tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53046692011-04-21T21:18:57.124ZHelping businesses succeed. For more technical "stuff" and tax data look at my website www.3ca.co.uk . If you would like to receive new postings when they appear subscribe via one of the buttons in the right-hand window below. If you would like to send an article to a friend just click on the envelope after the date.Stuartnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1121100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1134581296544045912005-12-14T17:27:00.000Z2005-12-14T17:28:16.556Z

Don't miss my latest blog on Money and don't forget to subscribe as well.

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1134550550116225822005-12-14T08:53:00.000Z2005-12-14T08:55:50.360Z

I have managed to add a Bloglet subscription to my new Blog which I have decided is the easiest e-mail subscriber to use. Sorry to mess you around.

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1134408049861150102005-12-12T17:14:00.000Z2005-12-12T17:22:05.550Z

I have taken the plunge and moved the BusinessMatters blog to TypePad. The new URL is here. If you have subscribed via Bloglet you should click on the Blogarithm logo ( at the top of the left column) to continue to receive e-mail updates. If you subscribed via Bloglines click on the FEEDBURNER logo and then click the SUB BLOGLINES logo and enter your details.

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1133937627423047632005-12-07T06:30:00.000Z2005-12-07T06:40:27.423Z

Guess what? Cumbria Tourist Board couldn't be bothered. Despite being offered the simplest of contracts with minimum work on their part and a share of each ring-tone sale they said no. Mind you they didn't reply to any of my three e-mails or my two phone calls. The Chief Executive was on holiday when I phoned but he has two PAs. One was on holiday as well and the other was out all day. The "

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1133936985250585952005-12-07T06:26:00.000Z2005-12-07T06:29:45.260Z

I was delighted to see that yet another of our clients has responded to my request for more human content in their accounting records. Yesterday I came across a cheque for "French Lessons" in a farmer's books!

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1133332129403073222005-11-30T06:17:00.000Z2005-11-30T06:40:23.033Z

Every so often one of Cumbria's quangos does something right. Cumbria Tourist Board are releasing their version of Jingle Bells today, the day before the Crazy Frog releases his. There is a ringtone as well but this is where it goes slightly downhill. Instead of being able to have it sent direct to your phone you have to download it to your computer and then transfer it to your mobile phone

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1133299717900658992005-11-29T21:17:00.000Z2005-11-29T21:28:37.913Z

I may be a little old fashioned but I can't help thinking that if you ask the Inland Revenue for advice then they will find it very difficult to be impartial. As a rule I tend to agree with the views of other qualified accountants but I have noticed that over the last few years more and more of my colleagues have been immunised by the new user-friendly attitude of the Revenue. I cannot believe

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1133284699219491832005-11-29T17:14:00.000Z2005-11-29T17:18:19.220Z

Since mentioning TypePad I've had three readers tell me it's a great product and two others offering their help to move my site. What better recommendation could there be than that? No matter how much companies spend (waste) on advertising it's the customer/client/user who decides if it's G-R-E-A-T or not. Long live word-of-mouth advertising.

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1133284145804593212005-11-29T17:07:00.000Z2005-11-29T17:12:05.230Z

The Daily Mail published a story recently about black Christmas trees. Well we have had one for years! My comment appears at the top of the list but if you can't find it I said: Fashion item! Bah! Humbug! We have had a black Christmas tree for eight years. We first saw it in a shop window ten years ago at �120. The next year it was reduced to �60 and the following year it was halved in price

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1133201750375769992005-11-28T18:03:00.000Z2005-11-28T18:16:10.386Z

Preparing accounts is pretty boring and still consists of reviewing receipts and payments and allocating them to the correct headings. To do this we sometimes have to look at cheque book counterfoils to find out what a cheque represents. I must have looked at thousands and thousands of cheque books but have never laughed until today. One of my clients wrote a cheque to the "Clerk to the Justices

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1132941569715323912005-11-25T17:54:00.000Z2005-11-25T18:00:40.890Z

I have been advised to move my blog to TypePad . I think the reasoning behind it is twofold. First it looks more professional and second "it's better". This is a warning. If everything is lost in the transfer you will always be able to access my blog from my website. By the way it will probably take me at least a fortnight to understand the "user friendly" instructions so don't panic yet.

