Accountancy Age articles from April 2009

Accountancy Age archives from April 2009

Revealing the truth.
April 2, 2009... Byline: Danielle Harris Revealing the truth Directors often use their shareholdings as security against a personal loan, but such arrangements are subject to complex disclosure rules that can trip up the unwary. These dangers...

Pension protection fund reporting causes IP headache.
April 2, 2009... Byline: David Jetuah Pension protection fund reporting causes IP headache insolvency David Jetuah The news that 200 insolvency practitioners have been reported to their professional bodies for missing the 14-day deadline to...

Standard bearer.
April 2, 2009... Byline: Gavin Hinks Standard bearer Has Citibank's vice chairman Bill Rhodes just saved international accounting standards from a slow, lingering death? What's happened? It's G20 week and everyone who's anyone in politics,...

eat it...
April 2, 2009... Byline: Kevin Reed eat it... Andalucia, Panton Street, London This Spanish restaurant is tucked away in a side street, giving it a calm feel as you enter. Unfortunately the restaurant is underground, which on a sunny day doesn't...

mpetus for global standards rests on USA As the G20 rolls into town iti?1/2s worth noting that figures from the World Trade Organisation reveal trade restrictions have proliferated since the first G20 in November when world leaders spoke of doing precisely.
April 2, 2009... Byline: Accountancy Age mpetus for global standards rests on USA As the G20 rolls into town it's worth noting that figures from the World Trade Organisation reveal trade restrictions have proliferated since the first G20 in...

eat it...
April 9, 2009... Byline: Kevin Reed and Rachael Singh eat it... Chez Gerard, Rupert St, London Labelled as one of the best restaurants to eat in before going to the theatre, French restaurant chain Chez Gerard was quiet during lunch service. This...

Disquiet over SMEs and i?1/2going concerni?1/2.
April 9, 2009... Byline: Nick Huber Disquiet over SMEs and 'going concern' audit Nick Huber The past year has seen growing concern about 'going concern' statements. Warnings in annual accounts that a company may not be trading in ...

Employer of the Year.
April 9, 2009... Byline: Gavin Hinks Employer of the Year In a recession really good employers will stand out and being an employer that is appreciated by your staff is more important than ever. A good deal for staff tends to emerge from a market...

Finding a way through the liability minefield We stand on the edge of potentially radical change to the structure and nature of international accountancy firms. Last week liquidators in the US launched a $1bn legal action against KPMG International and it.
April 9, 2009... Byline: Accountancy Age Finding a way through the liability minefield We stand on the edge of potentially radical change to the structure and nature of international accountancy firms. Last week liquidators in the US launched a...

Grow with IT.
April 9, 2009... Byline: Mark Holland Grow with IT sales Does your CRM system really deliver value for money, or is it just a drain on valuable sales staff time? A good sales support tool should provide lead management from initial...

Take five.
April 9, 2009... Byline: various Damian Wild -- 21 March 2002 History is, of course, emphatic. But as we went to press with this cover -- late, as I recall -- on the night of Tuesday 19 March, 2002, there was anxiety in the newsroom that we may be...

Drama from a crisis.
April 9, 2009... Byline: TS Drama from a crisis If the snappy dialogue is anything to go by, the idea of interpreting the collapse of Enron through the combined mediums of theatre, music, movement and video may not be as ludicrous as it sounds. ...

Shielded from the fall-out.
April 24, 2009... Byline: nichola evans and helen davis Given the volume of news coverage on accountancy firms being taken to court for negligence, you would be forgiven for assuming that successfully suing advisers was a common occurrence. In reality, firms...

no more shots in the dark?
April 24, 2009... Byline: Ross Goodrich no more shots in the dark? Who can forget the case of Revill v Newbery? This was the case that arose after Ted Newbery had mistakenly shot Mark Revill during an attempted break-in to Newbery's shed. It was...

Only fools rush in.
April 24, 2009... Byline: wyn mears Only fools rush in Although largely ignored by the mainstream media, accountancy was a key issue at the last G20. Indeed, French President Nicolas Sarkozy warned he would refuse any agreement unless accord was...

Hitting a high note.
April 24, 2009... Byline: Judith Tydd Hitting a high note Andrew Gambrell never intended that his career should read like a soap opera script, but the world of commercial entertainment has invariably followed him from his role as tax adviser at Ernst &...

