We’re halfway through 2025 already — and if you’re running a business, now’s the perfect time to pause, check in, and get your finances fighting fit for the second half of the year.
A proper mid-year review isn’t just a box-ticking exercise.
It’s your chance to:
- Spot problems early
- Plan smarter for the next six months
- Set your business up for a strong finish to 2025
Here’s a simple, no-faff guide to what you should be looking at.
1. Check Your Cashflow
Cash is still king , and it’s no good waiting until November to find out you’re tight.
Take a proper look at:
- Your current cash balance
- Big expenses due in the next 6 months (VAT, Corporation Tax, staff bonuses, supplier bills)
- Expected income from customers (and when it’s actually landing)
If you spot gaps now, you’ve got time to make a plan — whether that’s chasing overdue invoices, tweaking payment terms, or cutting non-essential spending.
2. Review Your Payroll and Staffing Costs
With Employer NI increases and rising wage costs, your staffing bill could be growing faster than you think.
Now’s the time to:
- Reforecast your payroll costs based on real figures
- Check if you’re claiming the £10,500 Employment Allowance
- Review whether your staffing structure still makes sense
Small changes now (like adjusting hours, streamlining teams, or outsourcing certain tasks) could save you a fortune over the next six months.
3. Check Your Tax Position
Are you heading for a bigger tax bill than you expected?
Or are there savings you could still lock in this year?
Now’s a great time to:
- Make sure you’re claiming all allowable expenses
- Review your capital allowances (especially if you’ve bought equipment recently)
- Look at pension contributions or charitable donations to reduce your tax exposure
A good accountant (hello! 👋) can help you plan smart moves now — while you’ve still got time to make a difference.
4. Tidy Up Your Debtors and Creditors
Got old invoices still hanging around?
Slow-paying customers eating into your cashflow?
Spring clean your sales ledger:
- Chase any overdue invoices
- Write off bad debts where necessary (and claim the tax relief)
- Tighten up credit control for the rest of the year
It’s easier to stay cash positive when you’re not carrying loads of unpaid bills into the second half of the year.
5. Revisit Your Business Goals
Remember those big plans you made in January?
Now’s the time to check:
- Are you on track to hit your targets?
- Are your sales and profits where you expected them to be?
- Has anything changed in the market that you need to react to?
A mid-year reset can be incredibly motivating — especially when you see how much you’ve already achieved (or spot what needs tweaking to smash your goals).
Final Word: Small Tweaks Now = Big Wins Later
You don’t need a full audit to do a mid-year finance review — just a bit of honest reflection and a plan for the road ahead.
At Accounts Direct, we help businesses across Manchester and beyond: ✅ Get control of their numbers
✅ Plan for growth
✅ Stay on top of cash, tax and payroll — without the faff
Need a hand getting your finances back in fighting shape?
Give us a ring today — we’ll have a brew, a proper look at your figures, and a plan ready in no time.