Profit Cash Growth

HMRC Are Coming! Is Your Business Record‑Keeping Ready? #105

The episode explains HMRC's renewed focus on the £40bn tax gap, the government’s investment in compliance staff and data tools, and why accurate record-keeping (primary and secondary records, VAT invoices, addressed invoices over £250) matters now more than ever.
We cover common trouble spots — Amazon and marketplace invoices, landlord rental income, work-from-home claims, software subscriptions and benefit-in-kind risks — and give practical guidance: keep clear records, be cautious with VAT claims, and consult a specialist accountant if you discover mistakes.
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ABOUT THE HOST:
Claire Hancott through Profit Cash Growth helps 6 & 7 figure business owners to increase their profit, improve their cashflow and grow their business using their numbers.
As a finance director & chartered management accountant, Claire has nearly 20 years’ experience in finance and running businesses of her own. This gives her a unique insight into the information and support business owners need to grow a financially successful business.
Claire passionately believes that every business should be run by the numbers because the numbers in your business are telling you a story about what is and isn’t working and where your opportunities lie. Claire’s mission is to provide insightful management accounts, reports and advice to business owners and support them to make smarter decisions. 
 
*The content of this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional advice.

Are Payment Frictions Killing Your Cash Flow? Here’s How to Remove Them #104

In this episode, we explore how adding friction to payment processes can hurt your cash flow and what to do about it. Explaining why offering only one payment method loses you time and money, and introduces the idea of treating customers as "B2Me" — giving each buyer a choice of convenient payment options. The goal is to remove barriers so customers can pay quickly and reliably.
The episode outlines seven low-cost, practical technologies you can implement: direct debit (GoCardless with Xero), Xero PayByStatement links, phone-based tap-to-pay, bank QR codes, pay-now buttons on invoices, and card-payment links (e.g., Apron). It also covers using multiple processors (Stripe, Apple/Google Pay, PayPal) so customers can pick the method they prefer.
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VALUABLE RESOURCES
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ABOUT THE HOST:
Claire Hancott through Profit Cash Growth helps 6 & 7 figure business owners to increase their profit, improve their cashflow and grow their business using their numbers.
As a finance director & chartered management accountant, Claire has nearly 20 years’ experience in finance and running businesses of her own. This gives her a unique insight into the information and support business owners need to grow a financially successful business.
Claire passionately believes that every business should be run by the numbers because the numbers in your business are telling you a story about what is and isn’t working and where your opportunities lie. Claire’s mission is to provide insightful management accounts, reports and advice to business owners and support them to make smarter decisions. 
 
*The content of this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional advice.

The 5 Questions You Must Answer Before Buying a Business #103

This week on the podcast, if you're thinking of buying a business in 2026, stay tuned as we give you five easy steps to assess it. 
Claire walks through a practical five-step checklist for an initial buy-side assessment: 1) check cash in the bank versus short-term liabilities to see if the business really has excess cash; 2) calculate adjusted EBITDA to understand underlying operating profitability; 3) review the balance sheet for assets, liabilities and signs the finance function needs cleanup; 4) identify what’s wrong (risks) and quick wins (opportunities) that could boost profit; and 5) model how the business would integrate with the buyer, stress-testing best/likely/worst cases to shape a realistic offer.
The episode also covers how offers can be structured (day-one cash, deferred consideration, earnouts, warranties), why adjusted modelling and detailed due diligence follow heads of terms, and when to engage an accountant or M&A specialist to dig deeper.
⭐ Rate, Review & Share this episode with fellow business owners, and let's grow together!
⭐ Subscribe to the weekly newsletter to get Expert Advice Straight to Your Inbox: https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/subscribe
⭐ Get a Free copy of Claire's book Profit By Numbers: https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/book
 
VALUABLE RESOURCES
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ABOUT THE HOST:
Claire Hancott through Profit Cash Growth helps 6 & 7 figure business owners to increase their profit, improve their cashflow and grow their business using their numbers.
As a finance director & chartered management accountant, Claire has nearly 20 years’ experience in finance and running businesses of her own. This gives her a unique insight into the information and support business owners need to grow a financially successful business.
Claire passionately believes that every business should be run by the numbers because the numbers in your business are telling you a story about what is and isn’t working and where your opportunities lie. Claire’s mission is to provide insightful management accounts, reports and advice to business owners and support them to make smarter decisions. 
 
