Boost Profitability & Take Control of Your Finances
Discover how to optimise cash flow, reduce costs, and unlock tax savings in your manufacturing business. This blog translates complex financial topics into actionable strategies, giving business owners or leaders the tools to strengthen their bottom line and grow sustainably.
What Financial Planning Should a Family-Run Manufacturing Business Undertake to Ensure Legacy and Succession?
A Story That Feels Familiar Across the UK, there are family-run manufacturing businesses built by determination and grit.A founder starts with one machine, one customer, one goal to build something lasting. Their loyalty runs deep: the same accountant who helped set...
How to Create an Accurate Cash Flow Forecast for a Manufacturing Business
Avoid These Common Cash Flow Mistakes Manufacturers Make Cash keeps any business alive. Without it, even the most profitable manufacturing business can stop overnight. You can have full factory, strong margins, and great customers but if your cash is tied up in stock,...
How to Build a Production Budget That Works
Why Most Production Budgets Fail in Manufacturing and How to Fix It In manufacturing, numbers tell a story.A story about efficiency, planning, and control.But for many factories, that story is missing a key chapter. The one that connects production performance with...
How to Prepare a Family Manufacturing Business for Succession
Why Succession Planning Matters for Family Manufacturers Running a family manufacturing business is more than earning a living.It’s building a legacy. You’ve invested years, made sacrifices, and turned effort into something real. A factory that produces quality,...
How to Calculate the Cost of Machine Downtime in Manufacturing
The Real Financial Impact When a machine stops, profit stops.It’s that simple. In manufacturing, every minute of downtime eats into your margins. And many businesses still don’t know how much those stoppages really cost them. You might track hours lost, but do you...
How to Calculate Product Cost in Manufacturing
How to Work Out the True Cost of Manufacturing a Product Why Knowing Your Product Cost is the Key to Profitability In manufacturing, profit isn’t made on sales figures. It’s made in the details of how you calculate your product cost. Many factories think steady orders...
How to Improve Profit Margin in Manufacturing and What Is a Good Profit Margin in Manufacturing
10 Proven Ways to Increase Profit Margins in Manufacturing Every manufacturer wants to make more profit, but not every business knows where to start. Rising material costs, energy bills, and wages make it harder each year to keep margins healthy. Improving profit...
5 Financial KPIs Every Manufacturing Business Should Track
Make Smarter Decisions by Tracking the Right KPIs If you run a manufacturing business, you’ve got a lot to think about like machines, materials, orders, staff, and deadlines. But one thing that can’t be left behind is your finance data. Knowing your numbers helps you...
What Does a Virtual CFO Do for Manufacturing Businesses?
FD & CFO‑Level Advice, Without the Full-Time Price Tag Running a manufacturing business isn’t easy. Between managing staff, equipment, suppliers, and customers, the last thing you need is confusing finances. That’s where a Virtual CFO comes in. But what exactly...
Why Manufacturing Businesses Are Ditching the In-House Accountant for a Virtual Finance Office
Why the Traditional In-House Accountant Model No Longer Works Running a manufacturing or engineering business is complex from supply chain logistics to managing rising costs. But there’s one department that too often holds companies back from profitable growth:...
How Manufacturers Can Increase Revenue Without Price Rises or Cutting Costs
Why Manufacturing Growth Doesn’t Happen by Accident Growth never happens by accident.Costs rise, markets shift, and competitors fight hard for every order. So how do some manufacturers manage to increase revenue year after year, even when demand is unpredictable? The...
How High Capital-Intensive Industries Achieve Strong Returns on Investment
Why High Capital Industries Struggle with Profitability (and How to Fix It) In industries such as manufacturing where machinery, plant, infrastructure, and equipment dominate the cost base making a strong return on investment is both an art and a science. “High...
Management Accounts Reporting For Manufacturing Firms
Management Accounting and Reporting in UK Manufacturing Running a manufacturing business while understanding the numbers behind it is never easy. Manufacturing is a complex operation, and translating processes into financial insight is what truly makes this business...
Tax Planning for Manufacturing Firms: How to Save on Tax
How Can Manufacturing Firms Save on Tax in the UK? Manufacturing firms have unique tax responsibilities that require careful attention. From VAT rules to corporation tax, staying on top of your obligations can make a real difference to your cash flow and...
Cost Saving Techniques in Electronics Manufacturing
Electronics Manufacturing Cost Reduction: Tips, Techniques and Financial Insights Electronics manufacturing isn’t just about good design or efficient machines. It’s also about managing money well. Financial management ensures that spending, investing, and planning...
Do I Have to Pay Tax on Savings And Why?
Why Savings Can Be Taxed? Many people think the money in their bank or savings account is safe from tax. But in the UK, interest earned on savings is treated as income. This means it may count towards your total taxable income and could be taxed depending on your...
10 Common Manufacturing Accounting Issues (and How To Fix Them)
Why Manufacturing Accounting is Different Accounting in a factory is very different from normal business accounting. Factories have to manage raw materials, labour, machinery, overheads, and taxes, all while making sure every product is profitable. Small mistakes can...
