2016 -
July
SOFTWARE - DOWNLOADING - 11.07.2016
Where can you still download software safely?
As you know, malware can infect your computer in a variety of ways, but the biggest risk undoubtedly remains the software that you download yourself. Which download sites are still safe?
SOFTWARE - WINDOWS - 11.07.2016
Trim down Windows 10
On the whole, Windows 10 is stable and efficient. Still, even its basic installation gobbles up 15 to 20GB, to which you should add the manufacturer’s software on a new computer. How you can slim down your Windows 10?
BUSINESS - WEB SERVICES - 11.07.2016
Finding a specialist freelancer
All companies need specialist help at some time - whether it’s ICT assistance, report writing or something totally different there’s e-help available.
PERSONAL WEBSITE - WEBSITE PROMOTION - 11.07.2016
Bigger ads in Google AdWords
Google AdWords can make your website score higher in the Google search results. The search giant recently rolled out a new advertising format. What you should you know about this?
PERSONAL WEBSITE - WEB SHOP - 11.07.2016
Create a webshop with Shopify
Shopify is not yet a household name in online marketing, even though 300,000 webshops already use the system that has been around since 2004. What does Shopify have to offer?
BUSINESS - WEB SERVICES - 11.07.2016
Plan your projects with Wrike
Wrike is a tool to help you plan projects and assign tasks to others. How good is it? We put both the web service and the mobile app to the test. Here are the results.
HEALTH - EXERCISE - 11.07.2016
Working out with your smartphone
It’s not always easy to stay motivated when you start an exercise regime, but here are some smartphone apps that can help. They even let you share your performance with others.
E-MAIL - IOS - 11.07.2016
Better e-mailing on the iPhone with EasilyDo Mail
Do you use the default Mail app on your iPhone or iPad? It’s good to know there are lots of alternatives, and many of them are better than Mail. EasilyDo Mail is a new e-mail app with many possibilities. What are they?
SECURITY - ENCRYPTION - 11.07.2016
Protect your Microsoft Office documents
If you work with sensitive or confidential information, you will of course want to shield it from prying eyes. How can you protect your Office documents, spreadsheets or presentations?
LEISURE - TRAVEL - 11.07.2016
Your travel adventures as a virtual road trip
Would you like to share your holiday adventures with others? Several webtools let you transform your route into a virtual road trip. We put some of them to the test.
E-MAIL - E-MAIL SOFTWARE - 11.07.2016
Is Mailbird really the “Outlook killer”?
The e-mail program Mailbird likes to claim that it is the ultimate “Outlook killer”. That is a bold claim which we will gladly put to the test. What is our verdict?
CAPITAL ALLOWANCES - 07.07.2016
How much AIA can you claim?
You’ve just spent £2,900 on a high-end PC for your home office on a buy-now-pay-later contract. Your family will make some use of it and your company will pay a contribution to the cost. What tax allowances can you claim and when?
VAT - 07.07.2016
Residential buy-to-lets and VAT
It’s no secret that the buy-to-let market has recently been targeted with increased and additional taxes. However, some landlords might be overlooking a tax-saving opportunity. What’s involved?
TAX RATES - 07.07.2016
Brexit - will it affect your tax bill?
Before the vote the Chancellor indicated there could be massive tax rises if we chose to leave the EU. Was this just campaign talk or should you brace yourself for some substantial changes to the tax system?
BENEFITS - 07.07.2016
Buying a home with company money
You want to move to a bigger home but the mortgage borrowing limits are proving a problem. Your company could instead buy it or provide cash, but what are the tax consequences?
PAYE - 07.07.2016
Take control of your tax code
HMRC can spring surprise changes to your tax code in an attempt to collect more tax sooner. However, you’re not always obliged to accept the figures even if HMRC has got its sums right. When can you override a tax code?
INVESTIGATIONS - 07.07.2016
An interesting case of poor record keeping
The First-tier Tribunal had to rule on whether HMRC had the right to impose its estimates for tax deductible expenses in place of those claimed by the taxpayer. The decision turned on the quality of record keeping. What was the outcome?
FINANCE - 07.07.2016
Director must give former spouse £300,000
In June 2016 the High Court ordered a director to pay his ex-wife £300,000 even though they split up 32 years ago. Does this ruling mean that a former spouse can come after a large chunk of your hard-earned money?
HEALTH & SAFETY - 07.07.2016
How to carry out an accident investigation
An employee has just injured himself and you’ve been advised that it’s serious enough to justify an accident investigation. This will be a first for your business, so how do you do it?
EU TRADE - 07.07.2016
Brexit: what happens now?
Does the decision to leave the EU mean that your business can now completely ignore all European legislation?
COMPANY TAX - 07.07.2016
The latest on tax relief and goodwill
In 2015 the government changed the rules regarding the tax deductibility for the cost of buying or creating goodwill. You’re finalising the accounts for last year, which includes the purchase of goodwill, can you claim a deduction?
