Helping you manage a thriving business so you don't miss out on life's most important moments.
We understand that your time is precious. By managing your finances efficiently, we ensure you can focus on running your business without sacrificing the important moments life has to offer. From ambitious sole traders and start-ups to established limited companies, we offer solutions for all kinds of business.
Navigate financial success with our most popular services.
Bookkeeping
Ensuring your business has accurate, organised, and up-to-date financial records.
Annual Accounts
Comprehensive financial reporting, giving you an overview of your business's performance.
Construction Industry Scheme
Simplifying CIS compliance for contractors and subcontractors, saving you time and stress.
Payroll
Streamlining your payroll process, guaranteeing accuracy and regulatory adherence.
Why choose Navigate?
Every successful voyage needs a skilled navigator; let us be yours.
Financial roadmap
We provide your business with a tailored financial roadmap, providing you with a clear, strategic plan for achieving your goals.
Innovative solutions
By leveraging the latest accounting technology, we offer innovative solutions that will keep your business ahead of the curve.
Increased profits
By implementing efficient financial strategies and cost-saving measures, we help boost your bottom line, leading to increased profits!
Dedicated support
Our dedicated support ensures you have a reliable, expert team on your side, ready to address your financial queries and challenges promptly.
Say goodbye to accounting worries
With our powerful cloud accounting solution, you can manage your business finances anytime, anywhere. Say goodbye to complicated spreadsheets and the stress of managing paperwork, and hello to easy, accessible, and efficient cloud-based finances.
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Read what some of our wonderful clients have said about us.
The latest articles and resources from Navigate Accountancy.
Late payments – the frustration every small business owner knows far too well. You’ve done the work, sent the invoice, and then... silence. Days turn into weeks, and chasing payments starts to feel like a full-time job. If it’s any comfort, you’re not alone. At Navigate, we work with SMEs across Derbyshire and Yorkshire, and late payments are one of the biggest headaches we see – even for businesses that are otherwise thriving. But while you can’t always stop late payers entirely, there are a few practical steps you can take to manage the problem without losing sleep (or your temper). Set clear terms from the start It might sound obvious, but a lot of payment issues start with vague or overly casual agreements. Be crystal clear about your payment terms – when invoices are due, what happens if they’re late, and how payments should be made. And don’t just stick the terms on the invoice – talk about them upfront. It sets the tone and makes expectations clear from day one. Invoice promptly (and correctly) The quicker you send the invoice, the quicker you can expect payment. Simple, but easily overlooked when you’re busy. Make sure your invoices are accurate, include all the right details (like purchase order numbers if needed), and are sent to the right person. A surprising number of late payments happen because the invoice ended up in the wrong inbox. Make it easy to pay The more hoops clients have to jump through, the longer they’ll put it off. Offering different payment options – bank transfer, card payments, even direct debit – removes friction and gives people fewer excuses to delay. If you’re still sending out PDFs and asking people to ‘pay when they get a chance’, it might be time for a rethink. Chase politely – but persistently Nobody loves chasing money, but a polite, firm reminder can work wonders. Start with a gentle email a few days after the due date, and follow up with a phone call if needed. Keep it friendly, but clear – you’re a business, not a charity. There are plenty of online tools that can automate reminders without sounding robotic. A well-timed nudge often gets invoices paid before things get awkward. Know when to escalate If polite nudges aren’t working, don’t be afraid to escalate. Late payment interest is a legal right for businesses, and sometimes mentioning it can encourage quicker action. In serious cases, a debt recovery service might be worth considering – though it’s usually a last resort. The key is to have a process and stick to it. It protects your cash flow and shows you mean business. Chasing payments is never the most glamorous part of running a business – but staying on top of it is vital for keeping your cash flow healthy and your stress levels low. Closing thoughts At Navigate, we help small businesses aput proper systems in place to deal with late payments – so you can spend less time chasing and more time growing. If you’re ready to take the pressure off, we’re just a call away. Contact us on 01709 589 439 or book a call with our team .