Scrap i?1/2cripplingi?1/2 contractor tax.
April 24, 2009... Byline: john brazier Scrap 'crippling' contractor tax Ten years on and the largest single impediment to freelance working in the UK, the Intermediaries Legislation (IR35) is still in force, creating massive and crippling uncertainty...

FDs urged to beef up weak risk assessment standards.
April 24, 2009... Byline: Nick Huber FDs urged to beef up weak risk assessment standards Nick Huber Finance directors need to spend more time looking forward rather than back, as the economic downturn exposes shortcomings in companies' assessment...

Arbitration not litigation will solve transfer pricing wrangles.
April 24, 2009... Byline: Judith Tydd Arbitration not litigation will solve transfer pricing wrangles tax Judith Tydd HM Revenue and Customs may have embarked on a huge new campaign targeting the taxation of goods and assets transferred within...

Cadbury expects sweet taste after bitter recession.
April 24, 2009... Byline: David Jetuah Cadbury expects sweet taste after bitter recession David Jetuah The new CFO of Cadbury has said he expects the world's largest sweet maker to ride out the financial storm as individuals continue to shell out...

avoiding professional negligence claims.
April 24, 2009... avoiding professional negligence claims l Set out clearly what advice is being sought and then ringfence it l When offering advice, do not exceed the boundaries agreed and always ask yourself the question: 'Am I holding myself out...

A bit of philosophy.
April 24, 2009... Byline: TS Philosopher Alain de Botton has a new book out. Normally that wouldn't interest TS (we're more hysterical than philosophical). In 'The Pleasures and Sorrows of Work', De Botton philosophises on various careers, spending time...

Innocent VAT campaign in the balance.
April 24, 2009... Byline: Judith Tydd Innocent VAT campaign in the balance Judith Tydd A campaign to have fruit smoothies zero-rated for VAT on the basis they are food rather than a beverage could be a lost cause because of litigation two years ago...

New software to improve client service.
April 24, 2009... Byline: Accountancy Age New software to improve client service Accountancy Age is teaming up with award-winning software developer Validis to launch a new product designed to improve the service accountants in practice are able to...

McCain UK hits back as suppliersi?1/2 cover is frozen.
April 24, 2009... Byline: David Jetuah McCain UK hits back as suppliers' cover is frozen David Jetuah McCain's UK division has hit back at Euler Hermes for prematurely withdrawing cover which insured suppliers against the threat of the frozen food...

i?1/2Name and shamei?1/2 initiative may violate human rights.
April 24, 2009... Byline: Iain Martin 'Name and shame' initiative may violate human rights Iain Martin Firms have criticised HM Revenue & Customs 'naming and shaming' initiative trailed in the Budget as not being cost effective and potentially...

Darling sneaks in VAT clause: post-election rise feared.
April 24, 2009... Byline: Judith Tydd Darling sneaks in VAT clause: post-election rise feared Judith Tydd Chancellor Alistair Darling used the Budget to lay groundwork for legislation allowing the standard rate of VAT to be temporarily altered for...

Profession backs single standard for banks.
April 24, 2009... Byline: David Jetuah Profession backs single standard for banks David Jetuah Accountancy bodies and standard setters have backed the government's wish to have the banking industry governed by a single set of accounting rules is...

Public sector efficiencies could harm HMRC services.
April 24, 2009... Byline: Iain Martin Public sector efficiencies could harm HMRC services Iain Martin Plans to seek an additional [pounds sterling]9bn in public sector efficiency savings are likely to hurt services and add to delays at HM Revenue &...

Tax advisers fear new fines.
April 24, 2009... Byline: Kevin Reed Tax advisers fear new fines Kevin Reed The taxman has been accused of looking to regulate the tax profession 'through the back door', after releasing a consultation paper flagging up the possibility of fining...

Whoi?1/2ll fill Louisei?1/2s shoes?
April 30, 2009... Byline: ts Who'll fill Louise's shoes? As insolvency practitioners around the country will know, Louise Brittain is to leave Top Ten firm Baker Tilly later this year to join Big Four firm, Deloitte However, tongues have already...

Mazars comes out fighting as AADB announces probe.
April 30, 2009... Byline: David Jetuah Mazars comes out fighting as AADB announces probe David Jetuah Mazars has claimed it conducted itself under the 'highest professional standards', after accounting watchdogs launched an investigation into its...

Call for bACKUP.
April 30, 2009... Byline: vipul sheth Call for bACKUP Any accounting or tax professional would support the view that firms need to provide true business advice. Outsourcing helps this approach, but it is in no way a service that replaces the firm and...

