Tronc scheme & Troncmaster

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Hello users, i have a small restaurant client - husband and wife are directors and shareholders. They would like to setup a tronc scheme for the service charges that they are collecting. The service charges are voluntary and hence as i understand, payments through Tronc will not attract NIC. 

Question is - who will be the Troncmaster? The husband and wife can't be troncmaster and they have a high turnover of staff so can't appoint the head chef etc as troncmaster. They suggested that I become the Troncmaster. I have never dealt with troncs and am not sure if it is good idea to be a troncmaster. From what i read the trocnmaster is responsible for deciding and distributing the tips etc. But as I am an external accountant I can't possibly see how I could do that? But then again there are various companies offering troncmaster services so I am not sure how they are able to offer these services.

Would be great if anyone can share any tips and suggestions if they have experience running tronc or has faced similar situation.

Thanks in advance

Replies (7)

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paddle steamer
By DJKL
14th Oct 2019 12:02

Would you not have a conflict of interest deciding the allocation?

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Replying to DJKL:
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By G JAin
14th Oct 2019 13:34

Correct and as external accountant I am not there physically to be able to decide who gets how much. Hence I am sceptical to become a troncmaster.

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By paul.benny
14th Oct 2019 12:17

Who decides the rules for distributing the tips? I would suggest coming up with a scheme and running it past the current staff. Maybe start with something along the lines of 50% waiting-on staff and 50% for kitchen, then split according to hours worked.

If you are merely administering these rules, then I see no conflict in being the troncmaster.

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Replying to paul.benny:
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By G JAin
14th Oct 2019 13:39

Don't think it will be so simple. There are compliance issues and if anything goes wrong I would be responsible.
Having said that, I know there are companies who offer these services, but not sure how they operate or run the scheme.

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By Wanderer
14th Oct 2019 12:40

Doesn't a number of responsibilities and potential liabilities transfer to the troncmaster? That together with the potential conflicts between staff as to what is due and no doubt many queries and lack of complete information make it something I'd not do.

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Replying to Wanderer:
By SteveHa
14th Oct 2019 13:18

Not to mention the responsibility if anything goes awry. I'd leave well alone.

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Replying to SteveHa:
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By G JAin
14th Oct 2019 13:36

True all the responsibilities including paying PAYE are troncmasters. Plus anything goes wrong i'd be held responsible which is why I am not keen on it.

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