your business. Now, as we promised, we'r…
Funding
Unleash your business potential: 5 strategies to streamline your operations (part 1)
In the fast-paced world of business, keeping up with the pace means always aiming for better. And as a small business owner, your knack for making things run smoothly and e…
FinOps
Why your small business needs a strategic plan
As an ambitious business owner, you might have started your journey with a clear vision and a burst of energy. But as your business grows and evolves, it's crucial to ensur…
FinOps
How to be a successful business owner
Starting and running a business can be both exciting and challenging. Being a successful business owner requires careful planning, financial understanding, and a strong net…
FinOps
Planning for 2024
As we approach 2024, now is the time to have a clear strategy in place to set your business up for success.
Tax
7 methods of growing your business
Looking for ways to grow and expand your business? Whether you are just starting out or have been in the game for a while, it’s essential to develop an effective strategy t…
FinOps
The 5 Xero features you should be using to supercharge your business
As accountants, this is a situation we see time and again: a business owner comes to us with a standard accounting setup that hasn’t been optimised to the needs of their bu…
Funding
Understanding the Differences Between a Bookkeeper, Financial Controller, and CFO
In the world of small and medium-sized businesses, titles like Bookkeeper, Financial Controller, and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) are often used interchangeably. However,…
Growth
Strategies for expanding your customer base
Expanding your customer base is crucial for the growth and long-term success of any business. It plays a pivotal role in helping you reach new and untapped audiences, incre…
Tax
From bookkeeping to growth: the role of accounting in your business
As a business owner, you may be focused on finding ways to increase sales, attract more customers, and expand your product or service offering. However, one aspect of your…
FinOps
Unlocking the power of management accounts: A guide for forward-thinking business owners
We believe in empowering our clients to make data-driven decisions that unlock growth and long-term success. To achieve this, we use management accounts to provide a clear…
Tax
How is Grant Funding allocated in the UK?
If you’re considering applying for a grant to provide your business with valuable financial support, it’s important to be aware of how grants are allocated and how likely y…
FinOps
How to conduct a financial health check for your business
As an ambitious business owner, you know how important it is to keep a close eye on the financial health of your business. Conducting a regular financial health check can h…
Tax
Financial best practices for web3 businesses
Web3 businesses don't operate under the same financial systems as 'ordinary' business. You'll usually have requirements to maintain records of digital assets, as well as co…
Tax
Web3 Founder? What should you be asking your accountant
As a founder of a web3 business or project there are a wide range of questions that you should be able to fire at your accountant and get feedback on. From our experience,…
Funding
Mastering cash flow: how to avoid common mistakes and keep your business profitable
Cash flow is the lifeblood of any business, but it can be a tricky thing to manage. Even successful businesses can run into cash flow problems at some point in their journey.
Tax
The benefits of incorporating innovative technology into your business model
In today's fast-paced and ever-changing business world, it's crucial to stay ahead of the competition by embedding innovative technology into your business model. Businesse…
Funding
How regular financial reporting can help your business thrive
Financial statements are a key factor for any business to succeed, leading to better decision-making, greater financial success, and improved business clarity. Running regu…
Tax
Essential bookkeeping tips for small business owners
Bookkeeping is an invaluable tool for understanding the financial health of your business and making informed decisions that have a positive impact on your bottom line.
Tax
Mastering small business finances: tips and tricks for success
Managing finances is one of the most important aspects of running a successful small business. However, it can be a daunting task for many business owners who don't have a…
FinOps
Creating a financial management strategy for your business: a step-by-step guide
Financial management is an essential part of any successful business, ensuring you are using your resources in the most efficient way possible to achieve your financial goals.
Tax
8 tax deductions you might be missing out on
Tax deductions are an essential way for businesses to reduce their tax liability and keep more of their hard-earned money. And if you're a business owner, you'll know that…
Funding
Budgeting basics for small businesses
Starting a business is an exciting step, but can be overwhelming when it comes to budgeting. Budgeting is an essential part of running a successful business, helping you st…
Tax
Why you should outsource your business accounting
As a business owner, you want to be able to focus on what you do best: growing your business. But if you’re trying to juggle accounting tasks on top of everything else, it…
Funding
Understanding Key Performance Indicators for business growth
As a business owner, it’s important to understand how your company is performing to make informed decisions about its future. Instead of relying solely on luck or guesswork…
Funding
Bookkeeping is the key to growth: here’s why
Bookkeeping is the bedrock of financial success, arming you with key information to plan, grow and build a better business.
FinOps
Planning for 2023
The last few years have been anything but easy for small businesses. Large-scale macro-events have forced us to adapt to thrive, highlighting the importance of remaining fl…
FinOps
Why you need a cash flow strategy
Running a business without monitoring your cash flow is like running head-first into the dark.
Tax
How to navigate an economic downturn
With a recession on the cards and some financial uncertainty ahead, it’s more important than ever to plan and mitigate any potential problems.
