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2017

01.09.2017: Bank Ring-Fencing

The Bank of England has published new plans to carve up the big banks. Sir John Vickers proposed the ring-fencing rules in 2011, and they are at last starting to take shape. Regulators want to split up retail banks - the services you would get in a branch, online or that a small business would use - from the investment banking and global operations of the giant banks.

The idea is that the essential parts of the business will become safer, making it less likely that normal people will be affected by a failure in the riskier parts, such as investment banking. Even if the bank does crash, the new rules should make it easier for the Bank of England to let investment banking operations collapse, but keep the retail bank running. The ring-fenced banks have been told to make sure they are not too reliant on their investment bank for revenues, and to have their own separate legal, HR and risk operations.

In theory, it means the government will never have to bail out a lender with a big investment bank like Royal Bank of Scotland ever again - but of course the real test will come at a time when financial markets are panicking.

It will not be cheap to implement. A whole array of changes to the capital regime are on the way which could mean the banking sector has to put aside tens of billions of pounds more into capital buffers, which could limit the amount they lend out to ordinary consumers and businesses. In addition, big banks will have to spend an estimated £200m each to implement the reforms, then £120m per year sustaining the extra staff in areas like IT, HR and risk. As always, that is likely to be passed on to customers.

02.08.2017: Brooke & Associates Testimonial

A brief note to thank you for undertaking Brooke and Associates bookkeeping for year end 2016/17 and your continued role for the forthcoming year, to include my company's VAT commitments now that the Government has changed its VAT law on the Flat Rate System for small businesses.

Not only did you undertake the above correctly, but in excellent time, that in turn provided timely answers to my accountant. Additionally, you were adept at answering specific queries and putting suggestions and recommendations forward. An excellent value-added service.

I shall not be turning to another bookkeeper for the above and was very pleased overall. I am delighted to be able to write this testimonial of you and your company. I look forward to working with you again soon.

– Danielle Brooke BSc MRICS FPWS – Brooke and Associates

16.07.2017: Making Tax Digital

HMRC has today announced significant changes to the roll-out of its Making Tax Digital scheme, which was due to go live from April 2018.

The scope and timetable have now been pared back following feedback and concerns about the broad scope and short timescales from parliamentary bodies, businesses, the accounting profession and software companies, including Xero } ?>.

As a digital advocate, we support HMRC's vision for a digital tax system, and not least because of the £8Bn tax gap the government attributes to poor record-keeping practices by SMBs.

It is crucial that businesses and the accounting industry are given adequate time to adapt to new methods of compliance record-keeping. And where possible, any new rules should also improve SMB and accountant productivity and not just satisfy HMRC's own agenda.

The UK still languishes at the bottom of the table of G8 nations for productivity; it follows that smarter and more productive UK SMBs will play an important role in securing our economic future at the same time as creating vital new jobs in the next decade. So this extra time to build and bed down new digital processes for SMBs and accountants is welcomed, and we are glad that HMRC has responded to the many concerns raised.

21.06.2017: Xero Certified Advisors

As certified Xero advisors, we offer our clients the full range of Xero services, including set-up, training and ongoing support; and can assist with the implementation of your system and migration of data from existing software or ledgers.

Simple. Smart. Secure.

06.05.2017: The Beekeeping Bookkeeper

It's not just books we keep, now we keep bees! Follow our sister page 'Garden Wood Estate Bee Farm' to see the trials and tribulations (and stings) of a new bee keeper.

02.01.2017: Busness Doctors Testimonial

Over the course of 3 years Janice has become a key supplier to my growing business and a fantastic fit and forget solution for bookkeeping.

As a result of this I have been able to refer Janice and Pteris to my clients without concern and have been rewarded with the great service delivered to them.

– Chris Simpson – Business Doctors

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