bearsfinancialservices

While appreciating just how dirty my laptop trackpad is (cheers iPhone for the unnecessary level of detail 😅), today’s office is WeWork Holborn.

Flexible spaces like this are exactly what allow me to work with clients all across the UK, without being tied to one location.

Also yes… that is Suits on in the background.

Before anyone says anything, I’ve been told off more than once for “watching TV” in the office…

But my fellow ADHD people will get it! I’m not actually watching it. It’s just background noise that helps me focus and get through work properly.

It works for me. It might not work for everyone, and that’s fine.

At the end of the day, it’s about doing what allows you to show up properly for your clients.

My boss is okay with it anyway…
(ps. it’s me. I am the boss.)

Taking a little Easter break 🐣We'll be back on the 7th 🤍

A common misconception is that every business purchase reduces your tax bill.

For an expense to be deductible, it must be wholly and exclusively for business purposes.

Understanding which expenses qualify is important, because claiming incorrectly can cause issues later.

Good records make this process far easier to manage.

A quick business finance reality check.

Your bank balance is not the same as your profit.

Your bank account might include money that still needs to cover VAT, tax, or upcoming expenses. Proper bookkeeping separates those figures so you know what the business has actually earned.

Understanding the difference between profit and cash flow is one of the most important things for business owners.

One of the most valuable things bookkeeping provides is visibility.

It allows business owners to see patterns in their numbers. Which services are most profitable, where expenses are increasing, and whether growth is sustainable.

Without clear records, those decisions become guesswork.

With clarity, businesses can plan confidently.

Did you know about the £1,000 trading allowance?One thing many people starting a side business do not realise is that the UK has something called the trading allowance.

If you earn £1,000 or less in a tax year from self-employment, you usually do not need to declare it to HMRC.

If you earn more than £1,000, you must register for self assessment.

This catches a lot of new freelancers out.

Understanding the rules early makes life much easier later.

One of the simplest ways to make bookkeeping easier is separating personal and business finances.

Using a dedicated business account means transactions are easier to track, expenses are clearer, and year-end preparation becomes much less stressful.

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It is a small change that saves a lot of time later.

A healthy bank balance does not always mean a healthy business.

Your bank account does not show upcoming tax, expenses that have not been recorded yet, or money that needs to be set aside.

This is why proper bookkeeping matters. It gives a clearer picture of what is actually happening financially.

If you run a business in the UK, HMRC requires you to keep financial records for at least six years.

This includes things like invoices, receipts, bank statements, and expense records.

Many people only think about this when something is requested later on.

Keeping organised records from the start saves a lot of stress.

One of the most common bookkeeping mistakes I see is business owners leaving their records until the end of the year.

By that point, things have usually built up and it becomes stressful to piece everything together.

Keeping your records updated monthly means you always know where you stand and problems can be spotted early.

It is a small habit that makes a big difference.