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Around the firms

A quick round up of news from MGI UK and Ireland firms.

Copsey Murray

Irish Revenue drives forward online filing

Copsey Murray has highlighted changes to the Irish tax system likely to have some significant implications for business and individual tax payers.

The Irish Revenue has introduced mandatory electronic filing for all tax returns filed by companies, partnerships, trusts and other organisations/structures.

The effective date was 1 June 2011 and paper return forms are no longer being issued to taxpayers for a large number of categories of tax payments, including withholding tax, contractors’ tax, VAT, PAYE and stamp duty payments.

The next phase will see the mandatory electronic filing being applied to individuals where currently electronic filing is optional (although currently used by the vast majority of taxpayers via their tax agents).

New facilities are being added by Revenue on a regular basis, focused on avoiding unnecessary manual intervention by Revenue and letter writing, for example the facility to amend an assessment online in the event that an error occurred in the original upload of an income tax or corporation tax return form.

Copsey Murray partner Tony Kenny said: “The Irish Revenue is really embracing the paper-free concept in an aggressive way and there are indications that the UK HM Revenue & Customs may follow suit.”

HB&O

Regional role for forensic accounting experts

HB&O has been appointed as a regional representative of a leading forensic accounting network.

The firm will represent Coventry, Birmingham, Nuneaton and Hinckley as part of the Network of Independent Forensic Accountants (NIFA). HB&O director Phil Ewing said: “It is a great privilege to be the region’s representative in this highly specialised field.

"Our MGI membership helped to raise awareness of opportunities with NIFA and our thanks go to NIFA technical director Roger Isaacs of Milsted Langdon for introducing us."

For more information on NIFA, visit www.NIFA.co.uk

Seminar is a real eye-Opener

HB&O scored a 100 per cent success rate at its latest IRIS OpenBooks seminar.

Following the session, held at the firm’s Leamington Spa office, 100 per cent of those who attended signed up to IRIS OpenBooks for a free, 30-day, no obligation trial.

Clients introduced to IRIS OpenBooks by HB&O say the online accounting system sells itself, with comments including: “We are delighted to find an accounting system that we could understand, without any specialist training.”

HB&O director Mark Ashfield says: “With HM Revenue & Customs planning to check the business records of up to 50,000 SMEs annually and impose penalties for significant record keeping failures, IRIS OpenBooks is also a user-friendly tool to help businesses keep their books in shape and the taxman happy.”

HB&O tweets ahead on social media

HB&O has been making it a little easier for businesses to get to grips with the complexities of social media.

The firm teamed up with local social media specialist James Pennington to offer two seminars at Coventry Transport Museum on 10 May, providing an expert introduction to social media and the benefits it can bring.

A total of around 50 people attended the breakfast and afternoon sessions and there was positive feedback from delegates.
Rob Kendall, managing director of HB&O, said: “Tweeting or using Facebook may be second nature to teenagers, but working out how to use social media effectively may not be so quite so straightforward for many business people.
“We are delighted that as a result of our seminars, a number of our clients have asked for our support with implementing social media within their businesses and we will be working with James to implement this.”

Midgley Snelling

Doing business in New Delhi

Midgley Snelling partners James Beecher and Andrew Grout travelled to India in April to attend the MGI Asian Area Meeting in New Delhi and to meet with international clients.

The annual MGI Asian Area Meeting was held on 7-9 April at the Shangri-La Hotel. There was a timetable of various presentations given by members from around the world, which focused on “doing business” in Asian countries and the investment in MGI to build a strong alliance for the benefit of all Asian members.

Along with the presentations, James, Andrew and the other attendees also had a chance to visit one of India’s most famous sights, the Taj Mahal.

James said: “The MGI Asian Area meeting was very beneficial, and featured many interesting presentations focusing on the importance of being part of the MGI alliance, as well as hearing about how businesses do business in Asia.

One of James’s main roles at Midgley Snelling is to advise international clients, particularly from India, on how to structure trade and investments offshore. Therefore, the expedition also gave James the opportunity to meet with various international clients in Chennai and Mumbai.

