AIBU?
To ask for your recommendations, if you own a business
Goostacean · 05/12/2019 19:07
Hi, looking for recommendations for insurance, bank account, HR support and policies, rota-ing software, and accountancy software, if you own a small business...
Business is a community interest company ie not-for-profit, providing care for vulnerable adults. Just starting out so all leads appreciated!
NotMaryWhitehouse · 06/12/2019 13:18
You could approach a local business networking group and ask if they have any accountants in their group who work with charities- they would be able to give you advice about all the above I imagine.
Some accountants may charge, but I have friends who work in the voluntary sector and most of them have links with professionals who provide them with ad hoc free advice.
MrsSnippyPants · 06/12/2019 13:23
We have used Metro Bank for our small business for some years now, very happy with them, especially if you live near a branch, the staff are really good in my experience. Our local HSBC are good too, but I think you have to check out your individual branch really.
Have used Metro for a community group too.
As to accountancy software, I hear good things about Xero from actual accountants. Most accountants have software they prefer though, so it might be worth asking accountants what they use before signing up with them. I would avoid SAGE like the plague though!
A good accountant should be able to recommend most of the other things you want.
I do know a good independent HR consultant should you need one.
LMBoston · 06/12/2019 18:20
I’ve just started using Free Agent software this year (for Making Tax Digital, grrr). Our small family business has used old-fashioned paper ledgers for over 50 years — I was dreading having to use accounting software but so far it’s been pretty easy. FA have a great support team and between them and our accountant I’ve navigated the change without any major hiccups. Good luck!
MuseumOfIdiots · 06/12/2019 22:56
As a PP said, avoid anything by Sage. Their software is dated, expensive and the support is poor. We're now using Brightpay for payroll and it's far superior to Sage Payroll, cheaper and the support is good.
We're also using Xero for one of our companies - again, far cheaper and more intuitive than Sage 50.
We use a local independent HR consultant for HR needs. We used to use one of the big national helplines but they got so expensive with horrendously long and inflexible contracts - and you had to wait ages for anyone to answer their advice lines. Our local consultant is so much better and knows our company more intimately.
RB68 · 18/12/2019 20:44
We just opened a starling account for business and it was astonishingly efficient we had the cards for the accounts THE NEXT DAY we did it for a sole trader and opened a personal, business and business euro account - only that one costs us anything and that is £2 a mth. We also use rvolut where you load up and use the card and get a statement. We use HSBC elsewhere and are seriously thinking of moving ovr totally - banking via POffice.
I use Xero accounting and it has some niggles for me - but I haven't used anything else, I would say 8 out of 10 as I hate the way they handle expenses and we get alot of those.
Insurance be clear what you need and shop around every single time - we also use brokers who can do some of that for you.
Don't forget Health and Safety issues - so working alone, lifting and handling, Infection prevention, blood borne diseses etc you will need to have policies in place to cover that and also what to do in an emergency and you will need to train staff on these as well.
Goostacean · 19/12/2019 12:03
Thanks for all the suggestions!
@RB68 Thanks for your long comment. I started y he process to open a Starling account but am missing some key info they need, so that has stalled. My bad, though! I don’t blame them. You make a good point re the policies, and I have some options to buy them and customise them. I suppose I’m just a bit nervous that I’ll have missed something- it’s not clear to me how to confirm I’ve covered all my bases? Same with the insurance, although I guess that’s industry-specific.
@Rosspoldarkssaddle Thanks, that’s an interesting idea, I’d not thought of that.
@Happyspud Thanks, will look into them. Do they just provide support and then sign off the accounts when you file? And you do the rest in between?
RB68 · 19/12/2019 13:14
Re covering all bases - its worth having a business adviser from local groups - LEPs and various enterprise type groups are usually pretty good - small business forums and the like have lots of info but its going to vary slightly by business so there are no set rules.
Once you start employing people then the stakes go up e.g. the H&S requirements are quite onerous once you reach 5 people, although it depends on the business - building - stringent and lots for e.g.
The gov website is quite good for which HR ones you need and if you are employing people for e,g, they should have JDs person specs and a contract and contract within 1st month etc
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