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1132941234738292582005-11-25T17:44:00.000Z2005-11-25T17:53:54.746Z

Sage the accounts software company has recently published the results of a survey of more than 2300 businesses and this is what they said about their accountants: A third don't believe their accountant saves them money; and Three quarters don't think their accountant helps them grow their top line (sales) Their top frustrations are: Surprise fees

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1132854640618233622005-11-25T14:00:00.000Z2005-11-25T14:05:07.966Z

I have only ever watched three professional soccer games in my life, one of which was Manchester United v Crystal Palace in February 1970 and George Best was playing. What a footballer. These Best quotes are from an avid United fan on Redcafe.net . This is how I remember him. I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered. I was in for 10 hours and had 40

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1132685638715452312005-11-22T18:48:00.000Z2005-11-22T18:53:58.726Z

Just in case you hadn't noticed the weather AXA Insurance have issued a timely reminder to us all to make sure we're not caught out at work.

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1132684985901664222005-11-22T18:40:00.000Z2005-11-23T05:39:26.433Z

The SERTeam is an independent, non-profit charitable association dedicated to: * conducting and publishing entrepreneurship and small business research * improving understanding of key enterprise issues * working with and supporting other small business organisations Once a quarter they research and produce the NatWest/SERTeam Survey of Small Business in

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1132594671266336652005-11-21T17:35:00.000Z2005-11-22T06:27:32.570Z

My comment on National Enterprise Week was added to by Stuart Bruce. His experiences when his business failed as told in Real Business are well worth reading and remembering.

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1132594280838282402005-11-21T17:24:00.000Z2005-11-21T17:31:20.846Z

Never ever (well in print anyway!) has my passion been mentioned until today. And I'm sorry but I'm going to share the comments with you. I have decided to turn over a new leaf and be less conservative, reserved, boring, ........

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1132338076935593502005-11-18T18:10:00.000Z2005-11-18T18:21:16.946Z

I am PASSIONATE about business but I don't always (never?) show it. Well here goes. This week is National Enterprise Week and it is mentioned on the Tom Peters' blog. I have added my two pennyworth - scroll down and click Comments.

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1132334145905736852005-11-18T17:07:00.000Z2005-11-18T17:15:45.916Z

Despite the upbeat comments by the Governor of the Bank of England we think it's pretty tough for small businesses. Customers are taking longer to pay which is a sure sign that things are getting worse. We've had a week of clients telling us sales are down, overdrafts are up and debtors (money owed to the business) are up as well. What should you do? If you are starting in business make sure

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1132249247951491112005-11-17T17:33:00.000Z2005-11-17T17:46:35.680Z

I've said it before but please if you are struggling to make enough money in your business don't immediately think of cutting costs. Chances are you will cut the very costs which the future of your business depends on e.g. marketing, training, information technology and, dare I say, business advice. Note I didn't say accountants fees. If your accountant is just preparing a set of accounts then

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1131996904638287982005-11-14T19:32:00.000Z2005-11-17T06:32:35.340Z

And this is nothing to do with the rather risque serial on BBC1 Earlier this year the Inland Revenue and HM Customs and Excise merged and became HM Revenue & Customs. I accept that it is still early days but nothing seem to have changed. The continuing Tax Credits fiasco is just one example of a number of seemingly intractable problems still facing the "new" department. After more than thirty

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1131992268035277752005-11-14T18:00:00.000Z2005-11-14T18:19:26.873Z

Regular readers will know that my attitude to most business advisors' concentration on health and safety issues to the exclusion of useful advice is somewhat cavalier. However, I recently came across a site which mixes both compliance and enterprise. AXA4Business manages to list our obligations as well as as our opportunities - a rare happening nowadays. Look at their National Business Awards

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1131788205120847042005-11-11T11:00:00.000Z2005-11-12T09:36:45.130Z

My desk calendar from Who Moved My Cheese today posed the question : Why is it that some things which people envision never happen? The answer: The missing ingredient is PASSION!

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1131605115396320982005-11-10T06:34:00.000Z2005-11-10T08:33:52.350Z

Yesterday Barclays Bank and the local Enterprise Agency (CREA) put on a seminar for people contemplating going into business. I asked a "business manager" at the local branch of Barclays for more information and was told to contact CREA. The person I spoke to there didn't know anything about it because she hadn't organised it! One thing I shall never understand is why seminars like this are put

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1131043512589586742005-11-03T18:35:00.000Z2005-11-03T18:46:33.916Z

Today I listened to a presentation by the Inland Revenue on the new Construction Industry Scheme (CIS). Although aimed mainly at builders themselves it seemed sensible for me to hear what the Revenue had to say. Not surprisingly I was the only accountant there. The Inland Revenue don't like the use of self-employed labour in the building industry and if they had their way would make everyone an

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1130961425911124502005-11-02T19:52:00.000Z2005-11-02T19:57:05.913Z

I found this tool on Tom Peters' website and thought I would try it on my blog bearing in mind his blog is worth $576,959.88. My blog is worth $0.00.How much is your blog worth?

