Advisory & Business Strategy

Introduction - Financial Controllers Fail Without Authority Small and medium‑sized construction and engineering firms often view the financial controller as an accounting workhorse. Yet controllers are not magicians; they need authority, information and support to succeed. When business owners delegate  responsibility  without equivalent authority, they set the controller up for failure. In a £5 million construction firm, a controller might be expected to reconcile accounts,

Introduction - Building Internal Controls For construction and engineering SMEs, internal controls can feel like bureaucratic red tape. Business owners fear that adding checks and approvals will slow down projects. However, robust controls are like an immune system for your business. They detect errors, prevent fraud and build stakeholder confidence . This blog explains how to implement controls that protect assets without creating bottlenecks. Are Impactful Implementations D

Introduction - Fractional Controller vs Fractional Finance Director As a growing construction or engineering business, you may hear terms like  fractional controller ,  fractional finance director (FD)  or  fractional CFO  used interchangeably. Understanding the difference is crucial for making the right hiring decision. This blog compares the two roles, explains the business needs that drive each, and offers guidance on when an FC alone is enough. What Tasks and Business Nee

Introduction - What is a Fractional Controller Construction and engineering SMEs often juggle rapid growth with complex projects, making financial oversight both critical and challenging. Owners frequently assume that sophisticated finance roles are only for large corporations, leaving them without the strategic insight they need. This blog explains what a  fractional controller (FC)  is, why it matters for small but growing firms, and how to evaluate whether your business sh

Introduction - Automation in Construction: Threat or Opportunity? Automation is becoming a major talking point across the construction and engineering sector. From CRM systems to job management apps and digital timesheets, more businesses are trying to use technology to “save time and improve accuracy.” But here’s the real question:  is automation actually helping your business, or is it slowing your team down? Many SMEs rush into software adoption expecting instant efficienc

Introduction - Price Sales Commission Correctly for Contract Wins Getting sales commission right is more than choosing a percentage. For construction and engineering SMEs, where contracts vary in length, complexity, margin and lifetime value, poorly calculated commission can wipe out profit before the job even starts.In this blog, we break down how to price sales commission correctly, how to calculate customer lifetime value, and which KPIs protect your margins. This is esse

Introduction If you run a construction or engineering business, you’ve probably invested in a CRM, job management system or project platform to “save time.” But here’s the truth:  if your operating systems don’t align with your finance function, they create more problems than they solve .Instead of saving time, your accountant ends up manually re-entering data, fixing errors, and trying to reconcile systems that don’t speak the same language. This blog explains why CRM, accou

Introduction In fast-growing construction and engineering businesses, the biggest financial problems often have nothing to do with invoices, cashflow or project overruns. They come from something far simpler:  people sitting in the wrong roles . Whether it’s a site manager trying to run procurement, an office manager forced into bookkeeping, or a supervisor covering commercial tasks, one misaligned role can create bottlenecks, low morale, slow problem-solving, and weak leader

After years of building your construction or engineering business, there may come a point where you decide to  step back, sell up, or hand over the reins . Whether you’re planning a full exit, transferring ownership to family, or bringing in new investors, the reality is this: 👉 The way you plan (and time) your succession will determine  how much of your sale proceeds you keep, and how much goes to HMRC. The truth is, many SME owners  wait too long  to think about tax effici

Running a construction or engineering business means managing constant uncertainty, material prices, labour rates, project delays, and client payment terms. Yet, too many companies rely on “best-case” budgets and hope for the best. That’s where  sensitivity analysis  comes in. It’s one of the most powerful (but underused) tools for construction SMEs. It helps you see how changes in key assumptions, like a 10% material price increase or delayed stage payment, will affect your

You may not be thinking about selling your construction or engineering business today, but you should be building it like you are. Why? Because when it’s time to exit, whether in 3, 5, or 10 years, buyers will only pay a premium for businesses that run smoothly  without  the owner. If everything’s in your head, or held together by your personal relationships, the value drops significantly. This is where many construction, trade, and engineering SMEs fall short. They’re brilli

Running a construction or engineering business means juggling a lot: materials, labour, procurement, compliance, and cash flow, all while keeping projects moving and clients happy. But behind every successful build is a strong financial structure. And that’s where your finance team comes in, starting with your  Bookkeeper  and your  Finance Director (FD) . These roles are often misunderstood, and many SMEs assume they’re the same. They're not. Understanding the difference cou

Introduction - ChatGPT in a Construction or Engineering Business If you work in  construction or engineering , you’ve likely heard about  ChatGPT  , but maybe you’re still wondering how it actually helps your business. Most small and medium-sized companies see AI as “something big corporations use,” but the truth is this:  AI is now the easiest way to save time, cut admin costs, and improve communication  across your team. At  Jones Financial Accounts (JFA) , we advise constr

Introduction - Five Tools Your Team Needs Now Construction moves fast: site changes, supply delays, subcontractors, RAMS, plant, traffic management, and a constant stream of calls from site. If your tools don’t connect, operations stall and costs creep. At  Jones Financial Accounts (JFA) , we help UK  construction and engineering SMEs  choose a  joined-up tech stack  that keeps sites moving, protects margin, and gives directors live visibility. Below is the  top 5 operations

Introduction - Cut Costs or Invest in Efficiency? When margins tighten, construction and engineering firms often look to cut costs and the office is usually first on the list. From rent and software to admin staff and subscriptions, these “indirect” costs feel like easy savings. But here’s the catch:  cutting costs doesn’t always make you leaner, it can make you slower . At  Jones Financial Accounts (JFA) , we work with SMEs across the UK to identify where savings improve eff

Introduction - Projects That Don’t Fit Your Strategy In the fast-moving world of construction and engineering, not every project is a good project. Yet many SMEs still chase every tender, quote, or contract that comes their way. At Jones Financial Accounts (JFA), we see the same issue repeatedly, companies taking on work that looks profitable on paper but quietly drains cash, time, and energy because it doesn’t align with their business strategy. This blog explores why strate

Introduction - Reinvest Profits for Business Growth A profitable year should never be the finish line, it’s the starting point for your next stage of growth. Too many construction and engineering firms see profits as a reward to withdraw, rather than a resource to reinvest. But when margins are tight and competition fierce, how you reinvest makes the difference between staying stable and scaling sustainably. At  Jones Financial Accounts (JFA) , we help business owners turn pr

Introduction - The Payout Options Every Owner Should Know Succession planning isn’t just about retirement, it’s about  turning years of hard work into lasting value  while protecting your company’s future. For many construction and engineering directors, the biggest question is simple but critical:  “How do I get paid, and when?” Your payout structure determines how much you actually walk away with, how much tax you’ll pay, and how your team, or buyer will fund it. The right

Introduction - Protect Your Cash and Margins For construction and engineering companies, every project carries a level of uncertainty, from fluctuating material prices to client payment delays. That’s where  sensitivity analysis  becomes a vital decision-making tool. It allows business owners and finance leaders to test “what-if” scenarios before those risks become costly realities. At  Jones Financial Accounts (JFA) , we use sensitivity analysis to help SMEs understand how s

Introduction - Value Your Construction or Engineering Business When it comes to  succession planning , one of the biggest questions every...