We are recruiting

Due to exceptional growth, we have a number of vacancies for focused, self motivated and determined individuals to train to become accountants.

The role of a trainee accountant at SFB covers;
- Bookkeeping
- Preparing accounts for sole traders, partnerships and limited companies.
- Tax returns for both personal and corporate clients
- Assisting with audits

The successful applicant will have achieved excellent grades at GCSE /A level and in addition will have excellent communication skills, common sense, drive and personality.

Your career with us will evolve from studying for the Association of Accounting Technician qualification under the apprenticeship scheme with the option after successful completion to progress on to further professional Accountancy qualifications.

If you can demonstrate all of the above qualities and you recently achieved you professional qualification or are part way through it, we also have opportunities for you. Your career with us will develop the knowledge you have gained through your studies and encourage you to apply this to real life situations

Please send your CV and cover letter to Lindsey Chinn at lindsey.chinn@sfb.uk.com.

SFB success at Nuneaton Pro Am golf day

The SFB Group were the main sponsor at the Charity Pro Am Day held at Nuneaton Golf Club on Sunday 19th May.

A total of 30 teams enjoyed a golf course that was in great condition. The SFB Group entered three teams, with Martin Lindsey’s team taking second place. Additionally, Paul Streeter, the professional who played with Martin, SFB’s Director of Wealth Management, came first in the individual competition.

The charity that has benefited this year is Prostate Cancer UK. The money raised totalled £1,000 and this has been matched by Computacentre Limited, so a grand total of £2,000 will be donated to this well deserving charity.

Paul Carvell, SFB’s Senior Partner said “The SFB Group were proud to support Nuneaton Pro Am for the second year running. The day was thoroughly enjoyed by all, and the fact the sun was shining was a real bonus.”

Businesses have hope for the high street

53% of independent retailers in England believe that their local high street is suffering from poor performance but 70% are confident that this situation can be improved by having a better relationship with their local authorities.

Several initiatives for revitalising town centres and high streets were supported by the firms surveyed by the Federation of Small Businesses research team. These include:

• businesses relocating to town centres (60 per cent)
• flexible opening hours (38 per cent)
• more ‘pop-up’ stores (37 per cent)

Mike Cherry, the of the FSB’s national policy chairman, said: “Reviving town centres from decline is possible with the right measures from councils and local authorities. We want improved dialogue and co-operation between independent retailers and their local decision-makers, so they can work jointly on improving their town centres. Attracting new businesses and shoppers is one way to ensure the survival of small businesses, which is why we are supporting Local Business Week and its pledge for shoppers to buy three things on their local high street.”

If your presence on the high street needs a review, please contact business experts SFB on (024) 7638 4171 or email enquiries@sfb.uk.com

SME websites are significant for increasing sales and job growth

Research from The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) shows that 25% of small firms in the UK could be damaging their competiveness by not having their own company website.

As a consequence, employment and growth could be under threat.

The survey showed that less than 35% of SME firms use their website for sales. The FSB are urging smaller businesses to embrace the opportunity for online sales, especially as most aren’t able to compete with larger businesses advertising budgets.

There are various marketing solutions available to help your business reach its full potential. Please contact SFB’s Marketing Manager Cheryl Mann on (024) 7638 4171 or email cheryl.mann@sfb.uk.com, to discuss a marketing plan tailored for you to help you achieve your goals.

Info2Grow – Foundations4Growth Business Seminar – Tomorrow at 4.30pm

Info2Grow is showcasing the foundations for business growth and presents a panel of industry experts to help local firms improve and grow their business!

Following on from the enormous success of the previous Info2Grow events, this fourth event is a unique and FREE opportunity to hear from inspiring local business leader Julie White from D-Drill, who will share her own business journey, demonstrating that having the confidence to make changes in your business, can lead to astonishing results.

“I didn’t expect that!” by Julie White
In March 2008, Julie White raised the finance to acquire 100% of her family’s specialist construction services business. Within 6 months the company had lost 40% of its turnover as the recession took hold (hence the title of her talk). Julie will talk about how she faced up to this and used the recession to reshape her business and prepare it for growth, including why she decided to maintain investment in her apprenticeship scheme when all logic said it was an obvious cost to cut.

A Q&A panel session will also take place during the event, to provide helpful advice and tips to help your business grow. So make sure you include your ‘burning question’ or topic on the booking form. The event also provides an exclusive opportunity to mix with like minded businesses.

Event details

Date: Thursday 16th May 2013
Time: 4.30pm Refreshments and networking
5.00pm Presentation and panel discussion
6.15pm Further networking – please bring along your business cards!
7.00pm Close
Venue: The Barras Suite, The Chase, Higham Lane, Nuneaton CV11 6AG
*Free parking is available*

The event will be chaired by Paul Carvell, Stewart, Fletcher & Barrett Chartered Accountants
(part of the SFB Group).

The panel will be made up of the following business experts:

• Alan Ison (Lloyds TSB Commercial) – expert on business finance
• Adrian Young (Federation of Small Businesses) – expert on business systems
• Carolyn Reily (Cambron Limited) – expert on business planning and marketing
• Angela Tellyn (Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce) – expert on how to maximise your opportunities through effective networking

If you haven’t registered yet, please register by emailing events@sfb.uk.com.

Motorway Service Stations May Be Forced To Display Prices of Cheaper Rivals

A new policy unit at 10 Downing Street is contemplating different methods to bring down the extortionate petrol and diesel costs at motorway petrol stations.
On average these stations prices are:
• 7.5p more expensive than elsewhere for petrol
• 8p more expensive for diesel
The options being reviewed are:
• Prices must be visible on the motorway, as opposed to only being visible once the driver reaches the forecourt
• Highways Agency signs showing distances to the next service station could be adapted to feature their current fuel rates
• Adapting the French system. Stations will be required to publish prices at their 2 nearest competitors
In the 10 years between 2003 and 2012, petrol prices increased from 76p per litre to 136p, and diesel rose from 78p per litre to 142p.
Number 10 are concerned at the continuously increasing cost of living in the UK.

Age Cap On Start Up Loans Should Be Abolished says adviser

Lord Young, the Prime Minister’s adviser in enterprise, has produced a report recommending that the age cap on the Government’s loan scheme for start-ups should be removed.
Since the scheme was launched in September 2012, more than £16 million worth of loans has been provided to start-up businesses in addition to access for mentoring support. In January 2013, the qualifying age limit was increased from 18-24 to 30.
Lord Young believes that the ‘benefits of the scheme to all start-ups’ should be extended to business people below 30.
Please contact Radha Garg from SFB’s Business Start-Up team on (024) 7638 4171 or at radha.garg@sfb.uk.com.