2013 -
July
LEISURE - PHOTOGRAPHY - 16.07.2013
Sharing holiday pictures with family and friends
When you’re on holiday, you will probably take pictures using your smartphone. Perhaps you’d like share them with family and friends while you’re still on the spot. How?
WEB SERVICES - ONLINE STORAGE - 16.07.2013
Useful add-ons for Google Drive
Do you use Google Drive to store files “in the cloud”? By installing dedicated add-ons, web apps or extensions, you can make Google Drive even more efficient. What are the best add-ons?
SOFTWARE - NETWORK - 16.07.2013
Build your own network drive
NAS (Network Attached Storage) or network drive is ideal for making a backup of all your files and having quick access to them. If you have an old computer around, use it to create your own network drive via FreeNAS.
TELEPHONY - SMARTPHONE - 16.07.2013
How to save your battery
Your smartphone or tablet gives universal access to the Internet. However, if the battery lets you down, there’s nothing you can do. By applying a number of simple tips, you can stretch the life of your battery.
E-MAIL - SECURITY - 16.07.2013
Secure your messages
By default, e-mail messages are not secured and can therefore (in theory) be intercepted and read. Encryption lets you do something about this. What are the easiest solutions?
WEB SERVICES - MISCELLANEOUS - 16.07.2013
New features in Evernote
Evernote is a handy tool that lets you store almost every kind of information online and access it from any device. Evernote was updated recently. Has anything useful been added?
ENTERTAINMENT AND HOLIDAYS - 16.07.2013
Responsible and healthy holidays
With new sites and apps arriving all the time, we’ve checked out holiday options. Ideas include camping, walking, bird-watching and the odd glass of beer.
WEB SERVICES - ONLINE COMMUNITIES - 16.07.2013
Facebook marketing: dos and don’ts
Facebook is used by lots of business people and companies as an efficient marketing channel. Here are some strategic tips for using Facebook based on current research.
SOFTWARE - WINDOWS - 16.07.2013
Downloading apps from the Windows 8 Store
In Windows 8, the “Store” is a new feature: you can now also download or buy apps for Windows as you would do for a smartphone. How does it work and what are good apps?
SOFTWARE - DOWNLOADING - 16.07.2013
How to ascertain that software is reliable
Software isn’t always delivered by well-guarded app stores: if you still like searching for Windows software yourself, you should take several precautions to only download and install reliable programs. How?
WEB SERVICES - VIDEO - 16.07.2013
Using videos as trainings tools
Are you planning on using video clips to inform your customers about your products or services, or to train your staff? There are several cloud tools that can help you.
INSURANCE - 16.07.2013
Insurance with real tax advantages for your company
Where your company pays for life insurance, it usually results in a tax bill on the cost of premiums, any policy pay-out or both. But if you’re willing to accept one or two limitations there’s a completely tax-free alternative. What is it?
PAYE - 16.07.2013
Prepare now to avoid RTI penalties
Late filing penalties for RTI are not on the agenda for now, but this year’s Finance Act 2013 will change that. When will penalties take effect and what steps can you implement to avoid them?
VAT - 16.07.2013
Are you holding onto VAT that’s not yours?
If a customer doesn’t pay your bill you can get back any VAT on this that you’ve paid over to HMRC. But where do you stand if you’re withholding payment to a supplier because you’re in dispute with them?
INHERITANCE TAX - 16.07.2013
Safeguarding your share of the family firm from IHT
A special relief usually protects your business assets from Inheritance Tax (IHT). But protection can be lost where there’s a shareholders’/partners’ agreement in existence. What’s the problem and how can you resolve it?
INVESTIGATIONS - 16.07.2013
HMRC’s new investigation process
The pilot for HMRC’s new enquiry process has led to an important change to how businesses will be told about tax investigations. What’s the full story?
PROPERTY - 16.07.2013
Claiming expenses for unused business premises
One of our subscribers was recently challenged by HMRC over their claim for the running costs of disused business premises. In what circumstances can you claim a tax deduction for these?
EXPENSES - 16.07.2013
Tax deductions for capital costs - are you losing out?
HMRC recently updated its toolkit on the different tax treatment of capital and revenue expenses. But what it doesn’t tell you is that some capital costs are never tax deductible. How can you improve your chances of qualifying?
DATA PROTECTION - 15.07.2013
Data protection and social networking
Although many smaller companies engage with their customers via social networking, they often don’t realise that data protection laws apply to this type of activity. Where can you find out more?
PROFIT EXTRACTION - 15.07.2013
Overpaid dividends - what will the Taxman say?
You want to pay yourself in the most tax-efficient way and this usually involves taking dividends, but these can only be paid if your company makes a profit. So what’s the position if you get your sums wrong and you take too much?
IT - 15.07.2013
Can personal mobile devices save you money?
Allowing employees to connect their own IT devices to your company’s network might reduce costs and increase efficiency. But it can result in lost time and a risk of penalties. What steps can you take to get the best of both worlds?
DIRECTORS’ LIABILITY - 15.07.2013
“For and on behalf of the company”
The Court of Appeal recently decided that a director was personally liable for a contract because he had not made it clear that he was acting on behalf of his company. What must you do following this ruling?
PERSONNEL - 15.07.2013
Business relationships v internal disciplinary matters
Let’s suppose that a client has complained to the directors about an employee. Unfortunately, it seems that their gripe is justified and the matter warrants disciplinary action. Can you disclose this information to the client?
COMPANY CARS - 15.07.2013
A new take on what counts as a company car
Three years ago a tribunal ruled that two directors were liable to company car tax even though they personally paid for the vehicles. In a fresh case the tribunal took a different view. How might this new ruling save you tax and NI?