What is Factory Accounting and How to Manage Factory Accounts
Factory Overheads & Accounts: A Guide for Manufacturers to Save Costs Running a factory is not only about making products. It is also about managing money carefully. Factory accounting is the way a factory keeps track of all the money that goes in and out, from...
How to Avoid Paying 40% Tax if You’re Self-Employed in the UK
Legal Ways to Avoid Paying 40% Tax When You’re Self-Employed Why Self-Employed People Pay 40% Tax If you’re self-employed in the UK, you pay tax on your profits. The rates are: 20% (basic rate) on income up to £50,270 40% (higher rate) on income between £50,271 and...
Is It Better to Have a Limited Company or Sole Trader – Which Is Best?
Sole Trader vs Limited Company: Tax, MTD IT, and Business Growth Understanding the Basics If you’re starting a business in the UK, one of the first choices is whether to be a sole trader (self-employed) or set up a limited company. A sole trader is simple: you work...
How to Calculate Cost Per Install and Boost Profits for Installation Businesses
Cost Per Install Explained: A Guide for Installation Businesses Why Knowing Your Cost Per Install Matters For installation businesses whether you specialise in fire alarms, electronics, or general installations understanding the cost per install is critical. It allows...
What Is Corporation Tax and How Can I Reduce or Avoid Paying It?
Why Corporation Tax Matters Corporation tax is a tax that UK limited companies pay on their profits. If your business makes money, HMRC expects a portion of that profit as tax. Currently, the main rate is 25%, but smaller companies with lower profits may pay less....
Limited Company Accounts and Directors’ Responsibilities: What You Need to Know
Why Limited Company Accounts Matter When you run a limited company in the UK, you’re required by law to keep proper financial records and file company accounts. These accounts aren’t just paperwork, they’re an official record of your company’s performance and...
What Is Accounting and Financial Management? A Simple Guide for Business Leaders
Why Understanding Accounting and Financial Management Matters Running a business is exciting, but it also comes with challenges. Many owners focus only on sales and growth, but without financial control, profits can quickly disappear. To build a business that lasts,...
How Can Production Efficiency Be Improved?
Tips to Improve Manufacturing Efficiency with Machines Every manufacturing business wants the same thing. To make more with less. To reduce waste. To improve profit. This is what production efficiency is all about. When a factory runs well, machines and people work in...
How to Solve Cash Flow Problems in Manufacturing and Engineering
Cash Flow Problems in Manufacturing & Engineering – How to Fix Them Cash flow is the lifeblood of any business. In manufacturing and engineering, it can feel like money leaves faster than it comes in. Raw materials, wages, and machinery costs all add up. If cash...
What is Manufacturing Accounting? A Practical Guide to Costing, Pricing, and Profit Growth
Manufacturing Accounting Explained: How to Get Your Costs Right and Profits Growing What is Manufacturing Accounting and How to Do It? Running a manufacturing business isn’t just about making products. It’s about making them profitably. That’s where manufacturing...
How Does Payroll Work in the UK? A Simple Guide for Business Owners
UK payroll explained Running a business in the UK comes with many responsibilities, and payroll is one of the most important. If you employ staff, understanding payroll is not just about paying people on time, it’s about staying compliant, avoiding penalties, and...
How to Calculate VAT: A Simple Guide for UK Businesses
What is VAT and How Does it Work? If you run a business in the UK, VAT (Value Added Tax) is something you’ll need to understand. Whether you’re new to business or looking to get a clearer handle on your finances, knowing how to calculate VAT is essential. This guide...
What is Manufacturing Accounting? A Simple Guide for UK Manufacturers
How Manufacturing Accounting Differs from Standard Accounting Discover what manufacturing accounting is, why it matters, and how it helps UK manufacturers improve costing, cash flow, and profitability. Running a manufacturing business is no easy task. From managing...
What is Cost Control in Manufacturing?
Discover what cost control in manufacturing really means. Learn how to reduce waste, improve efficiency, and protect profit margins without cutting corners. Running a manufacturing business means juggling rising material prices, energy costs, labour shortages, and...
Maximising Profit and Cash With Effective Working Capital Management
In the manufacturing industry, cash tied up in current assets, such as inventory and accounts receivable, can hinder your growth. This article explores proven strategies to optimise your working capital, enhancing your cash flow and ultimately maximising profit. By...
The Number #1 Reason Businesses Fail (And How You Can Avoid It)
Starting a business is exciting. You have a great idea, a passion for what you do, and the drive to make it succeed. But the reality is, most businesses don’t last as long as their founders hope. Research shows that a large number of businesses fail within the first...
Do I Need a Finance Person? Why Manufacturing Leaders Shouldn’t Skip This Role
Running a manufacturing or engineering business is complex. With multiple production lines, raw materials to track, and tight deadlines to hit, finances can quickly become overwhelming. You may be asking yourself: do I need a finance person? The short answer: yes and...
Spotting an Overpayment on National Insurance
Spotting an Overpayment on National Insurance: How to Ensure You’re Not Paying More Than You Should As a business owner or employee in the UK, keeping your finances in check is essential. One area that can often be overlooked is National Insurance (NI) contributions....
Do You Still Need a Bookkeeper?
