ICAEW Business Advice Service: Partners in Growth
This new scheme will play a vital role in the business support landscape, offering a free advice session to SMEs in over 3,000 locations across England, Wales and Scotland.
Small businesses are the engine of the UK economy. Yet their size means they often lack the financial expertise needed to get off the ground, raise finance, create jobs and grow. Launching in September, ICAEW’s Business Advice Scheme is intended to boost the prospects for a private sector-driven recovery by offering a helping hand to SMEs across the country.
How it will work
- The scheme will offer businesses a free advice session with a qualified ICAEW chartered accountant.
- Businesses can use the BAS website businessadviceservice.com to find their nearest office.
- Currently around 3,000 offices are participating in the scheme. We expect this to rise to 4,000 over the coming months.
- The advice sessions will be available in offices across England, Wales and Scotland.
ICAEW's Chief Executive, Michael Izza, said:
“SME growth is crucial to the UK's economic success. In tough economic conditions, small businesses need the right advice and support to succeed.
"It's not just government's responsibility to help businesses to survive and thrive. As a profession that acts in the public interest, ICAEW Chartered Accountants recognise their responsibility to offer crucial guidance".
What kind of advice will the BAS offer?
The Business Advice Service will offer businesses advice on how to overcome challenges facing SMEs across the country:
- How to grow a business
- Securing loans, capital and finance
- Keeping staff and creating new jobs
- Meeting tax and regulatory requirements
- Export planning
- Planning for long term sustainable growth
- Debt management
- Legal issues
For further information, please contact Sarah Buckley, Public Affairs Manager.