Finding the right finance skills for your London business

Having robust finances is likely to be one of your main priorities as a small business owner in London.

But with tax changes, new staff joining or simply trying to scale your operations, learning the basics of your business finances is key.

Here, the team at Grow London Local has curated a number of skills courses to help you improve your finances.

From accounting software to payroll, or even maths skills, including certification on some of these courses.

With the right support, you can focus on doing what you love – running your business – and be confident that you have your finances in check.

Benefits of learning new finance skills

• Plan ahead: business planning is essential for your success, so learning how to plan ahead could be the step you need to get your business soaring.

• Meet your legal obligations: learning about when and what are your obligations are to running a successful business and paying your taxes in a timely manner.

• Fuel your growth: by having your finances in order, you automatically unlock more growth.

• Get access to funding: find more funding options by proving to your investors and lenders that you have the skillset needed to start or scale your business.

• Find better advice: get better at asking for what you need from external accountants or financial advisers by improving your own knowledge of what's viable for your idea.

Finance skills to develop

Accounting

• Capital City College (CCC):

  • Accounts and Finance Assistant level 2 apprenticeship: a remarkable opportunity for learners looking to embark on a rewarding journey in the world of accounting and finance.

  • Accounts and Finance Assistant level 3 apprenticeship: get the right knowledge to make meaningful contributions to organisations.

  • Professional Accounting Technician level 4 apprenticeship: advance your accounting career with this expert course.

  • Accounting software – level 1 (VTCT Skillsfirst): a course for self-employed people and small business who want to do their own bookkeeping.

  • Accounting software – level 1 (AAT): a course for self-employed or for those working in a small business to do their own bookkeeping.

  • Computerised payroll for business – level 1: understand the basic payroll procedures with this course.

  • Computerised payroll for business – level 2 certificate: a course for small business owners intending to manage their own business payroll systems.

• Croydon Adult Learning and Training (CALAT):

  • AAT Accountancy courses at CALAT - Levels 1 to 4: learn essential accounting and finance skills.

• New City College (NCC):

  • Accounting level 2 certificate: a foundational course with certification that introduces basic accounting principles on bookkeeping, accounting software and costing.

• WM College:

  • Computerised accounting for business – Xero: practical, hands-on training to help business owners master financial management in the cloud.

Bookkeeping

• Merton Adult Learning:

  • Bookkeeping courses: for small businesses looking to upskill your workforce with practical bookkeeping skills to drive business growth.

• New City College (NCC):

  • Bookkeeping level 1 award (AAT): foundation course introducing the fundamental concepts of bookkeeping, including the basics of financial transactions, record-keeping and the use of accounting software.

  • Bookkeeping level 2 award (AAT): this qualification focuses on understanding financial statements, VAT and double-entry bookkeeping, essential for beginner bookkeeping roles.

  • Bookkeeping level 3 certificate (AAT): covering advanced bookkeeping techniques, including accounting for depreciation, VAT returns and more complex financial statements.

• Sutton College:

  • Bookkeeping level 1 award (AAT) – online: learn about a range of topics from basic bookkeeping practices to the recording and interpretation of complex financial transactions.

  • Bookkeeping level 2 certificate (AAT) – online: develop the introductory bookkeeping practices and processes studied at level 1 (above).

Data analysis

• Fareport Training:

  • Data analyst apprenticeship: data analysts provide crucial data insights to organisations. As the field of data analytics is ever-evolving, this is a great chance to keep up with the latest developments in data technologies, tools and industry practices.

Maths

• City Lit:

  • Maths – improve your skills for life and work: qualified and experienced math tutors deliver courses to those needing to improve their maths skills, from beginner to GCSE.

  • Maths for deaf people: improve your skills for life and work: maths courses that are taught in British Sign Language (BSL). They help you overcome anxieties and worries about maths, giving you confidence to work with numbers.

• London South East Colleges (LSEC):

  • Maths functional skills: this course is perfect for improving your maths skills, either for work or further study.

• Newham College:

  • Functional skills maths: courses on functional maths ranging from entry level all the way to Level 2.

• South Thames Colleges Group:

  • GCSE Mathematics – evening class: a team of specialist maths teachers who help you to improve your skills, prepare you to pass your exam and achieve your qualification.

• Sutton College:

  • Maths functional skills: whether you're running your own business or planning to start one, having a functional skills maths qualification or a good grade at Maths GCSE can open many doors for you.

• Waltham Forest College:

  • Functional skills maths (day): handle everyday numeracy with confidence by gaining essential maths skills.

  • Functional skills maths (evening): learn everyday numeracy and build confidence with these essential maths skills.

• WEA:

  • Maths functional skills: this course helps boost your numeracy skills and upskill your maths.

• West Thames College:

  • Maths for work and study: designed for adults who want to improve their maths skills and enhance their employability.

Finance

• WM College:

  • Sage payroll – beginners: learn to process payroll with ease in this Sage payroll software course.

Grow London Local: Support for London's small businesses

No matter where you're based in London, you'll find relevant support and guidance on business planning, sales and marketing and much more, as well as opportunities to connect with like-minded business owners. Visit Grow London Local now