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1130914479910149972005-11-02T06:38:00.000Z2005-11-02T06:54:39.920Z

I once read that we will regret the things we didn't do in life far more than the things we did do. In my opinion this applies to most businesses and their owners. We spend most, if not all, of our time doing what has to be done (production and admin) rather than what we should be doing (marketing and business development). This isn't, however, a reason for the owner to stop doing the mundane

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1130132583828708152005-10-24T05:35:00.000Z2005-10-24T05:43:03.833Z

Last week the Government announced that the introduction of the new rules for the construction industry would be deferred for a year and will therefore not start until 6 April 2007. The announcement was so unexpected that the Inland Revenue haven't had time to list it on their website. The Construction Confederation, however, have published some brief details.

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1129832778913270742005-10-20T18:18:00.000Z2005-10-21T05:33:18.806Z

It's not often that another Chartered Accountant actually excites me but a recent posting on another accountant's blog is (I don't want to go over the top) out of this world. Take a look at Music for the masses via Silicon Valleyally Scoll down and click on Pandora website and take a look. It takes a lot to excite me but this is something else!

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1129825081931955842005-10-20T16:06:00.000Z2005-10-21T05:31:33.953Z

Did you know that next week is European Week for Safety and Health at Work and this year it is focusing on the issue of noise at work, under the slogan, 'Stop that noise!', with the tagline, 'Noise at work - it can cost you more than your hearing'. No I didn't either but a reader of this blog, Joanna Tidball, did and she has referred me to the campaign microsite which contains lots of

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1129799454965349142005-10-20T09:10:00.000Z2005-10-20T09:10:55.013Z

Last week I asked the question Who will you dump first � your spouse or your bank manager?�.Well, as it took the bank manager four days to reply instead of one as promised and another six days to put the overdraft in place I would suggest for that particular client it should be the bank manager.

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1129306939792358692005-10-14T16:22:00.000Z2005-10-14T16:22:19.843Z

I saw an advert today for accounting software which was described as �fun� and quoted the familiar statistic that �70% of businesses fail within their first year�, the main reason being �because businesses don�t manage their accounts properly�.Absolutely right except for one minor point, their software only kept a record of the invoices the business issued and the supplier invoices it had

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1129136622600452842005-10-12T17:03:00.000Z2005-10-12T17:05:12.913Z

A few months ago I read that business owners were more likely to �change� their spouse than their bank. Yesterday one of our client�s was promised a decision by their bank manager in connection with increasing their business borrowings. Today at three o�clock the bank manager phoned to say that he wouldn�t be able to say yes or no until tomorrow. This is not good enough. Banks do vary,

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1129049172355169552005-10-11T16:46:00.000Z2005-10-12T09:22:38.323Z

We are currently working on a new product which will allow business owners to control their business rather than as so often happens the business controlling them. It isn't complicated and is based on a cash flow forecast and budget. The main difference is that we show what needs monitoring to ensure the 12 months "happen" as planned. We are in our final version and we are pleased that it has

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1128846566467102712005-10-09T08:09:00.000Z2005-10-10T07:27:33.310Z

At last week's Start-up Seminar I said it was important not to trust everyone you meet and everything you hear if you want to succeed in business. Client confidentiality often prevents me from giving examples but coincidentally the evening before the seminar I was at a Cumbria Chamber of Commerce meeting in Kendal. Mandy Dixon, the K Shopping Village manager, was also at the meeting and, to cut

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1128702783335872662005-10-07T16:29:00.000Z2005-10-07T18:31:52.926Z

The proposals to redevelop K Shopping Village will make a huge difference to the town. Mandy Dixon, the manager of the "village", is very forthright in expressing her views. I think it is only fair that the rest of us have a chance to comment without being shouted down before we have finished! I have therefore set up a web survey which allows everyone (business owners, employees and the public

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1128171570587543472005-10-01T12:53:00.000Z2005-10-02T06:17:04.196Z

Having screwed up the traffic system over the last couple of years South Lakeland District Council have now told us whose fault it is that visitors don't stop in Kendal and guess what? It's the businesses (owners and employees) who park in the town! Councillor Peter Thornton said that plenty of parking for visitors would encourage tourists to come and spend in the town. Well that's sorted then!

