Are you a small business owner?

Issues from Covid-19?

Do you have business, tax, accounts, operational or start-up challenges?

Are you a small business owner?

Issues from Covid-19?

Do you have business, tax, accounts, operational or start-up challenges?

Are you a small business owner?

Issues from Covid-19?

Do you have business, tax, accounts, operational or start-up challenges?

Are you a small business owner?

Issues from Covid-19?

Do you have business, tax, accounts, operational or start-up challenges?

Are you a small business owner?

Issues from Covid-19?

Do you have business, tax, accounts, operational or start-up challenges?

Are you a small business owner?

Issues from Covid-19?

Do you have business, tax, accounts, operational or start-up challenges?

Are you a small business owner?

Issues from Covid-19?

you have business, tax, accounts, operational or start-up challenges?

SME Strategies

Imagine having a strong reliable relationship with a friendly qualified finance professional who really listens to you.

Someone who has been there before and who takes a deep interest in your business and success.

They will be able to help you resolve the challenges using a methodical step by step approach.

100+ years of experience across 500+ enterprises in all 22 industry sectors

Some testimonials from our clients

Business projects
David’s level of both energy and enthusiasm while working with me on a number of different projects sets him apart from the rest; his level of attention to detail is like I have never experienced before. Paul Robins, Rose Builders.
Project management

David was the contractor ‘Project lead’ for the Cellarium Project at Westminster Abbey. He was involved in all aspects of the Project and was integral in the successful delivery of the Cellarium. His calm manner and patience helped the Project run smoothly. David’s management of his team ensured that the construction team responded quickly and effectively to any problems that arose. David was extremely good to work with due to his team player attitude and keenness to get the best out of the Project. – Katie Innes, Project manager on the Cellarium Project.

Tax advice & penalty appeals

David’s ability to sort out our tax affairs, which were admittedly in a serious mess and included undeclared rental income and unsubmitted tax returns going back years, was fantastic. I can’t thank him enough for getting us out of big trouble and successfully appealing against draconian penalties from HMRC. I even got a tax rebate – amazing! David is a magician!  Director, Berkshire.

Finance director & non-exec roles
I have seen the impact John has had on those organisations that he has supported in both executive and non-executive roles. John’s pragmatic and hands on approach helps to guide small and medium sized organisations through difficult, complex situations and enables them to operate more effectively. John is also an excellent communicator and is able to successfully manage the demands of multiple stakeholders simultaneously. Because of John’s passion for the organisations that he works with his clients receive a huge amount of value from John’s input and insight. Daniel Maycock.
Finance director
David joined our family owned company as a non-exec director and quickly brought new insights to us. He worked closely with me (as Chairman) and my cousin (the Managing Director) to identify areas that were holding the business back such as remote family shareholdings. We created a Board structure, better delegation and good business planning. A management buy-out was achieved which put the company on a sustainable footing and aligned interests much more effectively. The business was then able to grow much more effectively into a strong and happy team. – Christoper Foster, Chairman, Noble & Taylor.
Family business
David has given us confidence. He believed in Roy and me from the outset. He pushed us beyond our comfort zone. He gave us sales advice and encouraged us to use our network and develop our connections. As a result we have increased our turnover and strengthened our order book. David has educated us! – Hilary Pearce, Pearce’s Pins.
Business planning & innovation
David’s analytical mind, combined with his skills in innovation, enables him to diagnose effectively and offer unique solutions to complex business problems, always exceeding client expectations. His breadth and depth of experience in business helps him to empathise and interact well with his clients and develop strong relationships. David’s enthusiasm and passion to help, energises him to go the extra mile each time, adding further value to his already delighted clients. – Yevi Ilangakoon MBA, University of Greenwich.
Tax advice & negligence claim

Huge thanks to you David for helping us with a sensitive and tricky matter surrounding our rental properties on which we had previously received incorrect tax advice. This required our personal and business tax returns to be corrected and large amounts of additional tax to be paid to HMRC to correct the mistakes. This has resulted in a dispute with former advisers. Your knowledge, diligence, patience and tenacity is appreciated beyond words. Business owner, Essex.

Mentoring
David has gifted me with a new perspective on how I approach business matters and develop my brand. With encouragement and mentorship from a seasoned professional, he has given me the passion and knowledge to revitalise and restructure my business. He is ambitious for his clients and he has constructively challenged me. My self-belief is growing as a result. Jay Downing, Owner, ProWP.
Dispute litigation
David is an impressive man, not least because of his immense integrity, kindness and decency. Intelligent and quick-thinking but also very aware of everyone around him so meetings were productive and helpful. A leader with the right kind of leadership skills and a man who has the respect of everyone around him. – Martino Giaquinto, Construction & Engineering Lawyer, Dispute Resolution Expert & Partner, Mills & Reeve.

SME Strategies is a group of partner-only Business Advisers and Chartered Accountants. ‘Who you see’ is ‘who you get’.

We work with SMEs in London, East Anglia, the Thames Corridor & the Midlands.

Our clients use our financial perspective to solve their business challenges, and for tax and accountancy services.

We specialise in the construction, property, retail, healthcare, automotive and professional services sectors.

A new approach to business

We focus on the Enterprise (consultancy), People (empowerment) and Finances (accountancy). Each is key to success. We work on the inter-relationship between these to make maximum impact for our clients.

We work with the critical issues and opportunities of the business owners and identify the key levers to enable their goals to be realised. We get to know our clients well. This allows us to tailor our work to each client so we can deliver superior results.

Where do you want to be?