Do You Still Need a Bookkeeper? Why Manufacturing Businesses Shouldn’t Overlook This Role In today’s fast-paced manufacturing world, businesses are embracing automation, cloud accounting, and AI-driven finance tools. With these advancements, you might be wondering: do...
What Else Can I Put Through the Business?
What Else Can I Put Through the Business? A Guide for Manufacturers to Maximise Tax-Efficient Spending Running a manufacturing business comes with constant decisions about investment, operational efficiency, and cash flow. One question that often comes up is: “What...
How to File a Self Assessment Tax Return in the UK (Step-by-Step Guide)
If you’re self-employed (sole trader), a company director, or earn income outside of PAYE, you’ll probably need to file a Self Assessment tax return. But the process can feel confusing, and with strict HMRC deadlines, mistakes can be costly. In this guide, I’ll walk...
Accounting vs Bookkeeping: What’s the Difference?
When running a business, one of the biggest financial questions is: do I need an accountant, a bookkeeper, or both? Many people use the terms interchangeably, but while they’re closely linked, they play very different roles. Understanding the difference between...
How To Calculate Manufacturing Profit – A Practical Guide For UK Manufacturing Firms
IntroductionCalculating manufacturing profit is essential for pricing, cashflow and long-term growth. Whether you run a small engineering shop or a midsize factory, understanding the manufacturing profit calculation helps you see where costs bite and where you can...
Sole Traders and Making Tax Digital (MTD): What You Need to Know
Making Tax Digital (MTD) is transforming the way businesses and individuals manage their tax affairs in the UK. If you're a sole trader, understanding your MTD obligations is critical to staying compliant and avoiding penalties. This guide breaks down everything you...
VAT Flat Rate Scheme Explained: A Simpler Way to Handle VAT for Small Businesses in the UK
Simplify your VAT with the Flat Rate Scheme. Learn how UK small businesses can save time and improve cash flow with fixed-rate VAT. Read the full guide. If you're a small business owner in the UK, managing VAT can feel like a burden. The good is HMRC offers a...
UK Employment Law Changes 2025–2027 | What to Expect | What Employers Must Know and How to Prepare Financially
Significant UK employment law changes are set to come into force between autumn 2025 and 2027. Whether you're a business owner, HR professional, or financial decision-maker, these changes will affect compliance, payroll, workforce management, and your bottom line....
Where Standard Costing Works And Where It Needs Support | Manufacturing Finance Insights
When Standard Costing Works Best When It Needs Support How to Strengthen Your Standard Costing Approach Frequently Asked Questions Final Thoughts Standard costing is a widely adopted costing method in manufacturing and for good reason. In high-volume, stable...
How to Make Money in Manufacturing: The Untold Truth Most Leaders Miss
In the world of manufacturing, the secret to profitability isn’t just about producing more.It’s about how you manage your capital and surprisingly, many manufacturing businesses are losing money without even realising it. Whether you’ve inherited a factory, acquired a...
What is Outsourced Finance and Why It’s a Smart Move for Small Manufacturing Businesses
Small manufacturing businesses often run into a familiar challenge: the need for professional financial management without the budget for a full-time finance team. This is where outsourced finance steps in as a cost-effective and strategic solution. Whether you're...
Consistent Manufacturing Issues: Causes, Costs, and How to Fix Them
Consistent manufacturing issues are one of the biggest silent killers of productivity and profit in the manufacturing industry. They show up daily in downtime, rework, material shortages, or delays and are often treated as part of the job. These recurring problems...
Financial Management in Manufacturing: What Concepts Are Critical to Know?
In manufacturing, numbers matter just as much as machines. Financial management isn’t just a back-office function, it’s a critical part of decision-making on the factory floor. Whether you're running a high-volume operation or a specialised production line,...
Smart Tax Savings for UK Manufacturers: What Your Factory Might Be Missing
Tax savings for manufacturers UK, R&D tax credits, capital allowances, manufacturing tax relief, UK manufacturing limited company tax strategy, factory profitability, tax planning for SMEs. For many UK manufacturing business owners, tax planning is often reactive,...
Production Budgeting in Manufacturing: The Hidden Power Behind Profitability
Production Budgeting in Manufacturing: The Hidden Power Behind Profitability In the world of manufacturing, success doesn’t just come from machines running fast or teams working hard. It comes from knowing with precision what’s possible, what’s affordable, and...
About the Author
Yesim Tilley, ACMA, CGMA
Financial Manufacturing Strategist
Yesim Tilley is a financial manufacturing strategist and founder of Skynet Accounting, helping businesses gain clarity, control, and confidence in their numbers.
With over 15 years of experience across manufacturing, aviation, and energy, she has transformed financial operations, optimised cash flow, and driven sustainable growth for countless organisations.
Her passion for finance started early, tracking currency exchange rates at just eight years old. Today, she combines financial expertise with real-world business insights, guiding entrepreneurs to make informed, profitable decisions.
Ready to Turn your Numbers into Strategy?
You don’t need another report. You need real answers to real business challenges.
I work with manufacturers who are ready to take control of their cash flow, pricing, and production strategy — and build a business that runs smoother, scales faster, and earns more.