Running a business without up-to-date financial information is like driving a car with no dashboard. You wouldn’t risk not knowing your speed, fuel levels, or whether the engine is about to fail. Yet so many business owners do exactly that when it comes to their finances.

That’s where cloud accounting changes everything.

Would you drive a car with no dashboard? Then why run your business without one?

The Shift in the Last 15 Years

Historically, only larger businesses with finance teams could afford to see regular management accounts. Smaller businesses often had to wait until year-end to get a clear picture of profit, tax, and cashflow. By then, it was too late to make meaningful changes.

But over the last 15 years, the introduction of cloud accounting has levelled the playing field. Now, even small and medium-sized businesses can:

• Track profits in real time
• See cashflow movements daily or monthly
• Understand upcoming tax liabilities
• Make proactive decisions instead of reactive ones

The Power of Real-Time Numbers

Think about the difference:

• Before cloud accounting: You found out your tax bill months after the year ended.
• With cloud accounting: You can plan for it months ahead and take action to reduce it.

It’s not just about compliance. It’s about giving you control and clarity so you can focus on running and growing your business.

Business Owners and the 'Dashboard' Analogy

One of our favourite ways to explain cloud accounting is with the car dashboard analogy. Every driver checks speed, revs, and fuel before setting off.

Your business deserves the same. Your 'dashboard' should tell you:

• How profitable you are right now
• Whether you have enough cash to cover bills
• If you’re heading towards a tax bill (and how big)

Cloud accounting puts that information at your fingertips.

Why This Matters for Growth

When you can see the story your numbers are telling in real time, you’re able to:

• Spot problems early and fix them
• Identify which products or services are most profitable
• Have meaningful conversations with your accountant about growth, not just compliance

It’s the difference between driving blind and driving with a clear view of the road ahead.

Get the Business You Want

At Carthy Accountants, we believe cloud accounting is one of the biggest game-changers for small business owners in the last two decades. It’s not just about software, it’s about giving you clarity, confidence, and control.

If you’d like to know how cloud accounting can work for your business, get in touch today. Let’s make sure you’ve got the right dashboard in place so you can truly get the business you want.