People and moves...
April 30, 2009... Byline: Kevin Reed People and moves... Job to die for: Lux Innovate CFO LUX Innovate has appointed Alison Clark as its new chief financial officer. Clark worked for a Scottish investment bank and funds manager, and previously for...

Highly influential: Lifei?1/2s a pitch Pressured, uncomfortable, desperate, and stressed i?1/2 no, not the feeling of those working in a Gordon Ramsey kitchen, but of an increasing number of accountants during business pitches. Being a senior accountant in 20.
April 30, 2009... Byline: Jack Downton Highly influential: Life's a pitch Pressured, uncomfortable, desperate, and stressed -- no, not the feeling of those working in a Gordon Ramsey kitchen, but of an increasing number of accountants during...

DisHonesty box.
April 30, 2009... Byline: Martin Baldock DisHonesty box As redundancies continue to rise and firms are forced to offer sabbaticals or four day weeks, many former loyal employees become disenchanted; where key people are leaving, or being asked to leave,...

Robin Hood chancellor to combat avoidance.
April 30, 2009... Byline: Nick Huber Robin Hood chancellor to combat avoidance tax Nick Huber One UK newspaper compared Alistair Darling to Robin Hood last week after he increased the top income tax rate to 50%. But, while Robin Hood...

Concern over future VAT hikes grows.
April 30, 2009... Byline: Judith Tydd Concern over future VAT hikes grows vat Judith Tydd Businesses hoping for an extension of the 15% VAT rate beyond this year were disappointed by last week's Budget announcement. But they should...

Moffett returns after Freddie Mac CFO death.
April 30, 2009... Byline: David Jetuah Moffett returns after Freddie Mac CFO death David Jetuah Freddie Mac, one of the biggest casualties of the US sub-prime mortgage crisis, has parachuted in its former CEO to help prepare its quarterly numbers...

cool heads needed in the insurance crisis Strange things are happening with trade creditors insurance. Two cases over the past couple of weeks have demonstrated this. First McCains UK i?1/2 the frozen food company. Euler Hermes pulled insurance from suppliers.
April 30, 2009... Byline: Accountancy Age cool heads needed in the insurance crisis Strange things are happening with trade creditors insurance. Two cases over the past couple of weeks have demonstrated this. First McCains UK -- the frozen food...

COMPANY REPORTS.
April 30, 2009... Byline: David Jetuah COMPANY REPORTS Arsenal seeks accounting executives Arsenal's new chief executive is looking to boost the football club's accountancy expertise by hiring professional services experts as executives. The club's...

Qualifications still top of the class.
April 30, 2009... Byline: Rachael Singh Qualifications still top of the class Rachael Singh As many as one-fifth of FTSE 100 companies do not have an accountancy qualified finance director, a study by Accountancy Age's sister publication Financial...

Online software rival targets SAP.
April 30, 2009... Byline: Rachael Singh Online software rival targets SAP Rachael Singh Analysts believe accountancy software provider SAP could lose users when a competitor -- NetSuite -- launches an 'add-on' enabling clients to use internet-based...

New rules may give advisers extra business.
April 30, 2009... Byline: Nick Huber New rules may give advisers extra business Nick Huber Government plans to expand rules requiring the disclosure of tax avoidance schemes to HM Revenue & Customs are likely to result in more schemes being shut...

Experts condemn move to legally define tax roles.
April 30, 2009... Byline: Kevin Reed Experts condemn move to legally define tax roles Kevin Reed Attempting to define the term 'tax agent' or 'adviser' for the benefit of tax inspectors would be unworkable and pointless, experts have claimed. ...

Buttoni?1/2s Team oppose PKFi?1/2s i?1/2300,000 fees claim.
April 30, 2009... Byline: Kevin Reed Button's Team oppose PKF's [pounds sterling]300,000 fees claim The wrangle over [pounds sterling]300,000 worth of fees PKF claims it is owed for working on the administration of the defunct Super Aguri Formula 1...

Auditors to air litigation fears.
April 30, 2009... Byline: Nick Huber Auditors to air litigation fears Nick Huber Representatives from the Big Four will this week urge government to introduce legislation to limit auditors' liability in the event of a company collapsing. Big...

Further tactical investments.
April 30, 2009... Byline: Cath Everett Further Tactical Investments -- Business Intelligence Tools A key area in which enterprises can generate value if willing to make incremental tactical investments is what Keith Stone, Deloitte's senior partner for...