In this week's episode we deliver a fast-paced run-through of 20 legitimate tax savings for business owners. The episode mixes practical tax tips with lighthearted chat and a brief news segment on AI.

Highlights include the £300 annual entertaining allowance per couple, low 3% benefit-in-kind for electric company cars and first-year full expensing, turning business trips into leisure, free EV charging at work, length-of-service gifts, suggestion scheme rewards, annual health checks, pension contributions up to £60k (with possible backdating), eye tests, software and subscriptions guidance, snacks and trivial benefits, air miles and reward points, rules on memberships and workwear, mobile device rules, working-from-home allowances and home office equipment, relevant life and health insurance, and training/mentoring expenses.

⭐ Rate, Review & Share this episode with fellow business owners, and let's grow together!

⭐ Subscribe to the weekly newsletter to get Expert Advice Straight to Your Inbox: https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/subscribe

⭐ Get a Free copy of Claire's book Profit By Numbers: https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/book

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ABOUT THE HOST:

Claire Hancott through Profit Cash Growth helps 6 & 7 figure business owners to increase their profit, improve their cashflow and grow their business using their numbers.

As a finance director & chartered management accountant, Claire has nearly 20 years’ experience in finance and running businesses of her own. This gives her a unique insight into the information and support business owners need to grow a financially successful business.

Claire passionately believes that every business should be run by the numbers because the numbers in your business are telling you a story about what is and isn’t working and where your opportunities lie. Claire’s mission is to provide insightful management accounts, reports and advice to business owners and support them to make smarter decisions. 

*The content of this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional advice.

On this episode of the Profit Cash Growth Podcast, we outline the three levels of financial support every growing business needs: Financial Foundations (compliance, bookkeeping, basic management accounts), Financial Control (a qualified financial controller focusing on processes, reporting, cashflow and forecasting), and Finance Strategy (regular FD input for board-level planning, KPIs, tax planning and high-impact decisions).

We explain when to move between stages, common mistakes (hiring the cheapest accountant or the wrong FD), and why good finance systems free the owner to focus on growth.

⭐ Rate, Review & Share this episode with fellow business owners, and let's grow together!

⭐ Subscribe to the weekly newsletter to get Expert Advice Straight to Your Inbox: https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/subscribe

⭐ Get a Free copy of Claire's book Profit By Numbers: https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/book

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Website

LinkedIn

YouTube

Facebook

ABOUT THE HOST:

Claire Hancott through Profit Cash Growth helps 6 & 7 figure business owners to increase their profit, improve their cashflow and grow their business using their numbers.

As a finance director & chartered management accountant, Claire has nearly 20 years’ experience in finance and running businesses of her own. This gives her a unique insight into the information and support business owners need to grow a financially successful business.

Claire passionately believes that every business should be run by the numbers because the numbers in your business are telling you a story about what is and isn’t working and where your opportunities lie. Claire’s mission is to provide insightful management accounts, reports and advice to business owners and support them to make smarter decisions. 

*The content of this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional advice.

On this episode of the Profit Cash Growth Podcast we explain the fastest way to increase profit without making more sales: improve utilisation.

We break utilisation into six asset categories — people, equipment and vehicles, property and space, systems and software, customer lists/data, and working capital — and give clear metrics and tactics to measure and improve each one (revenue per employee, revenue per vehicle, revenue per square foot, features used vs. paid, active customer rates, debtor days and working capital cycle).

⭐ Rate, Review & Share this episode with fellow business owners, and let's grow together!

⭐ Subscribe to the weekly newsletter to get Expert Advice Straight to Your Inbox: https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/subscribe

⭐ Get a Free copy of Claire's book Profit By Numbers: https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/book

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Website

LinkedIn

YouTube

Facebook

ABOUT THE HOST:

Claire Hancott through Profit Cash Growth helps 6 & 7 figure business owners to increase their profit, improve their cashflow and grow their business using their numbers.

As a finance director & chartered management accountant, Claire has nearly 20 years’ experience in finance and running businesses of her own. This gives her a unique insight into the information and support business owners need to grow a financially successful business.

Claire passionately believes that every business should be run by the numbers because the numbers in your business are telling you a story about what is and isn’t working and where your opportunities lie. Claire’s mission is to provide insightful management accounts, reports and advice to business owners and support them to make smarter decisions. 

*The content of this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional advice.

On this episode of the Profit Cash Growth Podcast we unpack the "thousand-day rule"—why building a stable, profitable business usually takes years and how you can speed that timeline up. We break down the reality behind overnight-success myths, and share five practical ways to shorten the journey: work more on your business (not just in it), hire the right people to free your time, get others contributing to strategic work, adopt technology and automation, and invest in upskilling, mentors and coaching.

⭐ Rate, Review & Share this episode with fellow business owners, and let's grow together!

⭐ Subscribe to the weekly newsletter to get Expert Advice Straight to Your Inbox: https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/subscribe

⭐ Get a Free copy of Claire's book Profit By Numbers: https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/book

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Website

LinkedIn

YouTube

Facebook

ABOUT THE HOST:

Claire Hancott through Profit Cash Growth helps 6 & 7 figure business owners to increase their profit, improve their cashflow and grow their business using their numbers.

