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Lockdown forced us to rethink the way we operate our business. The barrier of procrastination has been removed and we’ve had to adopt new technology and automate our processes.

Technology exists to increase efficiency, but it can be a double-edged sword. When you apply automation to an efficient operation, it will magnify the efficiency. However, if you automate an inefficient operation, it will magnify the inefficiency. In other words, we must first ensure our systems and processes are efficient before introducing automation.

Review all of your existing technology, processes and systems to determine any that are obsolete. For example, texting for business is now the norm; instead of calling customers to remind them of an appointment, first send an automated text message asking them to reply ‘yes’ to confirm attendance. This will reduce time spent on follow ups and no-shows.

There are many benefits of improved systemisation and technology adoption:

1. Leverage. Getting more done with less effort (e.g. automated monthly management reporting systems).
2. Consistency. Guaranteeing output quality (e.g. a templated proposal or pricing tool).
3. Efficiency. Automating manual tasks using technology (e.g. auto-coding of transactions using Xero).
4. Risk management. Removing the risk of human error (e.g. an automated bank reconciliation).
5. Scalability. Systemising processes to enable growth without increasing your workload (e.g. a point of sale cashbook system).
6. Saleability. Increasing the value of your business by automating as much as possible.
7. Induction and training. Minimising hands-on training by having robust systems for new team members to follow.

The cost (and disruption) of any new technology or automation must be clearly outweighed by the benefit or time saving. Don’t adopt shiny new technology for the sake of it.

In order to achieve these benefits and avoid systems or processes which serve no useful purpose, it’s important to complete a full technology review. We recommend you do this as part of your Business Recovery Plan which reviews all business improvement opportunities, including in the technology department. Call us for more information.

A cash flow forecast is an important tool for business planning. And right now, understanding the cash coming in and going out of your business is vital.

A cash flow forecast will show you how long your business can continue to survive on current sales levels, by showing you how much money you’ll have in the bank at the end of a period.

It will give you an understanding of what the revenue drivers are in your business and give you visibility of your expenses and the things you can control. Having this information in a forecast will also allow you to plan for different scenarios, work out your priorities and understand the outcomes of different options such as diversification.

A cash flow plan can give you a proactive tool to deal with uncertainty. If you are seeking funding in the form of a loan, applying for business support or just establishing your long term survival, you’ll need a cash flow plan.

What information do you need?

We can help you to create a plan for your business. The plan is only as good as the data you have. So here’s what you’ll need to get started:

Understanding where your cash is coming from

Start with revenue from sales – break your sales figures up by product line and across channels. This will show you where the cash is coming from. For example:

• Does 80% of your revenue come from only 20% of your products?
• Do you sell to different markets and does one deliver more revenue than others?
• Are some of your products high value but low volume or low value at high volume?

The data you collect will enable you to ask questions, such as can you reduce margin to lift sales, can you push volume up or are there other channels to sell through?

Make sure you include all other revenue streams, such as grants, tax refunds or investment in your cash inflows.

Understanding expenses – where is the cash going to?

This will include all the costs associated with your business, including rent, wages, supply materials, bank loan fees and charges, tax bills and electricity.

If you have a bank loan, include the details such as the length of the term and the monthly payments.

Your cash flow plan should also include tax payments when they are due and any capital expenditures.

Some of your variable expenses will directly relate to revenue such as freight or materials. When your sales stop, these will drop too, so your cash flow plan should reflect this relationship in order for you to scenario plan.

Controlling expenses – what costs are fixed and what are the variable costs that you can control? You may not be able to stop fixed expenses like rent, power and internet, but you could reduce the cash going out on petrol and travel, cleaning and even directors’ drawings.

Making informed decisions in your business

A good cash flow forecast will collate all the data from your business in one place. It will allow you to plan and work out how long your business can weather a storm. It will also help you make decisions around staffing, purchasing inventory, ordering supply materials or investing in growth.

It’s worth remembering that a cash flow plan is a different tool to a budget. Here’s one example: a budget will show sales but a cash flow plan will show the cash benefit of those sales. If you offer credit to customers, your sales may not result in immediate cash flow.

Want to get a handle on cash flow in your business?

If you’re not certain of how to get this information from your accounting software, talk to us about which reports to run. You may need a combination of accounting software reports and projected figures.

Use the information above to source the data you’ll need and get in touch. We can help you build a plan that gives you cash flow projections to assist your decision making.

As the director in a limited company, dividend payments are the usual way for you to take money out of the company – and see a financial return on your investment into the company.

Dividends are payments made to the company’s shareholders when the business has made a profit. What’s not re-invested into the company can be paid out as dividend payments to your shareholders, of which you’re one. But what’s the most effective way to do this?

Dividends as a part of good wealth management

As a company director, the company’s finances aren’t your only concern – you also have to make sure you’re managing your own personal finances in the best way possible.

Good wealth management is essential as a director, and that means taking an informed, long-term look at the ways in which you’re paid, the financial vehicles you’re using and the tax planning you’re carrying out across the year.

To make your personal finances work effectively:

• Split your finances into business and personal wealth – it’s vital to create a clear divide between business cash (money in your limited company’s bank account) and your own personal cash (money in your personal current account and investments). Any profit you create is not ‘your money’ until it’s paid to you by the business.
• Ensure you’re being tax efficient – Once a dividend is paid to you – and that money is now yours – you’ll be liable to pay income tax on that income. The rates of income tax in most territories will be higher than the rate of corporation tax. So it’s usually a good idea to keep your profits in the business for as long as possible, minimising the amount of income you’ll have to pay when you file your annual personal tax return.
• Pay your dividends at the right time – the timing of WHEN you pay a dividend is important. If you pay a large dividend at the end of the tax year, it may take you over your tax allowance for the year. And if your total dividend income is too big, you could end up paying more higher-rate tax than you need to.
• Look at other ways to be paid – dividends are not your only option when it comes to getting paid as a director. You could put yourself on the payroll and take a small ‘living wage’. Or you could have your profits paid out as pension contributions into a personal pension scheme. So it’s sensible to consider all the tax-efficient alternatives.

Planning your directors’ pay

If you want to get the most from directors’ pay, come and talk to us. As your trusted wealth adviser, we’ll work with you to maximise your earnings. This includes helping you forecast your earnings and profits, planning out your dividend payments from the company and setting up your finances so you’re being as tax efficient as possible.