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1128058339386734712005-09-30T05:23:00.000Z2005-09-30T05:34:01.553Z

This may come as a shock to the vast majority of you but there is a weekly magazine devoted entirely to discussing taxation! Not only that, but people pay nearly �5 a week for it. Rather imaginatively it is called Taxation! I think it is fairly safe to say it doesn't appeal to everyone but I am rather pleased this week as the editor has published a comment I have made about changes in paying tax

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1127987277466390272005-09-29T09:42:00.000Z2005-09-29T09:47:57.470Z

Some of you may have been surprised that Number One on the list of characteristics of successful businesses was better accounting records. The reason is quite simple: The quality of the results is based on the quality of the decisions made in the business. The quality of the decisions is based on the quality of the information (records) in the business.

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1127885173447774212005-09-28T05:24:00.000Z2005-09-28T05:26:13.456Z

Knowing when to hire is just as critical as knowing who to hire. While small businesses can be reluctant to hire additional help, it's critical to hire help when you can no longer keep up with your business's rate of growth. You need to hire help when: You are unable to balance the demands of your professional life with the demands of your personal life. You have trouble meeting

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1127554705388801412005-09-24T09:35:00.000Z2005-09-24T09:40:36.723Z

The Lake District National Park Authority has once again ignored the effect of their actions on local businesses - see yesterday's story in The Westmorland Gazette.

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1127497598215604132005-09-23T17:16:00.000Z2005-09-23T17:46:38.220Z

I was going to try and prove the opposite but when I reveal that if I'm given a set of accounts, no matter whose, I will read them, why should I bother because nobody will believe me! Last week Cumbria Tourist Board sent me a copy of their accounts for the year ended 31 March 2005. Very glossy, full of famous people - Chris Collier (Chief Executive of Cumbria Vision), Eric Robson, etc. but not

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1127493134275706722005-09-23T16:25:00.000Z2005-09-23T16:35:42.113Z

Reading my own Blog I realised there is a danger that it is concentrating on the failure of Cumbria's business support organisations (Quangos) rather than offering advice to SMEs. To correct this I thought you may be interested in the findings of Dr Alan Williams, PhD, who has conducted a study of nearly 14,000 new businesses. It was found that, in contrast to failed businesses, successful

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1127409367943105972005-09-22T17:11:00.000Z2005-09-22T17:16:07.943Z

I am still waiting for answers to the various matters I raised about the use of public money in Cumbria. The Chief Executive of the NWDA has written to me to say that he has asked Cumbria Vision and Business Link to contact me but ..............I'm still waiting. Well there's always tomorrow's post.

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1126878911907125302005-09-16T13:53:00.000Z2005-09-19T05:27:08.026Z

Having criticised the lack of support for the small business sector in Cumbria we have decided to put our money where our mouth is and are starting to hold FREE monthly seminars for start-up businesses. More details are available at This is the Lake District or by phoning our office on 01539 721002.

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1126724069080513312005-09-14T18:37:00.000Z2005-09-14T18:54:29.086Z

My offices are in Sand Aire House which used to be the head office of Provincial Insurance. To cut a long story short, Provincial was taken over in the early 1990s and closed its offices in Kendal a few years later. To compensate for the loss of high paid jobs the property developers who bought the building set up the Kendal Employment Fund. Crosby contributed �200000 to set up a fund to help

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1126502667613234482005-09-12T05:22:00.000Z2005-09-12T09:43:39.743Z

Last week The Westmorland Gazette published a story about my comments on the help available to small businesses in Cumbria. The full text is on my website By the way it is nearly a week since I delivered my comments personally to the Chairman of the NWDA and guess what? Nothing. No phone calls, no letter, nothing.

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1126283379283761052005-09-09T16:22:00.000Z2005-09-09T16:29:39.290Z

Peter Drucker, the business guru, said there is only one-valid definition of business purpose: to create a customer. He went on to say that "because its purpose is to create a customer, the business has two - and only these two - basic functions: marketing and innovation." How much of your time do you spend on marketing and how much on innovation. My guess and I would be the first to put my

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1126264974497963352005-09-09T10:59:00.000Z2005-09-09T11:24:35.750Z

The Inland Revenue are changing the rules for using self employed subcontractors with effect from 6 April 2006. Don't fall into the same trap as a local builder who told his bank manager that "Next April the tax office are making me employ all my self employed subbies". The Inland Revenue would like businesses to do that but, without a shadow of a doubt, they CANNOT MAKE THEM. We have a number

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1126157570896180882005-09-08T05:21:00.000Z2005-09-08T05:32:50.900Z

Each year limited companies have to file a set of abbreviated accounts with Companies House. These accounts are available for public inspection for a fee of �1. However, abbreviated accounts don't provide very much information - in very simple terms, a snapshot of the business at its year end showing what it owns and what it owes. The detailed information is contained in the statutory accounts

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1126070533645367892005-09-07T05:11:00.000Z2005-09-07T05:22:13.650Z

