Effective Accounting

Just a quick reminder that we have a number of resources on our website. These have been written by Nicola, in Plain English (no jargon here!) to assist small businesses and contractors.
>IR35 Guide >Expenses Guide >Limited Company Guide
... Take a look - https://buff.ly/2OE0wSN
#knowledgeispower #business #contractor
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The deadline for the 2017/18 Personal Tax Return is 31 January 2019. But there's nothing to be gained by leaving these until the last minute.
We have completed 161 returns already!
We have sent reminders to clients this week - get the information across to us before the summer is over and crazy Autumn begins!
... If you usually prepare your own return, always dreading the task and leaving it until the Christmas break, or even until January, give yourself a break, get in touch and let us take it off your hands!
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I am heading off on my honeymoon this weekend, and am looking for last minute book recommendations that I can grab at the airport or download to my Kindle.
I usually love a good crime thriller, but am open to new ideas.
Any recommendations?
... Nicola :)
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One of the Testimonials hanging proudly on our Testimonial Wall! #proud #happyclienthappyaccountant

As temperatures are on the rise again ahead of the weekend, just a quick reminder to all employers that you have a responsibility to ensure your employee's have appropriate working conditions - and that means managing the heat! https://buff.ly/2tP4uPK #hothothot

Want a way to reward your employees, or perhaps yourself if you are the business owner? Learn more about trivial benefits in our latest blog.
As a director of a small business, you may be able to get £300 worth pf perks for the year tax-free!

Crazy VAT rules!
When you buy a plain biscuit or cake, there is no VAT charged, but when you buy a chocolate covered biscuit you will be charged 20% VAT?
After challenging this in court, McVities won their case and do not charge VAT on Jaffa Cakes! https://buff.ly/2v7sbU1
... #funfacts #VATiscomplex
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We are keen to add some more reviews to our Facebook page and start adding some to Google. If you could add a quick review to support us, it would be much appreciated. If you'd be happy to write a testimonial for our website, just drop Nicola an email.

If you are thinking of changing accountants and don't know which way to turn, we have a group of clients more than happy to provide references for our services. These are clients you can contact direct by phone or email to ask about the customer service they receive from us at Effective Accounting.
Please get in touch if you are interested in finding out more.

Terrific Tuesday! Today at Effective Accounting we will be joined by our summer admin support, Helen, so there will be a little more chatter in the office no doubt! Helen will be helping us with updating some of our systems and databases, answering the phone and general admin.

If you are a contractor, freelancer or small business owner and planning to get a mortgage, please get in touch with your accountant without delay (whether that be us or not!). They will be pivotal in helping you to secure that finance! #mortgage #seekhelp

A typical question when meeting new people is "What do you do?".
I used to say "I'm an Accountant". Almost instantly I could see their eyes glaze over and a yawn being stifled.
This very situation arose a month or so ago when I met some local businesses at a networking event. I decided to tackle them on their response and was met with typical responses of "numbers are dull", "oh, so you prepare tax returns *yawn*" and "you give people the bad news".
... This isn't how I see myself at all.
It seems that, even in 2018, people seem to have a pre-conceived view of us accountants and this frustrates me.
So, I vowed to change my answer. Since then, I have replied with "I work with contractors and small businesses to make the numbers work for them. Helping them to support their family, buy the home they've always wanted and live the life they deserve." To me, it is more accurate and gets a much more positive response.
#nolabels #makingthenumbersworkforyou #business
Nicola J. Sorrell Founder | Xero Champion | IR35 Specialist
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Friday Fun! A man went to the doctor who told him he only had 6 months to live. “Oh my God!” said the man. “What shall I do?” “Marry an accountant,” suggested the doctor. “Why?” asked the man. “Will that make me live longer?”... “No,” replied the doctor. “But it will SEEM longer.”
#accountant #marriage #todayistheday
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Thank you for all the best wishes and congratulations ahead of my big day! I have been really touched by how many clients and friends have been in touch. Today is my last day at an "O'Sullivan". Tomorrow around 5pm, I will become a "Sorrell".
Thanks everyone! Nicola
... #wedding #todayistheday #Ihavethebestclients
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QUICK REMINDER: The office will be closed for the day tomorrow (Friday 27 July) as Nicola is getting married!

Recently, we have had several small businesses come to us looking for advice. During our initial call or meeting, it has been clear to me that their business is not structured in the most efficient way - and by efficient I am not just referring to tax efficiency, I am also referring to time efficiency and stress management.
There is no one size fits all when considering a business structure and it is important to bear in mind your short-term and long-terms plans. Not all bus...inesses want to grow - and a less formal, sole-trader model may be the best solution.
If you are looking to start-up a small business, take the time to get some different opinions from the experts. Make sure to explain your plans. A limited company may come with some tax efficiencies, but if there is no aspiration to grow, the admin pressures and costs may make it more stressful than necessary. Not everything is about money (yes, an accountant just said that!)
Tailored advice is key. People not numbers. #tailored #people #makingthenumbersworkforyou
https://buff.ly/2MdpkzZ
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2 months on from the introduction of #GDPR and it seems many small businesses don't know the basics. Read our blog post for the 3 basics points https://buff.ly/2LGIpd0 #quickread #KnowledgeIsPower

Opening it up to you....clients, colleagues, everyone - what are the two/three key things you look for in an accountant?
Pro-activity? Experience? Qualifications? ... Approachability?
#feedback #accountant #yourthoughts
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A lovely gift arrived for Nicola this afternoon! #weddingweek #excited

Are you contracting, or thinking about contracting? Wondering what "IR35" is? Take a look at our IR35 FAQ's. We are contractor and IR35 specialists - so you are in good hands! #IR35 #Contractor

Provides an amazingly professional, knowledgeable service while making everything so easy to understand. Simply the best Accountant we have ever had! Highly recommended.

Excellent accountant ,friendly and helpful. I am a new sole trader and Nicola has been extremely helpful and value for money

Effective and efficient accounting at it's finest. Simple, no hassle and value for money, thanks Nicola and her team for continuing to manage my accounts :)

Provides an amazingly professional, knowledgeable service while making everything so easy to understand. Simply the best Accountant we have ever had! Highly recommended.

Excellent accountant ,friendly and helpful. I am a new sole trader and Nicola has been extremely helpful and value for money

Effective and efficient accounting at it's finest. Simple, no hassle and value for money, thanks Nicola and her team for continuing to manage my accounts :)

Provides an amazingly professional, knowledgeable service while making everything so easy to understand. Simply the best Accountant we have ever had! Highly recommended.

Excellent accountant ,friendly and helpful. I am a new sole trader and Nicola has been extremely helpful and value for money

Effective and efficient accounting at it's finest. Simple, no hassle and value for money, thanks Nicola and her team for continuing to manage my accounts :)

Provides an amazingly professional, knowledgeable service while making everything so easy to understand. Simply the best Accountant we have ever had! Highly recommended.

Excellent accountant ,friendly and helpful. I am a new sole trader and Nicola has been extremely helpful and value for money

Effective and efficient accounting at it's finest. Simple, no hassle and value for money, thanks Nicola and her team for continuing to manage my accounts :)