Can you help a party planner with her accounts? Ann is looking for an accountant who specialises in this area. Just comment at the end of this post or get in touch via the ‘contact’ page. Thanks!

This book, which is a companion to the equally impressive “Mastering Bookkeeping” is difficult to describe as anything other than a textbook. This is not to dissuade you because this is a genuine attempt to provide help in computerising your bookkeeping. The software that is mentioned throughout the book is Sage50, but this is no IT manual.

When you look at “Mastering Bookkeeping” it is difficult to come up with any other thought than this is a textbook, but don’t let that put you off. From what I have gleaned about these pages, this is a genuine attempt to be a complete guide to teaching students how to be skilled in the art of bookkeeping.

If you are starting a business, getting your finances in order is critical. Here are some tips to help you when you are starting out.

Get organised. In the first few days and weeks of your business you are likely to have relatively few receipts and invoices. Use these to develop your own system for bookkeeping. Don’t leave them to pile up as it is harder to deal with a backlog!

What do you think of when you hear the word ‘Mumpreneur’? A mum with a webstore selling baby gear? That’s one stereotype, but it sells short the many women who own all sorts of businesses who are also juggling a family. There is an article in the Times which outlines some ‘mumpreneur stereotypes’ which also perhaps don’t help the cause:
“Green mum: Makes biodynamic herbal body cream for mother and child. Qualifications Home aromatherapy course. Funding Not much needed. Herbs are grown in the garden; packaging is recycled pesto jars; her …

Name of business: Lifestyle Accounting Limited
Name & Age: Louise Munro, 39
Family:
My husband David is 43 and working for Lifestyle Accounting as an Accounts Assistant. He is in the final year of the AAT’s Accounting Technician qualification after joining the company in 2008.

Three quarters of parents have cut back on luxuries in the last six months, but are most likely to reduce spending on themselves rather than on their children, according to a Workingmums.co.uk survey.

When you run your own business, bringing a child into the world is a costly matter; it introduces the strain of supporting a household as well as the extra pressure of juggling work and home commitments.  The good news is that the government is offering financial support.  Read this article from Ray Comam of Coman and Co to make sure you are getting your state entitlements, from pregnancy right through to employing your children in the business. 

Just a quick reminder: VAT rates go back to 17.5% today. If you’re confused, here’s a short explanation about VAT from John Crawford, Managing Director of www.thevatconsultancy.com:
 VAT is a tax that’s charged on most goods and services that the majority of businesses provide in the UK. In broad terms, VAT is charged when businesses sell goods and services between each other, and also when they sell these to consumers. During 2009, the standard rate of VAT was 15%, and so 15% of the cost of most items you bought went back …

Here’s a message and media op from Rob of Small Business Success:
“I am finalising the writing of a book which I plan to publish in the UK market towards the end of quarter one next year. The book is titled ‘Getting a Small Business Loan: A Small Business Owner’s Guide to Getting the Finance You Need’. As the title suggests the focus of the book is revealing how you can increase your chances of success in getting a small business loan. In the current climate this is something I’m sure …