Funding
Great habits of successful business owners
When you’re busy delivering for customers, it can be hard to find time to focus on your own business.
Funding
Our 3 favourite business books
In a world where we have boundless knowledge at our fingertips, it can be difficult to know where to look for answers– or who to listen to.
Funding
How to future-proof your business
To move forward, we need to have a clear idea of where we want to be. Sometimes it can be all too easy to get stuck in the weeds, caught up in the here and now of running a…
Funding
How to prepare your business for Black Friday
Worried that this year’s cost of living crisis might affect your Black Friday sales?
Funding
The future of ecommerce funding
'Banks and other traditional lenders have snubbed ecommerce businesses, but new approaches to funding are lightning fast, unsecured and won’t force you to give up ownership…
Funding
Lessons we've learnt from 3 years in business
As Complete HQ ticks over its third birthday, we’ve been lucky enough to work with some amazing businesses across a range of different industries. The last three years have…
FinOps
Our 3 step process to help your business thrive
Financial strategy is the backbone of any successful business, along with dedication, consistency and a crystal-clear view of your goals and targets.
Tax
Top 5 tips for choosing an accountant
Looking to hire an accountant to help you grow your business?
Tax
4 cash flow habits of successful businesses
Good businesses are built on good habits. James Clear once said, “success is the product of daily habits—not once-in-a-lifetime transformations.” When it comes to business…
Tax
4 simple steps to managing business expenses
Expenses management is something a lot of business owners dread. They envision boxes full of paper receipts and time spent painstakingly trawling through piles of old paper…
Tax
6 tax tips to make filing a breeze
Benjamin Franklin once said: ‘in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.’
Tax
Why you need a good accounting setup
A good accounting setup can transform what you do and create change that has a ripple effect across your entire business.
Growth
Grow your business with divergent thinking
Want to grow your business? Start by changing the way you think!
Tax
How to get the most out of your accounting software
Ready to take back control of your business? When it comes to small business finances, automation really is the way forward.
Funding
4 steps to small business success
Running a business takes grit, determination, and ambition. Throw in repetition, consistency, and an unwavering dedication to lead with your values.
Tax
Bookkeeping basics: how to take control of your business
Staying on top of the numbers and getting a handle on your bookkeeping is vital to running a successful and healthy business.
Tax
How to remove the stress of running a business
Feeling overwhelmed by lack of time? An ever-growing to-do list that never seems to get smaller? The same time-consuming tasks piling up every month?
Tax
Thinking of working with us? Here are 6 things you should know
We’re renegade accountants in revolt against archaic systems, clunky processes, and outdated ways of doing business– and we’re determined to change the accounting industry…
Tax
5 common small business accounting mistakes and how to avoid them
Keeping on top of bookkeeping, losing receipts, trying to manage cash flow– the world of small business accounting can be a minefield.
Tax
7 key numbers for your business
Numbers tell a story about your business. They paint a bigger picture of what’s going on. They help us make the right decisions for our businesses and plan for the future.
FinOps
How to run a successful online business
Ready to grow your e-commerce business and take it to the next level?
Growth
6 inspiring lessons to help you build an extraordinary business
Building an extraordinary business starts with the drive to make things better.
FinOps
Planning for 2022
As we approach a new year, now is the perfect time to step back and reflect on your business.
Tax
4 easy ways to improve your business credit
A proactive approach to credit management can open up new opportunities for your business. It positions your business in the best possible light to lenders, partners, and s…
Growth
3 divergent thinking techniques to spark innovation
Want to build a business that fosters innovation, improvement, and growth? Divergent thinking is a valuable tool that helps us challenge boundaries and remain open to new i…
Funding
Why good credit is so important for a small business
As a business owner, you'll likely wear many different hats: marketer, bookkeeper, sales rep, team leader. Business finances are no exception.
Tax
A guide to cryptocurrency tax
With the growing popularity of Bitcoin and Ethereum, more and more businesses are using cryptocurrency, including the likes of Microsoft and Expedia. While the cryptocurren…
Growth
How innovation can help you grow your business
Great ideas often come from the most unlikely places. This is especially true of Arthur Fry, who stumbled upon his greatest invention at his school choir one Sunday in 1973.
Growth
Designing your business to give you more freedom
If you stepped away from your business for two weeks, what would things look like when you came back? Would things be relatively fuss-free with projects and tasks ticking a…
Tax
Meet Billy
We're shining a spotlight on our team to celebrate their stories and share the journeys that have brought each of them to where they are today.
FinOps
Meet Tiffany
We're shining a spotlight on our team to celebrate their stories and share the journeys that have brought each of them to where they are today.
Tax
Meet Leila
After a busy year of growth and expansion, and a whirlwind year supporting businesses throughout the pandemic, it's time to take a step back and focus on delivering a great…
Tax
Meet Rob
We caught up with one of our newest team members, Rob, to pick his brains and find out what makes him tick.