*The content of this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional advice.

Grow Your Business (Part 3 of 3) #102

In the final episode of our mini-series and the hosts explore five practical ways for six- and seven-figure business owners to grow their businesses in 2026.
The five growth strategies covered are: revenue expansion (sell more to your existing customers using tools like the Ultimate Sales Spreadsheet); maintain and ramp up marketing and advertising even in tough times; keep your opportunity radar on to spot acquisitions, assets and competitor exits and use a hit list to prioritise; immerse yourself in new technology and AI to speed decisions, boost productivity and free headspace; and systemise everything so your business can scale reliably.
Download The Ultimate Sales Spreadsheet For Free Here! https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/salesmatrix
 
⭐ Rate, Review & Share this episode with fellow business owners, and let's grow together!
⭐ Subscribe to the weekly newsletter to get Expert Advice Straight to Your Inbox: https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/subscribe
⭐ Get a Free copy of Claire's book Profit By Numbers: https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/book
 
VALUABLE RESOURCES
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ABOUT THE HOST:
Claire Hancott through Profit Cash Growth helps 6 & 7 figure business owners to increase their profit, improve their cashflow and grow their business using their numbers.
As a finance director & chartered management accountant, Claire has nearly 20 years’ experience in finance and running businesses of her own. This gives her a unique insight into the information and support business owners need to grow a financially successful business.
Claire passionately believes that every business should be run by the numbers because the numbers in your business are telling you a story about what is and isn’t working and where your opportunities lie. Claire’s mission is to provide insightful management accounts, reports and advice to business owners and support them to make smarter decisions. 
 
*The content of this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional advice.

Improve Your Cash Flow (Part 2 of 3) #101

In part two of our 100th-episode mini-series, hosts Simon and Clare Hancott explain why cash flow is the lifeblood of business and share five practical ways to improve it. Designed for six- and seven-figure business owners, this episode covers quick changes you can make now to build a safety buffer and seize opportunities in a volatile 2026.
They walk through five steps: control when money leaves your bank with structured payment runs; make it frictionless for customers to pay (direct debit, card links and modern payment tools); track the payment habits of your top customers; use government payment terms and time-to-pay arrangements as free credit; and build a rolling 13-week cash flow forecast to plan ahead.
Tune in tomorrow for part three on growing your business.
⭐ Rate, Review & Share this episode with fellow business owners, and let's grow together!
⭐ Subscribe to the weekly newsletter to get Expert Advice Straight to Your Inbox: https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/subscribe
⭐ Get a Free copy of Claire's book Profit By Numbers: https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/book
 
VALUABLE RESOURCES
Website
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ABOUT THE HOST:
Claire Hancott through Profit Cash Growth helps 6 & 7 figure business owners to increase their profit, improve their cashflow and grow their business using their numbers.
As a finance director & chartered management accountant, Claire has nearly 20 years’ experience in finance and running businesses of her own. This gives her a unique insight into the information and support business owners need to grow a financially successful business.
Claire passionately believes that every business should be run by the numbers because the numbers in your business are telling you a story about what is and isn’t working and where your opportunities lie. Claire’s mission is to provide insightful management accounts, reports and advice to business owners and support them to make smarter decisions. 
 
*The content of this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional advice.

