22/05/2026
A mix of business, cultural and local developments has been unfolding across South London in recent months. 🌳
These are the kinds of changes that can influence footfall, demand and long-term opportunity for local businesses.
🎨 In Lewisham, New Cross and Deptford’s Creative Enterprise Zone has been re-secured, helping to protect studio space, funding and long-term support for creative businesses. It’s a clear signal that the borough is continuing to back its creative sector as a key part of the local economy.
💊 In Crystal Palace, is celebrating its 50th anniversary, a milestone that reflects both longevity and the important role independent businesses continue to play in their local communities.
📚 Closer to home, one of our clients has been named a finalist in the Business Book Awards, congratulations 👏
🏆 And for those thinking about recognition or growth opportunities, entries are now open for the Above & Beyond Bromley Business Awards
The awards are free to enter across multiple categories, offering local businesses a chance to gain visibility and recognition within the borough.
For business owners, it’s these kinds of local shifts that can quietly influence opportunity.
19/05/2026
Numbers don’t actually mean anything.
💰 Not profit.
📈 Not revenue.
✅ Not KPIs.
The meaning comes from us - the stories, assumptions and emotions we attach to them.
In this blog, Damion explores how a philosophy called Absurdism surprisingly applies to business and accounting… and why the most powerful thing we can do is choose interpretations that empower us rather than limit us.
Tap here to read the full blog 👉 https://co-accounting.co.uk/blog/numbers-meaning-and-the-absurd
14/05/2026
Meet Sandra 👋
Born and raised in Cuba, Sandra brings a truly unique mix of international experience, business ownership and financial expertise to the Co- team.
At Co-, Sandra works across tax planning, VAT returns and accounting, while also supporting clients with their day-to-day queries over the phone and email. She looks after a wide range of businesses, particularly in the hospitality, wellness and architecture sectors.
Before training to become an accountant, Sandra owned a restaurant in Crystal Palace and later opened a boutique hotel in Havana. Having been a business owner herself, she understands first-hand the challenges clients face and loves helping them build stronger, more successful businesses.
Her career journey has taken her from the United Nations in Geneva to becoming Finance Director of a £7m turnover travel business — but qualifying as an accountant had always been a dream. She is currently completing her AAT qualification and is a much-valued part of the Co- family.
Outside of work, Sandra loves cooking, travelling, exercising and dancing salsa, something she regularly enjoys at salsa events across South London 💃
08/05/2026
Co-hesion Day 🌿
Last week, we stepped away from the day-to-day and came together for one of our favourite traditions: Co-hesion Day.
Set in the beautiful surroundings of Brockwell Park Hall, we spent the morning reflecting on the past six months, celebrating the wins, recognising the challenges, and taking time to appreciate just how far we have come as a team.
This year, every single person has pushed themselves to help drive a real shift in the business. The result? Stronger connections, a deeper sense of purpose, and a shared feeling of achievement across the whole team.
After lunch, we explored the hidden gem of the secret walled garden before taking a quiet walk across the lawns, a chance to pause, reset, and look ahead.
Our focus now is on building smarter systems and continuing to grow together as a practice.
Here’s to the next chapter. 🚀
01/05/2026
Are you a South London business owner looking to make the most of the next few months before the summer shift hits?
This May, our free Co-nnect events are designed to help you step away from the day-to-day and focus on your business.
Whether you need support with your numbers, want to think more sustainably about your digital presence, or simply talk through ideas with others who get it, there’s something here for you.
👨💻 Online Accounting Surgery for your questions on Xero, tax and accounting
🌱 Digital Sustainability Workshop to rethink your online impact
🚶🏽♀️ Walk & Talk for a more relaxed space to share ideas and challenges
📈 Budgeting Webinar to help you plan your finances with confidence
Our events are open to all and designed to be practical, supportive and easy to join.
Take a look through and see what feels useful for you.
Book your place via the link here 👉 https://co-accounting.co.uk/events
29/04/2026
With changes to dividend tax now in effect, this is a useful moment for business owners to take a step back and look at the bigger picture.
For many small business owners, income is not as simple as one monthly salary. It can involve a mix of salary, dividends, pension contributions and wider business cash flow.
That means a tax change is not just a line on a budget announcement. It can affect how much you take, when you take it, and how you plan.
