Reply to: Can you recommend an accountant?

[cojak]

I read this thread when it was a bog-standard accountant recommendation but it's now wasted here.

Precept is a gem!

[DaveB]

Bzzzzt - wrong. That is the national anthem of Cornwall. England still needs an anthem of its own.

Dont mean to be picky but it's Beer and Sex and Pasties and Gravy.







Actually it's Trelawny, also known as The Song of the Western Men.

On a good sword and a trusty shield
A faithful heart and true
King James's men shall understand
What Cornish men can do
And have they fixed the where and when?
And shall Trelawny die?
Here's twenty thousand Cornish men
Will know the reason why.

CHORUS:
And shall Trelawny live?
And shall Trelawny die?
Here's twenty thousand Cornish men
Will know the reason why.

2. Out spake the captain brave and bold
A merry wight was he
Though London Tower were Michael's hold
We'll set Trelawny free
We'll cross the Tamar, land to land
The Severn is no stay
Then one and all and hand in hand
And who shall bid us nay.

Chorus

3. And when we came to London wall
A pleasant sight to view
Come forth, come forth, ye cowards all
Here are better men than you
Trelawny, he's in keep in hold
Trelawny he may die
But twenty thousand Cornish men
Will know the reason why.

Chorus

[ContractorAccountant]

You guys are hillarious

Seriously. You made my morning I've been laughing so hard.

[Higgs Boson]

Beer and Sex and Chips n Gravy - Macc Lads. Sorted.

Bzzzzt - wrong. That is the national anthem of Cornwall. England still needs an anthem of its own.

[northernladuk]

Bzzzt. Wrong. God save the Queen is an anthem for the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth realms. If anything England is the one that's missing an anthem....

Beer and Sex and Chips n Gravy - Macc Lads. Sorted.

[Wanderer]

Dont even get me started on having God Save the Queen as the national anthem. Its the English one.

We need a separate one to represent the UK.

Bzzzt. Wrong. God save the Queen is an anthem for the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth realms. If anything England is the one that's missing an anthem....

[LisaContractorUmbrella]

Deadly serious, actually – I am nevertheless prepared to reconsider if you can turn up any post 1945 government policy statement that supports your alternative view that business creation is not considered to be one of the cornerstones of our economy and does not therefore warrant a politically supportive framework. I think also that it would be helpful to the prestige of this web site if you could get a political figure to provide an historic authentication of your viewpoint.

What I believe you really mean is that despite all the rhetoric about business support, various governments of every flavour have failed to deliver the environment which business needs to thrive – in this view I would concur. Furthermore, it appears especially relevant nowadays in the PSC sector, where IR35 looms menacingly. This has grown despite increasing evidence that PSC’s are an emerging part of the economy and should therefore be encouraged (nurtured).

You could get a current political heavyweight to go on the record about this issue but I suspect the controversy over disguised employment may inhibit his/her enthusiasm, with the prospect of media spotlight upon tax evasion threatening to extinguish any hopes of high office.

I'm sorry, I tried really really hard but

[captainham]

You could get a current political heavyweight to go on the record about this issue but I suspect the controversy over disguised employment may inhibit his/her enthusiasm, with the prospect of media spotlight upon tax evasion threatening to extinguish any hopes of high office.

I think this is the perfect time to be cynical.

Of course there is no "post 1945 government policy statement that supports your alternative view that business creation is not considered to be one of the cornerstones", but with your last sentence (and another comment re: PSCs are growing and should be nurtured) you hit the nail on the head about why such a non-existent policy is irrelevant.


You're not just funny, you're hilarious!

[Precept]

Too serious to be cynical

Deadly serious, actually – I am nevertheless prepared to reconsider if you can turn up any post 1945 government policy statement that supports your alternative view that business creation is not considered to be one of the cornerstones of our economy and does not therefore warrant a politically supportive framework. I think also that it would be helpful to the prestige of this web site if you could get a political figure to provide an historic authentication of your viewpoint.