As a finance director & chartered management accountant, Claire has nearly 20 years’ experience in finance and running businesses of her own. This gives her a unique insight into the information and support business owners need to grow a financially successful business.

Claire passionately believes that every business should be run by the numbers because the numbers in your business are telling you a story about what is and isn’t working and where your opportunities lie. Claire’s mission is to provide insightful management accounts, reports and advice to business owners and support them to make smarter decisions. 

*The content of this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional advice.

The episode explains HMRC's renewed focus on the £40bn tax gap, the government’s investment in compliance staff and data tools, and why accurate record-keeping (primary and secondary records, VAT invoices, addressed invoices over £250) matters now more than ever.

We cover common trouble spots — Amazon and marketplace invoices, landlord rental income, work-from-home claims, software subscriptions and benefit-in-kind risks — and give practical guidance: keep clear records, be cautious with VAT claims, and consult a specialist accountant if you discover mistakes.

⭐ Rate, Review & Share this episode with fellow business owners, and let's grow together!

⭐ Subscribe to the weekly newsletter to get Expert Advice Straight to Your Inbox: https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/subscribe

⭐ Get a Free copy of Claire's book Profit By Numbers: https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/book

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Website

LinkedIn

YouTube

Facebook

ABOUT THE HOST:

Claire Hancott through Profit Cash Growth helps 6 & 7 figure business owners to increase their profit, improve their cashflow and grow their business using their numbers.

As a finance director & chartered management accountant, Claire has nearly 20 years’ experience in finance and running businesses of her own. This gives her a unique insight into the information and support business owners need to grow a financially successful business.

Claire passionately believes that every business should be run by the numbers because the numbers in your business are telling you a story about what is and isn’t working and where your opportunities lie. Claire’s mission is to provide insightful management accounts, reports and advice to business owners and support them to make smarter decisions. 

*The content of this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional advice.

In this episode, we explore how adding friction to payment processes can hurt your cash flow and what to do about it. Explaining why offering only one payment method loses you time and money, and introduces the idea of treating customers as "B2Me" — giving each buyer a choice of convenient payment options. The goal is to remove barriers so customers can pay quickly and reliably.

The episode outlines seven low-cost, practical technologies you can implement: direct debit (GoCardless with Xero), Xero PayByStatement links, phone-based tap-to-pay, bank QR codes, pay-now buttons on invoices, and card-payment links (e.g., Apron). It also covers using multiple processors (Stripe, Apple/Google Pay, PayPal) so customers can pick the method they prefer.

⭐ Rate, Review & Share this episode with fellow business owners, and let's grow together!

⭐ Subscribe to the weekly newsletter to get Expert Advice Straight to Your Inbox: https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/subscribe

⭐ Get a Free copy of Claire's book Profit By Numbers: https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/book

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Website

LinkedIn

YouTube

Facebook

ABOUT THE HOST:

Claire Hancott through Profit Cash Growth helps 6 & 7 figure business owners to increase their profit, improve their cashflow and grow their business using their numbers.

As a finance director & chartered management accountant, Claire has nearly 20 years’ experience in finance and running businesses of her own. This gives her a unique insight into the information and support business owners need to grow a financially successful business.

Claire passionately believes that every business should be run by the numbers because the numbers in your business are telling you a story about what is and isn’t working and where your opportunities lie. Claire’s mission is to provide insightful management accounts, reports and advice to business owners and support them to make smarter decisions. 

*The content of this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional advice.

This week on the podcast, if you're thinking of buying a business in 2026, stay tuned as we give you five easy steps to assess it. 

Claire walks through a practical five-step checklist for an initial buy-side assessment: 1) check cash in the bank versus short-term liabilities to see if the business really has excess cash; 2) calculate adjusted EBITDA to understand underlying operating profitability; 3) review the balance sheet for assets, liabilities and signs the finance function needs cleanup; 4) identify what’s wrong (risks) and quick wins (opportunities) that could boost profit; and 5) model how the business would integrate with the buyer, stress-testing best/likely/worst cases to shape a realistic offer.

The episode also covers how offers can be structured (day-one cash, deferred consideration, earnouts, warranties), why adjusted modelling and detailed due diligence follow heads of terms, and when to engage an accountant or M&A specialist to dig deeper.

⭐ Rate, Review & Share this episode with fellow business owners, and let's grow together!

⭐ Subscribe to the weekly newsletter to get Expert Advice Straight to Your Inbox: https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/subscribe

⭐ Get a Free copy of Claire's book Profit By Numbers: https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/book

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Website

LinkedIn

YouTube

Facebook

ABOUT THE HOST:

Claire Hancott through Profit Cash Growth helps 6 & 7 figure business owners to increase their profit, improve their cashflow and grow their business using their numbers.

