 |
Do business abroad When the UK just doesn’t seem big enough to fulfil your business goals, it might be time to make a move overseas. Anita Brook looks at what to consider before seeking markets across the pond. Read full article here |
 |
Are you ready to take the self employment plunge With job loss rife in the past few years, many of us have been forced to re-evaluate our careers. While risky, this might just be the time to follow a dream and start your own business. Read full article here |
 |
Five to niners - make sure you know the tax rules Anita Brook explains the tax rules for those five million people in the UK who belong to the five to niner grooup. Read the full article click here |
 |
How to start your own business while taking care of your kids Anita Brook gives you a head start when it comes to setting up your own business. Here are some top tips to being a top business woman and a great mum. Read the full article click here |
|
How will the pension reform act affect your business? It might seem a long way off, but pension reform is coming, with compulsory workplace pensions from 2012. Anita Brook takes a look at the reform and how it will affect businesses large and small. Read full article here |
 |
Accounts Assist wins Bright Sparc Award Anita Brook, founder of Accounts Assist is featured in In Business - the magazine of Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce. The article announces that Accounts Assist is a Bright Sparc award winner. Read the full article click here |
 |
Accounts Assist Glasgow interviewed by Mail on Sunday Jimmy Lee, owner of the Glasgow Accounts Assist franchise was interviewed in Mail on Sunday Careers Page. Read the full article click here |
|
Cut back on business spending It’s time to tighten our belts, so this week Anita Brook looks at ways all businesses can save. Read full blog here |
 |
Accounts Assist St Albans featured in Franchise World Audrey Summers, owner of Accounts Assist St Albans writes a 2 page feature for Franchise World Magazine. Read the full article click here |
|
Face up to your finances From the beginning of this month, for the first time ever, statutory credit reports have been made available online from all three credit reference agencies. Anita Brook looks at why it’s good to keep your credit in check. Read full blog here |
 |
The Benefits of Franchising Franchising is a great option for anyone looking to grow their business without having to invest in larger premises or pay new staff. By leasing your trademark and branding for a fee - in return for support and a tried and tested business model, so a lower risk investment for the franchisee - a successful franchise can expand quickly, on a national level. Read full article here |
|
Business Award Season is Upon Us Business award season is well and truly upon us, with prizes available for any industry sector you can think of. Anita Brook looks at how these awards can give your business a boost. Read full blog here |
 |
Franchise Direct This week, ACCA certified accountant Anita Brook of Accounts Assist, published an interesting article on choosing the right medium for your business. Read full article here |
|
Cuts in credits for working mums The new budget seems to strike a blow for working mums with child tax credits cut and child benefit frozen. Anita Brook looks at how this might affect FMWF mothers. Read full blog here |
 |
Cash back from the banks I don’t know about you, but my bank seems to take more money from me than I put in, with account fees and exorbitant overdraft charges. It doesn’t have to be that way. Many banks are now trying to attract our custom with free money and great interest rates, plus extra bonuses for good behaviour. Read full blog here |
|
Map out your mind for better business According to Anita Brook, mapping your mind will help you plan and feel in control of the way you run your business. Read full blog here |
 |
Top 10 apps that will save you cash |
 |
Make Your Office Mobile Anita Brook, founder of Accounts Assist, reveals the best apps for business... What started out as a bit of fun is now a useful business tool. The iPhone, and its other smart phone companions, are fast becoming imperative for busy people on the move, with the enormous range of useful apps making the mobile office a reality. There are hundreds of options out there, but here’s my pick of the best apps for business. Read full blog here |
|
Guest blog – The Budget reviewed The ominous Emergency Budget has now been announced. With the country’s finances in trouble we all knew there would be some hard pills to swallow, but what’s the damage for businesses? Read full blog here
|
 |
Anita Brook on keeping cash flowing in the right direction Cashflow or lack of it, is often an issue for small businesses. Many will suffer money troubles at some point or another, which in the worst case scenario can result in bankruptcy. Even if things are going well, complacency should not be an option for any thriving enterprise and by taking steps now, financial disaster can be safeguarded against. Anita Brook, founder of Accounts Assist gives her tips on how to keep cash flowing in the right direction. Read full article here |
|
Barbecue bargains As the weather warms up, Neanderthal man has started cooking, setting fire to wood and coal and burning meat that remains raw in the middle - mmm, delicious. Read full blog here |
|
Apps aren’t just fun, they’re useful too The iPhone started life as a fun-filled phone, full of crazy, but mainly useless apps. Times have changed and for small businesses, they are fast becoming vital tools. Anita Brook looks at the apps no SME should be without. Read full blog here |
