The summer months can traditionally be a time of low business activity levels for many industry sectors – with August in particular being a time where trade can dip to all-year lows. So how have you fared during the summer months – and is it ‘business as usual’ or time to move to more drastic measures?

If you’re an online retailer, trading either through your own site or via larger networks such as Amazon or eBay, there’s plenty to feel optimistic about as we head out of summer and towards the key Christmas retailing period. Whilst the 21^st century dot.com entrepreneur doesn’t have everything falling in their lap, there are plenty of opportunities coming up to take advantage of. Fusion Accounts, the online accounting software specialists, has put together a few ideas to help you get your business in shape as we head inevitably towards silly season – and keep those virtual sales tills jingling!More...

Have you heard the term ‘cloud computing’? It’s one of those IT buzzwords which seems to be everywhere these days – but not everyone understands what it means and how it can help transform their business.

Independent research, commissioned by Rise, has recently shown that only 42% of small businesses have heard of cloud computing – with around a quarter of those still not understanding what the term means.

Many IT and business experts agree that whilst cloud computing is undeniably a huge advantage for the SME market, a lack of clear-cut marketing by many IT providers has lead to a significant amount of businesses just not realising what incredible benefits this type of service can have for their business.

So it’s time to dispel the myths and reveal just what cloud computing means to the small business owner – and just how powerful a tool it can be for you.More...

Official figures recently released have shown that the Enterprise Finance Guarantee (EFG) – introduced by the Labour Government to assist businesses to ride out the recession – have dropped by almost 60% in the last 12 months. So what does that mean to business owners – and what can you do to become more self-reliant?

Whilst the recession is, we are told, officially over, the vast majority of businesses are still feeling the pinch, as consumer and business-to-business spending is still remaining guarded. What’s more, the shackles are still firmly on bank lending policies – so if you find yourself in financial hot water, finding outside assistance to get your business back on track may be more difficult than you think.

Essentially, every business should continue to keep its eye on the ball when it comes to expenditure, with a view to retaining as much capital within the business as possible. So Fusion Accounts – the online accounting software specialist -has put together a few ideas on how to hold onto that precious capital – without impacting upon your business.

1. Capital expenditure – is it really necessary? More...

As an accountant or book-keeper, your client holds you in a position of trust. Not only do you have access to a host of confidential information regarding their business finances and business performance, but if you’re managing payroll services too, you’ll have in-depth knowledge of their employees’ personal information.

It’s vital to the success of your own business that you set out clear obligations and assurances to your clients – both old and new – that their data is fully protected. The media is full of unsettling stories about confidential information being left unsecured - or left on laptops or data sticks which then go missing – and contrary to popular belief, there definitely is such a thing as bad publicity.

You have a duty of care to your client to maintain high levels of confidentiality and security – and can be fined heavily for breaches of security surrounding personal data which lead to individuals suffering loss or fraud. It’s not just worth the risk when there’s so much at stake.

So what can you do to ensure that your customers’ information is secure – and how should you advise clients to secure information at their end of the business transaction? More...

Feeling a bit blasé about the World Cup? If football isn’t your thing, never fear – as it’s time for sun, strawberries and set points as the All England Club opens its doors to the greatest tennis tournament in the world. And, although we say it every year, Britain just might have a shot at the title – this time, in the shape of World Number 4, Andy Murray.

If you haven’t been lucky enough to get tickets to see the tennis action in the flesh, you can of course keep up with all the latest score lines and follow those epic five hour matches which Wimbledon is famous for – as usual, it’s televised on the BBC. There’s just one snag. You’ve got it – the matches are staged during the afternoons, when most of us are cooped up in our offices. What’s a tennis fan to do? The answer, of course, is simple. Be smart and get yourself some quality ‘work from home’ time – courtesy of your online accounting software.

Accountants – set yourself free from the office and find some tennis time! More...

Below you can view short videos which illustrate how Fusion's online accounting software has assisted business owners, bookkeepers and accountants.  Please select the video relevant to you.

The benefits of online accounting software from a chartered accountants view.

Chartered Accountant Martin Malseed from Wealthcare gives his view as to why online accounting is the way to go for small businesses.   Martin speaks about the challenges that his accountancy practice and business clients faced in using traditional desktop accounting systems like Sage.   Some of the key issues raised were having to back up the data, the problems experienced when transferring files and also clients having to pay an annual support fee on top of the cost of the accounting software.  Having moved to Fusion’s online accounting software their data is now automatically backed up and everyone can access the data real-time and from any location.

The benefits of online accounting software from an ICB accredited bookkeepers perspective More...

The school holidays are fast approaching – six whole weeks in which parents are faced with the challenge of finding ever more inventive ways of entertaining the children. Owners of small businesses who are also parents often have the hardest challenge of them all – for the concept of taking an extended holiday is something which many just can’t afford. So, how can you juggle the issue of looking after the children without letting your business suffer?

We don’t for a moment suggest that we have all the answers – after all, work/life balance is something that every parent, whether an employee or a business owner, has struggled with for eternity. However, with the increasing advent of remote working and technological advances in cloud computer systems in areas such as online accounting software, it’s now possible to work from home more efficiently than ever before.

Here are just a few ways in which you can free up time this summer for childcare without losing focus on your business:More...

Now that the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa is finally upon us, we’re all keen to support our home team to eventual victory – well, there’s nothing like thinking positive! And it’s not just own matches that we want to watch – to really experience the thrills and spills of the globe’s best footballing tournament , you’ve got to immerse yourself in as much of the build up and excitement as possible. But –that’s not always easy when you’ve got a job to do or a business to run.

We’re not suggesting that the entire country downs tools for an entire month just to follow the drama of the World Cup. However, it’s times like these when working smarter with web-based tools such as online accounting software can be the key to enjoying the best of both worlds – keeping on top of your work whilst ensuring you don’t miss out on too much of the World Cup fever.

If you’re a book-keeper or accountant working on behalf of multiple clients, it’s all too easy to feel chained to your desk during the summer months, More...

How flexible is your business?

Ever wondered what it would be like to work from any location? Fusion's online accounting software offers businesses an innovative and stress free way to keep track of late paying customers coupled with the ability to create invoices and financial reports anytime, anywhere.

Fusion Accounts

Online Accounting Software – Anytime, Anywhere

Environmentally Aware Consumers Are Voting With Their Feet

Government and environmental groups have long been lobbying the consumer to do more to act in a more environmentally conscious, ‘greener’ way – with these lifestyle changes gradually being adopted in some way or form by the majority. Whilst we’re not all eco-warriors, it’s now generally accepted that we shouldn’t waste water, our houses should be effectively insulated and that we should be looking at alternatives to fossil fuels. If nothing else, the personal cost savings these green measures have brought the individual in recession-hit times have spurred us on to embrace these eco-friendly actions.

Most consumers prefer to buy from green businesses

This rise in eco-awareness has brought a change in the way many people choose which businesses to deal with. It’s estimated that around two thirds of consumers would actively choose a business which had measures in place to reduce its carbon emissions over ones which didn’t. So it’s great business sense to find out what you can do at your workplace or retail space to create a more environmentally friendly business – and then make sure your customers know about it.More...