One of the commonest reasons I hear for poor business performance is lack of customers/sales. Having said this it has always surprised me that businesses take so little interest in recording who their customers and more importantly their prospective customers are. Yesterday I called in at an estate agents to ask about offices to rent in a nearby town. Admittedly it was nearly five o' clock and

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1123693708702799042005-08-10T17:05:00.000Z2005-08-10T17:08:28.706Z

"Never mistake motion for action" Ernest Hemingway

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1123520442836857782005-08-08T16:50:00.000Z2005-08-08T17:00:42.840Z

was the way last Saturday's Financial Times described the 12.5% increase in the number of companies going to the wall compared with the previous three months. The paper did say it could be a blip - albeit a big one. But at the end of a week in which the Bank of England cut interest rates for the first time in two years, it might also reflect the pain companies are feeling as they face a slump in

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1121876135091055962005-07-20T16:10:00.000Z2005-07-20T16:15:35.093Z

Too many business owners think they are doing something (taking action) which will change their situation. Most of them fail to realise that in the words of Albert Einstein "doing the same thing over and over again but expecting different results is a definition of insanity" To change things you have to change.

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1121583884655802622005-07-17T06:55:00.000Z2005-07-20T16:04:05.156Z

Don't confuse a plan with a goal. Goals tend to be "loftier" ideas than plans. For example a goal would be "To have the most successful architect's business in the North West" wheras a plan would be "To double our sales next year". Also, too many motivational books and speakers give setting goals a magical power. See The "Yale Study of Goals": A Self-Improvement Urban Legend We need a plan

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1121269558368989102005-07-13T15:45:00.000Z2005-07-16T19:55:52.110Z

Having committed to not wanting to prepare your accounts, we have to now explain what we do want to do, which is:Help business owners make more money and secure their futureThe starting point for this action is a plan. Unless you know what you want to achieve we cannot help. To paraphrase the Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland "If you don't know where you are going, any road will take you there"

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1121185203131378632005-07-12T16:12:00.000Z2005-07-13T07:43:57.793Z

I've said it before but it won't do any harm repeating it: Has your accountant changed what he does for you over the last 10/20/30/40 years? I bet the answer is NO! He still prepares a set of accounts which you don't understand, completes your tax return and then sends you a bill for something you didn't really want in the first place. Yes? Well my inactivity on this Blog is due to me

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1119369932138047632005-06-21T15:56:00.000Z2005-06-21T16:06:07.766Z

Economists have an expression called "Fiscal Drag" which in simple terms means that as our income increases so does the proportion of tax we have to pay because the Government doesn't increase allowances in line with "wage inflation". Over the last few weeks I have noticed clients are facing bigger tax bills on static profits. One of the main reasons for the self employed is the increase in

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1117210928199468952005-05-27T16:20:00.000Z2005-05-27T16:22:49.506Z

"A good plan violently executed right now is far better than a perfect plan executed next week" GENERAL GEORGE PATTON or as Yoda said "Just do it"

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1117085065782889842005-05-26T05:21:00.000Z2005-05-26T05:24:58.993Z

The Financial Times has seen fit to publish another of my letters: Sir, As the owner of a small business and adviser to many more, may I be permitted to make the following observations on Gordon Brown's plan to lighten the regulatory burden on business. 1. Red tape, especially in the small and medium-sized companies sector, is more than inspections and visits; it consists of an ever-increasing

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1116999143456968102005-05-25T05:26:00.000Z2005-05-25T05:34:08.820Z

When a business looks at matching up supply and demand, the critical question is: What should it consider first-supply or demand? Unfortunately, too many businesses start with supply and simply assume that, because supply is organised, and because they know that their products or services are good, demand will automatically follow and all their products and services will sell. This supply-driven

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1116262650535392602005-05-16T16:40:00.000Z2005-05-17T05:46:13.000Z

My parents were very fond of this quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson, the famous American essayist. They believed it and so did I. Over the years, however, I have begun to have my doubts and recently I have been trying to analyse why. The main reason, I believe, is that people aren't as honest as they used to be. Nowadays, it is quite acceptable to be "economic with the truth" and people are more

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1115932083258953402005-05-12T21:00:00.000Z2005-05-12T21:08:55.536Z

I have lost track of the number of stealth taxes introduced by this government but even I was amazed when I read about the latest one in Accountancy Age. Click here to read about it and I promise you it's not April Fools Day.

