Who we work with
Our business advisory work is for owners who run the business they own and want straightforward advice from someone who understands it.
- Family businesses, where more than one family member owns, works in or hopes to inherit the company, and business decisions are also family decisions.
- Owner-managed limited companies, where the directors own the company and want to take money out sensibly, plan ahead and keep on top of the numbers.
- Businesses going through a transition: growing, bringing in a partner or the next generation, or preparing to sell or step back.
What business advisory covers
Business advice is not a single product. These are the areas owners ask us about most, with a guide to each.
Tax planning for owners
How to take money out of the company, use the reliefs available and plan around year end, for you and your family.
Read the guide →Planning for sale or succession
Getting the business ready to sell or hand on, and understanding what you will actually keep after tax.
Read the guide →Staying HMRC compliant
Registrations, filings, payroll and deadlines, so there are no unwelcome surprises from HMRC.
Read the guide →Management information and cash flow
Regular reporting and cash flow forecasts that show where the business is heading and what you can afford to do next.
Read our short guide →Business structure and company secretarial
Group structures, share changes, agreements and statutory filings, handled by Murphy Thompson Moore LLP, the firm KSBA trades under.
Visit mtmllp.co.uk →How an engagement works
- A conversationYou talk to Doug or Stephen about the business, what you want from it and what is worrying you. There is no obligation.
- A review of your accounts and positionWe look at your figures, your tax position, how the business is structured and any deadlines coming up.
- A planWe write down what we recommend, in what order, and what it will cost. The fee is fixed and agreed before any work starts.
- Ongoing quarterly reviewEach quarter we check progress, update the forecast and deal with anything new.
Why choose KSBA
- Based in Manchester city centre at 82 King Street, serving businesses across Manchester, Cheshire and the wider North West.
- The partners who do your accounts also give the advice, so it is based on your real numbers rather than a template.
- Part of a multidisciplinary firm: accounts and tax with us, and company secretarial and agreements support through Murphy Thompson Moore LLP.
- Established in 1995. Doug Murphy and Stephen Thompson have worked together since then.
- Plain-English advice you can act on, without jargon.
How we charge
We agree a fixed fee in writing before any work starts, so you know what you will pay in advance. The fee depends on the size and complexity of the business and how much support you want.
Common questions
What does a business advisor do?
A business advisor helps the owner of a business make decisions about money and direction: how to structure the business, how to take money out tax-efficiently, how to plan cash flow, when to bring in a partner or investment, and how to prepare for a sale or handover. At KSBA the advice builds on the accounts and tax work we already do for you.
Do I need an advisor as well as an accountant?
Not usually a separate person. An accountant records what has happened and keeps you compliant. An advisor looks ahead and helps you choose between options. Many owners get both from the same firm, which means the advice is based on your actual figures. If you only hear from your accountant when a deadline or a bill is due, you may be paying for compliance without getting advice.
How much does business advice cost?
It depends on the size of the business and how much support you want. We agree a fixed fee in writing before work begins, so there are no surprises.
Do you only work with Manchester businesses?
We are based in Manchester and work with businesses across Greater Manchester, Cheshire and the wider North West.
What happens in the first conversation?
You talk to one of the partners, Doug Murphy or Stephen Thompson, about your business and what you need. There is no obligation, and we will tell you honestly whether we are the right firm for you.
Can you help if I am thinking of selling my business?
Yes. The earlier we talk, the more choices you have, because tidying the accounts, reducing your dependence on you and planning the tax all take time.
Talk to a partner
A no-obligation conversation with Doug or Stephen about your business and what you need from your advisors.
King Street Business Advisors
3rd Floor, 82 King Street
Manchester M2 4WQ
Phone: 0161 835 2323
Email: [email protected]