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Small and micro business: news and insights

Interviews, reflections and commentary on key issues affecting small and micro businesses.
Displaying 1-30 of 191 results
What’s the #1 people risk for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)?
  • 21 Nov 2024
  • Keys Finance
People are everything to SMEs, so it’s no wonder that rising health and benefit costs top their list of worries. Employee benefit premiums and related costs ranked first in our People Risk 2024 survey of the most likely people risks to affect their business in the next two years with the most severe impact. (1)
Two people looking at the laptop having a conversation
The case for action on late payments
  • 18 Nov 2024
  • ICAEW Insights
A small practice round table at Chartered Accountants’ Hall, attended by Small Business Commissioner Liz Barclay, outlined the impacts of late payments on economic growth.
Next-day fee finance vs invoice factoring
  • 01 Nov 2024
  • Keys Finance
Keys Finance explain how their Next Day Professional Fee Finance tool can help accountants to receive 100% of their client fees Next-Day.
A person holding a mobile phone in one hand, making a payment with a bank card, held in the other hand
Payment scams, data hacks and Cyber Security Awareness Month
  • 31 Oct 2024
  • ICAEW Insights
Cyber round-up: the continuing payment scams and personal data attacks on individuals, key takeaways from ICAEW’s Cyber Security Awareness Month campaign, and how to safeguard your data and business from harm.
Houses of Parliament at night
Budget 2024 verdict: big and bold, but borne by business
  • 31 Oct 2024
  • ICAEW Insights
Chancellor Rachel Reeves focused on delivering economic stability with her wide-ranging first Budget – but short-term tax raising measures worth £40bn fall primarily on the shoulders of business.
Government publishes its plans for corporation tax
  • 30 Oct 2024
  • ICAEW Insights
The government has set out its intentions for corporation tax for the next five years, delivering on its commitment to publish a business tax roadmap at the Autumn Budget.
Four wind turbines on a green background
B20: three critical tasks for the accountancy profession
  • 25 Oct 2024
  • ICAEW Insights
ICAEW is a network partner to global business summit B20’s Integrity and Compliance task force, which has highlighted key areas for the profession’s scrutiny.
Four wind turbines on a green background
ICAEW: weak public finances put under further strain
  • 25 Oct 2024
  • ICAEW Insights
Commenting on the public sector finance release for September 2024 published by the Office for National Statistics today (Tuesday 22 October 2024)
The complicated and costly world of VAT
  • 23 Oct 2024
  • ICAEW Insights
Everyone knows UK VAT is complicated and, for taxable persons, costly to comply with. But why is the tax so complex, and why does it often impose onerous compliance costs?
Two people looking at the laptop having a conversation
How to access free business banking dispute resolution support
  • 14 Oct 2024
  • ICAEW Insights
Accountancy firms play a unique role in supporting and advising SME clients about resolving banking issues – and some accountancy businesses may have banking issues of their own. Fortunately, help is at hand.
Two women having a meeting between themselves
ICAEW disappointed by new reporting to tackle late payments
  • 09 Oct 2024
  • ICAEW Insights
New reporting requirements and a new Fair Payment Code among the measures outlined by government to target improvements in payment times, especially to small businesses and the self-employed.
Cyber security phone
Why small accounting firms are prime targets for cybercriminals
  • 08 Oct 2024
  • ICAEW Insights
Cyber Security Awareness Month: SMEs and small accounting firms are not taking cyber security seriously enough, according to Daniel Teacher.
The ups and downs of the VAT registration threshold
  • 30 Sep 2024
  • ICAEW Insights
The VAT registration threshold increased to £90,000 in April 2024, but should it be higher? Or would the UK benefit from a lower threshold?
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Industrial strategy must target additional investment, ICAEW warns
  • 27 Sep 2024
  • ICAEW Insights
In anticipation of the government’s upcoming International Investment Summit, ICAEW’s David Petrie outlines ICAEW’s wish list for an industrial strategy that encourages additional investment into the UK.
Houses of Parliament at night
Budget must take immediate action on growth, says ICAEW
  • 19 Sep 2024
  • ICAEW Insights
The Chancellor must put incentivising growth at the heart of the Budget, says ICAEW, as it calls for long-term fiscal planning, a fundamental review of the tax system and investment in skills and green technologies.
