These accounts are prepared with the specific aim of giving you information to help you run your business. As such they can be prepared on a quarterly, monthly, or even weekly basis, depending on your needs.

By understanding your business and your individual management needs, I produce regular accounts that fully reflect how your business is doing.

Every business has key drivers known as Key Performance Indicators or KPIs. For example, how many new clients they have brought on board in the month or how long it takes they to collect customer debts. These KPIs are important to measure as part of monthly reporting and I help business owners understand what their KPIs are.

How about downloading Your guide to understanding business finances?

Many businesses grow rapidly in the early years but their management reporting and financial systems often lag behind.

This means that business owners and managers often make decisions without all the information they need to achieve the best outcomes.

I can do a thorough review of your financial systems and processes to help your staff deliver the best, and most relevant, information for your business today. If there is a gap at the top of your finance department I also offer virtual FD services.

Successful businesses understand where profit is derived. This is not as simple as running a profit and loss account every month, but requires analysis of the detail behind the headlines.

In particular, it is important to understand, which customers, products and projects bring profit into the business. Such knowledge can mean future sales and marketing effort is targeted to maximise future profit.

I set up systems to provide this information regularly.

A business plan is your vision of the future of your business. It is a vital tool in ensuring your business grows as you wish. Many businesses only produce business plans when they are looking for finance from their banks, but successful business owners produce them for themselves.

I have produced business plans both for business owners, and for their banks, and have a clear understanding of the difference!

How about downloading Your guide to business planning?

If you have clear financial picture of the year ahead, you are better equipped to deal with any unforeseen problems. For example, by understanding your cash flow you will have plenty of time to organise extra financing when money is tight - or to re-reorganise spending to avoid cash flow problems.

I have many years of experience in this area and can produce profit and loss, cash flow and balance sheet forecasts, to help you plan ahead.

How about downloading Your guide to forecasting?

Entrepreneurs, and non-financial managers, have a specific way of looking at the world which means they can see opportunities others can't. However, they often lack the knowledge needed to understand the financial aspects of their business.

I can run Finance for Non-financial Managers courses, tailored specifically for your business, so that anyone who requires it can get the financial grounding they need.

I also do general technical training for your finance staff. This can be on a one to one or group basis.

Running your own business can be a lonely experience for many. There are not many impartial people out there with whom you can share ideas, or discuss your business concerns.

With my many years in business I can offer you a sounding board, which will be objective, and impartial, but most of all based on an appreciation of how you see your business thriving.

Most businesses will reach the stage where they will need some form of financial management software to be used by their own staff. Such software can provide a more cost effective way of managing business finances than using an external bookkeeper. Packages such as Sage, QuickBooks and TAS can be excellent tools if used properly.

I can use my understanding of your business to help you decide which package is best for you, set it up so it provides the information you need quickly and accurately, and train your staff in using it.