White papers

When is the RIGHT time to outsource accounting? 

I am often asked “how will I know if outsourcing my finance and accounts is right for my business?” This question is akin to “how long is a piece of string?” – there are no hard and fast rules because of the variables of each individual business. There are however tangible business drivers and it will be one of these which, probably subconsciously, has provoked the questioner to ask this question in the first place.

What is True Cost of an Employee

When I am in a ‘sales’ situation explaining the benefits of outsourced accounting or a part time FD one of the thorny issues I have to deal with is the question, “what is the real cost of an employee?”

Selling a Business – The First Time Entrepreneur

One of the most difficult issues for a first time entrepreneur is when is the right time to sell your business?

Would Now be a Good Time to Collaborate?

It takes a brave management team to actively seek out potentially competitive companies and strike up a relationship.  However, the results can be surprisingly positive

The Trials and Tribulations of a Venture Capital Backed Turnaround

Being a venture capitalist must be one of the toughest jobs going. This article analyses the role an Interim FD could play in a turnaround situation.

Employment Legislation – 10 Ways to Minimise Your Risk Exposure

This white paper has been written as a brief guide to business owners and managers who seek to reduce the risks to their organisation resulting from employment legislation in the UK. 

Business Plan – 10 Things to Include in Plan B?

In order to get a business off the ground good business practice says we need a business plan. But the market conditions that prevailed at the plan’s conception will always change. .  What then?  Many business leaders will leave their plan in their desk draw and continue regardless.  The more astute among you however will realise the plan needs continual tweaking, in real time, and will already have a ‘Plan B’ just in case.   

Flexible Working – A Marriage Made in Heaven

Here are the “warts and all” observations of an organisation fully committed to making flexible working work.

The Part Time FD – When Half is Better than a Whole 

Any MBA or business studies course will point out the importance of having a properly controlled and well disciplined accounting function. There have been many catalogued disasters where lack of this vital process has resulted in the ultimate demise or the largest of organisations let alone the new startup. But is employing a full time Finance Director the answer?

The Role of the FD

Without doubt the role of the modern FD has changed, no longer are they expected to simply just ‘count beans’ or be a ‘safe pair of hands’.