2012 -
July
PERSONNEL - 17.07.2012
Demanding (company) overtime
NatWest was recently forced to extend its evening and weekend opening hours following a major IT blunder. As a result, 7,000 staff worked overtime at short notice. How can a company make this type of demand?
TAX - 17.07.2012
Is the cost of a director’s holiday tax deductible?
You’ve been looking forward to your holiday for ages, but a “can’t miss” business meeting now threatens to coincide. If you cancel or postpone your trip and your company picks up the bill for this, where do you stand with the Taxman?
DIRECTORS’ LIABILITY - 17.07.2012
Would you like to be a non-executive director?
An up and coming company requires a non-executive director (NED) and has approached you about taking on the role. It seems like the ideal way to utilise your experience, but where do you stand when it comes to liability?
COMPANY LAW - 17.07.2012
Parent company liable for acts of subsidiary
Historically, the courts have treated every company as a separate legal entity. However, the Court of Appeal has just found a parent company liable for the acts of a subsidiary. So has that rule now been changed?
EXPENSES - 17.07.2012
Tax break for “triangular” business trips
The Taxman doesn’t allow a deduction for the cost of travel between your home and normal place of work. But one exception to this rule is where the trip includes a business purpose. When can you make use of this loophole?
HEALTH - MISCELLANEOUS - 12.07.2012
Pain-free computer work
A bad position in front of your computer and uninterrupted computer use are highly taxing on your body. Here are some tips and tools for protecting your body against “RSI”.
SOFTWARE - BROWSER - 12.07.2012
Pimp your browser
There’s no need to take the look of your browser or the websites you visit for granted. How can you revamp your browser, even to the extent of making the websites you visit look different?
COMPUTER - TABLET - 12.07.2012
Creative sketching on your tablet
People typically use their tablet for reading and composing e-mail, surfing to websites or watching videos. But you can also draw and sketch on it if you have the right apps. Here are some suggestions.
BUSINESS - WEB SERVICES - 12.07.2012
Sharing your monitor the easy way
Do you need to demonstrate something on your computer screen to the person you’re calling? There are various dedicated tools, but the new Screenleap makes this task child’s play.
SOFTWARE - PHOTO AND VIDEO - 12.07.2012
Microsoft’s photo and video tools
Software giant Microsoft produces Windows and Office, but did you know that it also develops lots of freeware? Here are three free programs which allow you to be creative with your photos and videos.
E-MAIL - SECURITY - 12.07.2012
Secure your e-mail
Your e-mail account is obviously password-protected, whether you use webmail or a regular e-mail program. However, is this protection effective in keeping hackers out?
SOFTWARE - DESKTOP - 12.07.2012
A useful desktop
Is your desktop crammed with icons? Using the proper tools, you can make your desktop more attractive and user friendly. How exactly do you do this, and is it that useful?
SOFTWARE - OFFICE - 12.07.2012
Editing text on your iPad
To create text, documents, reports etc., you will probably use Word on your computer or laptop. But how can you also read and edit these DOC(X) files on your iPad?
SECURITY - ONLINE STORAGE - 12.07.2012
Amazon Cloud Drive: better than Dropbox?
Amazon Cloud Drive has been available in Europe for quite a while now. What exactly does it have to offer, and how does it perform in comparison with Dropbox, Google Drive or Skydrive?
SECURITY - ANTI-MALWARE - 12.07.2012
Mobile security
Although the odds are small that your smartphone will ever be infected by a virus, there are lots of apps promising protection. What do they do and are they worth installing?
TRANSPORT - MISCELLANEOUS - 12.07.2012
Four wheels, two or none?
With the Olympics two weeks away, you may want to avoid public transport in London. Are there other cheap options in the capital and elsewhere?
CAPITAL ALLOWANCES - 11.07.2012
How soon can you claim a tax deduction for equipment?
There are special rules which allow you to claim tax relief on the cost of equipment. But if all you have is a pile of raw materials to make and install the equipment, are you entitled to any tax deduction at all?
VAT - 11.07.2012
Short-term VAT registrations for property owners
Where a commercial property is VAT-exempt, you don’t have to charge VAT on rent. However, you’re making costly improvements and the exempt status means you won’t be able to reclaim the VAT on these costs. Is there a solution?
PERSONAL TAX - 11.07.2012
Preparing for the 45% tax rate
If you’re in the Taxman’s 50% tax club, you’ll welcome the proposed cut to 45% effective from next April. But what steps can you take now to maximise the tax saving from this?
INVESTIGATIONS - 11.07.2012
When will the Taxman investigate tax avoidance?
