The RJF Accounting Blog

Have you read our article on Finance Directors? They are a valuable addition to any growing business. Their abilities stretch far beyond simply treating your books and accounts. An FD can lead the transition from a business that’s ‘getting by’ into one that hits all of its targets, before exceeding them. To illustrate this, RJF […]

Having an accountant is essential. But, as you grow, the basic support offered by your accountancy firm may become inadequate. There’s another level of financial advice and management, which should come into play eventually for your organisation. Appointing a part-time Finance Director is the next logical step. You may think that you’re some distance from having one, but trust us: the role can utterly transform what you’re able to accomplish, and you might be closer than you think… So is the time ripe for a Finance Director? Here are the questions you may want to ask of your business.

Did you know that 50% of startups fail in their first couple of years? It’s an astonishing statistic. Large turnovers don’t necessarily mean you’re profitable. Beneath the façade of success, huge fissures could be opening in a startup’s earning model, simply because a few key responsibilities aren’t being met. Financial management can soar over many […]

Building a recruitment firm is all well and good. But building a sellable one is something different entirely. Whether you’re eyeing up exit options now, or simply curious about selling your business in the future, we have some tips for looking at your financial model with a fresh, critical pair of eyes. Is it healthy? Could it be improved to attract a higher value? Keep reading for the questions to ask before you start looking to sell…

There’s no single route to growth. That’s something that all business owners come to learn as they experiment with what works for them best. But too many people think that raising capital is, exclusively, a brilliant idea. It isn’t. Whilst our Managing Partner, Rob Jones, has written about raising capital in recruitment, third-party investment doesn’t […]

I enjoy helping recruitment businesses; they are fast and dynamic, which suits my way of working. Yet in their pursuit of greatness, something may be left behind. The money they pay out, and take in, is just as important as the calls or meetings they’re chasing. It’s common for recruiters to fall into the same […]

Brush up on a few of the main hooks for investment approval and you could catapult your venture to things it has always hoped to do.

We’ve spoken before about the danger of an ‘armchair accountant’, when it comes to unlocking your business’ potential. A lot can be said about the power of a finance team that moves with the times – and the nature – of your brand. But shouldn’t there be a clear checklist for seeing whether your current service is good enough? That’s just what we’ve done. RJF have outlined the five best practices that, without exception, should inform your next hire when searching for accountancy firms.

‘Accountancy’ means different things to different people. For some, it’s a simple matter of crunching numbers and ticking boxes. For others, it’s an integral part of growing, managing and protecting a business – informing decisions and driving plans. So it’s hardly surprising that accountants vary considerably in the level of service they provide. Almost every business has an accountant, but have you ever stepped back to consider whether that firm or person is doing a good job?

As part of the Chancellor’s Spring Statement in March, further details were put forward regarding the planned changes to entrepreneurs’ relief (ER), which were previously announced in the November Budget last year. What Is Entrepreneurs’ Relief? Whether they no longer have time to manage the business, or they simply wish to move on to other […]

If you’re tearing your hair out trying to keep up to date with day-to-day admin and bookkeeping, pouring over Excel spreadsheets and tackling HMRC when you should be concentrating on new avenues for growth, a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is the solution to the problem. Rob Jones, Founder of RJF,  explains that no matter how […]

If you’re running a limited company, paying yourself a lower salary and the balance in dividends from business profits, can offer a more tax-efficient alternative than simply paying yourself a salary. Despite the announced dividend allowance cut that will start from April this year, this strategy still has the potential to better maximise any post-tax […]