After failing at and early age to make a living by playing guitar, I started a career helping clients to save money and become more efficient. In 2009 I set up Curtis Plumstone Associates to concentrate on undertaking Capital Allowances Claims on Commercial Property. My business partner is a Deloittes trained expert in this field and my job is to keep him as fully employed as possible on projects large and small.
I enjoyed reading the post. One way that accountants can differentiate themselves is by working with third parties to bring in complimentary services I.e have a few cards up their sleeve which other accountants do not have. I do appreciate that they have to be the right companies though who share the same values as the accountant.
I would echo the above sentiments but also if they want to promote long term investment and tax relief why not increase the percentage for Writing Down Allowances for the Main and Special Rates Pools.
Probably because increasing WDAs doesn't grab the headlines and will give tax relief beyond the date of the next election. This was the same Government who decreased the AIA from £100k to £25k and then increased it 9 months later to £250k becasue they realised they had made a mistake.
I have scanned a copy of Harlequins damages claim as unfortunately I did invest some of my pension in a Harlequin property. As someone who used to be involved with construction procurement what amazes me about this is that the accountant seems to have been left in charge of advising on the progress of a builidng project?
At the very least you would want the project managed by a Quantity Surveyor and as the article states there should have been Bills of Quantities, a Schedule of Rates etc. I don't know how the law works in these areas but I can't help thinking that if your going to set up a company that's core business is building property that you should have project management and procurement skills which ensures the type of situation above does not develop.
There again you could say someone of my expereience shouldn't invest in a company unless they are sure they have those skills!!
In a lot of cases I think it is just within peoples nature. When I studied my degree most people had finished their "essays" before I started them. Capital punishment doesn't seem to prevent people from murdering other people. An increase in the fine probably will not change a thing other than earn HMRC a little more money.
Rivals the I-pad Mini but doesn't have the same price tag and can fit in a jacket pocket. You can download apps, books, films etc form Playstore but also download the Kindle App if you want to get stuff from Amazon. If you have an Android phone you'll understand it right out of the box. Only problem is if you have an eight year old son you'll struggle to prize it from their grip!
Definitely worth looking at unless you can't imagine owning anything which hasn't been made by Apple.
I've suffered from anxiety and been treated for it for over 5 years now and depression is always so close at hand for me.
I've always wondered though, due to the stigma surrounding depression and anxiety, whether I should tell any future or current employers. I know by law they can't discriminate against me for that but I still am concerned about the reactions I may face if I mention it.
Does anyone have any advice or tips on how to handle this?
Thanks
I can only talk from my own experience as someone who has been managing depression most of my adult life. Although I work primarily for myself when I applied for jobs in the past I never sought to hide my medical history although like you I did I have the same internal debate. All I can say is to the best of my knowledge I never missed our on a job on medical grounds and I was relatively successful in my previous career. I think if those of us who do suffer start to try and hide the fact then there will never be a wider and more empathetic understanding of the condition.
Hope that helps and may thanks to OP for bringing a debate on this subject into the pages of AccountingWeb.
I understand it but I only managed to do so by abandoning all logic and reason. This is much like the government who changed the AIA from £100k to £25k and back up to £250k.
For a company which has been faced with so much acrimony from investors and the wider financial community Harlequin seem to be winning a lot of their legal battles. Although I'm sure there are arguments for saying the company has not been run as well as it good have been nobody has yet proved that any illegal activity has gone on. Having invested in Harlequin myself I wait to see what the next twist in the tail might be. I consul myself with the fact that people with more financial nouse than me have also invested.
The comments on this post are mostly negative which probably means those who have posted are well versed in what is being talked about. However as s supplier of services to accountants and their clients we do see accountants who are just not willing to refer their clients to third parties. If you are already taking the steps alluded to in this post good for you but from our experience not all accountants are as proactive.
My answers
Use two decks?
Mark,
I enjoyed reading the post. One way that accountants can differentiate themselves is by working with third parties to bring in complimentary services I.e have a few cards up their sleeve which other accountants do not have. I do appreciate that they have to be the right companies though who share the same values as the accountant.
John
Commercial Property Buyers could benfit.
I would echo the above sentiments but also if they want to promote long term investment and tax relief why not increase the percentage for Writing Down Allowances for the Main and Special Rates Pools.
Probably because increasing WDAs doesn't grab the headlines and will give tax relief beyond the date of the next election. This was the same Government who decreased the AIA from £100k to £25k and then increased it 9 months later to £250k becasue they realised they had made a mistake.
Interesting
I have scanned a copy of Harlequins damages claim as unfortunately I did invest some of my pension in a Harlequin property. As someone who used to be involved with construction procurement what amazes me about this is that the accountant seems to have been left in charge of advising on the progress of a builidng project?
At the very least you would want the project managed by a Quantity Surveyor and as the article states there should have been Bills of Quantities, a Schedule of Rates etc. I don't know how the law works in these areas but I can't help thinking that if your going to set up a company that's core business is building property that you should have project management and procurement skills which ensures the type of situation above does not develop.
There again you could say someone of my expereience shouldn't invest in a company unless they are sure they have those skills!!
Probably not
In a lot of cases I think it is just within peoples nature. When I studied my degree most people had finished their "essays" before I started them. Capital punishment doesn't seem to prevent people from murdering other people. An increase in the fine probably will not change a thing other than earn HMRC a little more money.
Thanks for the laugh
Thanks this made me laugh.
Nexus Tablet
Rivals the I-pad Mini but doesn't have the same price tag and can fit in a jacket pocket. You can download apps, books, films etc form Playstore but also download the Kindle App if you want to get stuff from Amazon. If you have an Android phone you'll understand it right out of the box. Only problem is if you have an eight year old son you'll struggle to prize it from their grip!
Definitely worth looking at unless you can't imagine owning anything which hasn't been made by Apple.
In may experience.....
I can only talk from my own experience as someone who has been managing depression most of my adult life. Although I work primarily for myself when I applied for jobs in the past I never sought to hide my medical history although like you I did I have the same internal debate. All I can say is to the best of my knowledge I never missed our on a job on medical grounds and I was relatively successful in my previous career. I think if those of us who do suffer start to try and hide the fact then there will never be a wider and more empathetic understanding of the condition.
Hope that helps and may thanks to OP for bringing a debate on this subject into the pages of AccountingWeb.
I understand it.
I understand it but I only managed to do so by abandoning all logic and reason. This is much like the government who changed the AIA from £100k to £25k and back up to £250k.
No Smoke without fire?
For a company which has been faced with so much acrimony from investors and the wider financial community Harlequin seem to be winning a lot of their legal battles. Although I'm sure there are arguments for saying the company has not been run as well as it good have been nobody has yet proved that any illegal activity has gone on. Having invested in Harlequin myself I wait to see what the next twist in the tail might be. I consul myself with the fact that people with more financial nouse than me have also invested.
My Opinion
The comments on this post are mostly negative which probably means those who have posted are well versed in what is being talked about. However as s supplier of services to accountants and their clients we do see accountants who are just not willing to refer their clients to third parties. If you are already taking the steps alluded to in this post good for you but from our experience not all accountants are as proactive.