CPD made easy for members in small and micro business
  • 10 Sep 2024
  • ICAEW
ICAEW’s revised CPD regulations came into effect on 1 November 2023. Here’s some helpful information to get started.
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E-commerce ‘must be a priority in industrial strategy’
  • 10 Sep 2024
  • ICAEW Insights
A new report by the E-Commerce Trade Commission highlights three key opportunity areas the government should prioritise to stimulate growth as part of the industrial strategy to boost export growth for small businesses across the UK.
Four wind turbines on a green background
Accountants in business: ignore ESG at your peril
  • 09 Sep 2024
  • ICAEW Insights
Ahead of her panel appearance at ICAEW’s Annual Conference, BKL Head of Sustainability Myfanwy Neville urges accountants not to overlook ESG in their daily decision-making.
Two people looking at the laptop having a conversation
SMEs must grasp nuances of minimum wage compliance
  • 05 Sep 2024
  • ICAEW Insights
As HMRC gets tough on SMEs that are not aligned with National Minimum Wage rules, compliance is far more complex than generally thought.
A pair of hands typing on the laptop keyboard
SME public sector procurement spend stalls despite pledges
  • 03 Sep 2024
  • ICAEW Insights
Recently released report identifies further work to be done in progressing the government’s goal of procuring more goods and services from small businesses.
A female sitting at her desk with laptop open while writing on a piece of paper
Advisers must nurture thriving UK entrepreneurial spirit
  • 29 Aug 2024
  • ICAEW Insights
This year looks set to be a bumper year for business creation. How should advisers be gearing up for a rise in demand and what kind of advice do these fledgling businesses need to thrive?
Two people looking at the laptop having a conversation
British Business Bank launches Recovery Loan Scheme successor
  • 12 Jul 2024
  • ICAEW Insights
Running until 31 March 2026, the new Growth Guarantee Scheme aims to support small businesses by offering loans of up to £2m, with 70% government-backed guarantees.
Houses of Parliament at night
Business Secretary calls for feedback on government priorities
  • 10 Jul 2024
  • ICAEW Insights
Jonathan Reynolds MP wants input from business to help shape how the government can make progress on its industrial and economic plans.
Two people looking at the laptop having a conversation
The Procurement Act 2023: will SMEs benefit?
  • 01 Jul 2024
  • ICAEW Insights
The Act promises transparency and accountability in public sector procurement, but when it enters into force (planned for October 2024), will it shift the dial for SMEs?
Two people looking at the laptop having a conversation
The Procurement Act 2023: will SMEs benefit?
  • 28 Jun 2024
  • ICAEW Insights
The Act promises transparency and accountability in public sector procurement, but when it enters into force (planned for October 2024), will it shift the dial for SMEs?
Two people looking at the laptop having a conversation
SMES: mind the productivity gap
  • 27 Jun 2024
  • ICAEW Insights
The UK small business productivity gap is narrowing as the best-performing regions dip and typically poor-performing regions step up. We ask: what’s the task at hand for the next government?
From Left: Olivier Boutellis-Taft, CEO of Accountancy Europe; Giancarlo Attolini, Vice-President of Accountancy Europe; Malcolm Bacchus, President of ICAEW; and Mark Vaessen, President of Accountancy Europe.
Influencing policy to support you: June 2024
  • 25 Jun 2024
  • ICAEW Insights
In the run up to the election, ICAEW has been focused on examining the parties’ manifestos against our recommendations, as well as contributing to discussions on AI skills and the needs of small businesses.
London Westminster
ICAEW hustings event looks at parties’ plans for SMEs
  • 19 Jun 2024
  • ICAEW Insights
Chartered Accountants’ Hall plays host to MPs from three main parties for a special event focusing on the UK’s small business community.
Leaf sprouting from the ground
Coaching Bankside SMEs on basics of climate reporting
  • 19 Jun 2024
  • ICAEW Insights
A London initiative is helping Southwark SMEs to build a bedrock of knowledge around a number of climate actions, including reporting. Its leader tells us how the scheme works.
Free CPD: How to make your business more sustainable
  • 17 Jun 2024
  • Insights
No matter its size, every business has a responsibility to act on climate change. But with limited resources, it can be difficult for SMEs to know where to start. We’ve pulled together some helpful sustainability articles that can contribute to your verifiable Continuous Professional Development (CPD) hours.
Displaying 1-30 of 191 results
Insights hub

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