INSURANCE - 15.07.2013
Are you covered for sports training and events?
To let off steam, many directors participate in sports; some even enter competitive events such as marathons, cycle races and triathlons. If you’re one of them, or want to be, what else do you need to consider apart from the right kit?
GAS - 03.07.2013
Client takes blame for unsafe gas work
In an unusual case, a care home has been heavily fined for allowing an unqualified contractor to carry out gas installation work. What happened and how can you avoid ending up in a similar predicament?
LEGISLATION - 03.07.2013
More safety legislation on the scrapheap
The HSE has identified more pieces of legislation as redundant. What’s on the list, when are they to be revoked and what impact is this move likely to have on your business?
POLICIES & RECORDS - GROUNDS MAINTENANCE POLICY - 03.07.2013
Just cutting the grass?
It’s easy to be fooled into thinking that grounds maintenance work isn’t particularly dangerous. Our example policy sets out the arrangements which you should put in place to manage the risks.
WORKPLACE - 03.07.2013
What’s the official line?
The HSE has recently published a number of draft Approved Codes of Practice (ACoPs). What’s changed and how might you be affected?
FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT - 03.07.2013
An end to fire risk assessment?
You’ve heard rumours that some types of premises might become exempt from the need to carry out fire risk assessments (FRAs). Is there any truth in this and, if so, when is the change likely to occur?
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH - 03.07.2013
Take care with pre-employment health questions
Employers who think they’re asking sensible questions to protect the health and safety of new recruits are invariably breaking the law. What are the findings of a recent study and why should you be concerned?
ENFORCEMENT - 03.07.2013
More inspections = more money for the HSE
It’s possible that you’ve had the pleasure of a visit from the HSE recently, as its officers have been out and about in force. What’s prompting these inspections and what can you do to avoid one?
REPAYMENTS - 03.07.2013
VATman delaying VAT repayments
You could be losing out as the VATman is delaying the payment of VAT refunds to investigate for potential fraud. What’s the deal?
OUTPUT TAX - DAMAGED GOODS - 03.07.2013
What happens when goods are lost, damaged or stolen?
It’s a fact of business life that goods often go missing in transit or are damaged or stolen. But what is the correct way to account for the VAT in situations such as this and what if you make an insurance claim?
OUTPUT VAT - EDUCATION - 03.07.2013
VAT on education and training?
You’re considering running some adult training courses and have heard on the grapevine that all education is exempt from VAT. But is this really true or are some types actually standard-rated?
CHARITIES - 03.07.2013
What concessions are available to charities?
You’ve been approached to help set up a new charity to aid your local school. It’s been mentioned that charities don’t pay VAT - but is this really true and what concessions are actually available?
REGISTRATION - 03.07.2013
Travelling in Europe - where to register?
If you provide passenger transport across the EU, you may have to register for VAT in each country you pass through. This sounds like a logistical nightmare so are there any ways to avoid it?
HMRC - 03.07.2013
How to complain about the VATman
Businesses often have disagreements with the VATman, but what happens when you want to complain about poor service or the advice you’ve received? What’s the correct way to go about it?
DATA SECURITY - 03.07.2013
Personal portable device threat
Portable devices, such as tablets and smartphones, owned personally by employees, are increasingly being used for work. This severely increases the risk of sensitive, often financial, data being exposed. How can you protect it?
FINANCIAL CONTROL - 03.07.2013
Expense recovery
Sales are down unexpectedly and your MD is bemused. He’s asked if you’re sure that all of the clients have been invoiced. You’ve checked and they seem to have been. What could have gone wrong?
SPREADSHEETS - 03.07.2013
Switching signs and converting text to numbers
If you need to change the negative numbers in a worksheet to positive numbers (or vice versa), there’s a useful technique in Excel that doesn’t involve a formula. You can also use it for converting text to numbers - how does it work?
PAY SCHEMES - 03.07.2013
Commission scheme safety
To boost sales, the management team has decided to look at introducing a sales commission scheme for all staff. As financial controller, you want to ensure that it’s affordable. What should you suggest?
GADGETS - 03.07.2013
E-book savings?
For this summer’s getaway, more people than ever will be taking e-books rather than traditional paperbacks. But are they the cheapest option for you whilst soaking up the sun?
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING - 03.07.2013
Shareholders’ funds
The sales director has asked you to explain the accounts to him. He says he wants to understand what is meant by shareholders’ funds. How should you explain this to a non-accountant?
CARS - 03.07.2013
Eco-driver training benefits
A study completed on behalf of the RAC Foundation has identified that you can save money on fuel if you invest in “eco-driver” training for your staff. What returns can you realistically expect?
PROPERTY COSTS - 03.07.2013
Save 15% on building costs
If you’re thinking of converting existing commercial property into residential accommodation, there’s a perfectly legal way of reducing the VAT rate you pay. How much could you save?
CREDIT CONTROL - 03.07.2013
Attack of the zombies - watch out!
Latest figures show that the number of insolvencies is smaller than expected. But does this really mean there’s less chance of a bad debt?
UTILITIES - 03.07.2013
Lights out, all staff out
It’s good to see staff working hard, but if they’re staying late they could be costing you more than overtime. What are these additional costs and how much could you save with some simple measures?
COMPANY LAW - 03.07.2013
Is the balance sheet solvent?
When reviewing your monthly management accounts, it’s very important to ensure that the balance sheet is not insolvent. A recent case has provided a welcome clarification of what this actually means. What’s to know?
