How to find the right funding for your start-up | Lunch and Learn
2026-01-14 12:00 - 12:30 UTC
Funding your business can feel like a maze. With so many options available, how do you know which route to take?
In this session, funding specialist Rachel Hayward will demystify the funding landscape for start-ups and small businesses.
You’ll learn the difference between grants and loans, where to find them and how to position your business for success when applying.
Topics covered in this session:

Knowing your options: The key funding routes available to small businesses, including grants and loans
Finding the right fit: How to assess which type of funding best supports your business stage, size and ambitions
Getting application-ready: What funders are looking for and how to prepare a strong, credible application that stands out

Accounting for Limited Companies
2026-01-15 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-02-11 14:00 - 16:00, 2026-03-11 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-04-01 14:00 - 16:00
This webinar is designed to outline the key accounting and statutory reporting requirements for a limited company and explain the main differences between operating as a sole trader versus a limited company.
We’ll cover:

Advantanges and disadvantages of setting up as a limited company
Company set-up
Accounting requirements
Record keeping and employing staff
Paying directors and shareholders
Corporation Tax
VAT
Software
Management accounts
Incorporation

By the end of the webinar you should have a solid basis of deciding if a limited company is the correct structure for your business, and have an understanding of what is involved in accounting for a limited company.

Preparing for Self Assessment 2026: What small businesses need to know
2026-01-15 14:00 - 15:00
From April 2026, Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax Self Assessment (ITSA) will bring significant changes to how self-employed individuals manage and report their finances.
Join us for an informative 45 minute webinar – including a Q&A – where we’ll break down the upcoming MTD requirements and answer any of your questions on the topic.
Whether you’re a sole trader, landlord or small business owner, this session will give you the practical steps and confidence to stay compliant and avoid last-minute stress.
Topics covered in this session:

Who needs to file a Self Assessment and what’s changing under MTD
How to avoid penalties by keeping accurate digital records and meeting key deadlines

This session is ideal if you’re:

a sole trader or landlord filing Self Assessment tax returns
a small business owner preparing for MTD for Income Tax
an accountant or a bookkeeper supporting clients through the transition
looking for practical guidance to make digital record-keeping and tax submissions much simpler

The start-up guide to SEIS and EIS
2026-01-15 18:00 - 19:00
Unlock the UK’s SEIS and EIS schemes in this free live webinar led by start-up law expert Michael Buckworth, founder of Buckworths.
Learn how these government-backed schemes help start-ups raise capital while offering investors generous tax relief. Michael explains how SEIS and EIS work, which scheme fits your business, how to secure Advance Assurance, how much you can raise and what investors look for.
You’ll also learn how to structure compliant funding rounds, avoid common pitfalls and what to do after your raise, including issuing certificates and claiming tax relief.

Business expenses – What can I claim
2026-01-16 10:00 - 12:00
This webinar focuses on the main areas of spend that many businesses might incur, and provides a detailed and HMRC backed overview of what can and should be claimed.
This webinar will cover:

What constitutes a business expense
The HMRC rules around business expenses
What you can claim and more importantly what you cannot when submitting an accurate tax return
The main expenses that are claimable, what can be claimed and how they should be calculated

How to build and run a simple cash flow model | Lunch and Learn
2026-01-16 12:00 - 12:30
In this session, accounting expert Michael Austin will show you how to build and run a simple cash flow model using a spreadsheet and good bookkeeping.
Topics covered in this session:

How to build a simple cash flow model without using apps
How to keep it updated with correct historical information and forecast the near future
Why good bookkeeping is the foundation of any cash flow model

How to write funding applications
2026-01-19 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-02-23 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-03-19 10:30 - 12:30, 2026-04-21 10:00 - 12:00
Securing funding can be a game-changer — but writing a strong application takes more than just filling out forms.
This webinar will offer tools and insights to help improve your chances of a successful application, including:

Clarifying and communicating your funding need
Building a persuasive business case with clear objectives and costings
Understanding your funder’s priorities and tailoring your language
Presenting evidence that demonstrates impact and credibility
Avoiding common mistakes that lead to rejection
Structuring your application for clarity and relevance

Key numbers every business owner should understand | Lunch and Learn
2026-01-26 12:00 - 12:30
In this session, Esther Kyesimira will explain why sales don’t always equal success.
She’ll also cover cash flow, profit and turnover, the key numbers to track and simple fixes founders can use in their businesses immediately.
Topics covered in this session:

The difference between turnover, profit and cash flow (and why many businesses fail despite good sales)
The three numbers you should check monthly to stay financially in control
Common pricing and cash flow mistakes seen across many small businesses
Simple actions founders can take immediately to improve financial confidence

Bookkeeping essentials
2026-01-28 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-02-04 14:00 - 16:00, 2026-02-24 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-03-06 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-03-25 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-04-15 10:00 - 12:00
At the end of this session, you will be able to:

Implement basic bookkeeping skills across your business
Create a profit and loss account
Understand what expenses can and cannot be claimed
Use financial management to increase revenues and profits
Understand capital and revenue costs and how they are treated

You will also receive a workbook on excel to help you manage and monitor costs and sales.

