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Charting your financial success

One of the leading accountants in South Yorkshire for small to medium-sized businesses.

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How we help

Charting your financial success

One of the leading accountants in South Yorkshire for small to medium-sized businesses.

How We Help
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Navigate Accountancy Brandmark

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.

About Us
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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.

Work With Us
Financial roadmap

Financial roadmap

We provide your business with a tailored financial roadmap, providing you with a clear, strategic plan for achieving your goals.

Innovative solutions

Innovative solutions

By leveraging the latest accounting technology, we offer innovative solutions that will keep your business ahead of the curve.

Increased profits

Increased profits

By implementing efficient financial strategies and cost-saving measures, we help boost your bottom line, leading to increased profits!

Dedicated support

Dedicated support

Our dedicated support ensures you have a reliable, expert team on your side, ready to address your financial queries and challenges promptly.

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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.

Don't just take our word for it...

Read what some of our wonderful clients have said about us.

I have been incredibly impressed by their professionalism, responsiveness and care. They always take the time to explain the often complex tax rules in a way which is understandable.

Mark Edwards

Brain & Mind Ltd

Navigate are quite simply the best. I have always dealt direct with Frances and she is extremely knowledgeable on all things tax, quick to respond, and ensures my tax liabilities are kept in check.

Robin Davis

Platinum Interiors

I have found Navigate excellent to work with. They are experienced but friendly. They are always happy to take the time to explain things to me, which I have appreciated. Highly recommended.

Sarah Cox

Sign Language Interpreter

Highly recommend. Francis and the team help you to get organised and ready for tax returns well in advance. No more last minute panic.

Joseph Kavanagh

Kavanagh Rope Access

The latest articles and resources from Navigate Accountancy.

