In this episode things are a little different as Rachael is firmly in the hot seat and is joined by her business coach Emma Slack for a candid conversation recorded live as part of an AVN webinar. Following a standout year in which Rachael was recognised with the Changing Lives and High Profile Practice awards, alongside the overall title of Most Inspiring Accountant, Emma puts Rachael under the spotlight to unpack what really sits behind that success. From starting a firm in her back bedroom during a pandemic, to building a 16-strong, award-winning practice, this episode dives into visibility, awards, marketing, culture and the realities of scaling a firm without losing your values.  If you’re an accountant wondering how to raise your profile, build a high-profile practice, or simply want a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to stand out in today’s profession, this episode is for you.

In this episode of FFS: For Finance’s Sake, I’m unpacking what you can and definitely can’t get away with at Christmas as a business owner. From staff gifts and festive perks to office parties, Prosecco, cash in sparkly envelopes, and those “it’ll be fine, surely?” moments. We’ll also cover Christmas parties, what’s allowable, what tips it over the edge, and how one extra pound can make the whole thing taxable. So before you reach for the company card, pour a drink, grab your receipts, and let’s make sure your Christmas generosity doesn’t turn into a January tax headache.

In this new Women at Work miniseries on FFS – For Finances Sake, we’re stripping back the polished LinkedIn gloss and diving into the real experiences women face in the workplace. In this episode, Rachael sits down with Joanna, Senior Accountant at Chadwick Accountants, who shares her incredible journey whilst navigating male-dominated environments, pay imbalances, childcare pressures, and those subtle (and not-so-subtle) barriers women still face at work.

I’m joined by none other than Shaun Caddick: AAT Rising Star finalist, certified wizard of Dext/QuickBooks/Xero, and one of the sharpest young talents at Chadwick Accountants. Shaun breaks down exactly why bookkeeping is the unsung hero of business, how consistency saves your sanity, and why the right tech can turn hours of admin into a quick snap-and-done moment.

Unless you’ve been living under a tax-free rock, you’ll know the government has finally dropped the Autumn Budget… in November… late, lumpy, leaked and, frankly, not great. After weeks of warnings that a financial hurricane was coming, what we actually got was heavy rain, a bit of wind and somehow they still managed to steal your wallet while you were looking the other way. In today’s episode, we’re breaking down the headlines and the hidden traps: frozen tax thresholds disguised as kindness, a pension punch that hits both employers and employees, wage rises that sound supportive but push prices up, a push away from property and pensions toward the stock market, electric-car chaos, customs-duty contradictions, and enough sneaky tax tweaks to make your spreadsheet cry. This Budget might not have blown your house down, but it is a masterclass in how to mug you with a smile.

Today we’re diving into a topic that many people avoid until it’s too late: pensions! how they work, what’s changing, and how to plan properly for the future. I’m joined by Tony Ross, Chartered Financial Planner and founder of Velocity Financial Planning. With over 15 years of experience, Tony specialises in guiding people through the major life transitions that shape their financial decisions. In this episode, we cover the 2027 pension changes, inheritance tax concerns, annuities, drawdown worries, defined benefit transfers, and the mindset shift from saving to spending. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re on track or what “on track” even means, this one’s for you.

This week on the FFS Podcast, we’re tackling a topic most directors would rather avoid. If cashflow has dried up, creditors are circling, and the company can’t pay what it owes, this is your calm, straight-talking guide to what happens next. We’ll walk through your real-world options, from doing nothing (and why that’s the worst plan), to compulsory liquidation, creditors’ voluntary liquidation, strike-off routes, director redundancy and working with a proper insolvency practitioner, so you can stop panicking, start planning, and exit responsibly if you need to.

This episode of FFS is a really special one. We’re talking all about the AVN Awards  an incredible experience for me and the team at Chadwicks. We were absolutely thrilled (and a bit stunned!) to take home High Profile Practice, Changing Lives, and Most Inspiring Accountant. But this isn’t just about the awards, it’s about the journey that got us there. From starting during the pandemic to building a business with purpose and heart, I wanted to share what these wins truly mean for us and the amazing people behind them.

Now… let’s talk cashflow. Because nothing kills business buzz faster than a tax bill that hits harder than your Monday morning coffee. I’m not tackling this one alone, joining me is our wonderful Charlotte, our senior accountant. She’s here with battle-tested tips, real stories, and a little tough love to help you stay in control of your cash. From tax bill dread to forecasting like a finance pro, this episode will give you the confidence to grow without the panic sweats.

In this episode, Rachael sits down with Hannah Morgan from Circle Insurance Services to demystify one of the most overlooked but essential parts of running a business — insurance. From professional indemnity to cyber cover, they unpack what every business really needs, what’s often misunderstood, and what might just be a waste of money. Expect practical advice, real client stories, and plenty of plain-English explanations about everything from employers’ liability to business interruption and management liability insurance. If you’ve ever pushed insurance to the bottom of your to-do list, this episode might just change your mind — and save your business.

