Inflation, strikes, and instability make the 2020s echo the 1970s. This essay explores the cycles of innovation, politics, and resilience shaping the next economic era. Practical lessons for small business owners from CCM Accountants.

The world economy sends mixed signals. Discover what the Baltic Dry Index, US consumer debt, and market valuations mean for UK SMEs. Practical financial insight for Greater Manchester business owners from CCM Accountants.

Rachel Reeves’ second Budget confirmed what most businesses suspected: higher taxes, tighter rules, and a long list of measures designed to raise £26.1 billion a year by 2029/30. 

As a business owner in the UK, you’ve likely felt the pressure when the calculation for corporation tax arrives. You’ve grown your company, worked hard, and then the taxman knocks. We see that scenario all the time. The goal isn’t simply paying less tax; it’s making smart decisions, so you retain more profit legally, ethically, and in compliance with the law.

Understand how Flexible Life Interest Trusts (FLITs) combine income security with long-term protection for your family. Explore how they work, key IHT benefits, and trustee best practice. Trusted estate planning insights from CCM Accountants.

Learn how Family Investment Companies (FICs) help preserve, grow, and pass on family wealth. Discover how they work, their tax treatment, and when to use one. Expert guidance from CCM Accountants for families across Greater Manchester and Cheshire.

Want to reduce corporate tax legally? Learn practical strategies for managing expenses, claiming allowances, and improving your business’s tax efficiency.

Which VAT scheme suits your business best? Learn how different VAT options affect cash flow, compliance, and growth to make an informed decision.

Want to understand the key tax differences between employees and freelancers in the UK? Learn how to stay compliant and manage taxes effectively with expert advice.

Want to understand the key tax differences between employees and freelancers in the UK? Learn how to stay compliant and manage taxes effectively with expert advice.

Trustees carry a lot on their shoulders. They shape the vision, keep an eye on the finances, and make sure the charity stays on the right side of the regulator. In many ways, they’re the board of directors for the mission.

If you’re a driving instructor running your own business, you’ll already know how tight margins can be. Between fuel, insurance, and the steady cost of keeping your vehicle on the road, every penny matters.

Running a CIC means you’re juggling two jobs: delivering impact and running a regulated company. Filing your annual accounts and CIC report isn’t optional admin – it’s how you prove to funders, partners and the public that you’re a well-run, transparent organisation.

When it comes to IR35, few tests cause as much confusion as Mutuality of Obligations (often shortened to MOO). For years, contractors, advisers, and even judges have wrestled with what it actually means and how it should apply.

If you’re a sole trader or landlord in Greater Manchester, Cheshire, or Lancashire, big changes are coming to the way you handle your tax. From April 2026, HMRC will extend Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment (MTD for ITSA) – and it’s going to affect thousands of small businesses and property owners across our region.

Every now and then a nostalgia post pops up on Facebook. Someone shares an old photo of a corner shop window: Mars bars at 15p, a loaf of bread under a quid, petrol at 59p a litre. The comments pour in: “Weren’t we better off back then?”

What business owners across Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Cheshire need to know before 2026. The 2024 Autumn Statement was more than political noise. It set out the most significant shake-up of Inheritance Tax (IHT), pensions, and reliefs like Business Property Relief (BPR) and Agricultural Property Relief (APR) in over a decade.

From November 2025, all directors and “Persons with Significant Control” (PSCs) will need to complete mandatory identity verification.

Many business owners assume that being profitable automatically means financial stability, yet this is a common misconception.

Starting a business is an exciting journey, but one of the earliest and most important decisions you’ll make is choosing the right structure.

HMRC is updating VAT rules in 2025: new thresholds, scheme tweaks, and charity event changes. See what small businesses need to review before filing.

Interest rates may have dropped, but rising costs remain. Learn why small businesses shouldn’t mistake a rate cut for recovery—and what to do next.

Making Tax Digital is coming for landlords, sole traders, and side-hustlers. Learn how to prepare for quarterly tax updates before HMRC deadlines hit.

Pay rises feel generous — but can you afford them? Learn how to balance fairness, costs, and sustainability so your business and team both thrive.

You can’t steer the ship if you’re scared to look at the map. Let’s not dance around it. In charities, CICs, and social enterprises, there’s a dangerous idea that floats around boardrooms like a bad smell:

And why the board probably hasn’t noticed. If you’re a trustee or director of a charity or CIC, let me ask you something uncomfortable: When was the last time you reviewed your bank account?

When it comes to running a business in the UK, avoiding VAT penalties is a priority every owner should take seriously. HMRC is strict about VAT compliance, and even simple mistakes can lead to costly fines.

In the business world today, the way we work has evolved dramatically. Many UK businesses are now adopting hybrid working models, combining office-based and remote work to suit both employees and organisational goals.

Preparing for an HMRC audit can feel daunting for any business owner. But with the proper HMRC audit preparation, companies can ensure they stay compliant, avoid penalties, and manage the process with confidence.

Staying on top of your tax obligations can feel like a full-time job, especially with the HMRC Making Tax Digital (MTD) initiative now reshaping how businesses report and manage taxes in the UK.

Navigating the world of Value Added Tax (VAT) can be complex, especially for small business owners juggling multiple responsibilities.

Staying ahead in business is about more than just sales and service. At Carter Collins & Myer, we know that smart financial management—especially quarterly tax planning in the UK—can make the difference between thriving and merely surviving.

Running a business in the UK, whether large or small, entails numerous responsibilities. Among the most crucial yet often overlooked areas is financial management.

When it comes to growing a successful business, numbers tell the real story. Regular financial reporting is not just a tool for compliance. It’s a roadmap that helps business owners navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and make informed decisions.

