Profit Cash Growth

Claire & Simon

This is the podcast for 6 & 7 figure business owners who are looking to grow a financially successful business. Claire Hancott is a Finance Director, Chartered Accountant and Entrepreneur and every week we explore guidance and frameworks designed to help you increase your profits, improve your cash flow and grow your business.

  1. 20h ago

    Why Having Too Many Companies Can Kill Your Cash Flow #137

    Having more than one limited company feels like smart planning until it pushes your business into a completely different tax regime. In this episode, we unpack why the £1.5 million corporation tax threshold isn't a single number, it's a number that gets divided across every company you control, and why that catches so many growing businesses off guard. If you've ever set up a company because "that's what everyone does" for property or acquisitions, this one is for you. Key Topics Covered Why the corporation tax "large company" threshold gets split between every company you own The real difference between paying tax annually and paying it in quarterly instalments How op-co, prop-co, and hold-co structures can bring the threshold down without you realising it The associated companies rule and how family shareholdings can unexpectedly count against you Practical ways to balance profit across multiple companies to avoid a cash flow cliff edge When it makes sense to simplify or consolidate your company structure ⭐ Rate, Review & Share this episode with fellow business owners, and let's grow together! ⭐ Take the Finance Fitness Scorecard https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/finance-fitness-score ⭐ Subscribe to the weekly newsletter to get Expert Advice Straight to Your Inbox: https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/subscribe ⭐ Get a Free copy of Claire's book Profit By Numbers: https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/book   VALUABLE RESOURCES Website LinkedIn YouTube Facebook ABOUT THE HOST: Claire Hancott through Profit Cash Growth helps 7 & 8 figure business owners to increase their profit, improve their cashflow and grow their business using their numbers. As a finance director & chartered management accountant, Claire has nearly 20 years’ experience in finance and running businesses of her own. This gives her a unique insight into the information and support business owners need to grow a financially successful business. Claire passionately believes that every business should be run by the numbers because the numbers in your business are telling you a story about what is and isn’t working and where your opportunities lie. Claire’s mission is to provide insightful management accounts, reports and advice to business owners and support them to make smarter decisions.    *The content of this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional advice.

  2. Sep 3

    Capital Allowances: The Greatest Gift To Asset Based Businesses #136

    Claire covers one of the most overlooked tax reliefs for business owners who own their own building: capital allowances on commercial property. Prompted by a listener story about a business that missed out on hundreds of thousands of pounds in claims, this episode breaks down what capital allowances actually are, why most accountants never mention them, and what to do before you sign anything on a commercial property purchase. Key Topics Covered What capital allowances are and why they only apply to business assets, not everyday expenses The difference between full expensing, integral features, and structures and buildings allowance, and why the split matters Why most high street accountants miss this claim entirely and why that isn't really their fault The "shake the building upside down" test for working out what qualifies Why timing is everything, and how the opportunity can disappear the moment a property sale completes What to do before buying a commercial property to make sure you don't leave money on the table ⭐ Rate, Review & Share this episode with fellow business owners, and let's grow together! ⭐ Take the Finance Fitness Scorecard https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/finance-fitness-score ⭐ Subscribe to the weekly newsletter to get Expert Advice Straight to Your Inbox: https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/subscribe ⭐ Get a Free copy of Claire's book Profit By Numbers: https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/book   VALUABLE RESOURCES Website LinkedIn YouTube Facebook ABOUT THE HOST: Claire Hancott through Profit Cash Growth helps 7 & 8 figure business owners to increase their profit, improve their cashflow and grow their business using their numbers. As a finance director & chartered management accountant, Claire has nearly 20 years’ experience in finance and running businesses of her own. This gives her a unique insight into the information and support business owners need to grow a financially successful business. Claire passionately believes that every business should be run by the numbers because the numbers in your business are telling you a story about what is and isn’t working and where your opportunities lie. Claire’s mission is to provide insightful management accounts, reports and advice to business owners and support them to make smarter decisions.    *The content of this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional advice.

