“7 in 10 (71%) businesses reported some form of concern for their business, down from 72% for April 2023; the top two concerns continued to be energy prices (18%) and inflation of goods and services prices (16%).”
Source:
Office for National statistics, May 2023
In modern day UK, SMEs are facing a range of challenges including rising energy costs, inflation, supply chain difficulties, rising raw material costs and labour shortages. Nevertheless, the number of UK businesses has grown by 59% from 2000 to 2022 which is encouraging.
In January 2023, The Office for National Statistics stated that the increases in inflation and the price of raw materials were forcing UK SMEs to put their prices up,
““Rising costs and reduced revenue is one of the biggest challenges facing SMEs today. In January 2023, The Office for National Statistics reported that, with the increase of inflation and the rising price of raw materials, 41% of SMEs have had no choice but to raise the cost of their products or services.”
Source: Office For National Statistics, 2023
Equally, with the cost of living crisis, an estimated 70% of the population have less money to spend on non-essential goods. This has affected retail sales for UK businesses.
The cost-of-living-crisis has affected 89% of the adult population, or 46 million people, in the UK according to the Office For National Statistics. Therefore, most business owners feel obliged to increase staff salaries. However, UK SMEs who cannot afford to increase salaries are liable to lose their staff to businesses that can.
Whilst growing your business is what nearly every business aspires to, it brings with it certain challenges and obstacles. These challenges include managing the supply chain to increase your output, recruiting and retaining more staff, investing in new offices, transport, logistics etc. With rising costs for energy, raw materials and products/services, it can be very difficult for SMEs to expand. Supply chain problems can create delays and customer dissatisfaction.
Getting funding for your SME can be tough during the current economic climate. Yet funding is often essential to making your business a success. Nevertheless, obtaining funding is certainly much easier nowadays because there are more options than just the bank manager. Businesses can look instead to angel investors, crowdfunding, government backed schemes and so on.
Welcome to R F Summers & Co in Oxfordshire! We are a small and friendly practice based in Thame near Oxford delivering a range of services to professional businesses in Oxfordshire and UK wide.
Working face to face or remotely, you have the flexibility to partner with us wherever you are in the world.
Providing a personal service bespoke to our clients and maintaining regular contact gives our clients the reassurance and support that they need. We remove the stress from tax affairs and give robust advice for dealing with business challenges and opportunities. Our core areas of support and expertise are:
Accountancy Support
Here at R F Summers & Co, we are an approachable and friendly firm to act as your one-stop shop of accountancy services. If you need clarification or support, pick up the phone and drop us an email. We are always on hand to solve your accountancy issues.
Business Advice
We are regulated for a range of investment business activities. With over 20 years of teaching creativity within business for MBA courses, you are guaranteed excellent advice. For both accounting and consultancy work, we are accredited by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
Tax Consultation
We collect the data we need from your business with the minimum of hassle. Then we guarantee to get it to the Inland revenue on time, with no penalties or interest to pay. Simple and straightforward with an effective management system in the office to give you peace of mind. We will save you thousands of pounds on tax returns. This is our speciality.
Unique, Refreshing and Jargon Free
As a firm, we strive to be refreshingly different and make the process as smooth as possible. We talk in plain English, jargon free and we are on the ball with the admin side of things.
Affordable Pricing
Our services are tailored to your business budget and realistically set to a minimum. No nasty hidden surprises on your invoice. Clear & easy to understand terms and conditions.
Let Your Tax Worries Go!
As accountants, we minimise the risks and manage your tax matters, so that you pay the lowest possible tax. You will never get a fine or penalty because we keep to deadlines and regulations at all times.
Here are some of the core services we specialise in:
N.B. We are always pleased to agree to our fees before we start your project.
First of all, we invite you in for a meeting and a cup of coffee or tea. We make it very relaxed and we're very good listeners. We discreetly ask you key questions and then give you an engagement letter.
After that we explain our fees in a transparent way and reassure you that we don’t start work until you have a clear price quote. Then comes the great bit:
If you are a female client, we will give you a bunch of flowers and if you are male, chocolates. Sound good? Pick up the phone today and give us a call!
Roger has tutored creativity in business in MBA courses for over 20 years with a 100% pass rate. Therefore, we are experts in spotting creative opportunities for your business to thrive.
We have worked with countless niches and sectors over the years. Roger is a veteran accountant with a wealth of knowledge about how to run a business.
We pride ourselves on the personal touch and giving your business the proper support you deserve.
We have walked the entrepreneurial journey from PAYE to business owner, so we have full empathy and understanding of your challenges.
Whatever your niche or sector, we are able to work with you as your trusted accountants.
We offer a personalised service bespoke to your needs rather than a faceless, corporate identity.
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Address
42A Upper High Street
Thame OX9 2DW
Opening Hours
Five days a week from 6.30 a.m.
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