ADVISORY.
We’ve been ‘doing advisory’ since 1980, but now we’ve put a label on it.

ARCHITECT YOUR FUTURE
Our mission at it’s core is to help our clients to become the architects of their own future, but what does that mean exactly? Well, an architect is someone who takes a vision or a thought and turns it into a reality, and that’s what we aim to do for our clients.
Did you know that 50-60% of small businesses fail within the first 5 years? And that 70-90% fail within 10? Research has shown that the core reasons businesses fail include the following:
- Business is complex
- Lack of cash and access to funding
- Unreliable financial data
- Poor understanding of numbers
- No clear planning
Our bespoke advisory service aims to tackle those core 5 problems and many more, so that you can focus on your bigger picture goals.
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DISCOVER YOUR VISION
Before you started your business, you had a dream for what you wanted it to look like and how you envisioned your life because of the success of realising that dream. Over time, business owners start to forget the vision and get lost in the day-to-day running of the business. Our first port of call is to help you rediscover your vision and use it to build the roadmap to the future.
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CREATE A PLAN
The road map is essential for turning your vision into a realistic plan. Designing a plan tends to be one of the hardest parts of the process. Why? Because to create the plan you need to find a way to ensure your dream gets accomplished, despite all the hurdles that are in the way, for example – sales, cash flow, team management, etc. At this stage, our job is to design a plan that will get you from where you are to where you want to be, whilst actively working with you to overcome all obstacles or setbacks in order to see the vision through.
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MAKE IT HAPPEN
Plans always seem good in theory, however the main reason people don’t realise their vision is failure to implement (F.T.I). Often, we know what to do and how to do it, we just don’t do it. This final phase is all about ensuring that you keep the momentum you need in order to stick to the plan and realise your vision. When you have a clear vision, a kick-ass plan and a proven method in how to make it happen, you will become the architect of your future.
OUR ADVISORY SERVICES
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Cashflow Forecasting
It’s time for business owners to be confident about their numbers. We will create a cashflow forecast for you so that you can gain a deeper understanding of your finances and treat the underlying causes of poor cashflow.
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Organisational Review
Do you ever wonder how your business would cope without you? An organisational review is your opportunity to define clear roles and responsibilities in your business to ensure the right people are in the right seats. If you or any of your employees are wearing too many hats, this is essential to ensure your business is running in the most efficient way possible.
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Strategic Business Planning
An effective business planning process gets to the heart and soul of what you do and why you do it, and sets out a clear roadmap for the future. Following a complimentary Deep Dive session, we will work with you to produce a business plan that will act as a guide for you to successfully implement your desired changes. Find out more
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KPI Improvement Coaching
You should be able to understand the key drivers in your business, whether that is your conversion rate or your gross profit margin, we want you to learn how to measure them and more importantly, improve them.
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Core Values Development
Our core values are clear, we live by them every day and they drive all of our big decisions. In our Core Values development sessions, we will work with you to brainstorm your important values, refine them, and plan how to integrate them into your company culture.
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Tax Planning
As a business owner, it's wise to make use of tax planning strategies, be compliant and don’t pay any more tax than you need to. We have a highly experienced team (including an ex HMRC Tax Inspector) who will help you identify opportunities to reduce your tax bill and make your business more profitable. Ultimately, our job is to ensure that you reap the rewards of your hard work whilst still being compliant, our talented team of tax advisors will help you do just that.
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Exit Planning
Exit planning allows you to transition your business to new ownership in a managed and systematic way. Whether you want to sell, pass on to a family member or just simply take a step back – taking time to plan now will benefit all involved.
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Systems Review
As businesses grow they often become overburdened and inefficient processes tend to creep in. To ensure you are running the most efficient business possible we will review all of your processes and suggest improvements to make them more effective.
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Marketing Planning
Following a half day strategic session, our team of marketing specialists will help you to develop an integrated marketing strategy that will be designed with your business goals in mind. We can help with anything from the ideas to the implementation, ensuring that you stand out in the market and stay accountable to the plan.
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Monthly and Quarterly Coaching
We will provide you with the accountability and support to keep you on track in becoming the architect of your future. Whatever actions we set for you to enable you to achieve your goals, regular coaching is essential in ensuring you don't get sucked into the little things and forget to take action.
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Virtual Finance Director
Gain access to all of the financial services you need without the cost of a full-time employee. We can even be present at your board meetings, set the agenda and achieve your action plan.
HOW WE WORK:
Architecting your future should be a simple and flexible process.
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Book a complimentary Deep Dive Meeting (DDM) with one of our advisors so that we can deep dive into who you are, what you do and why you do it.
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Following the DDM, our expert team will transfer your needs into a realistic plan that will launch you towards realising your vision.
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Our success is yours after all, that’s why we hold you accountable to action the plan we put in place, and work with you to continue to shape it for success.
ADVISORY HELP SHEETS
- Retirement Planning For Business Owners
- Maximising The Profit In Your Business
- One Page Business PlanDesigned to help you plan for the future.
- How to sell your business and get maximum valueIf your exit strategy is to sell your business, early planning is vital to ensure you obtain the maximum value.
- Business Tax Planning Strategies
- Personal Tax Planning Strategies
- 6 Stages Of Strategic Planning
- The Business Hireachy Of Needs
- The Business Crisis Trend
- Top ten tips for a healthy cash flowHere's our top ten tips to keep your cash flow healthy.
- Recipe for disaster - why most businesses fail.
- Top ten tips for writing a business planBusiness plans are the backbone of any business. To help you make your business plan as effective as possible, here are our top 10 tips.
YOUR ADVISORY CHAMPIONS
Our dedicated in-house advisors are just waiting for you to pick their brains.

