Latest All Business Questions & Answers
Benefits
I am about to become self-employed. I am presently claiming jobseekers allowance and related benefits. As my earnings will initially be low, how will this affect my benefits and who should I inform?
Contract changes
I’m taking over a business which has staff that don’t work Mondays. When we draw the contracts can I include bank holiday entitlement in some and not others?
Job adverts
Where should I advertise for a position?
Website details
What personal details do I need to disclose when putting a website online?
Business bank account
How much personal equity will I need in order to secure funding from a high street bank?
The selling price
How do I work out the price of my business?
Late payments
How do I chase late payments from a company based in Europe?
Choosing a market
How can I identify a good market?
Buying a business
Where’s the best place to find a business for sale?
First business
I want to open a gallery/coffee shop. What advice would you give for the first steps?
Becoming self-employed
There’s a chance I’ll be made redundant in December. If I became self-employed before, will this affect the value of my redundancy pay?
Creating a logo
What should I think about when creating a logo?
Ceasing trading
When does a company cease trading?
Hiring an accountant
I need an accountant to help with our business plan, book keeping, cashflow, management accounts and tax advice. How much will this cost?
Quitting the day job
I am currently developing a part-time business alongside my full-time job. When should I leave my job and go self-employed?
Chasing debt
I invoiced a client three months ago and have been chasing payment since. I’m not getting anywhere, so what should I do?
Selling abroad
If I want to sell abroad, do I need to register my business in those countries?
EU citizen
What are the requirements for a European citizen to start a small business in the UK?
Bankruptcy
Can I start a business if I’ve previously been declared bankrupt?
Removing a director
I am one of two directors of a small private limited company. I would like advice on how best to remove the other director. We are equal shareholders.
Tax and NI
I am working full-time until my mobile hairdressing business establishes itself. What tax and national insurance should I be saving?
Legal ownership
I have a business in my name but my partner invested capital. We have now separated and never married. Who legally owns the business?
Company loans
If I’ve loaned money from my company to another company – of which I am also director and shareholder, what should I do if this other company was dissolved before any interest was paid back and how would this be treated for accounting and tax purposes?
Redundancy letter
I'm an operations manager, currently on maternity leave. The MD told a colleague on Monday that there's no longer a job for her. He's asked me to write the formal letter but I really don’t know what to put in it. Can you help?
Terms and conditions
When writing up a customer contract, what things should I include to protect myself?
Contracts
I have a small company that has been going for over 35 years. Most employees are long-term but no one has a contract. Are there any basic understandings in this situation and should contracts be created?
Holidays on sick leave
A member of staff has pre-booked holidays but has been signed off work. We understand the holidays still stand. How will this affect their sick leave?
VAT registration
Do all companies need to be VAT registered?
Search engine optimisation
How can I optimise my website?
Contracted hours
Can I employ someone who is self-employed on a zero hour contract?
