Greetings Friends of Oury Clark,

Running your own business is rewarding, but managing the finances can be time-consuming. For many sole traders, time is their most valuable asset. When you’re busy winning work, serving clients and keeping your business moving, there is often little time left to navigate tax legislation, challenge unfair decisions, or stay on top of ever-changing compliance requirements.

That’s where Oury Clark steps in. We stand up for sole traders when they don’t have the time to, providing proactive advice, dealing with HMRC on your behalf and giving you the confidence that your interests are being looked after.

From bookkeeping and Self-Assessment tax returns to Making Tax Digital compliance, VAT advice and business planning, our experts provide practical support tailored to your needs. As your business grows, we can also help with legal matters, wealth planning, and the transition to a limited company, giving you access to joined-up advice all under one roof.

If you would like to discuss any aspect of your business, finances or future plans, please get in touch with your usual Oury Clark contact.

Sole Traders Can Ignore FRS 102… Or Can They? Here’s Why it’s Still Relevant.

For accounting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2026, major updates to UK accounting standards (FRS 102) came into force for many limited companies. While sole traders won’t generally be caught by these specific rules, the direction of travel is clear: more focus on when income is earned, greater transparency around financial commitments, and more detailed reporting.

What does that mean for entrepreneurs? Keeping accurate records, understanding when to recognise income, and having a clear picture of your business obligations are becoming more important than ever.

Whether you’re planning to incorporate, seeking finance, or simply looking to grow, good financial management today can save headaches tomorrow. The businesses that prepare early stay in control.

If you’d like to understand what these wider changes could mean for your business and make sure your finances are future-ready, get in touch.

Benefits That UK Self-Employed Professionals Often Overlook

Going self-employed in the UK offers greater flexibility and independence, but it can also mean leaving behind a range of valuable workplace benefits that many employees take for granted. While salary is often the focus, employer pension contributions, sick pay, life cover and private medical insurance can add significant value to an employment package.

For self-employed individuals, protecting income should be a priority. Unlike employees, there is no Statutory Sick Pay safety net if illness or injury prevents you from working. Income protection insurance can help replace lost earnings and provide financial stability while you recover, protecting everything from household bills to pension contributions.

Private healthcare insurance is another area worth considering. Long NHS waiting times can affect productivity and business continuity, making quick access to medical treatment a priority for many business owners.

Retirement planning also requires a proactive approach. Without access to a company pension and employer contributions, it’s essential to regularly review pension savings and take advantage of available tax reliefs.

Finally, being self-employed does not mean mortgages are out of reach. Many lenders actively support self-employed applicants, provided the right financial information is available.

The key question is simple: if you couldn’t work tomorrow, what financial support would you have in place? Start a conversation with a professional adviser to identify gaps in your financial safety net.

BWB Sole Trader Podcast – Giulio Miglietta

In our latest Business Without BS podcast, Andy Oury and Jemma Hotta sit down with embroiderer, designer and long-time Oury Clark collaborator Giulio Miglietta to explore the realities of life as a sole trader. Listen now to hear Giulio’s journey of resilience, independence and entrepreneurship.

Coming Soon: The Sole Traders Anthem

The Rebel Accountant returns with a fresh tax-rap reimagining of DMX’s Ruff Ryder’s Anthem. Covering cash flow pressures and late payments to tax compliance and the absence of a traditional safety net, The Sole Traders Anthem gives a voice to the millions of sole traders who keep the UK economy ticking. Keep an eye out, The Sole Traders Anthem drops on 11 September 2026.

Upcoming Trips

Get in touch to have a chat with our team now as they visit! If you are considering international expansion to/from any of these areas, contact us to start your business growth journey:

• Australia – 2nd – 12th September 2026 (Ross Meadows & Paul Webster)
  • Including Melbourne, Sydney & Brisbane.

• Canada – 14th – 18th September 2026 (Emma Florentin-Lee & Olivia French)
  • Including Quebec, Montreal & Toronto.

• USA & Canada – 19th – 25th September 2026 (Amy Enslin & Simon Walsh)
  • Including Victoria, BC, Vancouver, BC & San Francisco.

Find us on LinkedIn to keep up to date with our travels and any upcoming events.

As usual, if we can help with the above, or anything else, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Until next time…