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Starting a business

Guidance and support on all aspects of starting a business, covering setting up, accessing finance, tips on tax and regulation.
Scaling a business
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Setting up your business

You’ve taken the plunge and decided to start trading. The first few months spent getting the business up and running are likely to be very hectic. So before getting the business off the ground, it pays to get all the necessary administrative chores out the way.
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ICAEW support

Business finance and grants

Here you can browse our selection of books, articles, links and guides on sources of business finance.
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First steps to start a business

Setting up your business
  • Article
You’ve taken the plunge and decided to start trading. The first few months spent getting the business up and running are likely to be very hectic. So before getting the business off the ground, it pays to get all the necessary administrative chores out the way.
Choosing the right business structure
  • Article
Identifying the right company structure is crucial when setting up a business. Each different format has implications for tax, ownership and responsibility. Find out more.
Business names
  • Hub page
Are you trying to decide on a name for your own business? Use our selection of books, articles, links and guides to find more information on all aspects of choosing a company name.
Commercial property
  • Hub page
Finding the right premises and managing commercial property are important for many businesses.
Incorporation
  • Hub page
The incorporation of companies is not always straightforward. On this page you can find articles, books and online resources offering guidance and background information.
Creating a business plan
  • Article
Decisions taken in the early years can be the most difficult as well as the most important. Creating a business plan is an essential part of setting up your business.

Accessing finance

Financing your start-up
  • Helpsheets and support
When setting up a new business one of the first questions you must answer is ‘Will I need finance to set up my business?’ This might be to fit out a premises, to pay staff while they are training or to buy equipment. Many businesses start off with ‘owners equity’ – money they put into the business to fund the start-up. But when they get the business going they may need finance.
Start-up loan
  • Helpsheets and support
A start-up loan is a government-backed personal loan of up to £25,000 available to individuals looking to start or grow a business in the UK.
Grants and local funding
  • Listing
Selected information resources on grants and business funding in the UK and Europe.
A guide to government support for small businesses
  • Website
A quick guide to government support for SMEs from The Pitch, an independent pitching competition for startups. It covers what support is available to SMEs - at a national and local level - and how and where to access it.
More information

Business Finance Guide

This independent guide provides entrepreneurs, SMEs and growing businesses with information on the finance options that are available to them throughout their business finance journey.
Find out more Download the full guide
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Regulation and law

UK company law
  • Listing
Resources include relevant ICAEW technical releases, such as guidance on dividends and distributable profits, and updates on key developments in regulation, prospective legislation and related matters of professional concern to accountants in practice, industry or commerce.
ICAEW's guide to directors' duties and responsibilities
  • Regulations
This ICAEW guide provides an overview of directors' duties and responsibilities, including on internal governance, transactions between a company and its directors or shareholders, and corporate administration. It also covers responsibilities in relation to insolvent or financially challenged companies, as well as penalties for breach of directors' responsibilities.
Health and safety
  • Hub page
On this page you can find articles, books and online resources on health and safety rules and legislation.
Human resources and employment law
  • Hub page
Access articles, books and online resources on human resources and employment law.
Paying dividends the essentials
  • Helpsheets and support
A reminder for directors of micro and other small companies about the complex law on dividend payments by companies. It covers ensuring dividends are paid from realized profits; considering the company’s financial position: following legal procedures: maintaining proper documentation and adhering to company articles.
Small and micro entity reporting
  • Hub page
An overview of the options available to smaller entities, the eligibility criteria and the pros and cons of adopting FRS 102 Section 1A Small Entities versus FRS 105.
More information

