Good morning – Richard here to take you through the final lowdown of this week. Before we get stuck into the bank holiday weekend, the lowdown this morning features a pension regulator glitch and a Welsh firm has launched a bookkeeping cloud solution.
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Regulator glitch puts thousands at risk of fines
A glitch on the Pension Regulator’s website has put “thousands of small businesses” at risk of fines as a result of missing auto enrolment registration deadlines.
The BBC reports that a fault with the Regulator’s online server has prevented businesses since Wednesday. One business owner who’s deadline is less than a week away told the BBC that he has been trying to register since Monday.
The Pension Regulator said in a statement that it is aware of the technical issue and is working to resolve the issue “as soon as possible”.
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Newport firm launches cloud software
A Newport accountancy firm is the latest join the cloud software world.
According to Insider Media, HSJ Accountants has launched their cloud solution called HSJ Strato. Leanne Owen, partner at HSJ, said the firm’s decision to release software stemmed from listening to the needs of their clients. “Over the last few years, we have seen emerging technology that can make huge differences to businesses. However, if it is not embedded properly, its full potential is not reached,” she said.
"We have made investment into our offering and our team to ensure that we have expert technology specialists working alongside seasoned accounting professionals."
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Brothers feel betrayed by accountant’s breach of professional duties
As reported in the Braintree & Witham Times, business owner brothers have talked about the betrayal the felt by their accountant, who they classed as a friend, after HMRC demanded tax payments that they thought had been paid.
Adrian Lummis, the brother’s accountant, was criminally charged and faced three counts of fraud by abuse of position. He was said to have paid himself three cheques - for £20,000, £125,000 and £42,000. Lummis repaid almost £187,000.
Lummis has been ordered by the high court to repay the brothers and their partners. The brothers said in a joint statement: “For us, it was the feeling of betrayal that hurt the most. As a company and as people, we trusted him and knew him for well over 30 years.”