In an era where strategic agility often determines success, businesses cannot afford to rely solely on intuition. Efficient operations, sustainable growth, and smart resource deployment all hinge on one critical capability: informed decision-making.

The Bank of England has cut interest rates to 4.25%. Good news? Sort of. The Good: cheaper borrowing – loans and overdrafts tied to the base rate could see a small dip in repayments.

VAT might not be your favourite subject — but missing these updates could cost you. Key Changes You Should Know: – Capital Goods Scheme update — expensive computers will be removed from the scheme (no date yet)

The P11D deadline is 6 July 2025 — and no, you can’t file on paper anymore. If you miss it, you could face penalties even if you owe no tax.

From April 2026, if you earn over £50,000 from self-employment or rental property, you’ll have to submit quarterly tax updates to HMRC under the new Making Tax Digital (MTD) rules. It’s one of the biggest shifts in tax since Self Assessment began.

Remote and hybrid working are no longer temporary measures. They’ve become part of how many businesses now operate. Understanding the tax implications of remote working is vital for UK employers who want to remain compliant and efficient.

Running a business comes with endless decisions, many of which hinge on the numbers. However, hiring a full-time finance director isn’t always practical for many small and mid-sized businesses.

Managing cash flow can feel like a tightrope in times of economic uncertainty. But with careful planning and the right tools, you can navigate these challenging times, even when the economy is unpredictable.

Until now, businesses often skipped right to work checks for freelancers, zero-hour contractors, one-off jobs or temporary labour. That’s no longer allowed. Here’s how to stay legal.

Cyber attacks can shut you down. Here’s how to protect your business, your clients, and your reputation. You might think cyber threats only target big companies. But local businesses are often the easiest targets – and the least prepared. That needs to change.

Choosing accounting software used to be simple – a spreadsheet and a strong cup of tea would get you through. But now, with MTD for ITSA and quarterly reporting, your software it’s about survival.

If you’re a company director, PSC, or file on behalf of a company, new ID rules mean you’ll soon need to verify your identity with Companies House. Starting now is easier than scrambling later.

From April 2026, if you’re earning over £50,000 from self-employment or rental income, you’ll need to keep digital records and send updates to HMRC every quarter.

From April 2026, if you’re earning over £50,000 from self-employment or rental income, you’ll need to keep digital records and send updates to HMRC every quarter.

From April 2026, if you’re earning over £50,000 from self-employment or rental income, you’ll need to keep digital records and send updates to HMRC every quarter.

For many small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across the United Kingdom, one of the most common and disruptive challenges is a sudden business crisis linked to poor cash flow management.

Managing a buy-to-let property in the UK can be financially rewarding, but things often feel confusing and overwhelming when it comes to taxes.

Debt can be one of the most challenging obstacles a small business faces. However, it’s important to remember that recovery is entirely possible with the right approach, planning, and support.

Most business owners don’t dream of spending their evenings picking accounting software. I get it — you’d probably rather focus on running and growing your business.

Making Tax Digital (MTD) is a government initiative designed to modernise the tax system and make it easier for businesses to handle their tax affairs. The aim is to replace traditional paper-based tax records with digital accounting.

As an IT contractor, one of your most important decisions is determining how much to charge for your services. Setting the proper rates is crucial to ensure you’re compensated fairly for your skills and expertise, but it can also be a delicate balancing act.

In the UK, the taxation of IT professionals varies significantly depending on whether they operate as contractors or are employed full-time. Understanding these differences is crucial for financial planning and compliance with tax regulations.

To support CICs and charities in their fundraising efforts, I’ve compiled a detailed funding update packed with actionable insights. This resource will help you identify funding opportunities, understand key financial risks, and improve your organisation’s financial health.

Last week, Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered her Spring Statement, outlining the government’s latest economic plans, tax policies, and public spending decisions.

If you’re a small business owner in the North West, we run two completely free networking events designed to help you connect without awkward elevator pitches or forced referrals.

On 26 March 2025, Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered her Spring Statement. With slow economic growth and rising government borrowing costs, she’s sticking to her ‘non-negotiable’ fiscal rules—which means no new tax cuts or rises for now.

Building on the shelved Data Protection and Digital Information Bill, DUAB will impact how businesses handle data, market to customers, and use artificial intelligence (AI). Here’s a practical breakdown of what you need to know.

The Autumn Budget confirmed that from April, double cab pick-ups will face company car tax treatment rather than the lower van tax rate. This change dramatically increases BIK tax for drivers using these vehicles for work.

So, the latest Spring Statement is in, and – shockingly – things aren’t quite as rosy as the government would like us to believe.

HMRC are experiencing issues with duplicate employment records when companies change accountants mid-year. In some cases, this is leading to underpayments in tax, as employees appear to have two sets of income from the same employer.

As a director of a UK limited company, structuring your salary tax-efficiently is key. Changes in the 2025/26 tax year—including adjustments to National Insurance Contributions (NICs) and the Employment Allowance—could affect your take-home pay.

For charities and Community Interest Companies (CICs), financial management is often a complex, time-consuming process. Unlike traditional businesses, these organizations must track multiple income sources, manage restricted and unrestricted funds, and report to various regulators, including the Charity Commission, Companies House, and HMRC.

This guide helps provide clear, actionable advice to clients on whether to purchase buy-to-let (BTL) properties through a limited company or in their personal name.

Preparing for a financial audit is a crucial step for any business, ensuring that your financial records are accurate, compliant with regulations, and ready for review.

As a start-up entrepreneur or business owner, one of the most crucial aspects of managing your finances is understanding how to save tax legally.

The new Chancellor Jeremy Hunt had warned the public and the financial markets that his Autumn Statement would include “eye-watering” cuts in public spending and tax rises for those with the ‘broadest shoulders’.