  3. Aug 27

    Battle Off: 5 Things That Helped Us Grow Our Businesses In The Last 25 Years #135

    We go head to head in a battle off: the five things that have genuinely moved the needle for our businesses over the last 25 years. No rehearsed answers, no overlap discussed in advance, just two founders picking apart what actually built the business versus what just felt busy. It's a useful exercise for any owner who wants to get clear on what would hurt most if it disappeared tomorrow. Key Topics Covered Why LinkedIn became Claire's number one channel for leads, and the debate over whether it's actually scalable How the smartphone and tools like Claude Code turned Simon into someone building internal software with no coding background Using AI as a thought partner to challenge decisions and shortcut the learning curve on things like SEO Why Xero opening up its API changed what was possible for both businesses, and what that means for any owner relying on one core piece of software Podcasting, AirPods, and self-education as an underrated growth lever The apprenticeship levy as a way to attract and train talent without competing purely on salary What COVID-19 actually taught them about steady growth versus sudden windfalls, and why "predictable" isn't always what it's cracked up to be ⭐ Rate, Review & Share this episode with fellow business owners, and let's grow together! ⭐ Take the Finance Fitness Scorecard https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/finance-fitness-score ⭐ Subscribe to the weekly newsletter to get Expert Advice Straight to Your Inbox: https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/subscribe ⭐ Get a Free copy of Claire's book Profit By Numbers: https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/book   VALUABLE RESOURCES Website LinkedIn YouTube Facebook ABOUT THE HOST: Claire Hancott through Profit Cash Growth helps 7 & 8 figure business owners to increase their profit, improve their cashflow and grow their business using their numbers. As a finance director & chartered management accountant, Claire has nearly 20 years’ experience in finance and running businesses of her own. This gives her a unique insight into the information and support business owners need to grow a financially successful business. Claire passionately believes that every business should be run by the numbers because the numbers in your business are telling you a story about what is and isn’t working and where your opportunities lie. Claire’s mission is to provide insightful management accounts, reports and advice to business owners and support them to make smarter decisions.    *The content of this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional advice.

  4. Aug 20

    This Hidden Government Handout Lets You Train Your Staff For Free #134

    Most business owners have never heard of the apprenticeship levy, and it's costing them thousands of pounds in training they could be getting for free or close to it. In this episode, Claire and Simon explain exactly how the levy works, why it isn't just for school leavers, and how any business, including the owner themselves, can use it to fund everything from AI upskilling to a full charter accountancy qualification. Key topics covered: What the apprenticeship levy actually is and who pays into it Why small businesses can access the fund without ever paying into it themselves The difference between funding for under-25s and over-25s, and what that means for cost How short, modular courses now sit alongside longer professional qualifications Real examples of courses available right now, from AI implementation to sales and operations Why training providers handle almost all of the admin, and what's actually required from you as the employer ⭐ Rate, Review & Share this episode with fellow business owners, and let's grow together! ⭐ Take the Finance Fitness Scorecard https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/finance-fitness-score ⭐ Subscribe to the weekly newsletter to get Expert Advice Straight to Your Inbox: https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/subscribe ⭐ Get a Free copy of Claire's book Profit By Numbers: https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/book   VALUABLE RESOURCES Website LinkedIn YouTube Facebook ABOUT THE HOST: Claire Hancott through Profit Cash Growth helps 7 & 8 figure business owners to increase their profit, improve their cashflow and grow their business using their numbers. As a finance director & chartered management accountant, Claire has nearly 20 years’ experience in finance and running businesses of her own. This gives her a unique insight into the information and support business owners need to grow a financially successful business. Claire passionately believes that every business should be run by the numbers because the numbers in your business are telling you a story about what is and isn’t working and where your opportunities lie. Claire’s mission is to provide insightful management accounts, reports and advice to business owners and support them to make smarter decisions.    *The content of this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional advice.