To thrive in our changing and complex business world, the modern SME must clearly know where it wants to be in its marketplace, It then needs to acquire, and use wisely, the right human, financial and other resources to get there. At SME Strategies we help our clients do just this.

Our reputation is built on the results and change we bring about. We use our insights, our experience as chartered accountants and of running our own businesses and the range of services we offer. A key to our success is the trusting relationship we forge with our clients.

If you would like our skills to get your business growing please contact us for a complimentary meeting (or Skype call).

Consultancy

 

We start from a simple premise – “You” and then “Where you want to go?” David takes the lead on consultancy. We work at the human level with hopes and fears of our clients and then quickly broaden that to the organisation to identify with clients what needs to be achieved for the enterprise.

We work collaboratively with our clients to identify strategies that deliver results. Can every staff member articulate your strategy and are they empowered to execute on it?

Some specific consulting services we provide include:

 

Empowerment

 

We unashamedly include a business-wide people focus. This specifically includes director and senior management development. We believe tremendous value lies in getting the people right. It is not always easy but it makes both for individual wellbeing and also for bottom line impact which can be transformational.

We facilitate strategic planning meetings so your team can have alignment around a clear vision, strategy and goals.

Our services to empower people include:

 

Accountancy

 

Finances are the life blood of businesses. We offer the full range of accountancy, reporting, financial director and corporate finances to our clients.

Many (although not all) of our clients have good in house book-keeping. Some though lack the expertise to prepare management information in the right way at the right time to allow the directors to make informed business decisions. This includes preparing quality budgets and forecasts which allow the business to be better controlled.

Our range of accountancy services include:

 

About SME Strategies

SME Strategies is made up of experienced professionals with specialisms in business consulting, start-ups, corporate finance, accounting and mentoring. It was co-founded by David Eaton who runs it with John Eaton to bring to SMEs and individuals the same excellent hands-on support that large companies take for granted but in a cost effective way.

Using our skills as chartered accountants, finance directors, business owners & innovators we identify the issues facing dynamic SMEs and their owners and work with them to realise their vision.

“I would like to thank David for the interest he showed in me, his mentoring skills and giving me his pro-active support, encouragement, positivity and providing me with the tools to believe in myself and to focus in on my strengths.”
“John’s pragmatic and hands on approach helps to guide small and medium sized organisations through difficult, complex situations and enables them to operate more effectively.”

Recent Blogs and News

Could you be a business mentor? Would you like one?

It’s not often that one stumbles across a real gem of an organisation. For me, the Association of Business Mentors (ABM) (hyperlink) is a diamond - a group of business people from a whole variety of backgrounds who are all committed to encouraging each other to assist...

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Are our tax rates too high and unfair?

Are our tax rates too high and unfair?

Whilst it's up to the government of the day to set the tax rates for the nation, tax accountants encounter the impact and effect of tax rates on their clients. In recent times, the inexorable increase in taxation is causing real issues to the competitiveness of the UK...

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What can the Platinum Jubilee teach businesses?

What can the Platinum Jubilee teach businesses?

How wonderful for us as a nation to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of HM of the Queen. I well recall the Silver Jubilee of Her Majesty in 1977. I was living as a student at the time in Manchester and many of our buses were re-painted silver in colour and very smart...

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How will 2022 end for you?

How will 2022 end for you?

On New Year’s Day, I was listening to Lyse Doucet on BBC Radio 4 ask some of the BBC's top journalists to gaze into their crystal balls and predict what 2022 might have in store.  It was a fascinating insight from some great journalists. What surprised me most though...

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Supporting Christian Aid Week – May 2021

Supporting Christian Aid Week – May 2021

One of our nine tips for SMEs in our recent blog is ‘Be generous’. In this Christian Aid Week, SME Strategies is very pleased to be supporting this fantastic charity that does so much good on the ground in some of the most disadvantaged parts of the world. Whilst...

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Spring 2021 Budget at a glance

Spring 2021 Budget at a glance

Key points of the Budget If you have specific questions on the Budget and how it will affect you, your family or business - contact us at david.eaton@smestrategies.co.uk. The freezing of inheritance tax thresholds and the pensions life time allowances will each have a...

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“How much of our profits should be reinvested?”

“How much of our profits should be reinvested?”

Financial Director, the online business magazine recently interviewed David Eaton of SME Strategies. Shannon Moyer of Financial Director asked David for his thoughts on one of the conclusions in the recently produced report by Allicia Bank on the question for SME...

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How do I manage a financially successful retirement?

How do I manage a financially successful retirement?

This guest blog is by Matthew Baines, a Senior Consultant at Beckett Financial Services with whom SME Strategies is pleased to work. Matthew is an experienced Chartered Financial Planner. In the article Matthew explains the differences between the annuity option and...

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Case Studies

Mistakes in tax returns

Mistakes in tax returns

The initial problem A taxpayer made some mistakes in his tax returns (filed under self-assessment) by omitting a P60 and some P11Ds and by being oblivious to the High Income Benefit Charge (HIBC). Although it is obviously always wrong to omit a P60 from a tax return,...

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When tax advice goes wrong…

When tax advice goes wrong…

This is an updated version of a previous case study of September 2020. Mistaken tax advice given in innocence An individual approached us at SME Strategies in some despair. He and his wife had been given tax advice by a previous accountant to move rental properties...

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HMRC enquiry into undeclared overseas income

HMRC enquiry into undeclared overseas income

A taxpayer approached us through a mutual contact after receiving a letter from HMRC saying they were opening an enquiry into personal undisclosed overseas income. The client’s own accountant was not familiar with HMRC enquiries into overseas income and suggested a...

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