Becoming your own boss is an attractive option for many people, with approximately 200,000 small and medium-sized enterprise start-ups each year.

But. according to the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. before making that giant leap to self-employment, potential bosses should arm themselves with the facts.

Said Richard Houghton, ACCA's South West spokes-man: "Given that up to 60per cent of new firms cease trading within the first five years, it is essential that new small businesses know what is expected of them.

"This huge drop-off rate can be attributed, in part, to a lack of knowledge and not being in possession of the hard facts of business life. Awareness of regulation and financial responsibility is half the battle ."

So ACCA has provided some essential points to help new business owners "hit the ground running".

Financial systems: Efficient cash flow is vital as expenditure is high, especially in the first year. Systems need to be in place to ensure that money is coming into the business, as well as going out.

Legislation: It is necessary to be aware of any legislation that may have a direct effect on your business ie, employment legislation and health and safety regulations. This can be found on www. sbs.gov.uk.

Register as self-employed: Begin by calling the Inland Revenue New Bus-iness Helpline on 08459 154515 or register online at The Inland Revenue's New Business page.

VAT: if your business supplies goods or services exceeding £56,000 each year, you must register for value added tax . You will have to charge VAT on sales and pay it on most purchases.

Capital allowances: If you buy equipment for your business, you may be able to claim tax relief in the form of capital allowances.

Keep records: All records must be kept for six years business and private. Failure to do so could lead to a fine or, worse still, paying too much tax. If you fail to keep adequate records, you can be fined up to £3,000.