 |
Alan Rewhorn decided to become his own boss Alan Rewhorn decided to become his own boss with the help of Accounts Assist Read the full article click here |
 |
What to look for when choosing a franchisee Anita Brook writes an advice article for Start Your Business Magazine, entitled: What to look for when choosing a franchisee. Read the full article click here |
|
Invest for the Future Your business is doing well and you’ve got spare cash in the bank, with interest rates still pretty low, Anita Brook considers whether it might be time to invest. Read full article here |
|
Budget Breaks Booking a holiday used to involve visiting your local travel agent, looking through a glossy brochure and then choosing a package, with flights, hotels and even luminous coloured drinks included. While these last bastions of customer interaction still exist, most of us now use the Internet to trawl through potential vacation destinations and, according to a recent survey by Top CashBack, not only are we turning our backs on the high street, but also the package holiday. Read full blog here |
 |
Accounts Assist Gains BFA Recognition Growing franchise of chartered certified accountants, Accounts Assist, has been accepted by the British Franchise Association (BFA) as a provisional member - testament to its high-standards in franchising. Read full article here |
|
World Cup Fever Lots of football, flags and drinking might seem like harmless fun, but it could spell disaster for employers. Anita Brook consides how to deal with ‘World Cup fever.’ Read full article here |
 |
White collar franchise gains bfa membership Accounts Assist, a chartered certified accountants franchise, has been accepted as a provisional member by the British Franchise Association. Read full article here |
|
2010 business support award winner: accounts assist Accounts Assist, a firm of Chartered Certified Accountants specialising in taxation service for business, walked away with the Best Business Support to Technology Companies award at last night’s Bright SPARC Awards 2009. Read full article here |
|
Anita Brook tells all in the Member Zone Anita Brook is profiled by In Business Magazine (the magazine of Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce) Read the full article click here |
 |
Put away your cheque book Most shops have done away with cheques for some time and for many of us, those hand-written representations of money are a distant memory. The government plans to get rid of this form of payment completely by 2018. Read full article here |
|
Accounts Assist gains BFA recognition Growing franchise of chartered certified accountants, Accounts Assist, has been accepted by the British Franchise Association (BFA) as a provisional member - testament to its high-standards in franchising. Read full article here |
|
Cutting the apron strings of employment With new research revealing one in five people describe themselves as self-employed, Anita Brook gives her top tips for anyone considering cutting the apron strings of employment. Read full article here |
 |
Accounts Assist gains BFA recognition Growing franchise of chartered certified accountants, Accounts Assist, has been accepted by the British Franchise Association (BFA) as a provisional member - testament to its high-standards in franchising. Read full article here |
 |
2010 Business Support Award Winner: Accounts Assist Accounts Assist, a firm of Chartered Certified Accountants specialising in taxation service for business, walked away with the Best Business Support to Technology Companies award at last night’s Bright SPARC Awards 2009. Read full article here |
|
An alternative route up the ladder Taking that first step on the ladder is no mean feat and with house prices on the up again - 10.5% since this time last year, according to Nationwide - promises of first-time buyer bargains are set to dwindle, although there are still some good deals to be had. Read full blog here |
|
Keep cash flowing in the right direction As the UK continues to battle its way through the credit crunch, cashflow, or the lack of it can become a problem for any business. Anita Brook looks at ways to safeguard against financial disaster. Read full blog here |
 |
Accountancy franchise seeks entrepreneurs A firm of chartered accountants, Accounts Assist, has launched its first franchise in Ireland, specialising in affordable, transparent accountancy services for small businesses. Read full article here |
 |
Accounting franchise comes to Cork Accounting franchise comes to Cork A growing firm of Chartered Accountants, Accounts Assist, has launched a Cork City franchise, its first in Ireland. Read full article here |
|
What does the coalition mean for SMEs? Anita Brook pores over the new coalition policies and examines what they could mean for SMEs... Read full article here |
 |
Multi-coloured swap shop Looking for a low cost wardrobe update, combined with a clear out? www.swishing.co.uk provides an online portal for clothes swapping events around the country, often combined with a bit of a party thrown in for good measure. Read full blog here |
 |
Accounts Assist Leicester profiled Rohit Shukla, MD of Accounts Assist Leicester talks to Smarta.com about how franchising meant he could start a business while he was still at university. Read case study here |
|
The importance of customer care It can take a long time to gain new clients, but one false move, Anita Brook warns, and you can lose them in a second. Read full blog here |
|
Matrimonial money pits According to a recent poll by Direct Line, wedding guests spend an average of £290 attending weddings each year... Read full article here |
