Financial Advice and Obtaining Business Finance

All businesses require timely and economic financial advice, whether they are sole traders or partnerships, limited companies, new businesses or established businesses wishing to expand.

As a starting point, every business enterprise requires prompt and meaningful accounts and sound, in-depth tax advice. This must be tailored to the client’s requirements, as good advice at the right time can forestall potential problems.

New Businesses

New businesses may require advice or help regarding:

• Ownership structure: whether or not to incorporate.

• Accounting and book-keeping systems.

• PAYE and VAT systems.

• Remuneration structure.

• Business plans to appraise the proposal and assist in obtaining finance.

Established Business

Established businesses may, in addition to the above, require advice or help regarding:

• Areas of business which offer scope for increasing profitability or making savings.

• The need to install or improve existing financial or production control systems, including advice on the use of computers.

• Acquisition of other businesses and the retirement from, or disposal of, existing businesses.

• Business plans to study expansion projects, and assist in obtaining finance.

Finance and Grant Applications

We can provide advice on the appropriate sources of short and long-term capital and will assist in negotiations with banks, enterprise companies, government agencies and other financial institutions. We can assist with applications to Highlands and Islands Enterprise through its network of local enterprise companies. These applications frequently require the preparation of business plans, financial projections and other background information. Our experience in this work can ensure that the correct amount and level of information is presented, thus saving decision-making time.

We can also assist with applications to other bodies providing grants or loans, including: Highland Opportunity Limited, Highland Prospect Limited, Scottish Office Agriculture and Fisheries Department (SOAFD) and the EEC.