Many businesses assume overheads are fixed, predictable, and largely out of their control. A structured overhead review can reveal quietly rising costs, unused services, and outdated processes. Taking the time to review overheads can make a big difference to cash flow, efficiency, and long-term resilience. 

Even small steps can have a big impact.  

Here’s how to get started: 

Gather all recurring costs 
Software subscriptions, insurance, utilities, telecoms, outsourced services, and routine maintenance contracts tend to creep up gradually. When reviewed individually, small increases can go unnoticed. Seeing everything together makes patterns easier to spot, and it’s common to uncover duplicate tools, unused licences, or outdated packages still being paid for out of habit. 

Check contract renewals 
Automatic renewals can lock a business into pricing or packages that no longer offer value. Reviewing renewal dates and exploring alternatives allows you to renegotiate, downscale, or switch suppliers before costs rise unnecessarily. 

Align spending with current operations 
If your business has grown, shifted to remote work, adopted new technology, or streamlined processes, some overheads may no longer make sense. Tasks that once required manual effort may now be automated, and support services that were essential during one phase of growth might be redundant. Reviewing costs in the context of current operations can reduce spend and improve workflow. 

Review energy usage 
Even small changes – like checking tariffs, reviewing meter accuracy, or adopting simple efficiency measures, can stabilise costs in a volatile market. An audit encourages proactive management rather than reacting only when bills spike. 

Use insights to improve planning 
Understanding overheads helps make financial forecasting more accurate and supports smarter decisions around pricing, investment, and staffing. Knowing your baseline costs gives the business confidence to respond to changes in trading conditions. 
A regular overhead audit isn’t just about cutting costs – it’s about removing waste, challenging habits, and updating commitments. By reviewing overheads with purpose and structure, a business can boost efficiency, protect cash flow, and build a stronger foundation for growth.

Quick takeaways: 
Gather all recurring costs in one place. 
Review contract renewals before they auto-renew. 
Ensure spending aligns with current business operations. 
Check energy usage for easy savings. 
Use the insights to plan confidently and improve cash flow.