Why 90% of Tech Startups Fail – And How to Avoid Becoming One
https://youtu.be/29io-1X6mq4 Starting a tech business is exciting. You may have developed an innovative product, identified a gap in the market or found a better way of solving a problem. However, the reality is that the majority of tech startups never achieve long-term success. It’s often quoted that around 90% of tech startups fail within their […]
Do Qualifications Actually Matter? What 30 Years of Screening (and Casualties) Taught Me
When I qualified as a chartered accountant 35 years ago, the system wasn’t designed to be inclusive. It was designed to break people. And it was oddly effective. The Barrier to Entry You couldn’t just decide to become an ACA. You couldn’t wake up one morning, think “I quite fancy being a chartered accountant,” and […]
Can an Accountant Help Grow Your Business?
https://youtu.be/JxsKMlwn88w Can an Accountant Help Grow Your Business? A good accountant can’t grow your business for you—but they can remove many of the obstacles that stop it from growing. One of the questions I’m occasionally asked is whether an accountant can help grow a business. My answer is always the same. No accountant can grow […]
Sole Trader vs Limited Company (UK 2026/27): Which Is Best for Tax?
Sole Trader vs Limited Company (UK 2026/27) Is a Limited Company Always More Tax Efficient? One of the biggest myths in business is that a limited company always saves tax. It doesn’t. In fact, for many business owners who withdraw all of their profits each year, remaining a sole trader can actually leave them better […]
Inheritance Tax Guide Part 3
 Part 3 – Business Relief, Trusts and Other Inheritance Tax Planning Tools By this point, we’ve looked at how gifts can reduce the value of your estate and why simply giving assets away doesn’t always work. However, lifetime gifting isn’t the only way to reduce an Inheritance Tax liability. Depending on your circumstances, there […]
Inheritance Tax Guide Part 2
Part 2 – Lifetime Gifts, the Seven-Year Rule and the Biggest Inheritance Tax Trap One of the most common questions we hear is: “Can I just give my assets to my children and avoid Inheritance Tax?” The answer is: Sometimes. But only if you understand the rules. Unfortunately, this is where many people receive poor […]
Thinking of giving assets to your children to reduce Inheritance Tax?
 Inheritance Tax Explained (UK 2026/27) A Plain English Guide to Understanding, Calculating and Legally Reducing Inheritance Tax Most people think Inheritance Tax (IHT) only affects the very wealthy. In reality, rising property prices and increasing investment values mean many ordinary families are now affected. A house worth £900,000 in London, combined with pensions, savings […]
Can You Pay Your Spouse Through Your Limited Company?
https://youtu.be/irI1tw5EJ5c In This Episode Many owner-managed businesses ask whether they can pay their husband, wife or civil partner through their limited company to reduce the family’s overall tax bill. The answer is often yes, but there are important tax rules that need to be considered. Simply transferring income to a spouse who pays tax at […]
Why Every Business Needs Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
https://youtu.be/TbYRei7OP5M In This Episode Many business owners only look at their annual accounts, but by then it’s too late to make informed business decisions. In this episode, Paul explains why identifying and monitoring the right Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) can help you improve profitability and stay in control of your business. Full Transcript Hi, I’m […]
Why You Shouldn’t Do Your Own Bookkeeping
https://youtu.be/TTDsAMtAQ_s In This Episode Many successful business owners still insist on doing their own bookkeeping, even when their businesses have grown well beyond the start-up stage. In this first Boardroom Minute, Paul explains why bookkeeping is a specialist skill and why trying to save money by doing it yourself often ends up costing more. Full […]
