Sysum Howard Duggan

When you hear the words ‘R&D tax relief’, it might conjure mental pictures of lab coats...

However, that assumption costs UK SMEs money every year, because HMRC’s definition of research and development is far wider than you might expect.

This article breaks down what qualifies for R&D tax relief, what doesn’t and how to work out where your business stands before you apply for it.

👉 https://www.shdco.co.uk/how-do-you-know-if-your-project-qualifies-for-rd-tax-relief/

There’s never a perfect time to make decisions about your business growth.

You spot a gap in the market, a hire who could add extra capacity or bigger premises down the road, and the pressure is on to move fast. Many business owners make those calls using old accounts and a gut feel for how their business is doing and whether it can absorb the cost.

That approach usually works… until it doesn’t.

A proper financial forecast can give you a forward view of your business’s income, costs and cash, built from your own numbers, so you can test a decision before you commit to it.

This blog explains what financial forecasting involves, where it can save you from making costly mistakes and how we build it into the support we give to growing businesses like yours.

👉 https://www.shdco.co.uk/how-can-financial-forecasting-help-you-plan-for-growth/

Many small business owners reach a point where the finances outgrow the systems and processes that manage them.

Your turnover’s up, your team’s bigger and the decisions you make every day now carry more weight than they used to. But hiring a full-time finance director can still feel like a big step, especially when your business might not quite be at that scale yet, and the cost of getting that timing wrong can be significant.

Bringing a fractional FD on board can help. It gives you access to senior financial expertise, without the cost or commitment of a permanent hire.

This blog covers what a fractional FD does, the signs that might suggest it’s time to bring one in, and how Sysum Howard Duggan Accountants (SHD&Co) can help.

👉 https://www.shdco.co.uk/when-should-you-bring-in-a-fractional-fd/

Do any of these sound familiar?

Your accountant keeps your books tidy, but nobody’s turning those numbers into insight that backs your decisions.

You set your pricing on a hunch.

You check your cash flow only when it feels tight, and by then it’s often too late to do much about it.

A full-time finance director could sort all that out for you, but their salary is hard to justify at this stage in your growth, and their workload wouldn’t fill five days a week either.

Many growing businesses hit a similar wall. Bringing in a fractional FD can help close the gap. It can give you access to senior finance expertise on tap, priced against the time your business needs, without the cost of a hiring a permanent FD.

This article explores what a fractional FD does, the signs your business might need one and how Sysum Howard Duggan Accountants (SHD&Co) can support you with it.

👉 https://www.shdco.co.uk/what-can-a-fractional-fd-do-for-your-growing-business/

If you want a bespoke local service with exceptional customer care, let's have a coffee and discuss how we can help support your business growth.

How can a Fractional FD help you?

🧭 Financial strategy - A clear plan for growth, built around where your business is heading, not just where it’s been.

📊 Board reporting & KPIs - Straightforward reports and the metrics that matter, ready for your board or investors.

💸 Cash flow forecasting - See what’s coming, so you can make spending, hiring and investment decisions with confidence.

Bring board-level experience without the overhead of a full-time hire, so you get strategic insight when your business needs it.

Together, we can build the financial foundation your business needs to grow with confidence.

Ever wished you had a finance director in the room, without the salary that comes with one?

With a fractional FD from us, you get a senior finance partner who knows your business as well as you do.

Find out more here 👉 https://www.shdco.co.uk/fractional-fd/

We know our service is excellent, but don’t just take our word for it....

Our Fractional FD service isn’t just about looking after your numbers. It’s about giving you a senior finance voice in the room when it matters.

Find out more here 👉 https://www.shdco.co.uk/fractional-fd/

We bring board-level experience without the overhead of a full-time hire, so you get strategic insight when your business needs it. All this, combined with transparent, low fixed monthly fees and unlimited expert advice.

Together, let’s build the financial foundation your business needs to grow with confidence.