[Brian Turner]

If he can't afford an accountant, he has no viable business.

I'm sorry, but an accountant is essential - there's a great chance of losing more money through tax issues than over-spending on a good accountant in my opinion. Mine costs £100/month + VAT and easily saves me time and money.

If he's still refusing to get an accountant in, then he needs a book keeper at least - a professional paid third party one - probably looking at around £25/hour but only a few hours each week required, in all probability.

That's the least that's needed - otherwise your brother's business could be in serious danger of collapse if the financial records are not properly sorted out.

I tell you all this from experience - I left my book keeping till late, poorly organised at the start, and I can assure you it cost me a *ton* of time when I could least afford it, and a fair wad of cash as well (probably a few grand) precisely because I didn't get on top of it from the start.

I'm not talking about cutting you out of the picture, either - if it's a good viable business, then you could be invaluable as an office manager, liaising as required on all aspects of admin.

2c and hope that helps.