Running a business is rarely easy. Change is the new normal and this brings its own challenges. If you are running a business and there is significant change, these are the sort of signs to look out for that could mean that a fractional FD/CFO is for you: Experiencing financial challenges This is a worrying […]
Continue reading160. What are the 4 key benefits of having your own fractional FD/CFO?
These are what we see as the 4 key benefits of having a fractional FD/CFO rather than a full-time permanent member of staff: Expertise – you will get someone who is not only a highly qualified finance expert, but someone who has a wealth of experience garnered from working in many businesses probably going through […]
Continue reading159. What are the main differences between a full time and a fractional FD/CFO?
We have already outlined the role of an FD/CFO in this article, whether that is full time, interim or fractional. A fractional FD/CFO provides the financial oversight but they will be supporting multiple businesses – perhaps a day or two per week in each one. In terms of the role and responsibilities, the two are […]
Continue reading158. What is the role and what are the responsibilities of an FD/CFO?
Soundbite: A FD/CFO is a highly experienced finance profession who is responsible for the strategic financial management of the business. What does this really mean? We can view this as two main areas: Tactical – Helping you understand where the business is – right now: this is the crucial task of ensuring that the finance […]
Continue reading157. CFO – Full time or Fractional
It is all too easy to make assumptions, isn’t it? And, as I found out to my cost, doing this can come back to bite you. More specifically, when asked what Tectona does, my answer is usually something along the lines of: “Tectona provide part time finance directors/CFOs to owner managed businesses who don’t need, […]
Continue reading156. R&D tax credits: What you need to know in 2024
Understanding and benefiting from Research & Development (R&D) tax credits can be crucial for businesses, especially with recent updates and increased scrutiny from the government and its agencies. In January 2024, the National Audit Office (NAO) published a report highlighting widespread errors and fraud, and shortcomings in HMRC’s processes for R&D tax credits, prompting significant […]
Continue reading155. UK Small Business Accounting Software Showdown 2024: Xero vs. QuickBooks vs. The Rest
For UK small businesses, navigating the maze of accounting software can feel like wading through a vat of receipts. But fear not, brave entrepreneur! Two titans – Xero and QuickBooks – dominate the scene, and a host of plucky challengers fight for your attention. Choosing the right champion for your financial needs is crucial, so […]
Continue reading154. Failing to plan, or planning to fail in FX?
Plan for the worst? There’s no shortage of advice or opinion on currency markets but, the truth is, most of it is unhelpful, unactionable, and usually wrong. Financial executives needn’t be plugged into second-by-second exchange rate movements, rather they should be on top of their company’s ongoing level of risk. Businesses that don’t have a […]
Continue reading153. Discounting – what the numbers tell you
In our previous 2 articles we looked at: Pricing vs. Charging: What’s the Difference? The 5 Gotchas of Discounting Discounting certainly has its place. But make sure you are clear just why you are doing it. Here are some examples of how discounts can be used to achieve different business goals: Clear inventory If you have […]
Continue reading152. The 5 Gotchas of Discounting
Discounts can be a powerful tool for businesses, but there are also some perils for the unwary. Here are 5 of them: Discounting … Can erode brand value: If you offer discounts too often, customers may start to see your brand as being less valuable. This can make it more difficult to charge full price […]
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