{"id":8460,"date":"2020-12-04T14:17:36","date_gmt":"2020-12-04T14:17:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/?p=8460"},"modified":"2025-07-11T15:25:03","modified_gmt":"2025-07-11T14:25:03","slug":"back-small-business-boss-startup-existing-business","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/back-small-business-boss-startup-existing-business\/","title":{"rendered":"Let\u2019s back small business \u2013 and how you can boss your startup or existing business"},"content":{"rendered":"<header class=\"entry-header has-dark-background-color entry-header--has-illustration entry-header--has-illustration--generic\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__row row align-center\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-lg-7 col-xlg-6 entry-header__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"component component-single-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__misc text--subtitle text--uppercase text--small\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/category\/money-matters\/\" class=\"entry-header__link\">Money Matters<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-title-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"entry-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tLet\u2019s back small business \u2013 and how you can boss your startup or existing business\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"entry-header__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"single-post-details container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"posted-on \">Published <time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2020-12-04T14:17:36+00:00\">4 December, 2020<\/time><\/span><span class=\"reading-time\"> min read<\/span>\n\t\t<button\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\tclass=\"social-share-button button button--icon button--secondary js-social-share-button\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-title=\"Let\u2019s back small business \u2013 and how you can boss your startup or existing business\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/back-small-business-boss-startup-existing-business\/\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-text=\"Please read this interesting article\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__share-label\">Share<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-label\" hidden>Copy Link<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\" hidden>Copied<\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<\/header>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-author has-dark-background-color alignfull\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"co-authors\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-author-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"entry-author\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/author\/staceymcintosh\/\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"40\" height=\"40\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2018\/11\/Stacey-McIntosh-350-1.jpg\" class=\"entry-author__image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t<span class=\"entry-author__name\">Stacey McIntosh<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Restrictions come and (we all hope) go, but the passion and commitment of small businesses remains undimmed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With lockdown restrictions still imposed in different ways across the UK, we\u2019re getting the nation behind their small independent businesses who are bossing it \u2013 either online due to requirements to remain closed or on the high street (and online) as restrictions have been lifted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Everyone&#8217;s getting involved up and down the country, from social content creators and Sage Business Experts to small business owners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Check <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/search?q=%23YourLocal&amp;src=typed_query&amp;f=live\">#YourLocal<\/a> for loads more great examples, and add your own. Our pounds in tills, and posts on timelines show them we care, and we continue to back them bossing it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-want-to-set-up-and-boss-your-own-business\"><strong>Want to set up and boss your own business?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As well as backing existing small businesses, we\u2019re here to do the same with those people who want to start their own companies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Perhaps you\u2019ve got a burning desire to run your own business and now\u2019s the ideal time. Maybe you\u2019re craving a better work-life balance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Or perhaps, as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, you\u2019ve been made redundant and are looking for an alternative way to make money and support yourself (and your family).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For those thinking about bossing it and setting up their own business, below are a few articles to help you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"#gate-b3b47a28-fdcc-4e9d-b759-f1cc7daa1d9c\">Download your free guide, 7 ways to take control of your business, and take steps now to master your business admin <\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-to-start-a-small-business-in-2020\"><strong>How to start a small business in 2020<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When it comes to starting a small business, having an idea to turn into a product or service that you can offer customers and clients is one part of the puzzle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You also need to take the time to sort any legal requirements (should you be a sole trader, limited company or partnership?) and keep on top of your numbers (good <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/accounting-software\/\">cloud accounting software<\/a> can help you manage your accounts).