Financial Guides and Articles
Plain-English guides on business banking, insurance and more.
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What Is Invoice Finance?
Invoice finance lets you release cash tied up in unpaid invoices without waiting for customers to pay. It comes in two main forms, factoring and discounting, each suited to different business types and situations. Here is how to work out which one fits yours.
Why Timing Isn't the Whole Story for Startup Finance
James Robson argues the SME finance industry has spent a decade chasing the wrong problem: it's timing, not access. He's right, for established businesses. But for startups and first-year companies with no trading history to time, access is still very much the real issue.
The Comparison Site Now Competing With the Products It Compares
MoneySupermarket has launched its own business bank account. Not a comparison of other banks' accounts. Their own. This is a significant moment for the comparison market, and it raises a question every small business owner should ask before using any comparison site to find a bank account.
Is My Car Insured? How to Check Your Car Insurance
Not sure if your car is insured? You can check in seconds using the Motor Insurance Database. Here is what to do with the result.
Do Sole Traders Need a Business Bank Account?
There is no legal requirement for sole traders to have a business bank account. But in practice, most will benefit from one, and with Making Tax Digital now in effect, the case has never been stronger.
Invoice Discounting vs Factoring
Invoice discounting and factoring both release cash from unpaid invoices. The difference is who chases your customers for payment, and that has more implications than it might seem.
Dealing with Business Cash Flow Problems
Cash flow problems kill profitable businesses. Here is what causes them, how to spot them early, and what to do when they hit.
Selective Invoice Finance Explained
Selective invoice finance lets you release cash from individual invoices without committing your whole sales ledger. Here is how it works and when it makes sense.
Recruitment Invoice Finance
Recruitment agencies face one of the most acute cash flow problems in business: paying contractors weekly while clients pay on 60 or 90-day terms. Here is how specialist invoice finance solves it.
Invoice Factoring Rates
Invoice factoring rates are not a single number — they are made up of several components that most comparison guides do not explain. Here is how the costs break down and what you should actually compare.
How to Switch Your Business Bank Account
Switching your business bank account is simpler than most businesses expect. Here is how the Current Account Switch Service works and what to check before you start.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Invoice Discounting
Invoice discounting releases cash from unpaid invoices while you keep full control of your sales ledger. Here is what it costs you and what it gives you.
What is Cash Flow in Business?
Understanding cash flow is the most important financial skill for any SME owner. Here is what it means, why it matters, and how to manage it.