“I like to make regular trips to India, so it was a fantastic opportunity for me to combine the MGI Asian Area Meeting with meetings with our international clients. During the meetings it became clear that Midgley Snelling has the ability to operate with businesses looking to work in India and Asia.”

Rickard Keen

Firm does it again in ICAEW awards

Rickard Keen has scooped a prestigious regional award for the high standards of training it provides.
The practice, which has offices in Basildon and Southend, was named Training Firm of the Year in this year’s Essex Accountancy and Business Awards, organised by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).

The Rickard Keen team were on hand to accept their award during a ceremony at Orsett Hall Hotel, in Orsett, Essex, on 18 May. It is the second year running that Rickard Keen has won an ICAEW award in Essex, after being named Accountancy Firm of the Year at last year’s inaugural event.

Judges were particularly impressed with the way Rickard Keen has embraced the new Certificate in Finance Accounting and Business (CFAB) as a more challenging and effective way for its students to work towards qualification as chartered accountants, as well as the ongoing support it offers to trainees through mentoring and reviews.

They also noted how the firm sets its entry standards deliberately high to ensure it attracts the most academically able students, including some who have gone on to win local and national prizes for their exam results. Up to two students qualify as chartered accountants at Rickard Keen each year, while four of its five partners trained at the firm themselves.

The firm was also highly commended for its entry under the category of Accountancy Firm of the Year, with judges impressed by its use of social media such as Facebook and Twitter to communicate with clients.
Noel Kelleway, a partner at the firm, said: “Just to be shortlisted for both these categories was fantastic, but to win Training Firm of the Year and be highly commended for Accountancy Firm of the Year is an outstanding achievement.

“As a firm which has been serving the Essex area for more than 90 years, it is a huge honour to receive recognition from our local branch of the ICAEW two years running. This success is a testament to the hard work of everyone at Rickard Keen.”

Peter takes on associate role

Peter Leonard has been promoted to an associate role at Rickard Keen as the latest step in his progress to becoming a partner.

He had previously been working as a manager in the accounts department at the Basildon office. He will now be providing direct support to Rickard Keen’s new managing partner Alan Worsdale by assisting Alan in dealing with some of the firm’s larger clients.

Alan said: “I would like to congratulate Peter on becoming an associate, it is a real achievement and he is one step closer to becoming a partner.

“Peter will provide valuable support to my new role as managing partner and he will also gain experience that will go towards becoming a partner.”

Rowley’s

65 not out for Tony and Craig

Rowley’s directors Tony Jarvis and Craig Shevas recently notched up 65 yeas with the firm between them and to mark the occasion, staff and some of Rowley’s longest standing clients met at the Leicestershire Golf Club for a celebration lunch.

Tony left school in 1971 and joined Rowley’s to study for his articles. Now, 40 years on – during which Rowley’s joined MGI, allowing it to meet an increasing demand from clients for knowledge about global financial and tax issues – he is chairman of The Rowleys Partnership Ltd.

Craig joined Rowley’s as a school-leaver to train as an accountant in 1985. He remembers that his first work suit was a Miami Vice-style pale blue outfit, worn with white socks and grey loafers and with a Bono “mullet” haircut completing the ensemble.

During the event, Tony entertained guests with his stories from the past and particularly noted how working practices had been changed by computers, dual screens, emails and mobile phones.

New director joins team

Rowleys have welcomed Bryan Freeman as our new small business director, who took up his appointment on 1 May 2011.

Bryan joined the firm in 2005 as manager for the small business department and specialises in property management companies, the self-employed and small owner-managed corporate clients.

Meanwhile, audit and assurance department manager Lisa Austin has been promoted to accounts manager and now oversees the management of both the small business and audit departments.

Caseware introduced for audits

Rowleys has invested in Caseware – fully ISA-compliant software using the widely respected Mercia audit packs – for all audit clients.

