The Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales (ICAEW) recently initiated a Business Advice Service, with many of its member firms agreeing to offer free consultations to potential entrepreneurs looking to set up a business. The network of accountancy offices involved across the country is 3,200 strong, so everyone should be able to find one nearby.
There’s always something to worry about when you are running a business. Nigel Hastilow is director of enterprise at ICAEW. He referred to common worries such as keeping accounts up to date, and wondering whether there will be enough cash in the bank to cover the monthly wages bill, and said: “We want to help small businesses to succeed and our members all over the country are offering a free, no-obligation consultation which could help deal with some of these hurdles standing in the way of business success. The ICAEW Business Advice Service has been set up to help companies address these and other issues.”
Free Business Advice Events
Together with the British Bankers Association, ICAEW has designated week commencing June 25th 2012 to be Business Advice Week and organised over 30 free events around the country. Their seminars and other networking events will focus on topics dear to every entrepreneur’s heart, such as accessing finance, getting a good start and growing a business.
There are a number of events in London and the South East, including:
- June 27th at 7 pm at Twickenham Stadium – topic: finance raising
- June 28th at 6 pm at the Ivy Hill Hotel in Chelmsford – main topic: presenting a proposal for finance
- June 28th at 6 pm at Chartered Accountants’ Hall in London – topics: access to finance, business plans, better business finance and an overview of government initiatives
One will also be held at Croydon on another evening during the week with date and time yet to be confirmed. It will be aimed especially at small businesses wishing to accelerate growth.
Networking Opportunities
You can’t lose by going along to one of these. You may learn something that could benefit your business and you’ll certainly have opportunities to meet other business owners, potentially helpful organisations, bankers and perhaps business angels. You can find out more and make bookings at the ICAEW website.
Don’t forget though, that your outsourced bookkeepers can often help you with any accounting concerns you have. You don’t always need to involve a chartered accountant.