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This article covers what you need to know in these regards \u2013 and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And look out for our small business toolkit (which features a \u2018start your business\u2019 guide, cash flow forecast and business plan template), which is featured in the article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With these resources by your side, you\u2019ll have what you need to take your first steps in a brave new world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-find-out-more-how-to-start-a-small-business-in-2020\">Find out more: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/how-to-start-a-small-business\/\">How to start a small business in 2020<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"#gate-adbf67e7-f26f-4f58-a954-9e67147b2f85\">Download your free small business toolkit: a guide, business plan template and cash flow forecast template so you can boss your business<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-to-write-a-business-plan\"><strong>How to write a business plan<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/how-to-write-a-business-plan\/\">business plan<\/a> will help you work out your priorities for your business. It will also help if you decide you need to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/create-a-business-plan-wow-investors\/\">find investment for your business<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In this article, you\u2019ll find details on what you need to include in your business plan, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Who your customers and\/or clients are<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What your product or services will offer to your customer\/client base<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Details on your finances.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There\u2019s also advice on how to use your business plan and where to get help with it if you need any.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-find-out-more-how-to-write-a-business-plan\">Find out more: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/how-to-write-a-business-plan\/\">How to write a business plan<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-already-running-your-business-and-want-to-up-your-game\"><strong>Already running your business and want to up your game?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here are some steps you can take to help you find support as your business grows, stay on top of your taxes and get financial help as and when you need it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-to-choose-an-accountant-for-your-small-business\"><strong>How to choose an accountant for your small business<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Accountants are great when it comes to seeking support to file tax returns \u2013 but they can offer your business so much more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In this article, we cover the benefits of using an accountant and share a series of steps you can take to find the right accountant (or accountancy practice) to help your business thrive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And as an extension to this, in another article, we share the stories of a number of business owners who reveal how an accountant has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/accountant-huge-difference-business\/\">made a huge difference<\/a> to their companies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-find-out-more-how-to-choose-an-accountant-for-your-small-business\">Find out more: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/how-to-choose-an-accountant-for-your-business\/\">How to choose an accountant for your small business<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-10-simple-tips-to-get-the-support-that-helps-your-business-thrive\"><strong>10 simple tips to get the support that helps your business thrive<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That\u2019s right, you don\u2019t need to go it alone when it comes to business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From the aforementioned accountant, to bookkeepers, business coaches and payroll experts, there are lots of people that can help you achieve your goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And when it comes to support with your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/size\/small-business\/\">small business software<\/a> \u2013 including the likes of accounting software, payroll software and HR software \u2013 your vendor should be able to help you use it to the max.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-find-out-more-10-simple-tips-to-get-the-support-that-helps-your-business-thrive\">Find out more: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/tips-support-business-thrive\/\">10 simple tips to get the support that helps your business thrive<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-7-tips-to-help-you-make-sure-tax-isn-t-taxing-for-your-business\"><strong>7 tips to help you make sure tax isn\u2019t taxing for your business<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As the government said a few years ago, \u201ctax doesn\u2019t have to be taxing\u201d \u2013 but that\u2019s not necessarily the case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tax can be pretty complicated, especially if it\u2019s not your strong suit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To help you gain some clarity, this article covers a series of tips to help you stay on top your taxes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And for additional help in this area, it\u2019s worth reaching out to an accountant or tax adviser for their support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-find-out-more-7-tips-to-help-you-make-sure-tax-isn-t-taxing-for-your-business\">Find out more: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/tips-tax-isnt-taxing-business\/\">7 tips to help you make sure tax isn\u2019t taxing for your business<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-coronavirus-financial-support-timeline-how-you-can-apply-and-when-the-schemes-end\"><strong>Coronavirus financial support timeline: How you can apply and when the schemes end<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While there are a series of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/government-grants-for-small-businesses\/\">government grants and loans<\/a> that you can access if you need to, the coronavirus pandemic has opened the doors to a wealth of financial support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are numerous schemes available to help you if your business has been affected by the pandemic, from the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/coronavirus-job-retention-scheme-faq\/\">Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme<\/a> to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/coronavirus-financial-support-timeline\/#loan-anchor-link\">various loan schemes<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In this article, we highlight what\u2019s available to you and when the schemes end \u2013 so you have enough time to get your applications in (or work with an accountant to help you navigate what\u2019s best for you to use).