The Small Business Desk
The Small Business Desk is a shared byline, not a person. It covers accounting, payroll, business accounts and expense cards. Pages are researched and drafted with AI assistance from providers’ own published documents, and a person checks each one before it is published. Named credentialed review is being arranged and will be shown on each page once in place.
Pages from this desk
Best accounting software for small businesses in the UK (2026)
Four apps compared on what they cost a UK sole trader, partnership or limited company, including extra users and Making Tax Digital support.
US comparisonBest accounting software for small businesses in the US (2026)
Five apps compared on what they cost at your team size: subscription, extra logins, and the fee on every invoice a client pays online.
UK comparison
Best business bank accounts for sole traders and small firms in the UK (2026)
Four UK business accounts compared on monthly fees, transfer and cash charges, and whether your money is a protected bank deposit.
US comparisonBest business bank accounts for small businesses in the US (2026)
Six business checking accounts compared on monthly fees, wire and cash charges, and which FDIC-insured bank actually holds the money.
UK comparison
Best expense cards for small businesses in the UK (2026)
Four UK expense card platforms compared on per-user and platform pricing, card FX fees and who issues the cards.
US comparisonBest expense cards for small businesses in the US (2026)
Five expense card platforms compared on per-user pricing, foreign exchange fees and published cashback, for a five-person team.
UK comparison
Best payroll software for small businesses in the UK (2026)
Six UK payroll options compared on what five employees cost a month, from HMRC's free software to cloud payroll priced per payslip.
US comparisonBest payroll software for small businesses in the US (2026)
Four full-service payroll services compared on what five employees cost a month, with the base fee and per-person fee separated out.
Guide · US & UKCharge, credit, debit and prepaid expense cards: how they differ
The four kinds of company card behind expense platforms, and what each means for repayment, interest, limits, liability and who holds your money.
Guide · US & UKFDIC vs FSCS: what protects a business account, and what e-money and fintech accounts lack
How deposit protection works for business accounts in the US and UK, how the limits are counted, and what changes when a fintech, partner bank or e-money institution sits in the middle.
Guide · US & UKHow invoice payment fees work: card, ACH, bank transfer and direct debit
When a client pays through an invoice link, you receive less than the invoice total. Here is what each payment method costs, how to estimate it per month, and the rules on surcharges and late payment.
Guide · US & UKWhat an employee really costs: US payroll taxes vs UK employer National Insurance
The salary is only the visible part. Here are the employer taxes, minimum pay rules and statutory costs on top of it in the US and UK, with worked examples.