  5. Aug 13

    Going Round in Cash Flow Cycles: How Long Until the Money Comes Back? #133

    Most business owners only track the time between issuing an invoice and getting paid, and wonder why cash still feels tight. In this episode, Claire Hancott breaks down the customer journey cash cycle: the full picture of how long money is actually out of your business before it comes back in. If you're spending on marketing, taking on new work, or thinking about scaling up, this episode shows you exactly what you need to know before you commit more cash. Key topics covered: Why invoice-to-cash (your DSO) is only one small part of the real cash flow picture The four stages of the customer journey cash cycle, from lead generation to cash in the bank How to calculate your own cash cycle in days, and why that number matters more as you grow Why slow invoicing is one of the easiest and most costly gaps to fix in any business How to use your cash cycle number to work out exactly how much spare cash you need before ramping up marketing spend Why this calculation becomes essential when raising funding or approaching investors ⭐ Rate, Review & Share this episode with fellow business owners, and let's grow together! ⭐ Take the Finance Fitness Scorecard https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/finance-fitness-score ⭐ Subscribe to the weekly newsletter to get Expert Advice Straight to Your Inbox: https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/subscribe ⭐ Get a Free copy of Claire's book Profit By Numbers: https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/book   VALUABLE RESOURCES Website LinkedIn YouTube Facebook ABOUT THE HOST: Claire Hancott through Profit Cash Growth helps 7 & 8 figure business owners to increase their profit, improve their cashflow and grow their business using their numbers. As a finance director & chartered management accountant, Claire has nearly 20 years’ experience in finance and running businesses of her own. This gives her a unique insight into the information and support business owners need to grow a financially successful business. Claire passionately believes that every business should be run by the numbers because the numbers in your business are telling you a story about what is and isn’t working and where your opportunities lie. Claire’s mission is to provide insightful management accounts, reports and advice to business owners and support them to make smarter decisions.    *The content of this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional advice.

  6. Aug 6

    Why I Told 3 Businesses Not To Take Any Debt #132

    Claire talks through three real client scenarios from the last few weeks where business owners came to her wanting to take on debt, and she told all three of them not to. This episode breaks down why, what she suggested instead, and how a genuine growth opportunity can look identical to a cash flow problem you haven't fixed yet. If you're weighing up a loan right now, listen before you sign anything. Key Topics Covered: Why a seven figure business wanted funding to accelerate growth, and why the numbers showed the existing business couldn't actually generate enough cash to repay the loan The difference between scaling a profitable business and scaling a loss Why directors taking dividends out of the business can mask a much thinner profit picture than it appears A seasonal business considering an expensive unsecured loan to cover a short eight week cash flow gap, and the two cheaper alternatives that solved it instead How a business that had just acquired another company avoided getting locked into invoice financing by using an underused asset instead Why the right answer to "should I take on debt" always depends on what you're actually trying to achieve   ⭐ Rate, Review & Share this episode with fellow business owners, and let's grow together! ⭐ Subscribe to the weekly newsletter to get Expert Advice Straight to Your Inbox: https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/subscribe ⭐ Get a Free copy of Claire's book Profit By Numbers: https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/book   VALUABLE RESOURCES Website LinkedIn YouTube Facebook ABOUT THE HOST: Claire Hancott through Profit Cash Growth helps 7 & 8 figure business owners to increase their profit, improve their cashflow and grow their business using their numbers. As a finance director & chartered management accountant, Claire has nearly 20 years’ experience in finance and running businesses of her own. This gives her a unique insight into the information and support business owners need to grow a financially successful business. Claire passionately believes that every business should be run by the numbers because the numbers in your business are telling you a story about what is and isn’t working and where your opportunities lie. Claire’s mission is to provide insightful management accounts, reports and advice to business owners and support them to make smarter decisions.    *The content of this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional advice.

