SHARON BALL FINANCIAL PLANNING LTD

Executive Summary

Sharon Ball Financial Planning Ltd is a financially stable, agile boutique firm positioned in the local financial management market with growing equity and strong liquidity. Its competitive advantage lies in personalized service under focused leadership, offering clear opportunities for regional client base expansion and service diversification. To capitalize on growth potential, the company must address scale limitations, regulatory compliance risks, and strengthen operational capacity to sustain long-term success.

SHARON BALL FINANCIAL PLANNING LTD - Analysis Report

Company Number: 13937568

Analysis Date: 2025-07-29 19:01 UTC

1. Market Position
   Sharon Ball Financial Planning Ltd operates as a niche private limited company within the financial management sector (SIC 70221), focusing on personalized financial planning services. As a relatively new entrant incorporated in 2022, the company currently holds a modest but growing market presence in Preston, Lancashire, targeting individual clients or small businesses requiring tailored financial advice.

2. Strategic Assets
   Key strengths include a strong equity base reflected in shareholders’ funds rising from £99,894 in 2023 to £115,496 in 2024, indicative of retained earnings and stable profitability despite the company’s small size. The firm benefits from high liquidity with cash holdings of £133,424 as of 2024, providing flexibility for operational investments or market opportunities. The controlling ownership by Mrs. Sharon Gail Ball ensures focused leadership and swift decision-making, which is critical for a boutique advisory firm. The company’s exemption from audit requirements reduces compliance costs, allowing resources to be directed toward client acquisition and service enhancement.

3. Growth Opportunities
   Growth potential lies in expanding the client base regionally by leveraging strong local knowledge and personalized service quality, differentiating from large-scale financial consultancies. The firm can also explore digital advisory platforms to scale services cost-effectively, addressing younger demographics or tech-savvy clients. Strategic partnerships with complementary service providers (e.g., accountants, legal advisors) could broaden referral networks. Additionally, diversifying service offerings into retirement planning, tax advisory, or investment management could increase revenue streams and client retention.

4. Strategic Risks
   Challenges include limited scale and resource constraints typical of small financial planning firms, which may hinder competitive positioning against larger players with broader service portfolios and marketing budgets. Dependence on a single director-owner may pose continuity risks and capacity bottlenecks. Regulatory changes in financial advice standards or taxation could increase compliance burdens. Furthermore, rising current liabilities, particularly tax-related (£23,491 in 2024 versus £6,164 in 2023), require careful cash flow management to avoid operational strain.