Latest blogs for Services

From 6th April 2024 HMRC want to encourage more of the self employed to use the cash basis when completing their accounts and self-assessment tax returns.   The new cash basis from 6th April 2024 will mean: The cash basis will be the default, with an opt-out for those wishing to use the accruals basis.…

The personal tax second payment on account deadline is approaching (31st July 2024).   Payments on account are advanced payments towards your tax bill for the tax year just ended, and each payment on account is calculated as half of your previous year’s Income Tax and Class 2/4 National Insurance liability. For the payment due…

With the upcoming General Election we are thinking about tax planning for SMEs.   The 4th July election day will be with us before we know it and many SME business owners are starting to think about whether they should undertake any protective actions. Especially if they think a change in government is looking likely.…

Members of our team are now back from an exciting couple of days at Xerocon London 2024. We can’t wait to hear all about what they’ve learnt about whilst they were there, including upcoming product launches!   Stephen Malkin, Ben Burtenshaw, Dan Walker, Peter Brown & Emily Haines attended Xerocon. They found that the main…

Do you know when to find an accountant when starting in Business?   We meet a lot of clients who have an idea for a business, set up a limited company and start trading. They are very keen to get the business going, so keeping on top of the paperwork does not become the priority.…

Non-Executive Directors (NEDs) are crucial members of a company’s leadership team and therefore adequate remuneration is key. However, the arrangement for paying NEDs can often be handled incorrectly.   Directors’ Duties Income It is not uncommon to see NEDs prepare invoices and submit these to the company they act for to receive payment for their…

What has changed when it comes to VAT Thresholds for Small Businesses?   The Spring Budget this year introduced significant changes aimed at alleviating the administrative burden on small businesses in the UK. One of the key updates announced by Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, was the increase in the VAT registration thresholds, effective from 1 April…

It’s the question which many start ups ask themselves, ‘Should I be a Sole Trader or a Limited Company?’   It’s something that we here at Whitings are more than happy to advise on and help you with. So whether this is your first business venture or you’ve had businesses before, it’s always helpful to…

Last night saw the gala awards presentation evening for the 2024 SME Ely Business Awards.   Local businesses were eligible to enter 16 categories, to celebrate excellence and success within the Ely business community. Whitings have been headline sponsors of the event since 2017 and the leadership team from our Ely office dressed for the…

Why do businesses get de-banked?   MP’s on the Treasury Committee have recently looked at an issue that has been creeping up on some SME’s recently and causing real problems – where your bank shuts your account without your instruction and without warning.   The committee have discovered that this has occurred 130,000 times over…