Small business resources & guides
Practical resources for UK small business owners and directors — business banking, insurance, compliance, HR, and all the operational questions that come up beyond pure accounting. Written by GoForma's team of qualified advisors.
FLARE Framework - Improve Happiness and Satisfaction at Work
The FLARE framework helps self-employed individuals structure their approach to workplace happiness around five pillars: Flexibility and work-life balance, Learning and development, Autonomy and responsibility…
How do I open business bank account?
To learn how to open a small business bank account UK, you'll need to choose a suitable bank, gather required documents including proof of…
Is public liability insurance tax deductible?
Yes, public liability insurance is tax deductible in the UK as a legitimate business expense when used exclusively for business purposes…
What does product liability insurance cover?
Is professional indemnity insurance tax deductible?
Yes, professional indemnity insurance is tax deductible as a legitimate business expense for UK businesses and self-employed individuals…
Public liability insurance vs general liability insurance
What type of business insurance do I need?
How much product liability insurance do I need?
Do I need employers' liability insurance?
How do I transfer/ change a business bank account?
How much does public liability insurance cost?
The cost of public liability insurance for small business in the UK typically ranges from £100 to £600 annually, depending on your industry…
How to create a top 1% LinkedIn profile
A self-employed linkedin profile requires strategic optimisation to attract clients and showcase your expertise effectively. Focus on a…
10 marketing tactics to get more local business
If you've recently started a business, and want more tips on how to get more customers, faster read on
Coronavirus Business Support
We've put together everything you need for small business coronavirus support and a business eligibility calculator.
Guide to employing or hiring contractors
Learning how to hire a contractor involves understanding the legal distinction between employees and contractors, ensuring proper contracts…
Post-Brexit Guide: Exporting From UK to the EU
Understanding how business liability insurances protects your company
When you're running a business, having the right insurance is everything
Ultimate Guide to Starting An Ecommerce Business
Starting an ecommerce business in the UK requires registering with Companies House, obtaining necessary licenses, setting up payment…
7 benefits of Business Bank Accounts over reimbursing employee expenses
The benefits of a business bank account extend far beyond basic banking, with one key advantage being the elimination of complex employee…
Is employers' liability a legal requirement?
Complete guide to creating freelance proposals that win three times more deals
Freelancing can offer a great lifestyle and more flexibility - but first you need to bring on clients and close deals
How much does employers' liability insurance cost?
Employers' liability insurance typically costs between £50 to £200 annually for small UK businesses, though the exact amount depends on…
How do I set up a new business bank account?
Setting up business banking account is essential for UK entrepreneurs and requires choosing the right bank, gathering required documents…
A Guide to VAT for Ecommerce Businesses
Ecommerce VAT rules in the UK require online businesses to register for VAT when turnover exceeds £85,000, charge the correct rate on…
What business insurance do I need?
Business insurance requirements vary by industry and size, but most UK businesses need public liability insurance, employer's liability…
Compare Business Bank Accounts UK
We're comparing Tide vs Revolut vs Metro business bank accounts based on their Trustpilot reviews and scores, as well as their useful…
What does professional indemnity insurance cover?
Professional indemnity insurance covers legal costs and compensation claims arising from professional negligence, errors, omissions or…
Are Minimum Wage Increases Bad For Business Owners?
Can I get business insurance before registering my business?
Comparing 5 Best Accountants in London
Compare the 5 best accountants in London, including GoForma, Crunch, TaxAssist, Accounts & Legal, and AudTax. This guide compares pricing…
The Cost of Our Favourite Meals Since 2019
Following a September 2024 survey claiming that one in six UK adults now have to skip meals due to rising food costs, we combined food…
How to Deal with Inflation as a Small Business
What is public liability insurance?
Public liability insurance is cover that protects UK businesses against claims from third parties who suffer injury or property damage due…
Do I need professional indemnity insurance?
How to optimise your entrepreneurial morning routine
Great entrepreneurs use their morning routines to energise, get focused, and prepare for an optimally productive day
Do I need a separate business bank account?
How do I buy a house when self employed?
Self employed buying a house in the UK requires proving your income through SA302 forms and tax calculations from HMRC, typically needing…
What is an insurance broker?