Lee has been at Raffingers since he was a boy in short trousers. His passion is helping clients succeed, grow and be cash rich. One of a few Profit First Certified Professionals in the UK that can really make a positive difference to owner managed businesses and he loves to investigate new technology to see how it can improve the efficiencies within businesses. He specialises in helping recruitment companies from start ups to multi office agencies and is not camera shy being our inhouse webinar guru.

Paul qualified in 1990 and took over the firm of Alexander Ash & Co in 1997. Alexander Ash & Co merged with Raffingers in September 2014. Over the years, Paul has had extensive experience in the SME sector, advising business owners on all aspects of their business needs and personal wealth management. Paul deals with a range of clients across a variety of sectors, varying from small to large groups

Mehul qualified at a large practice and spent a number of years providing audit, accountancy and tax services to SMEs, professional practices and owner managed businesses.
Mehul enjoys working closely with clients to understand their business beyond the financials to help with corporate finance, strategic business planning, cashflow management and profit improvement to better business performance and financial results.
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Ashlee has worked for international brands and for early-stage startups, and is now heading up the marketing division here at Raffingers. Having spent the duration of her career embraced in creating cutting-edge marketing strategies within a range of sectors, Ashlee also offers strategic marketing advice to Raffingers clients, helping them to generate leads and retain customers.
Ashlee believes strongly in the power of brand and how it helps to build long lasting connections with customers and ultimately, fuels commercial growth.
WHAT THEY SAID:
We talk the talk and walk the walk.
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Having Lee as our Virtual Finance Director has been amazing. I now have access to all of the financial services I need, but without the cost of a full time employee. I feel a lot more confident knowing that Lee is by my side; he has completely transformed our business, supporting us with our strategy and helping us to define both our business and personal goals.
David Groom, Director at Leaseright Vehicle Contracts Limited -
Thank you again for all your advice and support over the last 12 months, it has been a hell of a year and turn around for me, without your advice and guidance I would not be in this very positive position, both in my personal life, work and business.
Michael Bowden, Director at Eyecloud Limited -
From a strategic perspective, we have found it invaluable having, not only the day to day support of Raffingers Stuart, but also access to their expertise and advice in helping plan our future growth most effectively.
Katie Grant, CEO at Jigsaw Trust -
Ashlee opened my eyes to some of the mistakes I was making in marketing and swiftly put me on the right track, whilst always being mindful of budgetary constraints.
Richard Haruni, Haruni Fine Jewels
THE RAFFINGERS HUB
We love to talk business and will continue to share with you our business advice and tax planning strategies, helping you to get the most out of your business and your personal finances.
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From Accountants to Accountancy Partner
I have always personally liked to think we are the client’s unofficial business partner. It’s who we are – always on their side, always willing to help and always willing to go that extra mile to bring our skills and experience to bear on a problem.
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Re-Emergence of Restaurants and Bars
It’s not breaking news that our high streets are in trouble. With major players already closed, and others not looking like they will reopen anytime soon, combined with an online delivery explosion, it is consequently changing the way we shop.
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How Will A Quick Response Rate Improve Customer Loyalty?
It’s an often-quoted fact that it is far more expensive to win a new customer than it is to retain an existing one. I’ve heard it said that it is anywhere from 5-10 times more costly which we can assume means that no one really knows!
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Should I Be Using An Unlimited Company?
It was recently reported that a company which received a government contract to procure PPE (personal protective equipment) for the NHS had changed its status from being a limited company to become an unlimited company. But what does that mean?

JOIN THE RAFFINGERS TRIBE
Tired of searching endlessly for blogs, books and emails that you hope will help you solve your business problems? Don’t worry, we’ve got your entire business journey covered. From how to secure funding and manage cashflow, right through to succession planning and everything in between. Sound good? Join the Raffingers Tribe to gain access to an ever-growing library including:
- Exclusive tribe events
- Live webinars with incredible guest speakers
- Free downloads, workbooks and cheat-sheets
- A variety of articles covering all things business
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