Running a small business is tough. Anyone who’s done it will tell you it’s a juggling act managing customers, keeping the team happy, staying compliant with ever-changing regulations, and somewhere in the mix, trying to get a grip on the finances. For many small business owners, this last bit can feel the biggest of all challenges.

Over years of working closely with hundreds of small business owners, our Co-Directors, Helen Clements and Boo Donovan have seen the same challenges crop up again and again. People start businesses with passion, talent, or an amazing idea, but very few begin with a background in running a business. And let’s be honest, no one teaches you this stuff at school!

That lack of business acumen and financial understanding can leave even the most determined business owner feeling unsure of how to grow, manage change, or tackle challenges when they arise.

It was this recurring story. The small business owner juggling it all, often in the dark when it came to their finances, that planted the seed for Troy Training Sparks over five years ago.

Helen and Boo want to make a bigger impact and go beyond simply managing accounts for their clients by equipping business owners with the knowledge to take control of their finances. That small seed finally burst into life in November last year (2024), and Troy Training Sparks was born.

Why Was Troy Training Sparks Created?

Troy Training Sparks is built for small business owners at every stage, whether you’re finding your feet, scaling up, or navigating something new and uncertain. It’s for people who didn’t go into business because they love numbers but who know that understanding them is critical to success.

What makes it different is that it’s designed by experts who’ve been in your shoes. Helen and Boo aren’t just Chartered Accountants, they’re business owners who’ve grown Troy Accounting from the ground up. They know the pressure of payroll week, the challenges of planning for growth, and the sheer weight of responsibility that comes with running a business. They’ve poured their years of expertise, both in finance and in business ownership, into this platform to ensure it’s practical, relatable, and designed to make a real difference.

What’s on Offer at Troy Training Sparks?

The platform currently features five self-guided, in-depth courses, each tailored to tackle a key area of small business finance:

90-Day Business Planning Programme: Map out your next steps with confidence. This course helps you create a clear, actionable plan to keep your business moving forward.

Balance Sheet Breakthrough: Master the balance sheet and unlock its secrets, giving you insights into your business’s financial health.

Mastering Profit & Loss: Understand how to read your P&L statement and uncover ways to improve profitability.

Cash Flow Confidence: Learn to manage and forecast your cash flow, so you’re always in control.

Budgeting with Purpose: Build budgets that work for your business, aligning your finances with your goals.

Each course is designed to be simple to follow and implement, no matter your starting point. You don’t need a finance background, just the desire to understand your business better.

These five courses are just the start, as our suite of expert course material will be growing in 2025.

How Does It Work?

Troy Training Sparks courses are entirely self-paced, meaning you can learn whenever and wherever it suits you. Whether it’s an hour before the school run, during a quiet afternoon at the office, or over the weekend, you decide when to press play.

The lessons are broken into manageable chunks, with step-by-step guidance and practical examples to help you put what you’ve learned into action straight away. Where relevant, you’ll also find downloadable resources and templates that you can tailor to your own business, making implementation even easier.

Why Troy Training Sparks Can Make a Difference

This isn’t just about learning how to read a balance sheet or set a budget (though you’ll learn those, too). Troy Training Sparks gives you the tools to:

• Understand your finances so you can make informed decisions without second-guessing yourself.
• Feel in control so there’s no more worrying about cash flow or compliance—you’ll know where you stand.
• Navigate growth and change. Whether your business is expanding or facing challenges, you’ll have the confidence to steer it in the right direction.

Troy Training Sparks is for the small business owner who wants to stop winging it and start owning it.

It’s about levelling the playing field, equipping you with the financial knowledge you might not have started with, and giving you the confidence to take your business wherever you want it to go.

Business and finance education can be a game-changer for any growing business, but it’s something many small business owners miss out on. Troy Training Sparks was created to bridge that gap, offering practical, real-world knowledge that empowers you to take control of your finances, navigate challenges, and grow with confidence. This is your opportunity to gain the tools and insights you need to build a stronger, more successful business, on your terms!

Are you ready to take control?

Explore our courses at Troy Training Sparks today and ignite your business potential.