We deal with micro sized businesses and upwards every day.

We know the stresses and strains and we are here to help.

Dealing with the taxation, accounting and legislative requirements of business can be a real headache for small businesses. We can start by taking that burden away from you, allowing you to get on with managing and growing your business.

With the compliance minefield removed we can help you in other ways, such as raising finance, cutting costs, moving into new markets or project managing an initiative you’ve always wanted to undertake, but never quite had the time.

If you would like to talk to us about your business, give us a call now on 0121 270 6305.

Sole trader accounts and tax returns from £280

Limited company accounts and tax returns from £495

Vat returns from £145 per return

Fully managed payroll from £30 per month

Bookkeeping (on and off site) £17 per hour

Self assessment and partnership tax returns from £145

All prices are quoted excluding VAT.

Feel free to get in touch to receive a no obiligation quote from us, call us now on 0121 270 6305.

With the sheer number of job seekers now overloading the system it may be time to consider self employment.

Starting your own business may be a viable option for you.

There is no magic bullet to going it alone.

You need the right idea and an effective way to deploy it.

We may be able to help you if you are considering a career working for yourself.

We have a great deal of experience working with start up and small businesses.

If you would like to talk to a qualified professional about starting up your own business, give us a call now on 0121 270 6305.

The NMW rates are reviewed each year by the Low Pay Commission and from 1 October 2011 they are as follows:

•the main rate for workers aged 21 and over will increase to £6.08
•the 18-20 rate will increase to £4.98
•the 16-17 rate for workers above school leaving age but under 18 will increase to £3.68
•the apprentice rate, for apprentices under 19 or 19 or over and in the first year of their apprenticeship will increase to £2.60

Blossom Stream offer a fully managed payroll service from as little as £30 per month plus VAT.

Call us now to talk about your payroll requirements on 0121 270 6305.

“Blossom Stream helped me from the very early and fragile start up days of my business”. “They were there for me through thick and thin.”

“They have brought a service level I didn’t think possible.”

“I have peace of mind now when it comes to my accounts, bookkeeping, vat returns, payroll and all the other headaches.”

“What has really amazed me is their ability to help me grow my business.”

“They built my website, which has bought me a huge amount of custom and most importantly customer awareness.”

“They’ve now helped me expand even further by project managing the introduction of my new range of Caribbean ready and frozen meals.”

“They did everything, from sourcing suppliers to creating the packaging.”

“If you are looking for accountants who are all rounders, accountants who will get their hands dirty, speak to them now, you’ll be glad you did.”

Graham Castle is another of our clients, see what he thinks of us below.

“Blossom Stream have helped me no end.”

“They are always at the end of the phone when I need them, they don’t even charge me for these calls!”

“It’s the business advice I get from them that really helps me.”

“In these tough times it really helps to have a voice of experience guiding and supporting you.”

When shaping your financial system there are many important considerations, such as…..

How risky is your business?

To make this kind of assessment, you should assess a few of the following:

• Do you handle a lot of cash?

• Do you employ a transient workforce?

• How many transactions do you handle?

• Are many transactions of a singularly material value?

• What is your bad debt rate?

• What is your lead time to service or product delivery from order?

• Is there an innate financial risk within your business?

• What would an outsider’s view be of the risk within your industry?

Some of the above considerations are just a few of the basics. Other risks will be specific to your business and circumstances. A risk assessment is of paramount importance in the shaping of your financial system.

An appropriately shaped financial system will yield your business benefits. Just some of the potential benefits are outlined below:

• A sound and transparent financial system could save you a fortune during a lengthy HMRC enquiry.

• An accurate financial system will provide accurate financial reports and accurate tax reporting. And of course, accurate and consistent reporting will avoid any unnecessary HMRC enquiries.

•  Accurate and timely financial reporting will also enable you to run your business effectively and efficiently.

An appropriate financial system will ultimately be shaped by you and the needs of your business. To shape your financial system, however big or small you should always first consult a qualified accountant. They should be able to best advise you of the most cost effective and result driven solution for your circumstances.

If you would like to speak to us about your business, feel free to give us a call on 0121 270 6305.