How to avoid costly mistakes with UK VAT | Lunch and Learn
2026-02-04 12:00 - 12:30
This practical webinar led by Reda Vaisvidiene breaks down the UK’s VAT system in clear, plain English.
Designed for business owners and decision-makers, it explains when you need to register, how VAT really works in practice and how to avoid the most common (and expensive) VAT mistakes.
You’ll leave with actionable steps you can apply immediately to your small business.
Topics covered in this session:

When, why and how you should be VAT-registered
How VAT affects cash flow and profit (not just compliance)
The top VAT errors that cost businesses thousands

How to become investment-ready | Lunch and Learn
2026-02-20 12:00 - 12:30
In this session, Nigel Farren will equip start-up and small business owners with the essential knowledge they need to secure investment.
The webinar will guide you through a comprehensive readiness journey, from understanding your business strengths and weaknesses to mastering the art of pitching.
Topics covered in this session:

What information investors need to make decisions
How to identify weaknesses in your business and how to fix them
Mastering the art of pitching

Ditching the spreadsheet: When and how to switch to cloud accounting
2026-02-24 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-04-01 15:00 - 16:00
Still managing your accounts in spreadsheets? It’s worth knowing that as your business grows, manual bookkeeping can quickly become time-consuming, error-prone and stressful.
Join this free Tech Hub webinar to discover when it’s time to move on from manual processes and how cloud accounting can transform the way you manage your finances.
We’ll explore practical ways to simplify your admin, stay compliant and reduce manual work – all while gaining better visibility and control over your business performance.
What you’ll learn:

Recognising the signs: How to tell when spreadsheets are holding your business back
Making the switch: What to look for in cloud accounting software and how to get started smoothly
Simplifying financial admin: Tips to manage digital records efficiently and cut down on repetitive tasks
The future of finance: Discover Sage Copilot, an AI-powered tool designed to streamline workflows and support smarter, faster decision-making

Whether you’re a sole trader, a small business owner or an accountant supporting clients, this session will help you take the next step towards a simpler, smarter way to manage your finances.

Business expenses – What can I claim?
2026-02-25 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-03-13 10:00 - 12:00

Making Tax Digital Explained: Businesses With Over £50k Turnover
2026-03-04 10:00 - 11:30
Whether you’re a sole trader, landlord, or small business owner, this friendly, no-nonsense session will get you up to speed.
If your combined income from self-employment and property is £50,000 or more, you’ll be required to follow the new rules from April 2026. We’ll cut through the confusion, explain what’s changing, and show you how to stay compliant without the stress.
This session will be presented by Rebecca Mackellar from Red Tag Bookkeeping and Training Service..
By the end of the session, you’ll be able to:

Understand who MTD for Income Tax Self Assessment applies to and when it starts
Know exactly what you’ll need to submit to HMRC – and how often
See how cloud accounting can save time and make things easier
Get tips on choosing the right digital tools for your business
Feel confident about taking your next steps toward compliance

This session is a must to small businesses that meet this level of turnover – so please do come along to find out more.

Delivering profit to drive growth
2026-03-04 10:00 - 12:00
The course covers financial analysis, strategic decision-making, resource allocation, and the role of innovation and scalability in leveraging profit for long-term success.
We will cover:

Getting to know your financials
Controlling growth
Improving decision making
Opportunities
Cash is king
Controlling change
Pricing strategies for maximum profit
Measuring profit

Tax Without the Terror: MTD & Self Assessment Made Simple
2026-03-16 18:00 - 20:00 | Arbroath Football Club, Gayfield Park, Arbroath, DD11 1QJ
If tax paperwork fills you with dread, you’re not alone, and you’re probably making it harder than it needs to be.
Making Tax Digital is changing how HMRC expects small businesses and sole traders to keep records and submit returns. Add Self Assessment into the mix and it’s no wonder people are overwhelmed, stressed, or quietly hoping it’ll all go away. It won’t.
This session gives you the opportunity to speak with experts from EQ Accountants, who will explain:

What Making Tax Digital actually means for you

Who needs to comply and who doesn’t

How to complete a Self Assessment without panic or guesswork

Common mistakes that trigger HMRC attention

Simple systems that keep you compliant without taking over your life

No jargon. No sales pitch. No assumptions that you “should already know this”.
You’ll leave with clarity, confidence, and a realistic plan to stay on the right side of HMRC, without losing evenings, sleep, or sanity in the process.
If tax is something you avoid until the last possible moment, this event is for you.

Grants for Businesses
2026-04-21 12:30 - 13:30
In this Masterclass, we’ll explore grants for small businesses! We’ll cover government schemes, sector-specific grants, and application best practices.
You’ll leave this session clearer on the grant process and confident to start applying for grants that might be right for you!
This is an interactive session, so please come along with questions.