Despite a great deal of recent bad press, tax avoidance schemes continue to be marketed. But do they all work, and if you intend to make use of them what steps can you take to reduce the risk of trouble with the Taxman?
PROFIT EXTRACTION - 11.07.2012
Tax-efficient golden handshake
When the time comes to hand over the company to the next generation, they might want to show their appreciation by paying you a lump sum. The Taxman will, of course, want a bite out of this. How can you keep this to a minimum?
HMRC - 11.07.2012
What’s the best way to contact the Taxman?
A recent report noted that those phoning HMRC were having to wait up to 30 minutes to speak to someone. Many gave up before then. Do you have to put up with this inefficiency or are there better ways of getting through to the Taxman?
PAYE - 11.07.2012
RTI is another step closer
Real Time Information (RTI) will be phased in from next April, but the Taxman is giving employers a chance to use it earlier. Is this something you should consider?
POLICIES & RECORDS - SLIPS, TRIPS AND FALLS - 04.07.2012
Set out your policy on slips and trips
Slips and trips remain common workplace accidents and can affect every business. It’s good practice to have a policy on the topic, so why not make use of our new template?
PERSONAL INJURY - 04.07.2012
What is “negligence” and how can it be proved?
An individual had an accident at your premises. He says it’s your fault and is going to make a claim for compensation. But you don’t believe you’ve done anything wrong. How are these cases assessed?
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH - 04.07.2012
The HSE’s occupational cancer priorities
The HSE recently published its proposals for tackling the causes of cancer in the workplace. What types of activity are in its sights and what action can you expect to see from inspectors?
VIOLENCE - 04.07.2012
Dealing with violent customers
According to the British Retail Consortium at least 35,000 staff have suffered violent attacks or threats in the last year. Can you do anything to stop them, and if not, how can you reduce the risks to your staff?
TRANSPORT - 04.07.2012
“Load Safety” campaign
The HSE has launched a campaign focused on loading vehicles safely. What’s on the agenda and how might this affect you?
AUDIT/REVIEW - 04.07.2012
Progress report on reforms
Employment minister Chris Grayling has issued a progress report that identifies how the implementation of health and safety reforms is proceeding. What’s happening and what can you expect in the not too distant future?
CONSTRUCTION - 04.07.2012
Landlord’s responsibilities on construction projects
In a recent case, a residential landlord was prosecuted in connection with the death of a builder working on one of his properties. It’s a bit of a wake up call for those in a similar position, so what should you be aware of?
FINANCIAL ANALYSIS - 04.07.2012
Ratios not working?
Your predecessor used to prepare a ratio analysis within the monthly management accounts and the directors quite like it. But before you carry it on, what potential traps should you look out for?
MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTS - 04.07.2012
Accounting for rent charges
Your company is moving into new rented premises and you’ve managed to negotiate a rent-free period and a break clause. How should you record this in your management accounts?
RAISING FINANCE - 04.07.2012
Don’t give up on the banks
A recent survey found that only 2% of SMEs who have their bank loan applications turned down bother to appeal. However, there’s a 40% success rate for those who do. What’s involved?
SPREADSHEETS - 04.07.2012
Adding the X factor to NPV and IRR models
Standard Excel functions used to calculate a present value for future revenue streams, or produce an internal rate of return percentage for a project, have a common weakness. How can you easily overcome this?
PURCHASE LEDGER - 04.07.2012
Calculating the cost per invoice
To help measure the effectiveness of your purchase ledger team, you want to use the cost per invoice processed as a key performance indicator. But how do you actually calculate this to end up with a meaningful number?
REPORTING - 04.07.2012
How to report non-financial performance
Financial measures alone may not give the board all the information it needs to manage effectively. Non-financial measures can provide a deeper understanding of what drives the business. How can you add these to your monthly reports?
TRAINING - 04.07.2012
Analyse training needs to save
A number of councils were recently outed for “wasting money” on training and courses for staff. How can you ensure that you provide the right training and not fall into the same trap?
PERSONNEL - 04.07.2012
The cost of light fingered staff
Are your staff following in the footsteps of some politicians and stretching the limits of their expenses claims? If so, how much could it be costing you and how can you put a stop to it?
UTILITIES - 04.07.2012
Washing your hands of extra water costs
Research suggests that water consumption during hand-washing can be reduced by between 16% and 45% by using foam soaps rather than traditional liquids or lotions. How? And could there be some savings for you?
CARS - 04.07.2012
Driving down the cost of motoring
A recent poll found that drivers really do behave differently when they’re in a company car. And unfortunately, it isn’t the case that they drive more carefully or treat the car with greater consideration. Could this be costing you?