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-find-out-more-coronavirus-financial-support-timeline-how-you-can-apply-and-when-the-schemes-end\">Find out more: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/coronavirus-financial-support-timeline\/\">Coronavirus financial support timeline: How you can apply and when the schemes end<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-final-thoughts-on-backing-small-business\"><strong>Final thoughts on backing small business<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We may be going through uncertain times but these are times to celebrate small businesses \u2013 both the people who are involved and what they offer the economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s been a challenging year \u2013 so if that\u2019s meant you\u2019ve decided running your own business is the way to go, the resources above should provide you with the first steps you need to take to embark on your new adventure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And if you\u2019ve been running your business for a while and are working hard to achieve your goals, the resources above should help you take the steps to win big.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"single-cta gated-content\">\n\t<div class=\"single-cta__positioner on-scroll-highlight__target\">\n\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__wrapper has-dark-background-color\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"single-cta__title h3\">7 ways to take control of your business<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Want to know how you can boss it at your business? Read this guide for top tips to help you master your business admin and truly take control.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"#gate-b3b47a28-fdcc-4e9d-b759-f1cc7daa1d9c\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"single-cta__button button button--primary\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>Download your free guide<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1221202813-1440x810.jpg\" class=\"single-cta__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1221202813-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 33vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"single-cta\">\n\t<div class=\"single-cta__positioner on-scroll-highlight__target\">\n\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__wrapper has-dark-background-color\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"single-cta__title h3\">Subscribe to the Sage Advice newsletter<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Join more than 500,000 UK readers and get the best business admin strategies and tactics, as well as actionable advice to help your company thrive, in your inbox every month.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"#gate-b1a63862-3fa0-4a5e-bb67-c76b88bbc6b8\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"single-cta__button button button--primary\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>Subscribe now<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1073797282-1-1440x810.jpg\" class=\"single-cta__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1073797282-1-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 33vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<section class=\"more-topics alignfull has-grey-light-background-color wp-block-sage-post-topics\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"row\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12 col-lg-4\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"more-topics__title h2\">Browse more topics from this article<\/h3>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12 col-lg-8\">\n\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"post-tags__list\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/tag\/business-support\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBusiness support\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/tag\/create-business-plan\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCreating a business plan\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/tag\/grow-business\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow to grow your business\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/tag\/start-business\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow to start a business\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/tag\/tax\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTax\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<div class=\"alignfull wp-block-sage-related-posts\">\n\t<section class=\"related-posts card-grid has-dark-background-color\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"related-posts__heading related-posts__heading--featured h1\">Explore more wisdom<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"row related-posts__featured\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-0 post-20175 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-people-leadership category-strategy-legal-operations tag-freelancers tag-hr-process tag-tax business_type-small-business card-post--is-clickable\"\n>\n\t<div class=\"card-post__media-wrapper\">\n\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1279589946-1440x810.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"Woman figuring out her employment status\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1279589946-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1279589946-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1279589946-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"card-post__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__label\">Recommended<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div 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Learn what it means in this article.\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row related-posts__non-featured\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"related-posts__heading related-posts__heading--more h4\">More on this Topic<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-1 post-13339 post type-post status-publish format-audio has-post-thumbnail hentry category-growth-customers tag-freelancers tag-grow-business tag-sound-advice-podcast tag-startup-stories post_format-post-format-audio business_type-small-business\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/sound-advice-starting-a-freelance-business-kate-bassett\/?scroll=1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/11\/Blog_Episode-50-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"Kate Bassett\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/11\/Blog_Episode-50-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/11\/Blog_Episode-50-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/11\/Blog_Episode-50-810x810.jpg 810w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg role=\"presentation\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" class=\"card-post__meta-icon