People & Leave

Why Spreadsheets Are Costing Your Business More Than Leave Management Software

Spreadsheet leave tracking causes payroll errors, scheduling clashes, compliance gaps, and hours of lost admin time. We break down the hidden costs and show what software replaces.

Editorial Team · 16 Mar 202611 min read

Accounting

7 Bookkeeping Mistakes That Cost UK Small Businesses Thousands Every Year

From mixing personal finances to skipping reconciliation, these 7 bookkeeping mistakes cost UK small businesses thousands in overpaid tax, HMRC penalties, and missed deductions. Here's how to fix each one.

Editorial Team · 13 Mar 202612 min read

Accounting

Sage vs QuickBooks: Which One Actually Saves You Money in 2026?

Sage and QuickBooks both handle invoicing, VAT, and bank reconciliation, but they differ sharply on payroll, pricing structure, and long-term costs. QuickBooks is cheaper at entry level — £10/mo vs Sage's £18/mo — and offers multi-currency from £33 vs Sage's £59. But Sage pulls ahead on integrated payroll, CIS at a lower tier (£39 vs £47), Sage Copilot AI, UK-native phone support, and pricing stability. QuickBooks has raised prices 12–17% annually since 2023, while Sage has stayed more predictable. A 10-employee business on QuickBooks pays roughly £75/mo (accounting + payroll add-on), while Sage achieves the same for less with tighter integration. QuickBooks wins on budget entry, 750+ integrations, inventory features, and weekend support hours. Choose Sage for payroll depth and compliance. Choose QuickBooks for the cheapest starting price and the broadest app ecosystem.

Editorial Team · 12 Mar 202613 min read

People & Leave

Sage HR Review 2026: Features, Pricing, and Is It Worth It?

Sage HR starts at £4.40/employee/month with modular add-ons for performance, timesheets, shifts, expenses, and recruitment. We review every feature, plan, and limitation to help you decide.

Editorial Team · 9 Mar 202612 min read

People & Leave

Best Leave Management Software for UK Small Businesses 2026 (Top 5 Compared)

We compare the 5 best leave management platforms for UK SMEs in 2026 — Sage HR, BreatheHR, Charlie HR, BrightHR, and Timetastic — with pricing, features, and which suits your team size best.

Editorial Team · 8 Mar 202612 min read

People & Leave

New UK Holiday Record-Keeping Rules from April 2026: What Every Employer Must Do Now

From 6 April 2026, UK employers must keep holiday pay and leave records for 6 years. The Fair Work Agency can issue unlimited fines and criminal sanctions. Here's what you need to do now.

Editorial Team · 7 Mar 202611 min read

People & Leave

How to Calculate Holiday Entitlement for Part-Time and Irregular Hours Workers (UK 2026)

Part-time, irregular hours, and zero-hours workers all accrue holiday differently. We explain the 12.07% accrual method, pro-rata calculations, and how to get it right every time.

Editorial Team · 6 Mar 202612 min read

People & Leave

Managing Sick Leave in a UK Small Business: Rights, Pay, and Employer Obligations

When an employee calls in sick, UK employers must navigate SSP, fit notes, long-term absence rules, and discrimination law. This guide covers everything you need to know.

Editorial Team · 4 Mar 202612 min read

Accounting

Why Your Profit and Loss Report Looks Wrong (And What's Probably Causing It)

A wrong-looking P&L is rarely one big mistake — it's usually a combination of quiet errors that accumulate over time. The most common causes are misallocated expense categories (which distort individual lines without changing the total), missing transactions from bank fees or unconnected payment channels, timing errors from mixing cash and accrual accounting methods, personal transactions mixed with business expenses, one-off costs like annual subscriptions recorded in a single month instead of spread across twelve, inconsistent income recording, and misreported payroll or owner compensation. The fastest way to audit your own P&L is to compare month-to-month figures, check the largest categories first, drill into anything that spikes or drops unexpectedly, and reconcile your bank account. Regular weekly bank reconciliation is the single most effective prevention measure.

Editorial Team · 1 Mar 202615 min read