PAYROLL SOFTWARE - 04.07.2012
Is it time for a change?
With Real Time Information (RTI) coming in next year, this is the ideal opportunity to review your current payroll software provision. Where do you start?
DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION - 02.07.2012
Sending the right (disability discrimination) message
In a recent case, two managers accidentally left a message on an employee’s answerphone in which they both joked about her disability. What action did the tribunal decide to take against their employer as a result?
SICKNESS ABSENCE - 02.07.2012
Introducing return-to-work interviews
It’s a proven fact that employers who conduct return-to-work interviews have lower sickness absence rates than those who don’t. So if you want to introduce such a system for the first time, what’s the best way to go about it?
UNFAIR DISMISSAL - 02.07.2012
Employee disguised as “self-employed lap dancer”
We previously looked at a case that involved a lap dancer who had claimed unfair dismissal. She had lost because the tribunal concluded she wasn’t actually an employee. This decision has just been overturned on appeal. Why?
COMPROMISE AGREEMENTS - 02.07.2012
Moving from compromise to settlement agreements
The government recently announced plans to change the law surrounding compromise agreements to help employers. So do we have a major shake-up on the cards, or just another load of political hot air?
PROMOTION - 02.07.2012
Contracts: limiting the promotion risks
You’ve created a new key role and the ideal candidate for it is an existing employee. Although they seem up to the job, what should you do to protect yourself just in case things don’t work out?
DISCIPLINARY MATTERS - 02.07.2012
Can we re-discipline and hike the sanction?
Following disciplinary proceedings, an employee was given a final written warning. On reflection, it’s suggested that the right sanction for their misconduct was actually dismissal. Can you start all over again and up the penalty?
EQUAL PAY - 02.07.2012
Mandatory equal pay audits?
It’s been reported that all employers will soon be subject to mandatory equal pay audits. Is this actually going to happen?
PENALTIES - 02.07.2012
Late registration penalties
You know that the VATman is more than happy to issue penalties for late registration. But how are these assessed and why have you been told about two completely different types?
FLAT RATE SCHEME - 02.07.2012
Cut your VAT bill with FRS?
The Taxman extols the virtues of the time and admin savings you can make by using his flat rate scheme (FRS), but he’s keen to play down some of the VAT savings it offers. What are these and when can you take advantage of them?
REGISTRATION - 02.07.2012
Why register early?
You can choose to register voluntarily before reaching the registration limit and even before you’ve started to trade. But why would you want to and are there any advantages?
PROPERTY - 02.07.2012
Reduce your building costs by 15%
If you’re converting existing commercial property into residential accommodation, there’s a perfectly legal way of reducing the VAT rate you pay. How can you take advantage?
PROPERTY - 02.07.2012
Zero-rating for listed buildings to go
The Budget announced the removal of zero-rating for approved alterations to listed buildings by March 2013. What’s the full story?
APPEALS - 02.07.2012
The best way to appeal
The VATman has issued you with an assessment which you (unsurprisingly) disagree with. What are your rights in such a situation and what’s the most effective appeal route?
VEHICLES - 02.07.2012
Don’t forget about your grey fleet
When considering the environmental impact of staff travelling for business, you should factor-in those who use their own vehicles - the so-called “grey fleet”. Why is this important?
WASTE - 02.07.2012
Simplifying waste laws
From filling in transfer notes to complying with producer obligations and hazardous waste regulations, it’s about to get easier to deal with your business waste. What plans are on the table?
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT - 02.07.2012
Hazardous substances in electronic goods
The government is currently consulting on changes to the Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive. What is likely to be revised and how might this affect you?
STATUTORY NUISANCE - 02.07.2012
Nuisance cases reach the Court of Appeal
Two recent Court of Appeal decisions are likely to have a significant impact on future statutory nuisance cases where complaints about noise and odours have been made. What’s to know?
ENERGY MANAGEMENT - 02.07.2012
Keeping the lights on
The government has recently published a draft Energy Bill. What will the legislation achieve and is it likely to have a significant impact on your business?
RECYCLING - 02.07.2012
Second-hand but first rate
If you watched the last series of the BBC television programme “The Apprentice” you may have heard the phrase “re-manufacturing”. What is it and should you consider buying products that are made this way?
MICRO-GENERATION - 02.07.2012
Solar feed-in tariff rates finally set
The government has finally unveiled its latest set of feed-in tariff (FIT) rates it will pay as a subsidy for solar power installations. What are they and does it finally mean that such systems can be a worthwhile investment?