In this episode, we’re diving into one of the biggest questions small business owners face: Should you go Limited or stay Sole Trader? We’ll unpack the pros, cons, and a few hidden HMRC quirks you’ll want to know about, plus, explore why Making Tax Digital could be a major shake-up for sole traders (and not necessarily for the better 👀).  

Are you working harder than ever, only to watch your earnings vanish into HMRC’s pockets? You’re not alone. We’re diving into real-world stories of smart restructuring that put serious money back where it belongs...in our clients hands. This could be the episode that changes how you think about tax forever.

From a challenging childhood and juggling paper rounds at 15, to single parenthood, career setbacks, and even starting her business from a back bedroom. Rachael's story is one of grit, resilience, and sheer determination. Fast forward to today, she’s an award-winning entrepreneur leading a thriving accountancy firm, with her sights firmly set on reaching £1 million turnover by 40. In this special episode, you’ll hear Rachael's story, which she recently shared as the keynote speaker at the Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Women in Business event. This episode isn’t just about business. It’s about the lessons life throws at us, how setbacks can fuel success, and why culture and people matter just as much as profit. So, whether you’re running a business, chasing your own big goals, or just curious about the story behind the firm, you’re in for an inspiring conversation. Let’s dive into Rachael’s journey.

We all know that sinking feeling when a brown envelope from HMRC lands on the doormat. From confusing tax codes that look like Wi-Fi passwords, to VAT penalty points, corporation tax reminders, and dreaded self-assessment notices. Rachael is joined by Kristel, our onboarding ninja. Together, they cut through the jargon, share insider tips, and explain what those letters really mean. If you’ve ever been tempted to shove that envelope in a drawer and hope it disappears… this episode is for you. Prevention is always better (and cheaper!) than the cure.

We’re diving into the headlines around Angela Rayner’s resignation as Deputy PM and Housing Secretary, following revelations about underpaid stamp duty on her Hove flat. It’s a story with politics, ethics, and a few painful tax lessons – and we’re unpacking it all. We’ll also debate the big question: should a mistake like this cost a political career, or is it simply proof that even ministers should have got better advice? So whether you’re buying a second property, considering trusts, or just want to avoid costly tax traps, stick with us – because for finance’s sake, it’s always better to get advice before the headlines.

In today’s episode, Rachael’s tackling something every UK business owner needs to hear. This isn’t background noise or another piece of red tape to shove to the bottom of your to-do list. This is law. This is action. And it’s coming fast. From November 18th, Companies House is rolling out brand-new identity verification rules that will affect directors and anyone with significant control of a company. Miss it, and you’re risking fines, frozen bank accounts, or even your business being struck off the register.

Tax investigations aren’t just the stuff of financial nightmares – they’re becoming a reality for more and more business owners. This week, Rachael is joined by fellow accountant (and calm voice of reason) Shaun Caddick to pull back the curtain on what really happens when HMRC comes knocking. From first VAT returns that trigger red flags, to frozen cash flow, delayed refunds, and the crucial role of fee protection insurance, this episode is your survival guide. Packed with real client stories, myth-busting, and practical steps you can take right now, it’s all about staying calm, staying organised, and staying one step ahead of HMRC.

Rachael and Joanna dive into a topic that sparks fear in many business owners: Tax Investigations But don’t panic, this isn’t about shady dealings or stashing receipts in your freezer. Instead, we’re breaking down why HMRC might come knocking, the most common triggers we’ve seen in nearly 20 years of practice, and most importantly, how you can prevent it from happening to you. From VAT reclaims to IR35 pitfalls, spurned spouses tipping off HMRC, and even how your social media side hustle could land you in hot water, this episode is packed with real-world stories, practical advice, and just enough humour to make the subject bearable.

In today’s episode, "Tax Traps & Tangled Tales: What You Don’t Know Will Cost You", we’re diving into some of the most common – and costly – tax mistakes small business owners make. From surprise VAT bills to undeclared income and spending tax money that isn’t really yours, we’re breaking it all down. And joining Rachael is our resident “non-tax expert,” Beth Davis – aka the perfect civilian canary in the tax coal mine. She asks what you’re probably thinking, and trust me, she keeps it real.

When HR goes wrong, the financial consequences can be brutal. In this episode Rachael is joined by Fiona Godfrey, CEO of Inicio HR, to shine a spotlight on the hidden risks buried in your everyday people processes — and why even small oversights in HR can lead to major headaches for finance. From botched payroll handovers to IR35 misclassifications and overlooked right-to-work checks, they unpack the most common (and costly) HR mistakes that businesses make. The conversation also explores the rise of AI in recruitment, the legal expectations around supporting neurodiverse employees, and the surprising tax traps behind seemingly simple staff perks. If you’re an employer, accountant, or business leader, this episode is your essential guide to spotting risk early and staying one step ahead of compliance disasters.