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1115312174669085852005-05-05T16:40:00.000Z2005-05-06T04:43:28.706Z

Taxes, both direct (National Insurance) and indirect (road fuel, etc) and don't forget all those stealth taxes (extra tax on pension funds), will undoubtedly increase. Make sure you take every opportunity to reduce your tax bill. This is tax avoidance and is perfectly legal not to be confused with tax evasion which is illegal.Red tape will increase. Make sure you cover the riskiest areas eg

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1114863565828071952005-04-30T08:00:00.000Z2005-05-01T07:19:17.916Z

Tim, my younger son bought me a calendar for Christmas, Who Moved My Cheese?, an amazing way to deal with change and win. Today's quote is highly relevant to all business owners (NB "Cheese" is a metaphor for whatever you want to have in life -- job, relationship, health, peace of mind.) : Take a MomentWhat might you be losing by not pursuing New Cheese? List three things you want that you

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1114667038520212672005-04-28T07:00:00.000Z2005-04-28T10:20:20.590Z

Yesterday morning I was walking through our local shopping centre. The shops open between 9:00 and 9:30. One shop, however, had a sheet of paper taped to its security grille stating: Open at 10:00 today Inside, the shop assistant was stocking the shelves. What sort of message was this to its customers? Why didn't they use this one?: Today, although we are in the shop, we are doing something

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1114579838851071772005-04-27T06:00:00.000Z2005-04-27T05:30:38.853Z

One of the biggest problems faced by small businesses is understanding the concept of marketing. I recently came across Peter Drucker's definition: Marketing is the whole business seen from the customer's point of view. A little ethereal perhaps but it does move us away from thinking marketing is just selling and nothing else.

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1106851739519794612005-04-26T07:00:00.000Z2005-04-26T05:29:37.036Z

What better time than the start of the new tax year to reconsider your business plans, both long term and short term. Central to these thoughts should be your accountant but be careful: Some people who claim to have twenty years' experience really have only one year's experience repeated twenty times.

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1113027218526556722005-04-23T06:12:00.000Z2005-04-23T05:37:24.846Z

Those readers who know me will realise that patience is not one of my best qualities. When coupled with technology (ie my computer) the result is not a pretty sight. I hate waiting for a computer to do something. If it doesn't happen immediately then I hit the key again which I am told by the IT experts actually slows the process down more. Wonderful! Imagine my surprise when I discovered that

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1113678259581885702005-04-16T18:59:00.000Z2005-04-17T18:03:52.983Z

Having mentioned my letter in the FT it's only fair that I publish a reply from Mr Harvey Cole which was in yesterday's letters. Stuart Jones strains at the gnat of a business owner on a 1997 retail price index-linked income of �20,000 now paying �1 a month more than he did. This blinds him to two more relevant and important facts. First, average incomes have increased by much more than the RPI

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1113470393779781282005-04-14T10:00:00.000Z2005-04-14T09:19:53.780Z

Earlier this week Lord Haskins, chairman of the Better Regulation Taskforce, wrote in the Financial Times "this government has earned the grudging approval of business for its management of the economy". The editor of the FT was kind enough to publish a letter I wrote about the accuracy of some of the other statements in the same article. Click here to read the full letter (you may have to

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1113410954590247702005-04-13T18:00:00.000Z2005-04-13T16:52:01.613Z

Believe it or not there is a site especially for accountants. Normally I would never suggest that anybody who wasn't an accountant wasted their time looking at it unless it was two o' clock in the morning and they were suffering from insomnia. However, every once in a while there is something which will interest the rest of the human race rather than us "bean-counters". Today's stories includes

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1112945823929298232005-04-08T07:29:00.000Z2005-04-08T07:37:03.930Z

Last week the Institute of Fiscal Studies announced household incomes had fallen for the first time in a decade. The Labour Party were quick off the mark to explain that if the self employed were excluded household incomes had actually increased! You will no doubt have you own views. See if they agree with those of the Federation of Small Businesses by reading this article and don't forget

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1112852199495210622005-04-07T05:27:00.000Z2005-04-07T05:38:02.853Z

More and more small businesses are using internet banking but as the number increases so does the number of fraudsters trying to steal your details. The Forum of Private Businesses has highlighted the problem in a recent press release (click here to read the article). Finding the most appropriate combination of hardware and software is not always easy. If you would like some help e-mail us with

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1112517277637298352005-04-03T08:27:00.000Z2005-04-04T05:36:31.296Z

Hidden away in the discussion about the affect of the 2007 council tax revaluations was a comment by Nick Raynsford, the local government minister. Once again (!) he put pressure on the business community to pay more in business rates as a way of easing some of the pressure on council tax payers. The power to increase business rates without consequence was taken away from local authorities by

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1112265023460083822005-03-31T06:45:00.000Z2005-03-31T19:05:37.093Z

Todays Financial Times contains a letter commenting on an editorial which said most people under 50 will not be able to retire in their 60s. The writer's comments echo my feelings about how the insurance sector, both providers and brokers, seem to think their products are the only answer when it comes to savings and pensions.

