| ‘Has anyone seen our book-keeper?’ |
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The information challenge facing small businesses Out there in the wilderness there must be a colony of out-of-work book-keepers! They should be at their desks keeping business owners and managers fully up-to-date with important business and financial information. They should be at their desks ready to respond instantly to questions about how much money is in the bank and when the next tax instalment is due. They should be…but they’re not! According to St Asaph-based business advisers, Sage & Company, vanishing bookkeepers are causing a big headache for businesses in the area. “It’s a significant and widespread problem for local business,” says Sage & Co Director, Matthew Gilmartin. “Book-keepers move on and have become very difficult to replace, leaving organisations floundering in an information black hole.” Matthew says that basic information about cash flow, creditors and debtors, and bank balances is now inaccessible to many business owners. Yet no one can deny that in today’s economic climate, accurate, timely information and the ability to capitalise on an organisation’s ebb and flow of cash are crucial. Many have opted to outsource their book-keeping function, with some surprising results. Matthew explains: “In reality, most businesses are in the awkward middle ground: they need accurate, up-to-date information but not a full time employee to provide it for them! It doesn’t take an accountant to realise that paying only for what you need is good business! Matthew believes that outsourcing can provide real peace of mind, with the assurance that the function is being performed correctly. Independent checks on a business’s systems and controls ensure that any anomalies are detected, with full compliance on deadlines and disclosure requirements. He points out just some of the benefits: No red tape; no sick pay, no holiday pay, no personnel problems and a system tailored to meet the business’s needs precisely, with regular updates. Not to mention savings on accountancy fees! According to Matthew, it’s not just the outsourcing of the missing book-keeper’s role that offers tremendous scope for savings and business efficiencies. Financial control functions can also be considered for outsourcing. He concluded: “These issues are as much a concern for bigger businesses as they are for smaller ones. The cost of employing staff is often far higher than outsourcing with all the added benefits that boost business efficiency – and the bottom line.” Contact Matthew Gilmartin for further information. Tel 01745 586360. Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it |
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