|
Franchising - self employment without the scary bits Anita Brook suggests franchising is a business model worth considering – as long as you do your research. Read blog here |
 |
Dave puts life back on track After losing his job with a steel import/export firm, Unsworth man Dave Cooper has set up his own Accounts Assist (Bury) operation and turned his fortunes around. Read full article here |
|
Volcano ash hangs over UK SMEs In this week’s blog Anita Brook has talked to some of the UK SMEs affected by the crisis. Read blog here |
 |
Retirement? No way. I’m starting a business! Enterprize Nation talks to Chris Matthews, owner of Accounts Assist Milton Keynes about starting a business after 50. Read full article here |
|
Advise for those affected by volcano ash cloud Anita advises Marie Claire readers who to turn to for help if they have been affected by the volcano. Read full blog here |
 |
Spare time entrepreneurs Bored with the daily grind and lining the pockets of somebody else, more and more people are considering starting their own business; but rather than quitting the safety of full time employment there is a growing trend in entreprenuers starting out at evenings and at weekends. |
|
Take the headache out of hiring To grow your business successfully, at some point you will need to employ staff or use the skills of a freelancer. Read blog here |
|
Going green can be a worthwhile investment Many SMEs hold the belief that turning businesses ‘green’ can be expensive, so avoid it. Anita Brook, founder of accountancy firm Accounts Assist, shows how turning your business eco-friendly is simple and can actually be economically beneficial. Read the full article click here |
|
Show stopping bargains In this blog, Anita Brook tells us about some great deals on theatre tickets. Read blog here |
 |
Accounts Assist franchisee shares his tips Trevor Pearson from Accounts Assist bought Accounts Assist Ipswich and shares his advice and experiences with Fresh Business Thinking. Read full article here |
|
Tax tips to keep you stress fress The financial year has just come to a close and I’m sure, for many of you, it was a frantic dash to get your books in order. Read blog here |
|
Anita Brook advises New Business about stealth tax There are different ways that business owners can work out their tax bills, says Anita Brook, founder of Accounts Assist. Read full article here |
|
Festival fun for free Anita reveals the best free festivals for 2010. Read blog here |
|
Money-saving technology tips Technology should improve our lives, both working and private, so don’t tear your hair out, call in the experts.
Read blog here |
|
Free wine and cash back Anita shares her brilliant money-saving tips for online shopping. Read blog here |
|
Vote for your business With the outcome of the next election as unsure as it’s ever been, SMEs need to be aware of all the main policies. Read blog here |
|
Have a cheap cheap Easter Anita finds the yummiest deals on Easter eggs and free things to do for the family. Read blog here |
|
Take advantage of youthful enthusiasm When graduates leave university, the majority are enthusiastic and ready to get stuck into the world of work. Read blog here |
|
Anita Brook writes first blog for Marie Claire Want to be rich? Anita Brook, from Accounts Assist is writing a weekly blog to make you a millionaire. Well OK, not quite. Not even close really. But her clever cash tips will save you a few pounds. Read her first blog here |
|
FMWF Blog - Bypass the Banks Banks have battened down the hatches since the recession so it’s harder than ever to get a loan – there is help available however, with a variety of funding streams and support for SMEs. |
|
Anita Brook Blogs for Financial Mail Guest Blog: Cut Carbon in Your Workplace Anita Brook is founder of Accounts Assist, a growing firm of Chartered Certified Accountants specialising in accountancy and taxation services for all types of small businesses, freelancers, contractors and consultants. In the first of her blogs for FMWF, Anita looks at the steps businesses and employees can take to reduce the carbon footprint of their working day. Read the full article click here
|
 |
Anita is an expert on Start Up Donut Organisation – the key to making tax less taxing Tax is never a popular subject – made even less so by recent revelations that HMRC has got many of our tax codes wrong, meaning excessive charges for some. Mistakes by HRMC aside, ‘tax doesn’t have to be taxing’, as the saying goes. If small firms take the time to keep their books in order throughout the year, a mad dash at key dates in the taxation calendar can be avoided. Read the full article click here |
|
Accounts Assist founder writes for Fresh Business Thinking Franchising – Sell Your Recipe For Success To Grow Your Business. Franchising can provide an effective way to grow a business, selling the recipe for success of one company, which is then used by franchisees to set up their own business. Read the full article click here |
 |
Making Tax Work for You As a director of a limited company, there are many ways to lower your liability for personal tax, and with the cash-strapped government now looking to find extra revenue from wherever it can, it is more important than ever to have a good understanding of your options. Read the full article click here |
 |
Business on a budget Daily Mail: Plenty of franchises cost less than £10,000, so you may be able to get started without borrowing money. Know exactly what you have to invest and investigate the full cost of the franchise...