What I believe you really mean is that despite all the rhetoric about business support, various governments of every flavour have failed to deliver the environment which business needs to thrive – in this view I would concur. Furthermore, it appears especially relevant nowadays in the PSC sector, where IR35 looms menacingly. This has grown despite increasing evidence that PSC’s are an emerging part of the economy and should therefore be encouraged (nurtured).

You could get a current political heavyweight to go on the record about this issue but I suspect the controversy over disguised employment may inhibit his/her enthusiasm, with the prospect of media spotlight upon tax evasion threatening to extinguish any hopes of high office.

[LisaContractorUmbrella]

This latter point is crucial in my view to the eventual outcome of how the government views businesses like PSC’s and the eventual resolution of IR35 issues. After all, one of the main aims of governments of whatever complexion is to provide a framework for businesses to be created and nurtured. The limited company is a marvellous force for achieving this aim but it has always involved risks and sacrifices for entrepreneurs willing to explore the extent of their drive, skill and instinct; that is reason enough for incentives like tax efficient dividend payments coupled with minimum salary arrangements and the opportunity to avoid employer NIC outgoings.

This guy's funny

[psychocandy]

Dont even get me started on having God Save the Queen as the national anthem. Its the English one.

We need a separate one to represent the UK.

[northernladuk]

I feel the need to stand at this point and sing God Save The Queen

ROFL!!!!

V Good!

[captainham]

Good luck in your quest, for you will be contributing to employment, taxation and prosperity, and in the process adding something to the prefix in that entity called Great Britain.

I feel the need to stand at this point and sing God Save The Queen

[Precept]

Knowing enough about your business to make a difference

For most prospective Contractors/Freelancers contemplating a PSC entity the primary aim is to minimise HMRC’s tax take. Their desire has either been shaped by hearsay (including what the agencies tell them) or they’ve done a bit of research and can appreciate the logic. However, since the bookkeeping requirements that are needed are enough to defeat the most resilient enthusiast this task is usually given to an outside organisation. Hopefully, this organisation is familiar with the type of question that Contractors ask and will be able promptly and accurately to offer guidance. If they are particularly astute their expertise provides a leading edge in the Contractor’s quest to develop his/her own business.

This latter point is crucial in my view to the eventual outcome of how the government views businesses like PSC’s and the eventual resolution of IR35 issues. After all, one of the main aims of governments of whatever complexion is to provide a framework for businesses to be created and nurtured. The limited company is a marvellous force for achieving this aim but it has always involved risks and sacrifices for entrepreneurs willing to explore the extent of their drive, skill and instinct; that is reason enough for incentives like tax efficient dividend payments coupled with minimum salary arrangements and the opportunity to avoid employer NIC outgoings.

So, to those who wish to explore this route I would say find someone to look after your accounts who knows the ropes and your trading format. If it is your intention to build a real business in the sense that you want to push it and yourself to the limits of what is achievable, be prepared to learn more about the management and deployment of resources – you will ultimately need an accountant that tells you more than how to dodge the taxman. Good luck in your quest, for you will be contributing to employment, taxation and prosperity, and in the process adding something to the prefix in that entity called Great Britain.

[malvolio]

Well, as I said YMMV, to be honest at least part of my indifference to the scheme comes from having been looking after PSCs from long before IR35 days and having seen PCG spring up and muscle in - having contributed to Andy Whites original fighting fund, and sat in the Barbican meetings which Flemings/JSA sponsored and which lead to PCG being formed - the attitude of having to go though an accreditation process sticks in the throat a bit.

I'll just sit in the corner and sulk by myself.

Anyway, suspect this is OT now...

Be fair, it was originally as much about PR on both sides as it is about certifying people. With your history you could always become an Affiliate, which adds the same kudos as Accreditation without having to sit exams.

I did raise the thing about people rather than practices a while back, albeit more on concerns of a practice retaining the accrediatation when the accredited guru has moved on. I tend to agree with you, it's the person that should get the badge; but then the bigger players would kick up abut having to pay for multiple people...

However, I'll try again; it's one service I don't think they don't make enough use of.