FINANCE - 07.07.2016
Business purchases on credit - getting a better deal
You’re considering applying for a business credit card for you and your fellow directors. There are some good deals available, but might you be better off using your personal credit cards to make business purchases?
PERSONNEL - 07.07.2016
Employee misconduct: can you recover pay?
If an employee commits an act of misconduct you can take disciplinary action against them up to and including dismissal. But can you recover monies, e.g. salary and bonuses, paid to them before the misconduct was discovered?
TAX - EXPENSES - 07.07.2016
Extended business trips and tax deductions
You’re working on a long contract which keeps you away from home during the week. Rather than stay in a hotel you rent a flat to keep costs down. As it will be empty at weekends do you have to restrict the tax deduction?
MACHINERY MAINTENANCE - 05.07.2016
Machinery safety is in the detail
As a case heard in June 2016 shows, you must fully understand and maintain safety-critical features of complex work equipment. What happened and how could the accident have been prevented?
CONSTRUCTION - 05.07.2016
Construction safety in numbers
The Construction Industry Training Board’s health, safety and environment handbook includes some revealing figures which identify just how the industry is set up and where the risks are. What’s to know?
PORTABLE APPLIANCE TESTING - 05.07.2016
Portable appliance testing record
Undertaking portable appliance checks in-house can be a good option. If that’s a route you’ve chosen, your staff can record the findings on our portable appliance test record. How is it used and what does it cover?
WORK AT HEIGHT - 05.07.2016
BT fined £600,000 for falls
Telecoms giant BT has been prosecuted after two employees were seriously injured in separate incidents. What warning signs were ignored which might have prevented the second fall?
LIFTING EQUIPMENT - 05.07.2016
Expensive lifting equipment checks
A coach company from Wrexham has been fined a record £250,000 for failing to have lifting equipment examined. What can be learned from this case?
CONTRACTORS - 05.07.2016
Can you get a cheap (and legal) diving contractor?
Your premises includes a waterside structure which has been damaged. Previous quotes for diving work have been pricey, but a friend of a friend has now offered a good price. What’s the catch?
MOBILE PHONES - 05.07.2016
Hands-free phones are as bad as hand-held
Psychologists at the University of Sussex say that drivers who talk via a hands-free phone may be just as distracted as those who use a hand-held one. What were their findings and might you need to change your policy as a result?
FINANCIAL RATIOS - 05.07.2016
Return on capital employed
The managing director has asked if measuring the return on capital employed (ROCE) of your company would be useful. As you have not been asked for this ratio before, how should you calculate it and how can you tell if it’s good or not?
SPREADSHEETS - 05.07.2016
Text sentiment analysis made easier
The marketing director has come to you for help in analysing data from a customer survey. The survey includes a question where customers can write text. How can you use Excel to analyse this into positive and negative comments?
PRICING - 05.07.2016
A choice of charge out rates?
You’re reconsidering the range of charge out fee rates offered to clients. What are the alternative ways that hourly fee rates can be calculated and which would be best for your company?
ENVIRONMENT - 05.07.2016
Coffee cup fix
Packaging has been in the news again - this time it’s disposable coffee cups under scrutiny. Is this a cost you hadn’t considered before and what might you save by reducing wastage?
TAX - CHILDCARE - 05.07.2016
The perks that pay
It’s been all change regarding childcare vouchers and schemes. But as an employer you might be best sticking with what you have in place. What could you save as a result?
RAISING FINANCE - 05.07.2016
Supply chain finance
Decreasing debtor days is a common focus when looking to improve cash flow by reducing the cash conversion cycle. But increasing trade payable days is another option. How could this be achieved without upsetting suppliers?
MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTS - 05.07.2016
Intercompany eliminations
Your company has just acquired the company that will supply it. This is the first month that you are producing consolidated management accounts. What extra steps will be needed to ensure that there is no double counting?
ONLINE TRADING - 05.07.2016
FAQs - get them right to save time
The FAQ section of your website isn’t just a nice to have, requiring little effort or thought. It’s actually a great way to help your customers help themselves. How can doing it right save you money?
FINANCIAL REPORTING - 05.07.2016
Changes to the revaluation of fixed assets
Your company’s balance sheet includes revalued freehold buildings that previously, as required by FRS 15, required a valuation by a qualified surveyor every five years. With FRS 102, does this policy have to continue?
MOBILE PHONES - 05.07.2016
Mobile data savings
You’ve equipped several of your staff with smartphones - but the data costs keep rising. You’ve heard of ad blockers, but what are they and could they save you money on your smartphone bills?
COMPANY SECRETARIAL - 05.07.2016
Annual returns RIP
Since 1 July 2016 annual returns have been abolished and replaced with a confirmation statement - what’s the difference?
