Small businesses in Swindon are being offered free expert advice from chartered accountants as part of a recently-launched initiative.
The Business Advice Service (BAS) aims to help small companies and start-ups with business and financial advice to spur economic growth.
Small and medium business (SMEs) owners can contact accountants in their area on a variety of issues, both large and small, and there is no future obligation.
Some 200 Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) practices across the region have already signed up to offer the initial free consultation under the scheme.
ICAEW’S latest quarterly Business Confidence Monitor (BCM) showed regulatory requirements (36%), access to capital (26%) and late payment from customers (26%) are now greater challenges to companies’ performance than a year ago – all issues that an ICAEW chartered accountant can help with.
ICAEW executive director Robin Feith said: “Start-ups or growing small businesses need the best advice to succeed at a time of fragile recovery and limits on public spending. There is a clear need for expert business advice which helps SMEs and start-up businesses become engines of growth.
“In response, the Business Advice Service will offer SMEs the opportunity to discuss their business with a qualified chartered accountant through a free initial consultation. ICAEW Chartered Accountants will be able to offer expert advice on a whole range of issues facing them – from starting a business to turnaround, restructuring, financial management or taxation issues.”
The scheme was launched in Bristol by the Lord Mayor Geoff Gollop, an accountant himself, who said: “Small firms are the bedrock of the UK economy but some also need financial management support. This service is an example of how businesses can work together and will hopefully lead to local economic growth and potential job creation.”
Small businesses can find details of ICAEW chartered accountants in their local area at www.businessadviceservice.com . Those participating in the service will also carry the BAS symbol.
