Five tips to help tradespeople get organised for the new financial year
Posted by: electime 11th April 2025
It’s always the same for many tradespeople. As the financial year winds down, many hard-working professionals across the UK find themselves once again scrambling to get their paperwork in order. Whether it’s hunting for misplaced receipts, trying to tally up income, or figuring out who still owes what, April can often bring a tidal wave of stress for those who work with their hands—but also run their own business.
As the new financial year begins, Fergus is encouraging tradespeople to take the pressure off this time next year by getting ahead now. From digital job tracking to integrated invoicing, Fergus helps thousands of trade businesses stay organised and in control throughout the year, not just when tax season hits.
“We see it time and again—tradespeople rushing to get their books sorted in March and April, when they’re already flat-out with jobs,” says Fergus CEO Mark Bartels.
“That end-of-year scramble puts unnecessary pressure on business owners, and it doesn’t have to be like that. The key is organisation—and not just in the weeks before the new financial year, but all year round, starting in April 2025. With a few smart changes, tradespeople can avoid the April panic and give themselves valuable time back; time that can be spent on the tools, with family, or just enjoying a proper weekend off.”
Fergus is giving the trade five tips for getting on top of the financial admin:
- Go digital
Keeping everything in your head or on bits of paper might work for a while, but it becomes a nightmare when it’s time to reconcile income and outgoings. A job management platform like Fergus helps track jobs, quotes, materials, time sheets and invoices in one place. Having that level of visibility and control across your business means no nasty surprises when tax time rolls around.
- Invoice on time!
Late or missed invoices not only cost you money but create confusion at the end of the financial year. With Fergus, you can automate invoicing workflows, send reminders, and link directly with your accounting software like Xero. It keeps your cash flow healthy and ensures your records are always up to date.
- Track expenses as you go
Receipts in the glove box, tool purchases not logged, and random payments not recorded—it all adds up to one giant headache come April. Use mobile-friendly job software to log purchases in real-time, allocate them to jobs, and attach digital receipts. Keeping on top of expenses as they happen makes tax deductions easier and more accurate.
- Review your pricing and margins
The lead-up to a new financial year is the perfect time to review job costs, hourly rates, and overall profit margins. Fergus provides real-time insights into job profitability, helping you understand where money is being made—or lost. That means you can head into the next financial year with pricing that supports your business goals.
- Set time aside for admin
Staying on top of your paperwork doesn’t mean giving up your evenings or weekends. Even just 30 minutes a week can make a huge difference. With software like Fergus doing the heavy lifting, weekly admin can be as simple as checking in on outstanding invoices, reconciling purchases, and reviewing upcoming jobs. Little and often beats all-at-once panic.
By setting up good systems now and maintaining them throughout the year, tradespeople can avoid the chaos of last-minute admin. The benefits go beyond financial clarity—mental health is also a key factor.
“So many tradespeople we speak to say the admin side of their business causes real stress,” says Mark. “It keeps them up at night, and it takes time away from their families. Having everything organised and automated can make a massive difference to their headspace and work-life balance.”
Fergus users report saving hours each week on paperwork, not to mention avoiding awkward conversations with accountants or clients due to missing info. And with HMRC and MTD (Making Tax Digital) requirements tightening, staying compliant and efficient is more important than ever.
For more free information and advice on running a successful trade business, as well as a free trial, visit www.fergus.com
