Ascentis TV was created to replace the traditional monthly newsletter with a richer, more engaging format. Offering business owners, directors and entrepreneurs a polished digest of accounting, tax, finance, and business-management insight. Each episode combines practical tax tips, financial guidance, technology reviews, and management advice from the experienced accounting team at Ascentis.
Whether you are looking for tax-planning pointers, help streamlining cash flow, insight into digital accounting platforms, or strategies to manage and grow your team, our episodes are designed to inform, support and guide you. Below you can browse each Ascentis TV episode in one place, pick what matters to you, or scroll through for a comprehensive view of our advice archive.
Episode One – 17th November 2020
This inaugural episode tackled urgent issues during the early COVID-19 period, notably the status of the Job Retention Scheme (JRS). It covered the consequences of over-claiming and how to rectify it via HMRC, including practical advice on over-claim declarations and reductions in subsequent claims. The episode also addressed changes for self-employed individuals under the Self-employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS), as well as the deferred VAT liabilities and implications for business loans under CBILS and BBILS. Viewers were encouraged to assess their claims and ensure compliance to avoid future penalties.
Episode Two – 23rd November 2020
Continuing the Ascentis TV mission, Episode Two reinforced the format’s aim: to deliver accessible insight into taxation, financial management, and workplace dynamics. It introduced the concept of Ascentis TV as a modern alternative to newsletters and invited viewers to explore future episodes and topics.
Episode Three – 14th December 2020
Episode Three began the “Back to Basics” series, focusing on foundational business accounting. It offered a simple, step-by-step explanation of the cash flow statement, contrasting it with profit and loss and balance sheet statements. We demystified the distinction between revenue and capital transactions and explained the importance of cash flow reconciliation for business clarity. The groundwork laid here helps business owners better understand financial statements and cash movement.
Episode Four – 19th March 2021
Episode Four addressed confusion surrounding furlough (CJRS) and government-backed loan schemes (CBILS and BBILS). Among common questions: whether furlough applies to staff isolating, and whether businesses can take out successive loans to repay existing ones. The episode discouraged misuse and emphasised prudent cash-flow planning. It also introduced the “Back to Basics” Profit & Loss Account module, a simple tutorial to help business owners understand core accounting fundamentals, set against a backdrop of uncertainty for many firms.
Episode Five – 4th May 2021
In this edition, the team turned to fundamental business accounting again, this time focusing on the Balance Sheet. Using a relatable “personal net worth” analogy, the episode showed how to translate everyday assets and debts into business terms, breaking down current versus fixed assets, current liabilities, and long-term liabilities. With this straightforward example, viewers get insight into business solvency and liquidity, helping them understand what a healthy balance sheet looks like, beyond just profit and loss.
Episode Six – 8th June 2021
Episode Six expanded on financial mastery by investigating cash flow management in depth. The show featured an interview with a representative from Starling Bank, offering insight into modern digital banking solutions suited for SMEs. The episode also explored how cash flow statements reconcile profit with actual bank movements, contrasted capital versus revenue expenditure, and explained how businesses can use R&D tax relief to manage corporation tax liability – or even secure repayable tax credits. This episode proved particularly useful for small businesses and startups looking to harness digital banking and tax relief for cash flow stability.
Episode Seven – 1st July 2021
This episode focused on credit control and debt management, a crucial area for businesses during uncertain times. In “Tech Talk,” Ascentis introduced Sitago, a cash-management and credit-control solution that integrates with accounting software and offers risk insight and debtor monitoring. The remainder of the episode provided a walkthrough on how to prepare a cash flow statement, clarifying how different transactions impact liquidity, operating profit, and balance sheet health. For businesses facing potential bad debts or cash flow pressure, this was a must-watch.