Tax
Meet Andy
We caught up with our founder Andy to pick his brains and find out what makes him tick.
Growth
Why we should all be rebels
Artwork by Fallen Saint.
Tax
Here's why you should submit your self assessment tax return early this year
It's 11 pm on 31st January, you're sitting at your kitchen table and you're rushing to get your self assessment tax return submitted before the midnight deadline.
Tax
3 simple steps to switching from a sole trader to a limited company
Thinking of switching from a sole trader to a limited company? If your self-employed business is booming and you're looking to take that next step, it could be the right ti…
Funding
The Recovery Loan Scheme: what it is and how to apply
As we move into the warmer months and things start to open up again, now is a key time for small businesses. Now is the start of an important transition period where we sta…
FinOps
What we do
We envision a world where accounting services are simple, supportive, and focused on helping businesses achieve their goals. A world where people understand their finances…
Tax
Why businesses should invest in R&D
When we think of Research & Development, we tend to think of science and tech businesses, but R&D can be found in any industry. R&D is any work that focuses on experimentat…
Funding
How to manage better teams
In a world where remote working is the new default, how do we keep teams moving forward? How do we keep everyone motivated, engaged, and connected? To build the teams of th…
Tax
The Payroll Year Ahead
A new tax year always tends to bring around changes required to keep your payroll up to date with new tax legislation, along with other employment rights for your teams.
Tax
4 apps to grow your business
Using the best software can make or break the overall efficiency of your business. As the past year has shown, having the right tech can be the difference between thriving…
Funding
How to grow your business
When it comes to running a business, having a clear growth strategy is key in order to survive and thrive. Around 80% of UK businesses fail within their first year, and the…
Funding
Our tips for starting a limited company
Thinking of starting a limited company? Whether you're making the leap from a sole trader or starting up an entirely new venture, we've got your back. Here’s our complete g…
Funding
How to steer your business out of the pandemic
The last eleven months have seen a focus on flexibility, innovation, and immediate action. As lockdown rules chop and change, and different rules apply to different sectors…
Tax
Tax on Cryptocurrency? Yes, unfortunately that is a thing
Given the huge spike in prices of Cryptocurrencies in early 2018, and again now in 2021, along with the growing interest in ICO’s and purchase/sales of various Crypto’s, it…
Tax
How to pay yourself as a limited company owner
Recently set up a new limited company? We've got your back. Knowing all the ins and outs of running a great business can be hard, especially when there's so much to get you…
Growth
Leading with your values
What do you believe in as a business? Your values are what make you who you are. They help to further your vision and set you apart from the competition. Your values also a…
Funding
Lockdown 3.0 Business Support
With 2021 starting for businesses in much the same light as 2020 ended, we wanted to provide a reminder of the support that is currently available to businesses to help wit…
FinOps
Planning for 2021
As 2020 comes to an end, and we start to look towards the new year, now is the perfect time to reflect and take stock of your business. This year has been a time of turbule…
FinOps
4 ways to strengthen your business model
The strongest business models are the ones that provide the most value for their customers. These are the businesses that are leading the way, always looking for innovative…
Growth
Why you should improve your customer service
Our customers are our most valuable asset. Without them, we wouldn’t have a business, we’d just have an idea. Putting customers at the heart of your business will help you…
FinOps
How to improve cash flow during lockdown
With the latest lockdown measures across England, it’s a turbulent time for small businesses. We’re now faced with new and unexpected challenges we need to adapt to in orde…
Growth
Building a great team culture
What is a great team culture and how can it help your business thrive? Culture is what sets you apart from the competition. It builds stronger, more adaptable teams and cre…
FinOps
How to price your products and services
Pricing– it’s something a lot of business owners struggle to get right. It’s part art, part science, and part hit or miss. But when used to your advantage, pricing is a val…
Tax
Construction Business? You can claim R&D Tax Relief too
If you’re running your own Construction business R&D Tax Relief isn’t something that is going to be on your mind every day. You’ve got long hours, you’re under a lot of pre…
Tax
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 an…
Tax
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 va…
Tax
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. Wi…
FinOps
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 th…
Funding
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 owne…
Tax
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…
Funding
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?
Funding
Our best tips for managing your cash
How can you ensure your business stays profitable and healthy, whatever comes your way?
FinOps
Using technology to grow your architecture firm
Are you a dynamic, forward-thinking architecture business looking to utilise technology to grow your practice?
Funding
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.
FinOps
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?
Growth
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…
Tax
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 in…
FinOps
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-lifetim…
Tax
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…
Funding
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.
Tax
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 difficul…
Tax
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…
Tax
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?
Tax
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 t…
Funding
Challenger Banks - Banking 2.0?
First things first. Let’s just clear up what a challenger bank actually is.
Tax
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?
FinOps
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…
Tax
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.
Ready to stop worrying about the numbers?
One call. No sales script. We'll tell you straight whether we can help.