Read the full article click here |
|
How I decided which marketing method would work best Smarta.com: Anita Brook, founder of Accounts Assist, talks to Smarta.com about how she decided which marketing method would work best for her growing firm. Read the full article click here |
 |
New Year book-keeping resolutions for 2010 Telegraph.co.uk: Keeping track of cash flow in a small business can be a hit and miss affair. Anita Brook offers a few simple steps to take to get your business finances in order for 2010 – and keep them that way. Read the full article click here |
 |
A short guide to understanding self-assessment tax returns Home Business Network: The 31 Jan deadline for filing self-assessment tax returns online is fast approaching and if you’re self-employed, you’ll probably need to complete yours. Anita Brook gives the basics of self-assessment. Read the full article click here |
|
Regaining your work-life balance Financial Mail Women's Forum: Anita Brook, director of chartered accountancy firm Accounts Assist, gives her tips. Read the full article click here |
 |
Northamptonshire Business Excellence Awards - Finalists Supplement Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph: Accounts Assist are pleased to have been named as finalists in the Northamptonshire Business Excellence Awards. Read the full article click here |
 |
Cut tax by ensuring you claw deductions back The Sunday Telegraph: Attention to detail can make a big difference when it comes to returns, says Anita Brook. |
 |
Five minutes with Anita Brook Buckinghamshire and Winslow Advertiser: Anita Brook, director and founder of Accounts Assist, gives her answers to questions such as: If you had any superpower, what would it be, and why? Read the full article click here |
|
Achieving a good work-life balance when working from home Home Business Network: Working from home is an attractive option for many seeking a more flexible approach to their working day, promising a more comfortable and familiar work environment, and a better balance between work and family life, says Anita Brook. Read the full article click here |
 |
Finance for franchising SMEweb: Pension payouts? Business loan? Home equity? Anita Brook takes a look at the options to consider. Read the full article click here |
|
What to look for when choosing a franchise BusinessWings.co.uk: Anita Brook gives a rundown of some of the key features to look for when choosing a franchise. Read the full article click here |
|
Accountancy that adds up Making Money: Accounts Assist introduces an accountancy franchise with a difference. Read the full article click here |
 |
The low down on starting a franchise Bytestart: "If you are running a successful business, the prospect of replicating that success throughout the country, with a team of crack managers at the helm can seem very attractive, but franchising is hard work, and lots of planning is required to ensure it is a success." Read the full article click here |
|
Accounts Assist in Daily Mail franchise feature Daily Mail: The part time way to profit. Accounts Assist franchisees provide an accounting service to the self-employed and small businesses. Read the full article click here |
|
Anita Brook 60 second interview Smarta.com: "She's braved the rigours of City life, but can she brave the Smarta countdown? Accounts Assist's Anita Brook makes her 60 second pitch." Read the full article click here |
|
Choosing a business medium for your start-up newbusiness.co.uk: "Surviving as a start-up is very often reliant upon setting up a solid business structure at the outset, says ACCA certified accountant Anita Brook of Accounts Assist." Read the full article click here |
 |
Entrepreneur Interview, Anita Brook Pressman: "In the latest of our series of exclusive interviews with entrepreneurs we spoke to accounts guru Anita Brook." Read the full article click here |
 |
Accounts Assist Pledges Commitment to Environmental, Social and Governance Excellence Yahoo! News: "With ocean temperatures rising and trust in financial services diminished, chartered accountancy firm Accounts Assist is introducing a raft of measures to ensure that the firm remains a beacon of environmental, social and governance (ESG) best practice." Read the full article click here |
 |
How to keep your cash flow healthy H&H Associates: "Seeking additional funding from banks or investors isn’t the only thing you can do to improve cash flow in a flagging economy, says certified accountant Anita Brook." Read the full article click here |
|
How to keep your cash flow healthy newbusiness.co.uk: "Whenever a recession hits, one of the worst affected groups is small business owners. With budgets restricted, people not only tend to buy less, but they also tend to take longer to pay, putting a squeeze on suppliers’ cash flow." Read the full article click here |
|
Accounts Assist Launches Transparent Accountancy for the Credit Crunched Age Yahoo! News: "Mindful of the difficulty many small companies and individuals have in budgeting for the unpredictable costs associated with services charged by the entry or by the hour, Accounts Assist have developed seven fixedcost accounts and bookkeeping packages, starting from just £150.00 per year." Read the full article click here |
For media enquiries, please contact Ella Gascoigne on 07896 595 527 |