Sustainable growth

Tools and resources for small to medium sized businesses to build resilient business models and get to grips with ESG. Find out where to start, how to mitigate the effects of climate change and adapt into the future.
10 actions to get started
  • Helpsheets and support
  • PDF (1,694kb)
A list of 10 simple things you can do to start reducing your business’ climate impact.
ESG for SMEs: what if you do nothing?
  • Article
SMEs are lagging behind in the corporate quest to implement formal ESG practices, according to recent research – but they are inviting heavy penalties.
ESG for SMEs: sustainable practices can boost funding access
  • Article
As stakeholders urge banks to sharpen their environmental focus, it is becoming increasingly important for borrowers to undertake tangible efforts to improve their ESG credentials.
ESG for SMEs: future proofing supply chains
  • Article
The impacts that environmental, social and governance issues can have on supply chains is stark, but if SMEs don’t comply with new ESG rules they could also risk their entire business.
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Tax tips

The sole trader and tax
  • Helpsheets and support
  • PDF (185kb)
When setting up a new business, you have to decide what format your business will take. If you register as a sole trader, there are some requirements you will need to follow to notify HMRC. In this guide, ICAEW explains why you need to notify HMRC and the tax implications for running your business as a sole trader.
The limited company and tax
  • Helpsheets and support
  • PDF (156kb)
If you form a business as a limited company, there are some requirements you will need to follow to notify Companies House. In this guide, ICAEW explains why you need to notify Companies House and the tax implications for running your business as a limited company.
Capital allowances
  • Hub page
Access expert commentary and practical guidance from ICAEW on capital allowances within the UK tax regime
Employment taxes
  • Hub page
Practical guidance, commentary and support on employment taxation, including: benefits and expenses, company car tax, national insurance, PAYE and real-time information, and the taxation of intermediaries.
MTD and VAT
  • Helpsheets and support
The first stage of HMRC's Making Tax Digital (MTD) programme focuses on VAT and imposes new requirements keeping on some VAT registered businesses and organisations from April 2019.
Research and development
  • Hub page
Expert commentary and practical guidance from ICAEW on reliefs related to research and development within the UK corporation tax regime.
10 common VAT mistakes
  • Article
ICAEW's Tax Faculty offers an overview of common VAT mistakes, from reclaiming VAT charged for on-street parking to misunderstanding the VAT treatment of 'management charges'.
Let me entertain you… when can VAT be claimed?
  • Article
Businesses can claim input tax on their expenditures, assuming that they are VAT registered and not partly exempt. However, a specific tax block applies to entertainment expenses. Neil Warren considers some practical examples.
More information

Technology

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Artificial intelligence
  • Hub page
Expand your Accounting Intelligence with ICAEW's practical AI resources
Close-up of hands typing on a keyboard at a desk with a large monitor displaying lines of code, suggesting programming or software development work.
Cyber security
  • Hub page
Cybercrime and threats to computer systems have become a major concern of businesses around the world. This resource centre provides a focal point for ICAEW members looking for support in managing cyber risks.
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Cloud computing
  • Hub page
ICAEW's guidance with which to establish the over-arching principles of software procurement.

Podcasts and webinars

Exclusive Take the plunge and start your own business today
  • Webinar
  • 07 Oct 2025
This webinar from ICAEW's Portfolio Careers Community explores the steps to take to launch your independent career.
Why are female-led startups so underfunded?
  • Podcast
  • 02 Aug 2024
In this episode of Behind the Numbers, we discuss gender inequality in investment.
Getting SME investment back on track
  • Podcast
  • 28 Apr 2023
In this Insights In Focus episode, we discuss the obstacles and incentives to SME investment.

eBooks

The ICAEW Library & Information Service provides full text access to a selection of key business and reference eBooks from leading publishers. eBooks are available to logged-in ICAEW members, ACA students and other entitled users. If you are unable to access an eBook, please see our Help and support advice or contact library@icaew.com.

