My Computer doesn't understand me (Sob!)

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 12:42:46 +0000

Back in the distant past of the late 90’s, I experimented with using voice dictation software. This was meant to be the next great thing – imagine, dictating directly to the computer, just print out and you’re done. No need for secretaries, cut down on your overheads and your away. Simples!

Dilapidations - Not as taxing as you might think

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:31:09 +0000

By Emily Martin

Recent Trends

Dilapidations are breaches of conditions under a lease of property to repair a building. Such breaches can take many forms, but redecorating, replacing carpets, or repairing a broken window are some common examples.

All talk but no dialogue

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:00:22 +0000

Am I the only one on the receiving end of some odd communications these days?

I am talking about exchanges of emails that completely fail to communicate anything. I was beginning to think perhaps my powers of communication were leaving me. Then I had a thought.

Day six: The dark night of Barry’s soul

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 09:42:05 +0000

Cressida was in a great mood when I arrived, beaming over an email that had just popped into her inbox.

From:tabs@tamsdesres.org.uk
Sent: February 2010 20:58
To:clilywhite@ctt.co.uk
Subject: Hugs and kisses

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The Real Issues

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:39:04 +0000

This expands my initial blog.

In my case I am in a franchise and have been beating myself up for a few years trying to make it work for me. I have come to the conclusion that I need to find my own way in the world. There are many ways of developing an accounting practice but once inside these organisations, doing something different is not easy.

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Why I hate doing P11Ds

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 20:48:10 +0000

Over the years there have been some consistent themes since my earliest years as a trainee - no-one has ever wanted to do P11Ds or annual returns - or to be the office VAT expert!

And I still hate doing P11Ds:

1. Because clients don't value them, and hence don't value our time doing them on their behalf - i.e you can't charge an adequate fee for all the hassle they are. One of my clients uses a big payroll bureau who charge just £7 per P11D! I'm not interested in competing with that!

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Convincing The Right People

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:14:27 +0000

I am often told about how well a partner's meeting with a new prospective client has gone and how confident that partner is of winning the work, even though the prospective client was not referred to the firm.

I am also often told about how that partner is then surprised upon meeting the prospective client again to deliver their proposal and rather than receiving a decision, they are told that the prospective client will need to discuss the proposal with various people and get back to the partner in due course, which of course, they rarely do.

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Will new laptops stimulate PC revival?

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:39:03 +0000

Like a fashionista during the big spring shows, John Stokdyk has been gallivanting around laptop suppliers of late and fingering their latest merchandise. While awed by the selection on offer, he wonders if the wider market will get as excited.

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Who's the boss?

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:28:12 +0000

March 9 – Three lots of good news.

Almost as her swan song as a divisional manager, and as her opening gift to the newly promoted manager of our new department, she and he together closed negotiation for the biggest deal this department has ever done. If no other department in this company grows in the coming year this one can now hardly avoid doing so. From being a new venture this ‘sideline’ hunch of mine has now turned into what might be a major profit centre.

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A new tax on banks, actually

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:17:16 +0000

Bill Nighy and Richard Curtis joined tax campaigners and other finance professionals to debate the proposed ‘Robin Hood’ tax at an RSA event in London today. Consulting practice editor Mark Lee was there to take part in the discussion.

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Corporation tax - how about s419 refunds?

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 22:21:15 +0000

Yes, how about them indeed. Like, how do you go about getting one?

Like getting CT refunds from earlier years following a loss carry back, getting s419 back when a loan is repaid seems to be equally difficult.

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Software, Part 2

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 17:47:56 +0000

I'm still pondering the question of software. Some would call it procrastinating, but I prefer to think of it as a well thought out decision making process. Time is against me now, as I want to avoid paying for my current software, and also for any new software I go for.

I had my renewal come through from TaxCalc - and it made me think that the cost this year would "possibly" be better spent on putting that money towards an integrated package. But which one?

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Upping sticks

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:04:50 +0000

March 8 – And I thought I’d got everything under control with two companies by the end of last week. Then my wife announced she wants to apply for a new job which will require us to move, but which would be good for schools for the children and will only mean I have to commute roughly the same distance but from the almost opposite direction and my life was thrown into utter turmoil at the weekend.

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Tax Gap

Sun, 07 Mar 2010 19:36:58 +0000

For those who wonder the difference between what HMRC think they should collect and what they collect. It is £40 billion. Hope they don't come to me for it.

Do it now?

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 17:28:45 +0000

The press say that an incoming Conservative Government would reduce both the small company rate of Corporation tax to 20% and the main rate to 25%but would pay for it by abolishing the Annual Investment Allowance. Make sure that any clients intending to invest in equipment over the next year or so are warned that now rather than later would be an excellent move, with the availability of the AIA under threat, and first year allowances of 40% also available for just one more month.

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Day five: Surprise surprise

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:34:33 +0000

Erin called with two messages for Barry. Firstly she’d decided that she and Barry would finally go on that much needed date – she’d already booked tickets for them to hear the Metropolitan Police Male Voice Choir at the Barbican. Erin’s second message was that she had sent a huge bunch of flowers to Mrs Tams in Barry’s name.

A delighted Jeffrey Drum boomed across to Barry’s desk that morning. “You’ve sent Mrs Tams flowers, Abacus! Why didn’t you say so? She’s over the moon!”

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How to Start Marketing Your Business Through the Internet

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 11:34:04 +0000

You have heard about internet marketing and know that you should be thinking about it but don't know where to start. Well to stay ahead of your competition and continue to build relationships with your current and potential customers, this is something that should definitely be on your agenda.

So where should you start?

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Can we play Tag with invoices?

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 17:22:52 +0000

Seeing this video got me thinking. Wouldn’t it be great if every sales invoice that ever got issued had one of these Tags printed on it?

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What is an Entrepreneur?

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 10:58:57 +0000

People enjoy a lot of comforts as they go through life each day. Have you ever wondered who are responsible for all these life’s comforts? You have to thank the entrepreneurs for it. But, what is an entrepreneur?

Entrepreneur has many meanings. If you want to know exactly what it means, just keep on reading.

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Is it a Good Time to Start a New Business in a Recession?

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 10:50:18 +0000

In the last recession of the 1990s thousands of people, many of whom were made redundant successfully set up their own businesses.

If you are in this situation and you decide to start up your own business perseverance and determination are absolutely critical. In the early days you can not allow yourself to be swayed by negativity or failure to secure business after many repeated attempts.

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