The situation is particularly bad for small businesses, typically perceived as risky by bank underwriters. Bank credit terms offered to small businesses are so poor they can represent a glass ceiling to growth.

While no magic bullet out there to the banking crisis, these are some of the alternatives worth considering:

Family and friends – With returns on traditional bank deposits at an all time low many family members are already likely to be seeking alternatives for their investments. If your funding requirements and terms fit their risk profile it may be worth talking it through.

Lending against assets – Traditionally this means lending against the sales ledger of the business or invoice discounting. Though this may be an option for you, there are alternatives forms such as borrowing against stock, brands and plant and machinery.

Grants – Though these are harder to access at the moment, don’t dismiss the possibility out of hand. The Enterprise Finance Guarantee is targeted at SME’s with strong business plans and the inability to provide security needed for a loan. These schemes can support 75% of a loan up to £1m.

Many more options are available but may be unique to your businesses circumstances.

If you would like to talk to us about you business call us on 0121 270 6305.

And of course the answer is yes, there are several, each quite different and possibly more effective than the standard scheme, if you have the circumstances to suit.

Businesses often find the transition to becoming Vat registered a tortuous and painful path. This transition can though be eased through adopting the most efficient VAT scheme. Indeed if you are already registered for VAT a look through the alternatives is well worth the time.

Some examples of the different schemes available are the flat rate scheme and cash accounting scheme.

The flat rate scheme of VAT is targeted at small businesses, with one of the conditions of entry being an annual turnover of £150k and less. This scheme of VAT is a streamlined version of the standard VAT scheme. This system allows the user to pay a flat percentage rate based upon their vat inclusive sales. The flat rate payable differs from sector to sector. The percentages offered by this scheme often prove to be less than the given effective rate of VAT a business normally pays and in some circumstances, can even produce a small profit for the user. This system has the added advantage of not requiring the user to disclose their purchase data and input tax data each quarter. This reduces significantly the amount of paper pushing a small business is otherwise required to complete under the standard scheme.

The cash accounting schemes primary condition of entry is an annual sales turnover of less than £1.3 million. Under this system the user only has to pay the VAT on its sales when they have been paid themselves. This is often highly desirable for businesses whose credit terms are consistently breached or who have to offer particularly favourable credit terms due to the nature of their business. Conversely input tax is paid as when the user pays their supplier. Significant cash flow advantages are achievable with the cash accounting scheme of VAT.

With more VAT schemes available each with there own advantages, a review of your VAT status is likely of potential benefit.

If you would like to talk to us about your business, feel free to call us on 0121 270 6305.

When deciding whether to make the jump you should consider the implications carefully with your accountant, just a few of the changes that will confront you are as follows:

1. If you are converting from a sole trader to a Limited company you will change from being the business to becoming an officer or director and employee of the business. This is not simply a change of label; it has real legal, tax and commercial implications for you the owner.
2. The legislative burden confronting your business will change. If you are converting from a sole trader or partnership you will become liable to corporation tax. You will have to file statutory accounts and annual returns with companies house.
3. Some tax advantages will become available to you, for example drawing a dividend from your business in conjunction with a salary.

Whatever your reasons for considering a change of trading status, your business, personal circumstances and aspirations are likely to be unique. All of these with have some bearing on whether it is right for you to adopt Limited status. Similarly the way your Limited company is formed and shaped will be driven by you and what you want from your business and personal future. For this exact reason it is important you seek a consultation with a qualified accounting professional before making this kind of change.

A good accountant will help you formulate a plan to implement this change within your business and its financial systems. In addition they will be able to help you decide whether this change is the right one for you.

To talk to us about your business, feel free to call us on 0121 270 6305.

No one wants to listen to how good you are. You’re the new upstart with new fangled ideas that people just don’t understand. Some feel you have the whiff of arrogance about you, perhaps it’s because you are just so darn sure.

Sounds familiar?

It’s rarely an easy path growing a business, particularly small and new businesses.

Fortunately we’ve trodden the same path many times, partnering our clients through the journey.

Resourcing a growth strategy within today’s financial climate will often prove the toughest obstacle.

With ideas, experience and a sympathetic ear, we’d like to help you make that growth journey.

For more information on how we can help your business, call us now on 0121 270 6305.