Money Laundering – High Value Dealers

The Money Laundering Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017 (the Regulations) apply to a number of different businesses which include (amongst others) accountants and auditors, tax advisers and dealers in high value goods. The Regulations contain detailed procedural anti-money laundering requirements for those affected.

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Raising Finance

Every business from its commencement and through its development and growth will need finance. But what type of finance is best suited to the development of your business, and who should you approach for funding? We provide guidance below on types of finance available and outline the planning required before approaching any lending institution.

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Data Security – Data Protection Regulatory Framework

Due to the introduction of new accounting standards, commonly referred to as ‘New UK GAAP’, the form and content of company accounts has changed. The changes for non-small companies took effect for accounting periods beginning on or after 1st January 2015. In many instances companies will now show a different bottom-line profit or loss and a different total for net assets on the balance sheet.

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Charitable Giving

If you are thinking of making a gift to charity, this factsheet summarises how to make tax-effective gifts. You can get tax relief on gifts to UK charities if you give: under Gift Aid, through a Payroll Giving scheme, run by your employer, or by making a gift of certain shares or land.

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Data Security – Data Loss Risk Reduction

Many companies are now completely reliant on the data stored on their network servers, PCs, laptops, mobile devices or in the cloud. Some of this data is likely to contain either personal information and/or confidential company information. Here we look at some of the issues to consider when reviewing the security of your computer systems, and how to minimise the risks of data loss.

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Individual Savings Accounts

Successive governments, concerned at the relatively low level of savings in the UK economy have over the years introduced various means by which individuals can save through a tax-free environment. ISAs are tax-exempt savings accounts available to individuals aged 18 or over who are resident and ordinarily resident in the UK. ISAs are only available to individual investors and cannot be held jointly.

ISAs are guaranteed to run for ten years although there is no minimum period for which the accounts must be held.

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National Insurance

National insurance contributions (NICs) are essentially a tax on earned income. The NICs regime divides income into different classes: Class 1 contributions are payable on earnings from employment, while the profits of the self-employed are liable to Class 2 and 4 contributions. National insurance is often overlooked yet it is the largest source of government revenue after income tax.

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Recruitment Procedures – Employment Law

Most claims for discrimination in recruitment have no maximum limit. Can your business afford compensation of perhaps £20,000 because you made a simple mistake? How do you make sure you don’t break the law? We set out below the main principles involved in the recruitment of employees. We have written this factsheet in an accessible and understandable way but some of the issues may be very complicated.

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