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1107247232138077172005-03-30T18:00:00.000Z2005-03-30T17:50:01.126Z

and it's hard to believe that the quicker you submit your Return the easier it is to manage your tax affairs. Some of the benefits are: You will know your precise tax payments for the next two years The Inland Revenue Statements of Accounts which you receive every few months will be correct You will be able to budget (save) for your tax bills Paying your tax on the correct dates will

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1107354302636605802005-03-23T14:24:00.000Z2005-03-23T06:43:29.060Z

Easter Week seems an appropriate time to read Thought for the Day from The Rev Dr Alan Billings, vicar of St. George's Church, Kendal (the church is on the opposite side of the river from our offices). Alan is a regular presenter on BBC Radio 4 and his comments on work are well worth reading.

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1110450405410188192005-03-21T07:00:00.000Z2005-03-21T06:48:32.323Z

A client has decided to sell her business and has asked a firm of chartered surveyors to advertise the business and handle any inquiries. There has not been a great deal of interest but at the end of last month a couple were shown around who said they would have to speak to their bank manager about the finances. I phoned the client last week to see if there had been any developments. To cut a

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1111004386332716602005-03-16T20:12:00.000Z2005-03-17T08:39:11.306Z

Rather than give a straightforward answer to a question I shall be asked many times today I have decided to reply with another question. Governments raise money from tax or loans. Tax pays the loan interest as well as the loan repayments. Tax is paid by you and me. Guess who is going to pay for Gordon's "generosity"?

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1110747553742463852005-03-13T20:57:00.000Z2005-03-14T12:17:38.543Z

Cumbria�s economy is failing and despite the number of organisations which exist to improve matters when all�s said and done, a great deal more is said than done. The most up to date statistics from the European Commission on gross value added were published in February 2004. These show that Cumbria is the only county in the UK experiencing economic decline. This fact is brought into even

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1110447518930226562005-03-10T09:27:00.000Z2005-03-10T09:38:38.933Z

I may have "shot myself in the foot" over the paperwork issue! I should have said it is important and valuable. One of the problems with tax planning is that it produces very little in the way of tangible benefits other than a few sheets of paper and the tax savings, of course. David Maister, a the leading authority on professional service firms, compares our work to an iceberg. The clients

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1110228277249444712005-03-07T20:29:00.000Z2005-03-08T08:42:35.393Z

The recent rush to save tax by re-registering businesses as limited companies must have the Inland Revenue rubbing their hands in glee. Yes, trading as a limited company will save you tax but it may well be costly in the long term because of the extra tax rules involved. As a sole trader or partner you are able, within reason, to take whatever you want from the business in the way of salary,

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1110215311538431842005-03-07T17:00:00.000Z2005-03-07T17:08:31.543Z

A recent survey by careers advice and training service, learndirect, has found that a quarter of small- and medium-sized businesses are inhibiting their own growth by failing to set regular financial targets. I think the figure is higher but it does show the importance of the saying: What you can measure you can manage

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1109831326127293012005-03-03T06:30:00.000Z2005-03-03T08:24:16.220Z

We recently quoted for preparing a limited company's accounts and dealing with its corporation tax affairs. Time was of the essence because the accounts had to be filed at Companies House within four weeks and we had promised that they would be filed before the deadline. A competitor beat us on price and the director told us that his decision was based solely on saving money. In this case it was

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1109745025585699022005-03-02T06:00:00.000Z2005-03-02T06:30:25.586Z

Cumbria Vision are advertising for four non-executive directors. I had half a mind to apply but discovered that despite a two day per month requirement the positions were unpaid. Compare this with Cumbria Vision's chairman, David Brockbank, who is a director of the North West Development Agency and is paid as if he was on a salary of more than �70,000 per year for the days he attends board

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1109351087207733762005-02-25T17:00:00.000Z2005-02-25T17:09:58.063Z

Remember the client who was suffering severe cash flow difficulties? Well, good news, they've managed to reduce their repayments by 25% using our suggestions and we have reduced their annual tax bill by 75%. So we are feeling pretty smug at the moment. The next step is to increase their sales (Top Line Outcome) as opposed to their bottom line.

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1107972162668551922005-02-09T17:57:00.000Z2005-02-09T18:04:38.196Z

Probably the most important point to realise in building a successful business is that it is not just how hard you work but also what work you do which is important. Too may business owners do not spend enough time working ON improving their business. Their first step should be to have regular meetings. This article will explain why.

