Family business

Help and advice to the owners of medium and small businesses

We provide a comprehensive accounting and taxation service to the owners of medium and small businesses. We can:

• Give advice on starting the business and help with the setting up of systems.
• Take away a large part of the administrative burden of running the business.
• Provide extra help at times of expansion.
• Be a business friend in times of difficulty.
• Help you to plan for the future.
• Guide you through a sale.
• Support you in retirement.

We offer a choice of services for you to use as much or as little as you need.

Looking after you

We can complete your personal tax return and give you advance warning of the amount payable. When you are up to date, we can give advice that keeps your tax bill under control.

Business records

It is more efficient for you to look after your basic day to day record keeping. Indeed, you need to do so to keep control of what is happening, but we can help. For example:

• Help with the practical points of computerised bookkeeping that you can never seem to find in the instruction manual. We are particularly familiar with all the main versions of SAGE. If you get difficulties you can send us a copy on disc, we can sort it out and send it back.
• The quarterly VAT return is a time to check that the records are in order and up to date. We are ready for online filing which will be compulsory for many businesses from 1 April 2010.

Payroll

Payroll is definitely something you should delegate. HM Revenue & Customs provides well written guidance on how to calculate PAYE but there is just too much to learn. For example, the payment of tax credits and the recovery of student loans are difficult to get right for someone doing payroll part time. Let our experienced staff, backed up with leading software do the job for you.

Since 2005, we have filed the end of year returns electronically. Initially that was to qualify our clients for a government incentive payment. Now online filing is compulsory for most businesses.

Annual accounts

Annual accounts and tax returns are well worth delegating to us because the rules are constantly changing.

Other tasks

Some other tasks we can do, if you require:

• We can act as the registered office and receive the official communications from the government.
• We can file notifications at Companies House, usually online. It is fairly straightforward, if you know what events you need to report and have the right forms to hand.

 

Special situations

Planning for changes in the business

Planning for a change in your business is the time when good advice is especially useful.

A discussion can help you clarify your objectives and identify other options.

If you are going to take-over another business, we can check out the facts and figures and make sure there are no hidden problems. Some planning will help you benefit from tax breaks and avoid pitfalls. The offer can be made attractive to the seller at little or no cost to you.

We can help in time of difficulty. An unfamiliar situation is a time when a cool head and good a advice is needed. We have seen most situations before and can offer you the benefit of our experience.

Planning for retirement

It is never too soon to prepare.

We can advise on an investment strategy. For specific products we would use an independent financial adviser. We never accept commission, so you know we are impartial.

You will want to discuss how to pass over the business to the next generation without large tax charges.

Alternatively, you can get the business ready to sell. We can help you negotiate with a purchaser, or just winding down gracefully.