Business Finance Explored
Central Hall, Wimborne, BH21 3LE
Thursday 10th December 2026 10:30AM
About the Workshop
Business Finance Explored
Understanding the numbers is an essential part of running a successful business — but you don't have to be an accountant to understand your business finances.
This two-hour, in-person workshop provides a practical introduction to the financial information, responsibilities and decisions that business owners need to understand. From cash flow and profit to tax, pricing and bookkeeping, the aim is to help you become more confident in understanding the financial side of your business.
Whether you are considering starting a business, are newly self-employed or are already running a small business, this workshop will help you understand the numbers that matter and recognise when you may need professional advice.
Suitable for
This workshop is particularly suitable for:
Understanding your business finances
By the end of the workshop, you should have:
Important information
This workshop provides general business and financial information for educational purposes only. It is not financial, investment, tax, accounting or legal advice, and Steve Utley is not a financial adviser.
Financial circumstances and responsibilities vary from business to business. Delegates should always check their individual circumstances with an appropriately qualified accountant, tax or financial professional, or directly with HMRC before making significant financial decisions or acting on information discussed during the workshop.
Who is leading the workshop?
The workshop is led by Steve Utley, a qualified business consultant with many years' experience supporting businesses across Dorset.
Steve has worked with Business Link, Dorset Growth Hub, the Digital Skills Hub and the Local Enterprise Partnership, and has delivered business workshops, drop-in advice and one-to-one support for both BCP Council and Dorset Council.
Steve also runs his own consultancy. You can find out more about his professional background and experience at steveutley.co.uk.
How much does it cost?
This workshop is fully funded by Grace Church as part of its community ministry. There is no charge to attend, although places must be booked in advance.
What if I am unable to attend?
Places are limited, so please let us know as soon as possible if you can no longer attend. This will allow us to offer your place to someone else.
Repeated non-attendance without prior notification may result in future workshop bookings being declined.
Instructions and materials
We will email joining instructions after bookings close, normally at around 4.00 pm on the day before the workshop.
Any workshop materials will be sent electronically in PDF format. Following the workshop, attendees will receive a copy of the presentation.
You will not need to print your ticket.
Access and refreshments
Doors will open at 10.00 am and refreshments will be available throughout the workshop.
Parking
There is limited parking at Central Hall. The venue is adjacent to a public car park accessed from Towers Way, behind the Co-op. A footpath leads from the end of the car park to Central Hall.
Additional on-road parking may be available in Central Avenue.
Assistance dogs and support animals
We welcome assistance dogs required by disabled people under the Equality Act 2010.
We regret that we are unable to accommodate emotional support animals at this time, but we would be happy to discuss individual requirements with you before the workshop.
Smoking and vaping
Smoking and vaping are not permitted inside Central Hall or within the immediate grounds.
Business Finance Explored
Understanding the numbers is an essential part of running a successful business — but you don't have to be an accountant to understand your business finances.
This two-hour, in-person workshop provides a practical introduction to the financial information, responsibilities and decisions that business owners need to understand. From cash flow and profit to tax, pricing and bookkeeping, the aim is to help you become more confident in understanding the financial side of your business.
Whether you are considering starting a business, are newly self-employed or are already running a small business, this workshop will help you understand the numbers that matter and recognise when you may need professional advice.
Suitable for
This workshop is particularly suitable for:
- Those considering starting a business
- People in the early stages of self-employment
- Sole traders and small business owners
- Directors and owners of limited companies
- Those who want to improve their understanding of business finances
- Business owners who want to understand what their accountant or bookkeeper is telling them
Understanding your business finances
- Understanding the key financial terms every business owner needs to know
- Turnover, gross profit and net profit
- Why a high turnover does not necessarily mean a profitable business
- Understanding the financial health of your business
- What cash flow is and why it matters
- Cash-flow forecasting
- Understanding the difference between profit and cash
- Managing the timing of income and expenditure
- What a Profit and Loss statement tells you
- How P&L works for sole traders and limited companies
- Understanding income, costs, gross profit and net profit
- Using your P&L to monitor business performance
- Setting realistic budgets
- Forecasting income and expenditure
- Comparing actual performance with expectations
- Income Tax
- National Insurance
- Corporation Tax
- VAT
- What HMRC expects from you
- Keeping appropriate financial records
- Drawings for sole traders
- Salaries for company directors
- Minimum-wage considerations
- Understanding the difference between taking money from the business and business expenditure
- Overview of expenses
- Setting prices rather than simply following competitors
- Understanding profit margins
- How costs affect profitability
- Making sure your pricing supports the business you want to build
- Business bank accounts
- Separating business and personal finances
- Bookkeeping
- Bookkeeping software
- How regularly should you review your finances?
- When you might need an accountant
- What an accountant can and can't do for you
- What to look for when choosing an accountant
- What information you should expect to provide
- Making Tax Digital and upcoming changes
- Where to find reliable information
- Understanding how your financial responsibilities may change as your business grows
By the end of the workshop, you should have:
- A better understanding of the key financial terms used in business
- Greater confidence in reading and understanding basic financial information
- A clearer understanding of cash flow and why it matters
- A better understanding of your tax and financial responsibilities
- Greater awareness of how pricing affects profitability
- Practical ideas for managing your business finances
- A clearer understanding of when professional financial or tax advice may be needed
Important information
This workshop provides general business and financial information for educational purposes only. It is not financial, investment, tax, accounting or legal advice, and Steve Utley is not a financial adviser.
Financial circumstances and responsibilities vary from business to business. Delegates should always check their individual circumstances with an appropriately qualified accountant, tax or financial professional, or directly with HMRC before making significant financial decisions or acting on information discussed during the workshop.
Who is leading the workshop?
The workshop is led by Steve Utley, a qualified business consultant with many years' experience supporting businesses across Dorset.
Steve has worked with Business Link, Dorset Growth Hub, the Digital Skills Hub and the Local Enterprise Partnership, and has delivered business workshops, drop-in advice and one-to-one support for both BCP Council and Dorset Council.
Steve also runs his own consultancy. You can find out more about his professional background and experience at steveutley.co.uk.
How much does it cost?
This workshop is fully funded by Grace Church as part of its community ministry. There is no charge to attend, although places must be booked in advance.
What if I am unable to attend?
Places are limited, so please let us know as soon as possible if you can no longer attend. This will allow us to offer your place to someone else.
Repeated non-attendance without prior notification may result in future workshop bookings being declined.
Instructions and materials
We will email joining instructions after bookings close, normally at around 4.00 pm on the day before the workshop.
Any workshop materials will be sent electronically in PDF format. Following the workshop, attendees will receive a copy of the presentation.
You will not need to print your ticket.
Access and refreshments
Doors will open at 10.00 am and refreshments will be available throughout the workshop.
Parking
There is limited parking at Central Hall. The venue is adjacent to a public car park accessed from Towers Way, behind the Co-op. A footpath leads from the end of the car park to Central Hall.
Additional on-road parking may be available in Central Avenue.
Assistance dogs and support animals
We welcome assistance dogs required by disabled people under the Equality Act 2010.
We regret that we are unable to accommodate emotional support animals at this time, but we would be happy to discuss individual requirements with you before the workshop.
Smoking and vaping
Smoking and vaping are not permitted inside Central Hall or within the immediate grounds.
Event Details
Doors Open at 10:00AM
From 10:30AM to 12:30PM