By Frances Lythgoe April 3, 2025
If a brown envelope from HMRC has landed on your doormat lately, you’re not alone. It’s part of their heads-up campaign about something called MTD for ITSA. Bit of a mouthful, we know – but bear with us, because it’s something you’ll want to be aware of. Let’s break it down in plain English. So, what actually is MTD for ITSA? It stands for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment. It’s HMRC’s way of nudging the tax system into the digital age – and yes, it’s going to affect how sole traders and landlords report their income. Here’s the gist: If you’re self-employed or earn income from property, you’ll soon need to: Keep digital records of what comes in and goes out Use software that talks nicely to HMRC (we can help with that) Send updates every quarter, instead of just once a year File a final tax return online at the end of the year The switch is being rolled out in stages, starting with: April 2026 if your total income (not profit!) from self-employment and/or property is over £50,000 April 2027 if your income is over £30,000 If your 2023–24 tax return shows you’re already near or above the £50k mark, you’ll likely get a letter from HMRC sometime in 2025 as part of their awareness campaign. If you do get a letter – don’t panic We know a brown envelope from HMRC can make your stomach drop a little. But in this case, it’s just a nudge to start thinking ahead. There’s no mad rush. You’ve got time to get everything sorted, and we’re here to help you do exactly that – without it becoming another thing on your already-too-long to-do list. We’ll help you get everything set up We’ve already helped plenty of our clients switch to MTD-friendly systems, and trust us – it doesn’t need to be complicated or stressful. We’ll walk you through what you need to do, help you choose the right software (and show you how to use it), and make sure you’re ticking all the right boxes. If you’ve had the letter and want to talk through what it means for you – or you just want to get ahead of the game – drop us a line on 01709 589 439.
By Frances Lythgoe March 27, 2025
On Wednesday 26 March, Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered the Spring Statement – a response to the latest economic forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), and a chance for the Government to outline where things are headed next. The full Budget is now pushed to the autumn, so this wasn’t about major tax changes. Still, it was far from a routine update. Spending cuts were on the table – particularly in the benefits system and the wider public sector. Here’s a clear and simple breakdown of what was said, and what might matter for you. A Bit of Background The Spring Statement was meant to be a check-in based on fresh numbers from the OBR. But with the economy under pressure from global trade issues and rising defence costs, it turned into something bigger. Had the Government left everything untouched from last autumn’s plans, we’d be looking at a £4.1 billion deficit by 2029/30. Instead, some careful shuffling has brought things back to a very specific £9.9 billion in “fiscal headroom”. Growth is actually looking a little better than expected – aside from a small dip in 2025. But that growth is mostly coming from public spending, not from businesses. Confidence in the private sector has taken a knock, especially after last year’s announcement about the increase in employer National Insurance. That NI rise kicks in from April this year, so it’s something to factor in if you employ staff. Labour’s Fiscal Rules Explained There are two main rules guiding Government spending: Debt should be falling as a percentage of the economy by year five of the forecast. Everyday Government spending should be covered by taxes and other income – not borrowing. At the moment, the OBR reckons there’s just a 51% chance that the debt rule will be met. So it’s all pretty finely balanced. Growth and Household Income Economic growth for 2025 has been downgraded from 2% to 1%. But looking further ahead, growth forecasts are a bit more optimistic. The OBR reckons real household income will grow faster than previously expected this year. That means the average household could be about £500 better off per year. More on That £9.9 Billion Buffer That fiscal headroom we mentioned earlier? It’s back at £9.9 billion. But only just. The Institute for Fiscal Studies has warned that if the Government wants to stay on track with its targets, tax rises are still very much on the cards. Welfare Changes Some benefits cuts had already been flagged before the Statement, but they were tweaked slightly: Incapacity benefit will be halved to £97 per week for new claimants and frozen there, saving £4.8 billion by 2029–30. Universal Credit’s standard allowance will rise from £92 to £106 per week. But the health-related element is being halved and frozen for new claims. Defence and Security Spending There’s an extra £2.2 billion for the Ministry of Defence next year. Defence spending will hit 2.36% of GDP in 2025, on its way to 2.5% by 2027. The focus is on newer technologies – drones, AI, and high-tech manufacturing. £400 million has been set aside for innovation in advanced manufacturing. Taxes: No Increases (Yet) No new tax rises were announced in this statement – but as mentioned, future increases haven’t been ruled out. HMRC will be hiring 600 new staff to crack down on tax evasion, with a goal of recovering £1 billion by 2029. Public Spending and the Civil Service Department spending is growing at 1.2% above inflation each year (just slightly down from 1.3%). There’s also a drive to cut Civil Service admin costs by 15% by 2030. That means fewer staff and more automation – expect more bots and AI doing what used to be human jobs. What Next? The headline figure of £9.9 billion is clearly doing a lot of heavy lifting in Government plans. But the margin is thin, and we’re likely to see more uncertainty in the months ahead – especially when departmental spending reviews land in June. The Autumn Budget will bring the bigger picture into view. Need a Hand Planning Ahead? If your business is feeling the squeeze – or you just want to make sure you’re prepared – we’re here to talk. We can help you understand what this all means for your business, look at ways to manage your costs, and keep your cash flow steady. Phone our office on 01709 589 439 or book a free call with us .
By Frances Lythgoe March 11, 2025
If you hear the words "artificial intelligence," do you picture a high-tech office in a big city, packed with teams of IT geeks fine-tuning algorithms? You wouldn’t be alone. Many small business owners assume AI is something only massive corporations can afford to use. But here’s the thing – AI isn’t just for the big guys. Even the smallest business can use AI tools to save time, reduce admin headaches, and make smarter decisions. At Navigate, we've seen first-hand how AI can help a business run more efficiently – without needing a tech department. So, let’s break it down: what can AI actually do for your business? Automate the Boring Admin Work There's no way around it, admin tasks eat into more your time than you would like – whether it’s responding to customer emails, scheduling appointments, or chasing invoices. AI-powered tools can handle these tasks for you. For example, chatbots like Grok or ChatGPT can respond to customer queries, answer FAQs, and even book appointments. Meanwhile, AI-powered scheduling tools like Calendly can sync your diary with customers’ availability, saving you those tedious back-and-forth emails. Make Bookkeeping a Breeze AI accounting software can automatically categorise transactions, reconcile bank statements, and generate reports – so you don’t have to spend your evenings drowning in spreadsheets. Platforms like Xero and QuickBooks use AI to track expenses, send invoice reminders, and even flag unusual transactions that might need your attention. And if you work with an accountant (like us!), AI makes it easier for them to give you real-time insights into your finances, helping you make smarter business decisions. Level Up Your Marketing Without a Big Budget Think you need a marketing department to compete online? Think again. AI tools can help small businesses market themselves like pros – without the cost of a full-time marketing team. Canva’s AI design tools help create social media graphics, posters, and logos in minutes. Grok or ChatGPT can help you generate blog posts, social media captions, or email newsletters in seconds. Grammarly checks spelling and grammar, making sure your emails and posts are polished and professional. These tools allow you to keep your marketing fresh without spending hours agonising over content. Speed Up Hiring and HR Tasks Recruitment can be a slog – especially for small businesses that don’t have a dedicated HR team. AI can help screen CVs, shortlist candidates, and even draft job descriptions. Tools like HireVue can analyse video interviews, while ChatGPT can help write professional job ads. And if you’re drowning in employee paperwork, HR platforms like BambooHR use AI to automate payroll, track leave requests, and manage staff records. Keep Your Customers Happy (Without Spending All Day on It) AI-powered customer service tools can improve response times and ensure no query goes unanswered. Zendesk and HubSpot’s chatbots can respond instantly to common customer questions, and AI-powered email automation ensures customers get timely follow-ups. And for those of you in retail or e-commerce, AI can personalise recommendations based on customer behaviour – helping increase sales without the need for manual input. Spot Business Trends Without Crunching Numbers for Hours Imagine being able to predict what your customers will want next month, or seeing which products or services are your best performers – without sifting through endless reports. AI-driven analytics tools like Google Analytics, Power BI, and even Xero’s built-in reports can provide insights into your sales trends, cash flow, and customer behaviour. Instead of making decisions based on gut instinct, AI helps you use real data to make smarter choices. AI is a Helping Hand, Not a Replacement AI isn’t about replacing jobs or making business more complicated. It’s about freeing up time so you can focus on what you really want to do. Whether you want to automate admin, improve marketing, or just make your day-to-day a little easier, there’s an AI tool out there that can help. If you’re unsure where to start, don’t worry – you don’t have to overhaul your entire business overnight. Pick one area that eats up too much of your time and try an AI tool that fits. Need help making sense of the numbers? That’s where we come in. Get in touch with us and let’s see how we can help your business run more efficiently – with or without AI!
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