That’s why ahead of the tax year:
✔ Get numbers up to date
✔ Look ahead to upcoming changes
✔ Align on the right mix of incomes
The new tax year is a good opportunity to review this and make sure things are set up in a way that works for you.
Got a dividend question? Drop us an email
27/04/2026
Does your business need a health check? 🩺
Running a business can be all-consuming, and it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day. But how often do you take a step back to evaluate the big picture?
Introducing the Co- Business Health Check, a simple yet powerful tool designed to help you assess the key functions of your business. It will highlight where you're excelling and pinpoint areas where improvements can be made to set your business up for long-term success. 📈
In only 15 minutes of your time, you’ll get:
✅ A clear overview of your business strengths and gaps
✅ A roadmap to help you prioritise the next steps for growth
✅ The confidence to tackle new challenges and move your business forward
Ready to take action? Click the link to start your Business Health Check today https://co-accounting.co.uk/blog/co-business-health-check
24/04/2026
We often speak to business owners who feel like their sales aren’t as consistent as they’d like.
You might be getting enquiries or interest,
but not always seeing that turn into steady, predictable sales. 📈
For this month’s Co-nnect workshop, we’re joined by Simon Finneran from Sandler Training to explore a different way to approach sales.
Simon works with business owners and sales leaders who want to feel more in control of their sales process, from attracting the right opportunities through to handling conversations with more clarity and confidence.
The Sandler approach isn’t about being pushy or trying to convince someone to buy. It’s about asking the right questions and guiding the process, so the customer can clearly see for themselves whether you’re the right fit.
In this session, we’ll cover:
• How to identify better fit opportunities
• How to stay in control of your sales process
• How to communicate your value with more confidence
You’ll leave with practical ideas you can start using straight away.
If you’re looking for more consistency and less guesswork in your sales, this will be a really useful session.
Reserve your space here ▷ https://co-accounting.co.uk/events/sandler-sales-training
21/04/2026
Another quiet win from the Tax team 👇
A client recently paid their Corporation Tax 8 months early.
Not because they had to, but because they could.
Through working with Co-, their numbers were consistently up to date 📊
And with regular Co-Create meetings to plan ahead, they had a clear view of where the business was heading and the confidence to act on it
The result?
A £500 interest payment from HM Revenue & Customs 💸
But the real value isn’t the £500
It’s what sits behind it
✅ Clarity
✅ Forward planning
✅ Making decisions early, not under pressure
Most businesses don’t get this opportunity
Not because it’s unavailable, but because they don’t have the visibility early enough
When you do, different decisions open up ✨
16/04/2026
There’s a quiet assumption in business that the numbers must be right.
Your accountant sends them over. You sign them off. Job done.
But most business owners don’t see what goes into those numbers, or what should go into them.
When we take on new clients, we get visibility of the previous accounts and the work behind them. Sometimes everything is as it should be. Other times, it’s clear that key parts of the process haven’t been done.
In the worst case we’ve seen, a £30k+ liability was completely missing from the numbers.
It wasn’t hidden or difficult. It just hadn’t been picked up.
In many cases, it comes down to the work not being done in full. Proper review takes time, and if that time hasn’t been allowed for, corners can get cut.
It’s not just about the accounts being right.
It’s what you’re relying on them for.
The numbers you sign off on as a director are meant to be a true and fair reflection of your business. That doesn’t mean you need to understand every detail, but it should mean you trust how they’ve been put together.
If you’re not confident in your numbers or how they’ve been put together, it might be time for a new accountant.
Get in touch.
14/04/2026
Running a business can be busy, and it is not always easy to find the time or space to step back and talk things through.
That is one of the reasons we run our monthly Co-nnect workshops.
They are a chance to connect with other local business owners, share ideas, and spend some time working on your business, not just in it.
Each session has a different focus, but the format stays the same. A relaxed, welcoming space with practical advice and time to think.
For April, we are joined by a guest speaker from Sandler Sales, who will share their award-winning approach to sales.
It is not about scripts or pressure. It is about understanding your customers, having better conversations, and building a sales process that works for your business.
Alongside that, there is time to connect with others in the room.
Arrival drinks, open discussion, and space to work through ideas together.
If you have been meaning to meet more people locally and spend some time focusing on your business, this is a good place to start.
Join us on Monday, the 27th April 7.30 pm.
Book your place here https://co-accounting.co.uk/events
29/04/2026
27/04/2026
24/04/2026
21/04/2026
16/04/2026
14/04/2026