This powerful, paperless system allows remote file access and sign off. The software also fits well with IRIS, which is currently used throughout the office for all other practice applications.

Rowleys has been working closely with the team at HB&O and are planning Caseware/IRIS forums to explore new ways of getting the best from the practical application of the software and find more efficient and effective ways of working.

If any other MGI member is interested in getting involved in this, please contact Lisa Austin on 0116 2827000 or email lisa@rowleys.biz

Seymour Taylor

Tributes paid to Seymour Taylor pioneer

Seymour Taylor’s first managing partner, who championed MGI within the firm and helped to build the practice in strength and success, has sadly passed away.

Gary Francis, who was also the youngest person to become a partner at the firm, died on 12 June 2011. His funeral was due to take place on Wednesday 29 June.

Gary joined the practice as a school leaver in February 1969 as an articled clerk, working for Ernest Seymour, the son of the firm’s founder. He subsequently took the ICAEW exams and qualified as a chartered accountant in 1974.

After bringing on board a major client, with whom the firm still works closely today, in April 1977 Gary became the youngest person to be made a partner at Seymour Taylor at the age of just 25. The achievement was something he continued to consider his “biggest buzz”.

With a strong track record of building his own client base and “carrying the can” of responsibility, he became Seymour Taylor’s first managing partner in 1990. He went on to build a new structure for the practice, developing its range of services, providing staff training and developing marketing.

When Seymour Taylor was integrated into the Hampden Group in July 2009, Gary became one of six directors, finally retiring – after 41 years with the firm – in April 2010.

Simon Turner, managing director of Seymour Taylor, said: “Gary achieved an incredible amount over the years and was a strong mentor to colleagues and staff.

“Prior to 1993, we had no international association. Gary introduced us as a member of MGI and thanks to our membership, we can now ensure that our clients have access to a truly global accountancy and advisory resource.

“Gary will be very sadly missed by all fellow directors, colleagues and staff of Seymour Taylor, past and present. Our thoughts and loving wishes are with his family.”

In lieu of floral tributes, Gary’s family have requested that donations be made to Diabetes UK (charity number 215199). They have chosen this charity as Gary suffered from diabetes and the money will fund research and support their work helping people live with the condition. Please see details below should you wish to make a contribution:

Diabetes UK c/o
Beacon Funeral Services
27 Rose Avenue
Hazlemere, Bucks
HP15 7PH
+44 1494 818181

Gary John Francis FCA (1951-2011)

Watson Buckle

Charity says thank you for support

Susan Sedgwick, managing partner at Watson Buckle, has received official recognition for her work with Young Enterprise UK, the UK's leading enterprise education charity.

Since her involvement began in May 2005, she has been the finance director and also a member on the West Yorkshire Area board.

Young Enterprise UK has now presented Susan with an Appreciation of Support marking her commitment to the charity. Earlier this year, its ten regional boards merged and as a result Susan has now stepped down as finance director.

Susan said: “Being involved with such an important charity, which helps young people build confidence to succeed in business, has been a fantastic experience.”

Each year, the Young Enterprise UK business volunteers work with more than 300,000 young people to help them build the confidence, ability and ambition to succeed in a rapidly changing global economy.

Profit improvement campaign targets solicitors

A new Watson Buckle marketing campaign is encouraging solicitors to think about how they can operate more cost-effectively and efficiently.

The firm has recently carried out a mailing of its new Solicitors’ Profit Improvement Guide, which explores profit improvement as a better alternative to simply cutting costs, with the aim of winning work from legal firms interested in moving forward with the process. Partner David Warren said that the profit improvement programme drew on established techniques that Watson Buckle had used with existing solicitor clients.

On 6 October this year, the first full Alternative Business Structures (ABS) – which allow non-lawyers, such as supermarkets and banks to invest in and own legal practices – will be able to provide legal services, such as conveyancing and drafting wills.

The development is likely to create new pressures for smaller independent firms and sole practitioners and the profit improvement guide highlights areas of work, such as business planning and financial management, relevant to helping them deal with the ABS challenge.

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