VISA have issued information regarding changes to card processing security from September 2021. The idea is to reduce online fraud. The changes will apply across Europe. A key part of the new security arrangements is the requirement for Strong Customer Authentication (SCA). This means you may be asked to provide... read more →

Remember Parkinson’s Law? Parkinson's Law is the adage that work expands to fill the time allotted. Put simply, the amount of work required adjusts to the time available for its completion. The term was first coined by Cyril Northcote Parkinson in a humorous essay he wrote for the Economist in... read more →

Most of us believe that when you spend money the only impact is to reduce the amount of cash in your wallet or purse or bank account. Accountants, educated to view the world through double-entry lenses, see two impacts. The debit and the credit. Bank account credited and expenses, assets... read more →

The Bank of England uses interest rate reductions to stimulate the economy if spending is weak and increases interest rates if they feel the economy is overheating. The current problem the bank has is that current interest rates are at an all time low. At the most recent base rate... read more →

The UK government has been spectacularly successful in shutting down vast swathes of the UK economy in their efforts to control the COVID pandemic. What will happen next? Will we see the gradual release of restrictions as the vaccination program starts to impact infection rates, and more importantly, the pressure... read more →

In our blog post last month we said: This year, it is likely that there will be far more unfiled SA returns than in previous years. Perhaps common-sense will prevail. HMRC may not be willing to endorse a blanket extension of the 31 January deadline, but they could cancel the... read more →

The major accountancy bodies have lobbied HMRC to extend the 2019-20, SA filing deadline. Whilst seeming to have sympathy for small businesses and tax payers that have found it difficult this year to keep up-to-date with their tax affairs, HMRC are unwilling – at this stage – to offer a... read more →

The year 2020 must go down in the history books as the year that defined uncertainty. The outcome of a Brexit trade agreement - uncertain and the extent of COVID disruption - uncertain. These are not minor concerns. Business plans prepared this time last year, and created before the impact... read more →

When many of your clients are struggling with the effects of COVID-19 on their businesses and their personal lives it is hardly surprising that providing you with details for the 2020 tax return is way down on their list of priorities. It is doubtful that the threat of an impending... read more →

Many practitioners will have grappled with an acute conundrum in the past few months. Do you support clients on a pro bono or reduced fee basis – if they are strapped for cash - or refuse unless paid, and watch them disappear from your client list? This apparent conflict for... read more →