If your business can’t function without you for two weeks — you don’t own a business. You own a job. That’s not an insult. It’s where most small businesses start. And for a lot of owners, it’s where they stay — not by choice, but because nobody told them it
Your bank balance can look perfectly healthy while your business is quietly falling apart. A balance sheet is the document that tells you the truth. Most business owners receive one every month or every year. They glance at it, nod, and file it away. Nobody ever explained what it actually
Yes. You can. And SARS is more willing to work with you than most business owners realise. The problem isn’t the arrangement. The problem is that most people only ask for one when they’ve already run out of options. What SARS Actually Allows SARS has a formal process for
Most business owners pay themselves the same way every month without ever asking if it’s the right way. It usually isn’t. And the difference — structured properly — can mean tens of thousands of rands less going to SARS every year. Here’s how to actually think about this. The
You found the space. The landlord is friendly. The monthly rent feels manageable. Stop. Before you sign anything, there are five things you need to understand — because commercial leases are not like renting a flat, and the standard lease agreement is written entirely in the landlord’s favour. What
Because nobody explained it properly. That’s why. VAT isn’t actually complicated. It just sounds like it is — until someone walks you through it. What VAT Actually Is VAT stands for Value-Added Tax. It’s currently 15% in South Africa. Here’s the thing most people miss: VAT isn’t your money. The
Yes. They can. And they don’t need to ask for permission first. This isn’t a scare tactic. It’s the law. And if you’re behind on your taxes, you need to understand how this works. What SARS Actually Says SARS has the power to issue what’s called a “third-party appointment”
Short answer: Yes, most of them. But you’re probably paying for business meals on your personal card and missing out. Let’s fix that. What SARS Actually Says SARS allows you to claim any expense that’s “in the production of income” – basically, anything you spent to make money or run
As the year winds down and the holiday lights go up, there’s one thing standing between you and a stress-free December: payroll. But don’t panic, we’ve wrapped up everything you need into one neat little bow. With a few proactive checks now, your year-end will glide by smoother than Santa’s
The CFO Mindset: Strategic Financial Decisions Every SME Should Adopt Introduction Adopting the CFO mindset can transform how SMEs approach financial decisions in South Africa. By thinking like a CFO, business owners shift from reactive accounting to proactive strategy, gaining the clarity to manage cash flow, improve compliance, and fuel