svg-icon\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path d=\"M9.75 1.5C8.793 1.5 8 2.293 8 3.25v8.377a.8.8 0 0 0 0 .243v4.38c0 .957.793 1.75 1.75 1.75h5.5c.957 0 1.75-.792 1.75-1.75v-4.377a.8.8 0 0 0 0-.243V3.25c0-.957-.792-1.75-1.75-1.75zm0 1.5h5.5c.147 0 .25.102.25.25V11h-6V3.25c0-.148.102-.25.25-.25m-4.012 7.989a.75.75 0 0 0-.739.761v4.5A4.76 4.76 0 0 0 9.749 21h2v2a.76.76 0 0 0 .216.537.74.74 0 0 0 .534.223.76.76 0 0 0 .535-.223.74.74 0 0 0 .216-.537v-2h2A4.76 4.76 0 0 0 20 16.25v-4.5a.76.76 0 0 0-.216-.537.74.74 0 0 0-.535-.223.75.75 0 0 0-.75.76v4.5a3.24 3.24 0 0 1-3.25 3.25h-5.5a3.24 3.24 0 0 1-3.25-3.25v-4.5a.755.755 0 0 0-.469-.707.8.8 0 0 0-.293-.055zM9.5 12.5h6v3.75c0 .147-.102.25-.25.25h-5.5a.24.24 0 0 1-.25-.25zm3 1a.997.997 0 0 0-1 1 .997.997 0 0 0 1 1 .997.997 0 0 0 1-1 .997.997 0 0 0-1-1\" \/><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-09-17T12:27:33+01:00\">17 September, 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0-.739.761v10.689l-1.72-1.72a.75.75 0 0 0-.957-.099.75.75 0 0 0-.315.776c.031.146.104.28.211.384l3 3a.75.75 0 0 0 1.06 0l3-3a.76.76 0 0 0 .231-.533.74.74 0 0 0-.22-.538q-.108-.106-.247-.164c-.139-.058-.191-.057-.291-.056s-.198.022-.29.061-.174.097-.243.169l-1.72 1.72V3.75a.76.76 0 0 0-.22-.541.76.76 0 0 0-.542-.22zM5.75 8.5C4.24 8.5 3 9.74 3 11.25v7C3 19.76 4.24 21 5.75 21h12.5c1.51 0 2.75-1.24 2.75-2.75v-7c0-1.51-1.24-2.75-2.75-2.75h-3a.76.76 0 0 0-.537.216.74.74 0 0 0-.223.535.76.76 0 0 0 .223.535.74.74 0 0 0 .537.216h3c.699 0 1.25.551 1.25 1.25v7a1.24 1.24 0 0 1-1.25 1.25H5.75a1.24 1.24 0 0 1-1.25-1.25v-7c0-.699.551-1.25 1.25-1.25h3a.76.76 0 0 0 .537-.216.74.74 0 0 0 .223-.535.76.76 0 0 0-.223-.535.75.75 0 0 0-.537-.216z\" \/><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-09-17T12:27:18+01:00\">17 September, 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src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2017\/12\/GettyImages-645425511_super-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2017\/12\/GettyImages-645425511_super-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2017\/12\/GettyImages-645425511_super-768x585.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2017\/12\/GettyImages-645425511_super-1064x810.jpg 1064w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-09-14T15:44:07+01:00\">14 September, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">11 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tHow to manage your accounts and bookkeeping as a sole trader\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-4 post-2229 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-money-matters category-strategy-legal-operations tag-bookkeeping tag-business-finances tag-cash-flow tag-freelancers tag-start-business tag-make-receive-payments tag-tax tag-vat business_type-small-business\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/the-ultimate-guide-to-basic-business-accounting\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1267191201_updated-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1267191201_updated-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1267191201_updated-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1267191201_updated-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-09-14T15:43:42+01:00\">14 September, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">18 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tThe ultimate guide to small business accounting and bookkeeping\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Restrictions come and (we all hope) go, but the passion and commitment of small businesses remains undimmed. With lockdown restrictions still imposed in different ways across the UK, we\u2019re getting the nation behind their small independent businesses who are bossing it \u2013 either online due to requirements to remain closed or on the high street [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":346,"featured_media":2997,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_is_cornerstone":"","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-noindex":"","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-nofollow":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image-id":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image-id":"","_yoast_wpseo_schema_page_type":"","_yoast_wpseo_schema_article_type":"","_sage_video":false,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskeywords":"","_yoast_wpseo_keywordsynonyms":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":"6","sage_membership_post_content_type":"article","sage_membership_post_featured_video_id":"","sage_membership_post_video_type":"trailer","sage_membership_post_featured_video_duration":"","post_featured_image_hide":false,"sage_hide_published_date":false,"sage_hide_read_time":false,"sage_hide_share_buttons":false,"_pwl_sage_podcast_buzzsprout_src":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6,9],"tags":[124,13,15,12,27],"business_type":[4],"lilypad":[],"context":[],"industry":[],"persona":[73,74,75],"imagine_tag":[77,200,109],"coauthors":[353],"class_list":["post-8460","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-money-matters","category-strategy-legal-operations","tag-business-support","tag-create-business-plan","tag-grow-business","tag-start-business","tag-tax","business_type-small-business"],"sage_meta":{"region":"en-gb","author_name":"Stacey McIntosh","featured_image":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2017\/10\/GettyImages-547017095_super.jpg","imagine_tags":{"77":"Accounting software","200":"Payroll","109":"Small business"}},"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"Sage Advice UK","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8460","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/users\/346"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8460"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8460\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/media\/2997"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8460"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8460"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8460"},{"taxonomy":"business_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/business_type?post=8460"},{"taxonomy":"lilypad","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/lilypad?post=8460"},{"taxonomy":"context","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/context?post=8460"},{"taxonomy":"industry","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/industry?post=8460"},{"taxonomy":"persona","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/persona?post=8460"},{"taxonomy":"imagine_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/imagine_tag?post=8460"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=8460"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}