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Author: Claire Murphy

Lost Your Way with the Numbers? How a Professional “Rescue” Can Save Your Business

Let’s be honest for a second: nobody starts a business because they’re dying to spend their weekends elbow-deep in spreadsheets and crumpled receipts. You started your business because you’re great at what you do, whether that’s consultancy, retail, creative services, or running a local café. But then, life happens. A busy month turns into a […]

CIS & Local Authorities: The 2026 Rule Change You’ll Love

If you’ve been in the construction game for more than five minutes, you’ll know that checking the calendar on the 6th of April usually feels a bit like checking under the bed for monsters. Every year, HMRC likes to drop a few "surprises" on us, and usually, they involve more paperwork, more rules, and more […]

Contractor or Employee? Why Your CIS Contracts of Engagement Matter

If you’ve been in the construction industry for a while, you know that the line between a "subbie" and a permanent member of staff can sometimes get a bit blurry. You’ve got guys who have been on your sites for years; they know how you take your tea, they’ve got their own set of keys […]

Small Perks, Big Savings: Reimbursing Eye Tests and Flu Jabs Tax-Free

Hello everyone! Claire Murphy here. If you’re reading this, it means we’ve officially survived the April 2026 tax madness. Take a deep breath, the spreadsheets have stopped spinning (mostly), and we can finally look at some of the actually good news that came out of the recent updates. Now, usually, when I talk about HMRC […]

7 Mistakes You’re Making with CIS Compliance (and How to Fix Them)

Welcome back to Week 9 of our 'Small Business Finance and CIS Compliance Essentials' series! If you’ve been following along, you’ll know we’ve been diving deep into the world of construction finance. I’m Claire Murphy, and here at SBS Essex Ltd, we spend a lot of time helping contractors and subcontractors navigate the often-confusing waters […]

The 2026 Dividend Tax Shake-up: What’s Actually Changing?

Happy May, everyone! I hope you’re all enjoying the slightly better weather and that the order books are looking healthy. Here at SBS Essex, we’ve been busy helping our clients settle into the new tax year. Now, I know "tax talk" is usually the last thing you want to deal with when you’ve got a […]

Week 7: The Paperwork Trail: Why Your Receipts Matter

Let’s be honest for a second: how does your van’s glove compartment look right now? If you’re like most builders and tradespeople I know, it’s probably a bulging, chaotic treasure chest of crumpled-up petrol station slips, Greggs bags, and: buried somewhere at the bottom: that £500 receipt for the timber you bought three months ago. […]

Week 5: Sun, Sea and Spreadsheets: Navigating Staff Holiday Booking and Payroll

Picture this: You’re finally on that well-deserved break. The sun is shining, the sangria is cold, and you’ve just found the perfect spot on the beach. You close your eyes, ready to forget about site visits and invoices for a week. Then, ping. It’s a WhatsApp from one of your team. "Hey boss, sorry to […]

Week 4: New Tax Year, New CIS Rules: What Contractors Need to Know for 2026

Happy New Tax Year! If you’ve just about recovered from the 5th of April rush, I’ve got some news for you. As we step into the 2026/27 tax year, HMRC hasn't just turned the calendar page; they’ve also tightened the screws on the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS). If you’re a contractor or a subcontractor in […]

Week 3: Common Bookkeeping Mistakes Small Businesses Make (And How to Fix Them)

Welcome to week two of our 12-week "Small Business Finance and CIS Compliance Essentials" series! Last week, we took a deep dive into Gross Payment Status (GPS) and why it’s the "golden ticket" for subcontractors in the construction industry. If you missed it, you can catch up on our blog page. Today, we’re getting down […]

Week 2: Financial SOS: Rescuing Your Books from the ‘Muddle Through’ Trap

Let’s be honest for a second. When you first started your business, you probably had a vision of the work you’d be doing: building extensions, fitting kitchens, or managing a team of top-tier sparkies. You probably didn't dream of spending your Sunday nights hunched over a laptop, squinting at bank statements and wondering why the […]

CIS Compliance Made Easy: 5 Top Tips to Avoid Hefty HMRC Penalties

Let’s be honest: if you’re running a construction business, you’ve probably got enough on your plate without worrying about the taxman breathing down your neck. Between managing sites, sourcing materials, and keeping your clients happy, the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) can feel like just another administrative mountain to climb. But here’s the thing: CIS isn’t […]

Gross Payment Status Matters: 5 Ways to Protect Your GPS Before April 2026

For contractors operating within the UK construction industry, Gross Payment Status (GPS) is often described as the "holy grail" of the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS). It is the difference between receiving your hard-earned turnover in full and having a significant portion: either 20% or 30%: deducted at source by your contractors and sent directly to […]

Refer a Friend & Get Rewarded: Helping Small Businesses Grow Together!

Hello everyone! Claire here from SBS Essex Ltd. I hope your week is off to a flying start and the coffee is kicking in exactly when you need it to. Running a business: whether you’re a solo sparky, a small building firm, or a local shop owner: is a bit like spinning plates while walking […]