As your small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) moves into its next chapter, you might be asking: do we need a Finance Manager or a Financial Controller? In this article, we’ll unpack the core differences between these two roles, explore when each makes sense, and help you figure out which one is the best fit for your current stage of growth.

Financial warning signs don’t usually come out of nowhere - they build over time. The earlier you spot them, the easier they are to address. Miss them, and you could face serious issues that put your business’s stability at risk. Knowing what to watch for can make all the difference. To help you stay ahead, we’ve drawn on UK research from 2025 to highlight the key financial red flags every business should be watching for.

Without proper controls in place, growth can lead to chaos. Implementing robust financial controls from the outset helps identify errors early, reduces fraud risk, and improves your business’s financial health. Even the smallest businesses benefit from building these habits early, long before they scale. Let’s explore how your SME can build effective financial controls - even if you’re still small.

In late 2024, surveys revealed record-low business confidence, with only half of small firms expecting stable or rising revenues. In response, many small businesses are turning to the structure and financial clarity a controller brings. Let’s explore how controllers deliver value across the most critical areas of an SME’s financial operations.

Financial reporting is a cornerstone of any successful small business. It means keeping accurate, up-to-date records of every transaction and having a clear system to track income, expenses and profit. This involves producing regular statements (like profit-and-loss reports, balance sheets and cash flow statements) that are easy to understand. With this foundation, every pound is accounted for and the owner always knows the company’s financial position.

Managing finances efficiently is crucial for any business, but as companies grow, managing cash flow, budgeting, and compliance becomes more challenging. A financial controller plays a pivotal role in ensuring a business remains financially healthy and operates smoothly. But what exactly do they do, and how can they help your business save time and money?

This guide will show you seven easy steps to create a financial system that works for your business. With these tips, you’ll stay organised, reduce stress, and keep everything running efficiently, all while preparing for long-term growth.

In business, trust isn’t given – it’s earned. And when it comes to securing loans or attracting investors, trust starts with your financial records. If your numbers don’t add up or look messy, even a promising business can come across as a gamble. So, how do strong financial records build credibility, and what should they include?

Missed receipts, misclassified expenses, and unbalanced books can lead to a cascade of issues, from costly tax penalties to cash flow crises that could cripple your operations. In this blog post, we’ll pull back the curtain on the true price of poor bookkeeping, highlighting why accuracy is more than just a numbers game - it’s a key factor in long-term success.

Every day, SMEs in the UK confront various challenges, with debt recovery tipping the list. Recent research reveals that UK small businesses are currently owed a staggering £32.1 billion in late payments. Efficient debt recovery is crucial for maintaining a healthy cash flow and ensuring business sustainability. This blog post aims to guide UK SMEs through the best practices for efficient debt recovery, supported by real-world insights.