Paul Barnes
Founder
Paul reviews Ask Cassie’s technical and business-finance content across areas including tax, VAT, payroll, bookkeeping, Xero, management accounts, cash flow and strategic finance. His role isn’t simply to check whether an answer is technically correct. He also looks at whether it answers the question a business owner is actually asking and whether the explanation is clear enough to be useful without unnecessary accounting jargon. Where an answer relates to tax, legislation or another area where rules, thresholds or deadlines can change, the content is written to make that clear rather than presenting potentially outdated information as current fact.
Through CASS, Paul and his team work with more than 150 SMEs across a wide range of sectors.
That means many of the questions covered by Ask Cassie aren't theoretical. They are the same questions business owners ask in real conversations: when should I register for VAT? Can I afford to employ somebody? Why am I making a profit but have no cash? What should I be looking at every month? When have I outgrown basic bookkeeping?
Paul’s approach is to explain the numbers in plain English and, importantly, put them into the context of the business.
Because knowing what a number is isn't particularly useful unless you understand what it means and what you might need to do about it.
Paul is particularly focused on helping businesses move away from seeing accounting purely as an annual compliance exercise.
Accurate accounts and tax returns matter, but they are only part of the picture. Current bookkeeping, meaningful management information, cash flow forecasting and regular financial conversations can give a business owner a much clearer understanding of where the business is today and where it is heading.
That approach is reflected throughout Ask Cassie: giving you more than numbers.
Cloud Accounting Support Services Ltd is a Xero-focused accountancy and outsourced finance practice based in Tamworth and supporting businesses across Greater Birmingham and beyond. CASS provides bookkeeping, payroll, VAT, accounts and tax alongside management accounts, cash flow forecasting, strategic finance support and outsourced finance services. The practice is a Xero Platinum Partner and works with businesses that want their finance function to provide useful information throughout the year, rather than simply dealing with compliance after the event.
Ask Cassie is designed to provide clear, practical information about common accounting, tax and business-finance questions. The answers are intended as general guidance. Every business and individual has different circumstances, and tax and regulatory rules can change. Where a decision could materially affect your business or tax position, the sensible next step is to get advice based on your specific circumstances.
Experience
- Xero Platinum Partner
- Supporting 150+ SMEs
- Nearly 10 years supporting growing businesses