Small Business Matters

Intuit goes live on the airwaves

As part of the UK launch of our latest version of QuickBooks, Catherine Harrell, Small Business Specialist at Intuit took to the airwaves to talk about the issues facing UK small businesses today.

She spoke to over 15 radio stations around the UK, sharing some great tips for those thinking about starting a business, and also on how to cope with one of the key challenges of today – the rumoured VAT changes.

Couldn’t get to the radio in time? Click on the podcast below to hear Catherine’s interview with Waves Radio 101.2 FM in North East Scotland.

Waves Radio 101.2 FM Podcast

Some of the advice that Catherine shared for small business owners that are concerned about imminent or future VAT changes included:

• Save time and headaches by automating your bookkeeping: if you’re using spreadsheets or paper-based methods to keep track of your accounts, filing VAT can be extremely time-consuming. Using some simple accounting software can take the pain out of this process and greatly reduce the likelihood of a costly mistake in calculation. When changes in VAT rates do happen – you can automatically update your records with a minimum of fuss!

• Make the most of online resources: there is a wealth of important information and handy tips available online which can help you to get prepared for any upcoming changes. Take a look at the HMRC website to keep up to date with VAT Notices, news and updates. There are also many forums where other UK small business owners are happy to share their experience.

• Don’t get caught out: with all the pressures of running a business, it’s easy to forget important dates such as deadlines for VAT returns and payments. However if you miss the deadline, you may have to pay a surcharge. Keeping your books up-to-date will help you to avoid rushing to calculate VAT and making errors. 

Have we missed something? Feel free to add your top tips on coping with VAT by commenting below.

Tune in for top tips on starting a business

In honour of EU SME Week and our QuickBooks launch campaign, tomorrow morning Catherine Harrell, Small Business Specialist Intuit UK, will be featured on local radio stations across the UK to talk about the challenges and opportunities that small businesses face under the new coalition government. 

Here are the details on when and where you can tune in:

• Colourful Radio, UK (at 9:20)
• Radio Verulam, St Albans (at 9:35)
• BBC Foyle, Londonderry (at 09:55)
• 91.8 Hayes FM, Hillingdon, Ealing & Hounslow (at 10.45)

As well as throughout the morning on:

• 107.2 The Wyre, Kidderminster and North Worcestershire
• Telford 107.4 FM, Telford
• Severn Oswestry, Oswestry
• Severn Shrewsbury, Shrewsbury
• Town 102, Ipswich
• The Beach, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk
• North Norfolk Radio 96.2, North Norfolk
• Radio Norwich 99.9FM, Norwich
• High Peak Radio, Peak District, Derbyshire
• Ashbourne Radio 96.7, Derbyshire
• Waves Radio, Glenn Moir Peterhead
• Smooth Radio (East Midlands), East Midlands
• Play Radio, Southampton and Winchester (Hampshire)

Not around tomorrow morning? Don’t worry, we’ll be uploading a podcast and some top tips later in the week!

Let’s celebrate European small businesses!

You might already know that this week (25 May to 1 June) is European SME Week 2010, and what better opportunity is there to discuss what small businesses are doing right here in the UK?

As part of the UK launch of our latest version of QuickBooks, Catherine Harrell, Small Business Specialist at Intuit will be live on the airwaves around the UK tomorrow morning! She’ll be providing top tips on how to start your own business, as well as discussing the issues facing small businesses under the new coalition government. 

 

European SME Week 2010 is a pan-European campaign taking place in 37 participating countries. It gives recognition to entrepreneurs for their contribution to Europe's welfare, jobs, innovation and competitiveness. The week also aims to provide information on the support that is being offered for small businesses by EU and national, regional and local authorities.

Stay tuned for more info on who Catherine will be chatting to on the radio tomorrow and we’ll also upload a podcast of one of the interviews later in the week.