Insurance brokers guide you through the process of purchasing insurance by identifying risks and providing tips
Public liability claim examples
General Election 2024: Parties' Pledges for Small Businesses and Taxes
Political parties make many promises and counter claims before the General Election 2024, making it hard to compare their small business…
Living Wage, Minimum Wage - What's The Difference?
FLARE: The Key to Employee Satisfaction and Workplace Happiness
How do I plan my business?
Errors and omissions vs professional indemnity
How much employers' liability insurance do I need?
What is a retroactive date on professional indemnity insurance?
What is personal liability insurance?
Can I get public liability insurance with a criminal record?
Yes, you can often get public liability insurance with a criminal record, though insurers will assess each case individually based on the…
Is public liability insurance compulsory by law?
What does business insurance cover?
What should I consider when choosing a business bank account?
Difference between public liability and employers' liability
Top 6 freelance job sites that get you work
Freelance job sites are online platforms that connect independent contractors with businesses seeking specific skills and services…
How to make and send an invoice for your clients
To send an invoice in the UK, create a detailed document including your business details, client information, invoice number, itemised…
5 ways to generate business as a freelancer that you haven't heard of
If you're looking for some less obvious and new ways of generating business as a freelancer, this includes a compilation of tips, tricks…
Don't sweat the Brexit business impact
Let's look at the structural changes that Brexit will result in as we piece together an apolitical, non-sensationalist picture.
7 reasons why businesses fail and how not to
Seven common reasons why new small businesses fail, plus some advice on how to avoid those pitfalls and succeed
10 new business obligations when hiring your first employee
Hiring your first employee brings significant new responsibilities including registering as an employer with HMRC, setting up PAYE…
Self Employed Mortgages - Complete Guide
We've put together a comprehensive guide-including tips and FAQs-so you can better understand how you can get a mortgage while being…
Is product liability insurance required by law?
Do I need business insurance?
What are the difference between public liability and professional indemnity insurance?
Public liability and professional indemnity insurance serve different purposes for UK businesses: public liability covers third-party…
What is product liability insurance?
Product liability insurance protects UK businesses from legal claims and financial losses when their products cause injury, damage, or harm…
What does employers' liability insurance cover?
Employers' liability insurance covers legal costs and compensation claims when employees are injured or become ill due to workplace…
What is employers' liability insurance?
How much does business insurance cost?
Business insurance costs typically range from £100 to £1,000 annually for small UK businesses, depending on your industry, coverage level…
How much does professional indemnity insurance cost?
Post-Brexit Guide: Importing from EU to the UK
What is business insurance?
Business insurance is protection that covers your company against financial losses from risks like property damage, liability claims, cyber…
What is occupiers' liability insurance?
Who is liable for damage caused by a defective product?
Do I need public liability insurance?
How do I start a pension?
Is business insurance a legal requirement?
How much professional indemnity insurance do I need?
The amount of professional indemnity insurance you need depends on your industry, client requirements, and potential claim values, with…
Can I get business insurance without a trade licence?
Does public liability insurance cover employees?
No, public liability insurance does not cover employees - it protects your business against claims from third parties like customers or the…
What does public liability insurance cover?
What is professional indemnity insurance?
Professional indemnity insurance is specialist cover that protects businesses and professionals against claims of negligence, errors, or…
Explore our services
Looking for something specific? Browse our specialist accounting services for UK contractors, freelancers, and small businesses.
Full-service accounting for UK small businesses — VAT, payroll, year-end accounts.
All the support of a local accountant, delivered digitally.
Specialist accounting for UK Ltd companies of any size.
Incorporation, HMRC registrations, and company structure advice.
Frequently asked questions
Can I claim business expenses without an accountant?
Yes — nothing about claiming expenses requires an accountant. But HMRC's rules on what's "wholly and exclusively for business" have a lot of grey areas (home office, mixed-use phones, entertainment). A good accountant pays for themselves by maximising legitimate claims and keeping records audit-ready.
Do I need business insurance as a limited company?
Legally required: Employers' Liability if you have staff (even one director-employee in most cases). Commercially sensible: Professional Indemnity if you give advice, Public Liability if customers visit your premises. Most insurers offer combined policies from around £150/year.
Running a small business is busy. We make the accounting side simple.
Fixed monthly fees, dedicated accountant, FreeAgent included. Book a free 20-minute call to see if we're a fit.