Blog

Practical writing on finance for founder-led businesses: cash flow, reporting, hiring, systems and the questions founders don't always ask.

Claude for Excel: five things I've learnedClaude for Excel is the most impressive AI tool I've come across. By far. The Real Cost of DIYLet's talk about something most founders don't want to admit: you're probably losing more money doing your own bookkeeping than you'd spend hiring someone to do it properly. When to hire your first finance personThere's a moment in most businesses when you realise your spreadsheet isn't cutting it anymore. The Skillset Shelf LifeGenuine question: what's the shelf life of a finance job spec right now? ‘Can we see the business plan?’Cue: panic. The Qs Founders Are Afraid To AskThe questions I hear most often from founders usually start with: "This might be a stupid question, but..." The 'Having It All' TrapI couldn't shake this quote I saw on LinkedIn. I compared 3 accounting systems, so you don't have toChoosing accounting software feels like picking a mortgage - everyone has an opinion, the jargon is impenetrable, and you're terrified of getting it wrong. I've done the… Improve your business' cash flowThe conversation usually starts the same way: "Our revenue looks healthy, but we're always scrambling for cash." Does that sound familiar? What Your Shower Routine Can Teach YouI spent 30 years showering with bottles. Shampoo bottles, conditioner bottles, body wash bottles, all lined up on the edge of the bath, getting knocked over,… Case Study: How an Agency Fixed Their Finance ChaosA growing agency business was stuck between systems. Their accounting software was outdated, cluttered and maintained just quarterly, with their invoicing process… Read this before you file your self-assessmentLet's talk about something that makes most directors break out in a cold sweat: self-assessment time. Why a brilliant bookkeeper is always a good ideaSo many businesses I meet are not getting all of their needs met by their finance function. Case Study: Financial ClarityA rapidly growing multi-site operator had a lack of financial visibility across the business, and fractured systems were affecting their ability to make data backed… Why some founders are flying blind (& how to fix)I chewed over this conversation. Three Reports To Review WeeklyYour year-end accounts are history. They're useful for tax purposes and they're great for looking back at what happened last year. But for actually running your…