Running a small business without keeping an eye on your numbers is a bit like setting off on a long road trip without checking how much fuel (or charge!) you’ve got – you might get where you’re going, but there’s a good chance you’ll break down somewhere along the way. We’ve seen first-hand how powerful it can be when business owners get into the habit of tracking a few key numbers regularly. The good news? You don’t need an accounting degree or a giant spreadsheet. Just five simple metrics can tell you a lot about how you’re really doing; here’s what we recommend keeping an eye on every month. 1. Cash flow Cash flow is the lifeblood of your business. It’s not about how much you’ve invoiced – it’s about how much actual cash is coming in and going out. Positive cash flow keeps the lights on and the wages paid. If you’re not looking at this at least once a month, you’re flying blind. Tip: Look for patterns. Are there certain months when cash gets tight? Spotting these early gives you time to plan, not panic. 2. Gross profit margin Gross profit margin tells you how much money you’re making after covering the direct costs of what you sell. In simple terms – if it costs you £10 to make something and you sell it for £20, your gross margin is £10. If margins are shrinking, it could be a sign that costs are creeping up or prices need a rethink. Keeping an eye on this can stop problems snowballing. 3. Debtor days How long does it take your customers to pay you? Debtor days measure the average time between sending an invoice and getting the money in the bank. Long debtor days can strangle your cash flow – even if your sales look healthy on paper. Setting clear payment terms (and sticking to them) helps keep this number under control. 4. Monthly recurring revenue (MRR) If you’ve got regular customers or service contracts, tracking your monthly recurring revenue is a game changer. It shows you how much reliable income you can expect month to month – the more predictable your income, the easier it is to plan ahead. Not every business has MRR, but if yours does, make it a key part of your dashboard. 5. Net profit This is the big one – how much money is actually left after everything is paid. Rent, salaries, supplies, tax, the lot. Your net profit tells you whether all the hard work is paying off. It’s easy to get caught up in top-line sales numbers, but profit is where the real story lies. High sales with low profit margins can leave you working harder for less. Keeping track of these five numbers doesn’t need to take hours – and the insight you get back is well worth the effort. Over time, you’ll start to spot trends, catch problems early, and make better decisions. Talk to us At Navigate, we help small businesses across Derbyshire and Yorkshire get a good handle on their finances – and we promise to do it without drowning you in jargon. If you'd like to learn more, get in touch on 01709 589 439 or book a call with our team .
There comes a time in every family business when the conversation can no longer be put off – who’s taking over the reins? It’s not always an easy discussion. Handing over the family business can feel like giving away your life’s work, while the next generation are often keen to make their mark (and perhaps change a few things). But a well-thought-out succession plan can make all the difference between a smooth transition and years of awkward Sunday lunches. At Navigate, we work closely with family-run businesses, and if there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that no two succession plans are ever the same. But there are a few common-sense steps that can help make the process less daunting – and much less emotional. Start the conversation early Succession isn’t just about who’s taking over – it’s about when, how, and on what terms. Starting the conversation early gives everyone time to get used to the idea and plan properly. It also gives you the breathing space to iron out any differences before they turn into bigger problems. And if you’re worried about it being awkward – you’re right, it might be. But it’ll be a lot more awkward if you leave it until the last minute. Be clear about roles and expectations It’s tempting to assume everyone knows what’s going to happen – but assumptions and family businesses rarely mix well. Clear, honest discussions about roles, responsibilities, and expectations help avoid misunderstandings later. Will the next generation take full control straightaway? Is there a handover period? Will you still be involved behind the scenes for a while? These are questions better answered now than in a crisis later. Get the legal and financial side sorted This is where things can get tricky without proper advice. Business valuations, shareholder agreements, tax planning – they all play a big part in making sure the handover is fair and financially sound. A rushed plan could leave you with unexpected tax bills or legal wrangles nobody wants. It’s not just about minimising tax (although that’s certainly part of it). It’s about protecting the future of the business and the family relationships that go with it. Think about the ‘what ifs’ Succession planning isn’t just about the best-case scenario where everything goes smoothly. It’s wise to consider the what ifs too – what if the next generation changes their mind? What if someone wants out down the line? Having a plan for the less-than-perfect situations can save a lot of heartache later. A good plan isn’t just a nice document for the bottom drawer – it’s a roadmap that protects the business, the family, and everything you’ve built. Don’t try to do it all yourself You’re an expert at running your business – but succession planning brings a different kind of challenge. Having an outside voice (one that knows a thing or two about family-run businesses) can be invaluable. Like we mentioned, we specialise in helping small-medium and family-run businesses with these exact conversations. We can help you put a practical, sensible plan in place – one that keeps the business thriving, the family happy, and the Sunday lunches civil. Ready to start the conversation? We’re here when you are. Call us on 01709 589 439 or book a call with our team .
