Client Journey

Concept

At Sedulo we work very closely with our clients to identify where within the lifecycle of a business each client is. We tailor each service offering individually within our portfolio range. We work with start ups, turnaround companies, growth businesses and stock listed companies.

All businesses are borne from a concept and in order to realise that concept a number of areas should be considered. Examples are as follows:

  • The Product
  • The Market
  • The Brand Identity/ Company Philosophy
  • The Customer
  • A Development Strategy
  • SWOT Analysis
  • Future Opportunities
  • Finance Required
  • Financial Projections
  • Key Personnel/ Human Resources

Sedulo produce business plans which contain answers for the above in conjunction with yourselves.  Both written documents and numerical the projections models are based around profit and loss, balance sheet and most importantly cash flows.  All our models are built with the flexibility to change KPI’s of the business instantly giving new financial reports. It is vital that ‘the business model’ is right from the outset.

Legal Set-up

This part of the journey is normally completed by a solicitor or an accountant and as indicated includes completion of statutory paperwork.

When setting up an entity the following needs to be considered:

  • Your exposure to the entities’ liability
  • The necessity for a group structure
  • The availability of the name and domain name
  • The tax efficiency of the entity
  • The Directors and Secretaries
  • Registered Office
  • Shareholdings
  • The Requirement of VAT/ PAYE registration
  • Bank Accounts
  • Solicitors
  • Patent & Copyright laws

Sedulo offers a Company Secretarial service which removes all the above issues, it also has secured links with established banks and solicitors.

Too often these areas are neglected at the outset, Sedulo works with all clients as if they are on a corporate grooming excercise. A key area when disposing of a business will be the legal due diligence on the vendor and it is therefore best practice to accurately maintain these records as the journey progresses.

Management Information

‘Knowledge is Power’ and understanding the financial position of your business on an on-going basis is the key to establishing a successful business.  Sedulo provide management information, always in mind that these figures may be required for key transactions in the future.

Information you may require includes:

  • Sales statistics
  • Staff turnover
  • Cost statistics
  • Cash flow present and forecasted
  • Profit & loss present and forecasted
  • Budget variances
  • Comparison to standards within your industry
  • Breakeven analysis
  • Cost centre analysis
  • Gross profit analysis
  • Graphical presentation

Sedulo offers the Financial Management service which answers all these questions and is presented at a weekly/monthly/quarterly accounts/board meeting. All information is tailored to the individual client and is based around ‘painting the picture’ of the business, creating an information bank of company financial history which is essential for on-going decision making but also crucial should an eventual corporate finance transaction be considered.

Annual Compliance

UK Legislation, and often third party lenders, dictate that the following must be filed at the relevant government offices:

  • Abbreviated accounts

Abbreviated accounts must be filed at Companies house on an annual basis

  • Financial accounts

An in depth analysis of the abbreviated accounts, for submission with your CT600, and your personal information.

  • Audited accounts

Where a Limited Company is classified as a ‘large’ company (generally in excess of £5.6m annual turnover) the statutory accounts must include an auditors reports signed by a registered auditor.

  • Company taxation

    • An annual tax return (CT600) is required to be filed at the Inland Revenue 12 months after the specified financial year end. Please note that the payment of any taxation due will usually be required 9 months post the year end date.

  • Personal Taxation

    • Each director must fill in a personal tax return.  For the 06/07 fiscal year the directors tax return and payment must be with the Inland Revenue no later than 31st January 2008.

    • Annual Return

    Companies House require up to date secretarial information on the business on an annual basis.  An annual return will be issued by Companies House and is required to be sent back with an annual payment of £30 (Online filing is £15)

    • Payroll Year End

    A P35 form must be submitted to the Inland Revenue by the 19th May each year for that tax year, which is a summary of your employees tax liabilities for that year.

    Sedulo’s Accounts and Audit Compliance service ensures the necessary documents are filed with the relevant governing bodies prior to their due dates.

    Strategic Finance

    Throughout the life of your business, there will be requirement for either re-evaluation of current facilities or additional funding. This may be to move your business forward or to rationalise the debt into a structure which allows the business to move forward.

    Funding may be required for the following:

    • New Premises
    • Update/ replace P&M and other fixed assets
    • Working Capital requirements
    • Restructure historic debt
    • Research & Development
    • Growth
    • Acquisitions

    The funding requirements can be met using some of the following options:

    • Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme
    • Factoring and Confidential Invoice Discounting
    • Government Grants
    • Rebates
    • Commercial Mortgages
    • Overdrafts
    • Asset Finance
    • Private Investment

    Sedulo’s Financial Strategy service has a proven track record (see Recent Successes) in sourcing the best financial arrangement for your business.

    Profile Extraction

    It is imperative that the profit of the business is extracted in the most tax efficient manner by both shareholders, directors and employees (where possible).

    A mixture of the following is usually taken:

    • Salaries
    • Bonuses
    • Dividends
    • Company Cars
    • Pensions
    • Healthcare
    • Computers

    There are many different ways of receiving benefit from the company all with differing treatments for tax purposes. Sedulo’s Taxation Compliance will ensure that these benefits are extracted with the minimum tax liability. Also see our Financial Services page for other related information.

    Maturity / Exit Strategy

    The ultimate final aim of the majority of businesses is to sell.  The business may be sold to:

    • Competitors
    • The Management Team (MBO)
    • Family
    • Venture Capitalists

    It is important to ‘gear the business up’ for sale well in advance. Sedulo’s Financial Management service helps provide you with all the information necassary to guide the company in the right direction concentrating on increasing company value. The key to increasing value is to show ‘scalability’ of the business and there are different times when a business should sell.

    When potentially looking to dispose it is particularly important to look at things such as:

    • Improving Financial Performance in the build up
    • The Company Brand
    • Customer contracts
    • Key Employees
    • Strong supplier agreements
    • Value of sales day book/ recurring fee base/ client retention rate
    • Scalability

    Sedulo’s Corporate Finance service will aid on:

    • Production of sales pack
    • Creating a KPI history of the business
    • ‘Sounding out’ potential buyers
    • Company Due Diligence
    • Tax planning and re-investment of proceeds