Strive Business Solutions

15/10/2026

Quick question for anyone who looks after a small charity: do you know whether your accounts need an independent examination this year?

The limits changed at the end of September, which is easy to miss when you're busy running the charity. Your income and what your governing document says decide the answer.

Our new guide explains it all, so you can check in a few minutes: www.strivebusinesslimited.co.uk/post/does-my-small-charity-need-an-independent-examination

If you'd rather talk it through, send us a message and we'll help.

Guidance for Trustees

24/09/2026

Restricted funds becoming harder to manage?

Clear tracking can make a huge difference when your charity is handling grants, projects and day-to-day spending at the same time.

This post covers a few practical ways to keep restricted funds easier to manage, reduce reporting headaches and spot problems earlier.

Swipe through the carousel for the full guide.

17/09/2026

Restricted funds can become difficult to manage surprisingly quickly when a charity is handling several grants or projects at once.

Our latest article looks at how restricted funds should be tracked, whether they need a separate bank account, what can happen if money is used outside its intended purpose, and when specialist charity bookkeeping support may be useful.

Read the full article here: www.strivebusinesslimited.co.uk/post/what-happens-if-you-don-t-keep-restricted-funds-separate-in-a-charity

What Happens If You Don’t Keep Them Separate?

10/09/2026

For many sole traders, managing the books does not need to mean learning complicated accounting software or paying for services they will never use.

Our sole trader package starts from £35 per month and includes bookkeeping software, receipt capture and preparation and submission of your annual Self Assessment.

It is designed for sole traders with turnover under £50,000 whose finances are relatively straightforward. Additional help with regular bookkeeping, VAT, payroll or Making Tax Digital can be added when needed.

You get a simple system for keeping your records organised and professional support when your tax return is due, all for a monthly cost you know in advance.

Find out more or request a quote:
https://www.strivebusinesslimited.co.uk/accountant-for-sole-traders

03/09/2026

🎉 Another one ticked off! 🎉

A big congratulations to our lovely Chelsey, who has passed another of her AAT Level 4 exams! 👏📚

She’s been working incredibly hard alongside her role at Strive, and she’s now got just 3 exams left to go until Level 4 is complete.

We’re really proud of her progress and everything she’s achieving. The finish line is getting closer! 💜

Well done, Chelsey! 🥳

03/09/2026

A late Self Assessment return can cost £100, even when there is no tax to pay.

The deadline for filing online and paying any tax owed is normally 31 January. Leaving everything until January makes the job harder because missing receipts, unexplained payments and incomplete records all need resolving at once.

Keeping your records organised throughout the year gives you time to check the figures and deal with any questions before the deadline arrives.

A reminder helps. Good records make the biggest difference.

https://www.strivebusinesslimited.co.uk/accountant-for-sole-traders

27/08/2026

Eleven hours a week is more than a full working day. Although some sole traders may disagree!

For small business owners, admin often happens around the work that earns money. Invoices get raised after dinner, receipts pile up for the weekend, and financial records become another task waiting in the background.

Good systems can return some of that time.

Bank feeds can import transactions automatically, receipt-capture software can store purchase records, and regular bookkeeping keeps the year-end workload manageable.

A small amount of organisation throughout the year can prevent hours of avoidable admin later.

https://www.strivebusinesslimited.co.uk/accountant-for-sole-traders

20/08/2026

There is nothing inherently wrong with keeping your books using pen and paper or a spreadsheet. For a small, straightforward business, it may have worked perfectly well for years.

The difficulty comes when receipts go missing, transactions need checking or everything has to be pulled together for your Self Assessment.

Modern bookkeeping software can connect directly to your bank, capture receipts from your phone and keep your records organised as you go. You still remain in control, with much less to piece together at the end of the year.

If your current system works, keep using it. If managing it has started to feel like a job in itself, a simpler setup may be worth exploring.

https://www.strivebusinesslimited.co.uk/accountant-for-sole-traders

17/08/2026

Do you need a bookkeeper, an accountant, or just the right software?

For many sole traders with straightforward finances, bookkeeping can be much simpler than expected. Modern software can capture receipts, connect to your bank and keep your records organised throughout the year.

The important part is knowing what still needs checking, when professional support becomes worthwhile and who should handle your Self Assessment.

Our latest blog explains the difference between bookkeeping and accounting, along with what you may actually need as a sole trader.

Read the full article here:
https://www.strivebusinesslimited.co.uk/post/bookkeeping-accounting-for-sole-traders

What do you need as a sole trader

13/08/2026

Every month we'll share a quick reminder, useful insight or important update through The CIC Guide, helping CIC directors stay on top of the financial and compliance side of running an organisation. Follow us to get your monthly update.

This month's reminder:

CIC directors can be paid.

It's easy to assume that running a Community Interest Company means giving your time entirely for free. In fact, directors can be paid for the work they do, provided it's reasonable and allowed under the company's Articles of Association.

Many CICs begin with an idea to make a difference. What starts as a few hours each week can gradually become grant applications, paperwork, finances, planning and keeping everything moving in the right direction.

As your CIC grows, it's completely normal for the role to grow with it.

If you decide to pay directors, it's important to keep clear records, make sure payments are appropriate for the work being carried out, and check whether any grant funding has conditions attached.

Understanding the rules early helps you make informed decisions as your organisation develops.

Have a question about running a CIC? Leave a comment below and we'll do our best to help.

If you'd like support with bookkeeping, accounts or financial reporting for your CIC, you can get in touch through our website.

https://www.strivebusinesslimited.co.uk/bookkeeping-for-charities