Increase Your Profits (Part 1 of 3): 100th Episode Special #100

Join the Profit Cash Growth Podcast as they celebrate their 100th episode and launch a three-part mini-series to kickstart 2026. In this first episode, Claire Hancott and her co-host focus on actionable ways to Increase Your Profits without chasing new customers.
The episode covers five practical steps business owners can apply right away: review and raise pricing regularly, challenge supplier price increases, improve utilisation of assets and teams, review recurring direct debits, and understand margins by product, service, or customer.
Tune in tomorrow for part two, Improve Your Cashflow, and the following day for Grow Your Business.
‼️ Download The KPI Worksheet Here....! https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/kpiworksheet
 
⭐ Rate, Review & Share this episode with fellow business owners, and let's grow together!
⭐ Subscribe to the weekly newsletter to get Expert Advice Straight to Your Inbox: https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/subscribe
⭐ Get a Free copy of Claire's book Profit By Numbers: https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/book
 
VALUABLE RESOURCES
Website
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ABOUT THE HOST:
Claire Hancott through Profit Cash Growth helps 6 & 7 figure business owners to increase their profit, improve their cashflow and grow their business using their numbers.
As a finance director & chartered management accountant, Claire has nearly 20 years’ experience in finance and running businesses of her own. This gives her a unique insight into the information and support business owners need to grow a financially successful business.
Claire passionately believes that every business should be run by the numbers because the numbers in your business are telling you a story about what is and isn’t working and where your opportunities lie. Claire’s mission is to provide insightful management accounts, reports and advice to business owners and support them to make smarter decisions. 
 
*The content of this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional advice.

Rewinding 2025: The Most Powerful Lessons For Business Owners #99

Welcome to this special New Year episode of the Profit Cash Growth Podcast. Recorded between Christmas and New Year, the episode is a 2025 rewind that highlights the year’s most downloaded shows, our personal favourites and the key lessons for six- and seven-figure business owners who want to grow profits and improve cashflow.
Listen for practical frameworks, worksheets and links in the show notes (including a KPI worksheet), sign-up details for their newsletter, and guidance on when it’s time to upgrade your finance team or challenge your current accountant. This episode is a compact, actionable New Year starter to help business owners plan for profitable, cash-healthy growth in 2026.
⭐ Rate, Review & Share this episode with fellow business owners, and let's grow together!
⭐ Subscribe to the weekly newsletter to get Expert Advice Straight to Your Inbox: https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/subscribe
⭐ Get a Free copy of Claire's book Profit By Numbers: https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/book
 
VALUABLE RESOURCES
Website
LinkedIn
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ABOUT THE HOST:
Claire Hancott through Profit Cash Growth helps 6 & 7 figure business owners to increase their profit, improve their cashflow and grow their business using their numbers.
As a finance director & chartered management accountant, Claire has nearly 20 years’ experience in finance and running businesses of her own. This gives her a unique insight into the information and support business owners need to grow a financially successful business.
Claire passionately believes that every business should be run by the numbers because the numbers in your business are telling you a story about what is and isn’t working and where your opportunities lie. Claire’s mission is to provide insightful management accounts, reports and advice to business owners and support them to make smarter decisions. 
 
*The content of this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional advice.

Quizmas 2025: Claire Takes on the Ultimate Festive Business Challenge #98

Join us for a light-hearted Christmas special of the Profit Cash Growth Podcast. This episode is a festive quiz that tests business knowledge across five rounds: Christmas economics, festive business history and brands, seasonal accounting and tax, the Christmas supply chain, and a final surprise round.
Expect lots of banter, mistakes, laughs, and useful takeaways for six- and seven-figure business owners who want a festive break from serious business talk while still picking up helpful insights.
⭐ Rate, Review & Share this episode with fellow business owners, and let's grow together!
⭐ Subscribe to the weekly newsletter to get Expert Advice Straight to Your Inbox: https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/subscribe
⭐ Get a Free copy of Claire's book Profit By Numbers: https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/book
 
VALUABLE RESOURCES
Website
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ABOUT THE HOST:
Claire Hancott through Profit Cash Growth helps 6 & 7 figure business owners to increase their profit, improve their cashflow and grow their business using their numbers.
As a finance director & chartered management accountant, Claire has nearly 20 years’ experience in finance and running businesses of her own. This gives her a unique insight into the information and support business owners need to grow a financially successful business.
Claire passionately believes that every business should be run by the numbers because the numbers in your business are telling you a story about what is and isn’t working and where your opportunities lie. Claire’s mission is to provide insightful management accounts, reports and advice to business owners and support them to make smarter decisions. 
 
