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At Derek Madden we believe that one of the most common reasons businesses become less efficient over time is not a lack of effort or ambition, but a reluctance to invest in the systems that support growth. Many SME owners delay upgrading software, replacing outdated processes or introducing automati…

At Derek Madden we believe that one of the greatest strengths any SME can develop is a healthy cash reserve. Many business owners naturally focus on increasing sales, improving profitability and expanding their customer base. While these are all important objectives, businesses with strong cash rese…

At Derek Madden we believe that successful businesses are built on informed planning rather than constant reaction. Every business faces unexpected challenges from time to time, but when reacting to problems becomes the normal way of operating, financial performance often begins to suffer. Decisions…

Top 5 Things Revenue Looks for When Reviewing an Irish SME’s VAT Returns
At Derek Madden we believe that VAT deserves far more respect than it typically receives. For many SME owners, the bi-monthly VAT return is a routine chore, completed quickly and forgotten just as fast. Yet VAT is one of the ar…

Preparing for Interest Rate Changes: How Irish SMEs Can Protect Their Borrowing Costs
At Derek Madden we believe that interest rates deserve a permanent place on every SME owner’s agenda, not just a glance when the headlines turn dramatic. After a long period in which borrowing costs seemed to move…

At Derek Madden we believe that payroll is one of those business functions that only attracts attention when something goes wrong, and by then the cost of the problem usually far exceeds the cost of preventing it. Paying people accurately and on time is a fundamental obligation, yet it has become st…

We here at Derek Madden believe that year-end accounts should be the calm conclusion of a well-organised year, not a stressful archaeology project. Yet for many SMEs, the annual accounts process involves weeks of hunting for missing invoices, explaining mystery transactions and answering long lists…

At Derek Madden we believe that how a business funds its growth matters almost as much as the growth itself. Sooner or later, most ambitious SMEs reach a point where their plans exceed their cash: a larger premises, new equipment, additional staff, an acquisition or a push into new markets. At that…

We here at Derek Madden believe that one of the most important financial decisions facing any successful business owner is also one of the least discussed: what to do with the profit. Once a business begins generating surplus cash, every euro faces a choice. It can be extracted, rewarding the owner…

At Derek Madden we believe that one of the most overlooked sources of funding for Irish SMEs is not a bank, an investor or a new customer. It is the extensive network of grants and supports already available, waiting to be claimed. Every year, a significant number of Irish businesses leave money on…