  7. Jul 30

    Should You Include Labour Costs in Your Gross Profit? #131

    Should you be including your labour costs in your gross profit? Claire breaks down why this simple question trips up more business owners than almost any other line on the P&L, and why getting it wrong can make a good month look bad and a bad month look good. If your gross margin swings wildly for reasons you can't explain, this episode is for you. Key Topics Covered: Why seasonal businesses that load subcontractor costs into cost of sales end up thinking their gross profit is worse than it actually is Why putting fixed salaries into gross margin distorts the number every time sales move up or down The three-step approach to working out which staff costs belong in cost of sales How to get 75 to 80 percent of the way there without tracking every minute of every day What utilisation and capacity data reveals once you separate client-facing time from everything else Why this sits closer to management accounting than traditional compliance-focused accounting   ⭐ Rate, Review & Share this episode with fellow business owners, and let's grow together! ⭐ Subscribe to the weekly newsletter to get Expert Advice Straight to Your Inbox: https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/subscribe ⭐ Get a Free copy of Claire's book Profit By Numbers: https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/book   VALUABLE RESOURCES Website LinkedIn YouTube Facebook ABOUT THE HOST: Claire Hancott through Profit Cash Growth helps 7 & 8 figure business owners to increase their profit, improve their cashflow and grow their business using their numbers. As a finance director & chartered management accountant, Claire has nearly 20 years’ experience in finance and running businesses of her own. This gives her a unique insight into the information and support business owners need to grow a financially successful business. Claire passionately believes that every business should be run by the numbers because the numbers in your business are telling you a story about what is and isn’t working and where your opportunities lie. Claire’s mission is to provide insightful management accounts, reports and advice to business owners and support them to make smarter decisions.    *The content of this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional advice.

  8. Jul 23

    5 Ways Your Business Will End - And How To Avoid Them #130

    Why do businesses actually fail? Not the vague, one-size-fits-all answer, but the five specific ways it really happens to owner-managed businesses turning over between £1 million and £20 million. In this episode, Claire and Simon work through the five most common causes of business failure, then rank them from least to most dangerous based on what Claire sees across hundreds of client businesses. This one is essential listening for any founder who wants to spot the warning signs before they become terminal. Key Topics Covered: Why business success has a thousand causes but business failure tends to fall into only a handful of patterns Taking on too much or the wrong kind of debt, and why repayment terms rarely match the return an asset generates Over-reliance on a single customer, contract, or connected supply chain, and why this risk hides in plain sight Overtrading and losing control during a growth phase Disproportionate ratios, from long payment terms to an oversized payroll, and why these quietly strangle cash flow Why poor financial visibility is the root cause sitting underneath almost every other failure mode ⭐ Rate, Review & Share this episode with fellow business owners, and let's grow together! ⭐ Subscribe to the weekly newsletter to get Expert Advice Straight to Your Inbox: https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/subscribe ⭐ Get a Free copy of Claire's book Profit By Numbers: https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/book   VALUABLE RESOURCES Website LinkedIn YouTube Facebook ABOUT THE HOST: Claire Hancott through Profit Cash Growth helps 7 & 8 figure business owners to increase their profit, improve their cashflow and grow their business using their numbers. As a finance director & chartered management accountant, Claire has nearly 20 years’ experience in finance and running businesses of her own. This gives her a unique insight into the information and support business owners need to grow a financially successful business. Claire passionately believes that every business should be run by the numbers because the numbers in your business are telling you a story about what is and isn’t working and where your opportunities lie. Claire’s mission is to provide insightful management accounts, reports and advice to business owners and support them to make smarter decisions.    *The content of this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional advice.

About

This is the podcast for 6 & 7 figure business owners who are looking to grow a financially successful business. Claire Hancott is a Finance Director, Chartered Accountant and Entrepreneur and every week we explore guidance and frameworks designed to help you increase your profits, improve your cash flow and grow your business.

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