*The content of this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional advice.

Why You’re Getting Those Director ID Alerts (And What To Do About Them) #97

This week the central topic explains the Companies House director and PSC ID verification rules introduced on 18 November 2025: why the checks exist, the 12-month transitional period, how to verify for free using the gov.uk app (biometric passport/driver’s licence plus face scan), where deadlines come from, what happens if you don’t comply, and why you don’t need to pay expensive third-party fees. They also cover ACSP registration for accountants, common causes of multiple alerts, and how to find your verification due dates on Companies House.
⭐ Rate, Review & Share this episode with fellow business owners, and let's grow together!
⭐ Subscribe to the weekly newsletter to get Expert Advice Straight to Your Inbox: https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/subscribe
⭐ Get a Free copy of Claire's book Profit By Numbers: https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/book
 
VALUABLE RESOURCES
Website
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ABOUT THE HOST:
Claire Hancott through Profit Cash Growth helps 6 & 7 figure business owners to increase their profit, improve their cashflow and grow their business using their numbers.
As a finance director & chartered management accountant, Claire has nearly 20 years’ experience in finance and running businesses of her own. This gives her a unique insight into the information and support business owners need to grow a financially successful business.
Claire passionately believes that every business should be run by the numbers because the numbers in your business are telling you a story about what is and isn’t working and where your opportunities lie. Claire’s mission is to provide insightful management accounts, reports and advice to business owners and support them to make smarter decisions. 
 
*The content of this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional advice.

Festive Freebies: The Smart Way to Maximise Gifts, Parties and Tax-Friendly Cheer #96

This week we discuss how business owners can use company money to give festive perks without creating tax problems. They cover the key allowances, pitfalls and practical examples to help you plan Christmas parties, staff gifts and client entertaining.
Key rules explained: annual company parties are tax-free up to £150 per attendee (including VAT and related costs), but if you exceed that limit the whole amount becomes taxable for employees. You can split the allowance across multiple events, and travel or hotels can be excluded if the trip is legitimately a business meeting with a documented agenda.
Staff gifts fall under the trivial benefits rules: individual gifts up to £50 (including VAT and delivery) are tax-free provided they are not cash, cash-equivalent or a reward for performance. Directors follow the same £50-per-gift rule but face a £300 total annual limit.
Customer and supplier entertaining is allowable as a business expense but is not eligible for VAT recovery or corporation tax relief; branded promotional items may be a narrow exception. Practical tips include buying VATable gifts so the business can reclaim VAT, documenting business events carefully, and consulting your accountant for grey-area cases.
⭐ Rate, Review & Share this episode with fellow business owners, and let's grow together!
⭐ Subscribe to the weekly newsletter to get Expert Advice Straight to Your Inbox: https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/subscribe
⭐ Get a Free copy of Claire's book Profit By Numbers: https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/book
 
VALUABLE RESOURCES
Website
LinkedIn
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ABOUT THE HOST:
Claire Hancott through Profit Cash Growth helps 6 & 7 figure business owners to increase their profit, improve their cashflow and grow their business using their numbers.
As a finance director & chartered management accountant, Claire has nearly 20 years’ experience in finance and running businesses of her own. This gives her a unique insight into the information and support business owners need to grow a financially successful business.
Claire passionately believes that every business should be run by the numbers because the numbers in your business are telling you a story about what is and isn’t working and where your opportunities lie. Claire’s mission is to provide insightful management accounts, reports and advice to business owners and support them to make smarter decisions. 
 
*The content of this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional advice.