As a finance director & chartered management accountant, Claire has nearly 20 years’ experience in finance and running businesses of her own. This gives her a unique insight into the information and support business owners need to grow a financially successful business.

Claire passionately believes that every business should be run by the numbers because the numbers in your business are telling you a story about what is and isn’t working and where your opportunities lie. Claire’s mission is to provide insightful management accounts, reports and advice to business owners and support them to make smarter decisions. 

*The content of this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional advice.

In the final episode of our mini-series and the hosts explore five practical ways for six- and seven-figure business owners to grow their businesses in 2026.

The five growth strategies covered are: revenue expansion (sell more to your existing customers using tools like the Ultimate Sales Spreadsheet); maintain and ramp up marketing and advertising even in tough times; keep your opportunity radar on to spot acquisitions, assets and competitor exits and use a hit list to prioritise; immerse yourself in new technology and AI to speed decisions, boost productivity and free headspace; and systemise everything so your business can scale reliably.

Download The Ultimate Sales Spreadsheet For Free Here! https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/salesmatrix

⭐ Rate, Review & Share this episode with fellow business owners, and let's grow together!

⭐ Subscribe to the weekly newsletter to get Expert Advice Straight to Your Inbox: https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/subscribe

⭐ Get a Free copy of Claire's book Profit By Numbers: https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/book

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Website

LinkedIn

YouTube

Facebook

ABOUT THE HOST:

Claire Hancott through Profit Cash Growth helps 6 & 7 figure business owners to increase their profit, improve their cashflow and grow their business using their numbers.

As a finance director & chartered management accountant, Claire has nearly 20 years’ experience in finance and running businesses of her own. This gives her a unique insight into the information and support business owners need to grow a financially successful business.

Claire passionately believes that every business should be run by the numbers because the numbers in your business are telling you a story about what is and isn’t working and where your opportunities lie. Claire’s mission is to provide insightful management accounts, reports and advice to business owners and support them to make smarter decisions. 

*The content of this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional advice.

In part two of our 100th-episode mini-series, hosts Simon and Clare Hancott explain why cash flow is the lifeblood of business and share five practical ways to improve it. Designed for six- and seven-figure business owners, this episode covers quick changes you can make now to build a safety buffer and seize opportunities in a volatile 2026.

They walk through five steps: control when money leaves your bank with structured payment runs; make it frictionless for customers to pay (direct debit, card links and modern payment tools); track the payment habits of your top customers; use government payment terms and time-to-pay arrangements as free credit; and build a rolling 13-week cash flow forecast to plan ahead.

Tune in tomorrow for part three on growing your business.

⭐ Rate, Review & Share this episode with fellow business owners, and let's grow together!

⭐ Subscribe to the weekly newsletter to get Expert Advice Straight to Your Inbox: https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/subscribe

⭐ Get a Free copy of Claire's book Profit By Numbers: https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/book

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Website

LinkedIn

YouTube

Facebook

ABOUT THE HOST:

Claire Hancott through Profit Cash Growth helps 6 & 7 figure business owners to increase their profit, improve their cashflow and grow their business using their numbers.

As a finance director & chartered management accountant, Claire has nearly 20 years’ experience in finance and running businesses of her own. This gives her a unique insight into the information and support business owners need to grow a financially successful business.

Claire passionately believes that every business should be run by the numbers because the numbers in your business are telling you a story about what is and isn’t working and where your opportunities lie. Claire’s mission is to provide insightful management accounts, reports and advice to business owners and support them to make smarter decisions. 

*The content of this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional advice.

Join the Profit Cash Growth Podcast as they celebrate their 100th episode and launch a three-part mini-series to kickstart 2026. In this first episode, Claire Hancott and her co-host focus on actionable ways to Increase Your Profits without chasing new customers.

The episode covers five practical steps business owners can apply right away: review and raise pricing regularly, challenge supplier price increases, improve utilisation of assets and teams, review recurring direct debits, and understand margins by product, service, or customer.

Tune in tomorrow for part two, Improve Your Cashflow, and the following day for Grow Your Business.

‼️ Download The KPI Worksheet Here....! https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/kpiworksheet

⭐ Rate, Review & Share this episode with fellow business owners, and let's grow together!

⭐ Subscribe to the weekly newsletter to get Expert Advice Straight to Your Inbox: https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/subscribe

⭐ Get a Free copy of Claire's book Profit By Numbers: https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/book

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Website

LinkedIn

YouTube

Facebook

ABOUT THE HOST:

Claire Hancott through Profit Cash Growth helps 6 & 7 figure business owners to increase their profit, improve their cashflow and grow their business using their numbers.

As a finance director & chartered management accountant, Claire has nearly 20 years’ experience in finance and running businesses of her own. This gives her a unique insight into the information and support business owners need to grow a financially successful business.

Claire passionately believes that every business should be run by the numbers because the numbers in your business are telling you a story about what is and isn’t working and where your opportunities lie. Claire’s mission is to provide insightful management accounts, reports and advice to business owners and support them to make smarter decisions. 

*The content of this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional advice.