Episode Eight – 6th August 2021
Episode Eight honed in on technology and automation, demonstrating how businesses can leverage platforms to improve invoice management and cash flow. The hosts explored built-in functionality within Xero for invoice reminders and bulk statements, but noted limitations for high-volume invoicing. They recommended considering dedicated apps, such as Chitago, for more robust credit control. The episode underscored that automation can reduce days beyond terms, cut bad debt risk and improve overall cash flow.
Episode Nine – 3rd October 2021
Episode Nine marked the return after a break. The team presented a shorter episode focusing on cash-flow management through modern payment services. New integrations with payment services such as Stripe, GoCardless and PayPal were reviewed to show how businesses can streamline payments from customers. They explained how Xero’s cash-flow snapshot can now toggle between accrual and cash accounting, a useful update for companies trying to better monitor liquidity and working capital.
Episode Ten – 20th December 2021
In the Christmas edition of Ascentis TV, Episode Ten packed a variety of content. It began with a “Tech Talk” interview featuring new small-business funding options offered by Iwaka. Alongside this, Mark delivered tax tips and quick-tip advice, while John Oddy resumed his series on building high-functioning teams, focusing on understanding behavioural styles using the DISC assessment. The episode emphasised the importance of self-awareness and communication in team dynamics, making it as much about people management as about finance.
Episode Eleven – 31st March 2022
This episode placed strong emphasis on technology and tax strategy. In “Tech Talk,” recent updates to Xero were reviewed, including enhancements to report listings, the addition of “favourites,” improved bank reconciliation, and better project-tracking through Xero Projects. On the tax front, Mark discussed upcoming changes in the UK tax landscape, including the proposed social care levy, and advised on optimising director remuneration through pensions and dividends to make the most of allowances. Capital gains and inheritance tax planning tips were also offered, along with a reminder of compliance and planning opportunities.
Episode Twelve – 31st May 2022
Episode Twelve offered a compelling blend of tech and tax content. The team introduced DexCommerce, a platform designed to consolidate sales and payment data from channels like Shopify, Amazon and eBay directly into accounting systems such as Xero or QuickBooks. This automation saves time and cuts manual workload for businesses selling across multiple channels. In the tax tip segment, the discussion focused on paying school fees through a limited company (generally not tax efficient), and on optimising director salaries in light of recent changes to national insurance thresholds. The episode also revisited the DISC personality framework and closed with reminders of upcoming HMRC compliance deadlines.
Episode Thirteen – 30th June 2022
This episode focused on the impending rollout of Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD) and what it means for self-employed individuals and landlords. The hosts discussed mandatory compliance from April 2024 for individuals with turnover over £10,000 and the need for digital record-keeping. As part of the segment, there was a demonstration of FreeAgent software to show how it can simplify quarterly submissions, expense tracking and bank-feed integration. The goal was to illustrate practical, user-friendly ways businesses can adapt early to MTD and avoid compliance issues.
Episode Fourteen – 27th July 2022
Episode Fourteen shifted focus to international operations and foreign currency transactions, featuring a deep dive into the fintech platform Airwallex. The episode explained how Airwallex helps businesses manage multi-currency wallets, execute local and international payments, create virtual and physical cards, and integrate seamlessly with accounting software like Xero and NetSuite. Beyond fintech, the episode also provided tax advice on employee benefits (such as company phones, cycle-to-work schemes and staff party allowances) and reminded employers about key compliance deadlines such as self-assessment returns and grant eligibility.
Episode Fifteen – 19th October 2022
In the fifteenth installment, Ascentis offered a blend of tech and people-management insight. The episode explored the purchase-order and approval workflow tool ApprovalMax, showing how it can streamline internal control and procurement processes. It revisited the DISC personality framework, helping firms understand team dynamics and communication styles. Additionally, the usual tax and admin updates rounded out the episode, offering a consolidated resource for companies looking to improve internal financial workflows while maintaining compliance.
If you’d like to learn anything more about the subjects covered in these Ascentis TV Episodes check out our Frequently Asked Questions, our Insights articles or get in touch.