Exclusive Building value: the business of venture capital
  • eBook
  • 2025
  • Simon Barnes
  • John Wiley & Sons
A guide to venture capital and how entrepreneurs and venture capitalists should engage with each other to arrive at constructive start-up investment deals.
Exclusive Art of business valuation: accurately valuing a small business
  • eBook
  • 2020
  • Gregory R. Caruso
  • Wiley
This book examines a range of questions you may encounter in a valuation process. The book will supply helpful solutions to common issues that arise when a small business is valued.
Exclusive Business start up bundle for dummies
  • eBook
  • 2020
  • Colin Barrow
  • John Wiley & Sons
A one stop shop to all your business start-up needs! Covers everything budding entrepreneurs need to know to get their business up and running. Whether readers are just starting out, planning a new venture, setting up at home or extending a current business online, this book is all they need to succeed.
Exclusive Exploring strategy
  • eBook
  • 2017
  • Gerry Johnson, Richard Whittington, Patrick Regnér, Kevan Scholes, and Duncan Angwin
  • Pearson Education Limited
This book has long been the essential strategy text for managers of today and tomorrow. From entrepreneurial start-ups to multinationals, charities to government agencies, this book raises the big questions about organisations- how they grow, how they innovate and how they change.
Terms of use

You are permitted to access, download, copy, or print out content from eBooks for your own research or study only, subject to the terms of use set by our suppliers and any restrictions imposed by individual publishers. Please see individual supplier pages for full terms of use.

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ICAEW Library collection

The ICAEW Library & Information Service collection includes articles, books and reports. Use the links below to see what we have available to request in our Library catalogue.
Why international tax is relevant to the small practitioner
  • Library book
  • 2026
  • J. Mindell
  • LexisNexis
A brief digest outlining why an advisor to a small business or an individual may need a working knowledge of international tax. Covers key scenarios, profit fragmentation, tax return preparation, permanent establishment, and withholding taxes.
Small business tax saving tactics: tax planning for sole traders and partnerships, 13th ed.
  • Library book
  • 2025
  • C. Bayley, N. Braun
  • Taxcafe UK
A practical guide to tax saving techniques that can help self-employed business owners (sole traders and partnerships) to pay less tax on their profits. Includes numerous easy-to-follow examples.
The business life of an entrepreneur
  • Library book
  • 2025
  • A. Lane
  • LexisNexis
A short digest focusing on key tax issues of concern to entrepreneurs in business. Sections cover issues including starting a business, developing a business, profit extraction, selling a business, and protecting family wealth.
Tax saving business structures: how to set up your business to get the most from the tax system
  • Library book
  • 2024
  • Indicator FL Memo
  • Indicator FL Memo
A special report comparing the pros and cons of different types of business structure, from a taxation perspective. The authors consider how the nature and status of the business in question might influence one's choice of structure, and provide tips on how to choose the right structure for your business at the right time.
The business start up guide
  • Library book
  • 2021
  • A.Pink
  • Tunbridge Wells
A practical and jargon free guide to the essential things every entrepreneur needs to know when setting up a business. Chapters include: the business plan; raising business finance; structuring a business tax efficiently; promotion and marketing; controlling overheads; common mistakes in business.
Growing by numbers: how to scale up your small business with confidence
  • Library book
  • 2020
  • D. Hudson
  • SRA Books
This authoritative, motivating and highly practical guide will take you step-by-step through everything you need to think about, know and do to get your business into the best possible shape for growth.

To find out how you can borrow books from the Library please see our guide to borrowing books.

You can obtain copies of articles or extracts of books and reports through our document supply service.

Can't find what you're looking for?

The ICAEW Library can give you the right information from trustworthy, professional sources that aren't freely available online. Contact us for expert help with your enquiries and research.

Join the Small and Micro Business Community

Whether you work with small businesses or run your own, our new Community has practical resources to help at every stage of the business journey from starting out and focusing on growth to being well-established. The community is open to members and non-members.
Find out more
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Thought leadership, insights, technical resources and professional guidance to support ICAEW members working in industry with their professional development.

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Business start-up and finance

Our latest features, books, articles and guides on sources of business finance.

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Economy and business environment

Make sense of the ever-changing world with upheaval and disruption all around us. The world in which we operate never stays the same, our content helps you stay on top of it.

Information

Some of the content on this web page was provided by the Chartered Accountants’ Trust for Education and Research, a registered charity, which owns the library and operates it for ICAEW.