Opus Insights
Insights
Tax, compliance and business commentary, updated as the rules change.
Showing 1–22 of 22 articles in Business Support
New funding opens for growing businesses
The British Business Bank has launched a £210 million investment fund to help smaller businesses in the South East of England start, develop and grow.…
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When can a trading loss generate a tax refund
Making a trading loss whilst not ideal can sometimes generate a tax refund. If you are a self-employed individual or a member of a trading partnerships, a trading loss can potentially be set against o…
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Could company dividend rules be changing?
The Government has announced plans to consider major changes to the rules governing when companies can make distributions to shareholder.…
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Predevelopment costs on major developments
Businesses planning major infrastructure and development projects should be aware of a new government consultation on the tax treatment of predevelopment costs.…
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How Is Your Business Performing?
The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics suggest that conditions remain challenging for many UK businesses.…
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Could your business survive a cyberattack?
Cybercrime is no longer a problem that only affects large organisations. Increasingly, small and medium-sized businesses are becoming targets because criminals often see them as having weaker security…
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Are your employment policies ready for workplace reforms?
Employment law continues to evolve, and businesses should keep a close eye on forthcoming changes that may affect the way they recruit, manage and retain staff. Although many of the proposed reforms a…
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Could better digital skills transform your business?
Technology is changing the way businesses operate, and the pace of change is only increasing. While large organisations often have dedicated IT departments, many small businesses still rely on traditi…
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Why successful businesses prepare before conditions improve
Economic uncertainty has affected the confidence of many small business owners. Rising costs, changing customer demand and pressure on cash flow have led some businesses to postpone investment until c…
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Five practical ways to reduce business energy costs
Energy costs remain a significant overhead for many UK businesses. Although wholesale prices have eased from the exceptional highs seen in recent years, uncertainty in global energy markets means pric…
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Will your next finance application succeed?
Many successful businesses eventually reach a point where additional finance is needed. Whether the objective is purchasing equipment, expanding premises, recruiting staff or improving cash flow, acce…
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Is AI delivering real value for small businesses?
Artificial intelligence (AI) has dominated business headlines over the past year, with many suggesting it will transform the way companies operate. While there is no doubt that AI has enormous potenti…
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Why uncertain times make business planning more important
Economic conditions remain uncertain and many business owners are understandably cautious about the months ahead. Although there are signs of improvement in some sectors, rising costs, changing custom…
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Late payments still threaten small business cash flow
Late payments remains one of the biggest challenges facing small businesses across the UK. Even companies that are profitable on paper can find themselves under financial pressure if customers fail to…
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Rising employment costs are changing business decisions
Employment costs continue to rise, and many small businesses are feeling the impact. Higher wage bills, increased employment related costs and the expense of recruiting and retaining skilled employees…
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Five ways AI can save you hours every week
Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer just for large organisations. Many small businesses are now using affordable AI tools to reduce administration, improve customer service and free up valuable…
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Could your business survive a cyber attack?
Cyber-crime is no longer a problem faced only by large organisations. Small businesses are increasingly being targeted because criminals often assume they have fewer security measures in place. A succ…
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When did you last check your credit rating?
Many business owners regularly monitor their bank balance, sales and cash flow, but overlook another important financial indicator, their credit rating. Whether you are applying for finance, negotiati…
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Five ways to improve customer retention
Winning new customers is important, but many businesses overlook the value of keeping the customers they already have. Existing customers are often more likely to buy again, recommend your business to…
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Are you too dependent on one customer?
Many successful businesses begin by working closely with one major customer. While this can provide valuable income and stability in the early years, becoming too dependent on a single customer can cr…
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The benefits of Fair Payment Code accreditation
Getting paid on time remains one of the biggest challenges facing many small and medium-sized businesses. Late payments can place pressure on cash flow, increase borrowing requirements and divert valu…
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Companies House steps up enforcement activity
Companies House is entering a new era of enforcement as it begins making greater use of the powers granted under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act. The aim is to improve the accuracy o…
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