Transcript
Page 1: Running your business in the cloud: Matt from FreeAgent

Matt PerkinsHead of SME Engagement

[email protected]@perkinsmattj

Page 2: Running your business in the cloud: Matt from FreeAgent

Let’s talk about accounting

Page 3: Running your business in the cloud: Matt from FreeAgent

Accounts are like brussel sprouts!

Very few people enjoy them!

Most people avoid them!

Once a year you have to face them!

Page 4: Running your business in the cloud: Matt from FreeAgent

Forget about the accounting!

It’s not about creating work!

It’s not about compliance!

It’s about powering your business!

Page 5: Running your business in the cloud: Matt from FreeAgent

Two fundamental truths…Whatever you want to achieve with your enterprise, you can

only do it with a viable business model.

Even with a viable model, unless you get the money in – quickly and efficiently – you

will fail

Page 6: Running your business in the cloud: Matt from FreeAgent

The figures are so important!

Consistently in top 10 of failure surveys:

• Poor cash flow management

• Inability to pay tax/wages

• Overspending• Poor credit control• Insufficient funding

Page 7: Running your business in the cloud: Matt from FreeAgent

Why is that not surprising?

63% Had no formal accounting procedure in place

Source: NatWest survey, May 2011

46% unaware of break even point

49% don’t know their gross profit margin (KPI)

61% said cash flow issues were their most significant challenge

Stop talking about

accounting!

Page 8: Running your business in the cloud: Matt from FreeAgent

Let’s look at it from a different angle!

And wasting130 hours (3 weeks) a year chasing payments

Source: BACS Payment Schemes 2012

In 2012, the average outstanding debt for an SME was £45K….

They were also waiting an average of 30 days past agreed payment terms for their money…..

Page 9: Running your business in the cloud: Matt from FreeAgent

Two Golden rules:

1.It’s not a sale until they’ve paid!2. Get paid as quickly as possible!

Page 10: Running your business in the cloud: Matt from FreeAgent

change“technology changes; people

don’t ”Deb ShultzBu

sinesse

s

Page 11: Running your business in the cloud: Matt from FreeAgent

“Cloud” innately means...

collaborative

real-time

connected & present

Page 12: Running your business in the cloud: Matt from FreeAgent

E-invoicing

CompaniesHouse

Banks

Accountancy

HMRC

Financing etc

Ecosystem

E-commerce

Web apps, APIs

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Page 14: Running your business in the cloud: Matt from FreeAgent

What does that mean practically?

We have the technology

We just need to change the mindset!

Page 15: Running your business in the cloud: Matt from FreeAgent

2. Keep track of who owes you what.

What 4 things do all business need to do to get

money in?

3. Take payments

1. Invoice your customer –•Professionally•Accurately•Efficiently

4. Keep on top of late payers

Page 16: Running your business in the cloud: Matt from FreeAgent

Chase payments consistently

Tips to keep on top of your finances

Invoice in a consistent manner

Page 17: Running your business in the cloud: Matt from FreeAgent

Tips to keep on top of your finances

Make it easy for customers to pay

BACS

Payment buttons on invoices

Direct Debits

Mobile

paymen

ts

Chip & Pin

Page 18: Running your business in the cloud: Matt from FreeAgent

Tips to keep on top of your finances

Keep track of business expenses incurred

Page 19: Running your business in the cloud: Matt from FreeAgent

Tips to keep on top of your finances

Keep track of taxes (inc VAT) owed

Page 20: Running your business in the cloud: Matt from FreeAgent

Tips to keep on top of your financesReview your financial position

regularly

Page 21: Running your business in the cloud: Matt from FreeAgent

Matt PerkinsHead of SME Engagement

[email protected]@perkinsmattj

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