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1107247330961124992005-02-08T08:40:00.000Z2005-02-08T13:46:37.013Z

As we are no longer allowed to mention the word recession (The government's spin doctors will not allow it!) I shall have to use "difficult" instead. I have noticed over the last few months that business life is becoming more "difficult" ie profits are falling and, inevitably, the armchair-pundits have started to give their advice which usually consists of cutting costs as quickly and by as

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1107770729047593982005-02-07T10:00:00.000Z2005-02-07T10:05:29.046Z

The announcement of the new chief executive for Cumbria Vision raises just one question: Is one of the reasons Ms. Chris Collier has been appointed chief executive of Cumbria Vision to avoid any accusations that jobs in Cumbria's quangos are only filled from "the old-boys network"?

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1107539326056195052005-02-04T17:32:00.000Z2005-02-05T08:32:24.570Z

One of our new clients is in a mess! They bought a business last year and the seller suggested they paid for it over a period of five years. Sounds great doesn't it? Until you realise that the repayments are more than the profit. Worse still the couple who bought it did the right thing - they contacted their bank manager who recommended a solicitor and an accountant. Sadly the accountant (

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1107367690216346152005-02-02T18:07:00.000Z2005-02-02T18:08:10.216Z

Did you know that the Government will GIVE you �825 over the next five years if you submit your PAYE end of year forms (P35s and P14s) over the internet instead of using the paper forms. The Business Link website has an article which explains how it works. Don't worry if you don't have a computer/don't use the internet/don't complete tax forms - we will do it for you. We already have for

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1107281537869665682005-02-01T18:00:00.000Z2005-02-01T18:24:39.463Z

The deadline for submitting tax returns was yesterday so we can stop form filling (compliance work) and move onto tax reduction and wealth creation (Business Development Work = BDW). As a starter - did you know that there are only four ways to grow your business? 1. Increase the number of customers of the type you want to have; 2. Increase the number of times customers come back; 3.

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1106981066360492612005-01-30T20:00:00.000Z2005-01-30T20:12:58.536Z

I couldn't resist this article on Tom Peters' website - The Accountants are Letting Us Down Although a little heavy I agree totally with the heading! Businesses should as well as other things be focussing on KPIs (Key Performance Indicators). Now we are rid of all the tax returns we have decided that 3CA will make things happen rather than report on what has happened. Let us know if

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1106843169542771502005-01-27T17:00:00.000Z2005-01-27T17:04:04.233Z

I have yet to meet a business owner who doesn't need more time. Advice on time management is legion but I have just read an article which may help and may even kill two birds with one stone. Employing a bookkeeper as well as ensuring more accurate records (one of the most important ways to prevent an Inland Revenue investigation) will allow your accountant to focus on financial advice rather

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1106676494253904192005-01-26T06:30:00.000Z2005-01-26T06:20:56.603Z

A few days ago I wrote about how Gift Aid can increase gifts to charities by nearly 30% but you have to pay tax to make it work. I did say, however, that if your spouse/partner paid tax then you should ask them to make the donation and allow the charity to claim the tax relief. I have just read an article by Armstrong Watson a local firm of chartered accountants which says very much the same

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1106605840698181212005-01-24T22:29:00.000Z2005-01-25T06:18:13.403Z

The Beginner's Guide to Business Blogging explains why e-mail newsletters aren't enough anymore and why every business should have its own blog.

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1106507667520605482005-01-23T19:12:00.000Z2005-01-24T06:13:46.396Z

Albert Einstein's definition of insanity: Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results must ring a bell with many business owners. I, along with thouands of other accountants, spend each January trying desparately to make sure that all our clients' tax returns are submitted to the Inland Revenue before January 31. Most of us moan a great deal but do nothing to

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1106162816498361662005-01-19T07:22:00.000Z2005-01-19T19:29:51.286Z

This morning I received a letter from Business Link Cumbria (a Government funded body set up to help businesses) telling me they have carried out a survey which shows that businesses are confused about the choice of products and services available throughout the county. Personally I am not surprised because the Government promises the world to small businesses and delivers nothing. However,

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5304669.post-1106085473407837822005-01-18T21:49:00.000Z2005-01-19T06:16:32.270Z

Within a few months we will once again be asked to decide our Government for the next five years and it seems a good idea to present my thoughts on the three political parties varied approaches to tax. At this stage I must state that politically I am slightly to the right of Ghengis Khan And Attila the Hun! On a more serious note, the parties have the following policies on taxation:

Stuartnoreply@blogger.com0