Over twelve months after the enactment of the Brazilian Clean Company Act or BCCA, the guidelines explaining a number of its provisions have been released by the Brazilian government via a decree, news which will intrigue many of those using or contemplating risk and compliance services both here and abroad. Continue reading
More properties caught in ATED net
The countryās buy-to-let landlords have already experienced a tough tax regime and rising costs, but they should now strongly consider seeking the assistance of business consultants in London to avoid being negatively affected by the Annual Tax on Enveloped Dwellings (ATED).
This special capital gains tax will affect residential properties owned by companies; meaning, where a property is owned by non-natural persons – either a company, a partnership with one or more corporate partners, or a collective investment scheme. Formerly referred to as the Annual Residential Property Tax, ATED is an annual charge on residential property within the UK. From April of this year it applies to all property valued at over Ā£1 million, but this is set to be reduced to Ā£500,000 by 1 April 2016. Continue reading
Smaller quoted companies receive FRC help to improve quality of reporting
Many a smaller quoted company currently benefitting from the corporate governance services of London Registrars is likely to take an interest in the Financial Reporting Council (FRC)’s recent launch of a programme of measures intended to assist firms like theirs to compile better quality corporate reports.
The FRC has published a discussion paper, entitled Improving the Quality of Reporting by Reporting by Smaller Listed and AIM Quoted Companies, in which it outlined the results of a review of the standard of reporting for such companies. Feedback on the findings and conclusions was also requested.
Describing smaller quoted companies as “critical to generating future jobs and growth in the economy”, the FRC’s CEO, Stephen Haddrill, said that they nonetheless required “access to capital to invest and grow. We recognise that these businesses have limited resources and face challenges in reporting. Continue reading
Bearer shares abolished by SBEE Act 2015
Important news for many of those organisations using London Registrars’ business consulting service is the abolition, as of 26 May 2015, of bearer shares, which are shares that have been issued but have no registered owner. The change has been brought into law by the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015 (SBEE)’s implementing of amendments to the Companies Act 2006. Continue reading
Nearly a quarter of FTSE 100 board positions now filled by women
A development of great relevance to corporate governance in the UK over the last four years has been the increasing prominence of female faces in top companies’ boardrooms. Lord Davies of Abersochās annual report publishing the current state of gender diversity on FTSE boards, reveals that women now occupy almost a quarter of FTSE 100 board positions. Continue reading
Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act becomes law
Potential clients of company formation agents such as London Registrars will be interested to read the news that on 26 March, Royal Assent was granted to the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act. Now law, the Act incorporates a series of measures designed to boost the United Kingdom’s attractiveness as a place to start and grow a business. Continue reading
A quarter of academy school heads leave their posts over the past year
As if the responsibilities of an academy company secretary were not onerous enough, many academy schools are also now facing a looming leadership crisis, because of the difficulties in attracting a new head teacher. 26 per cent of academy heads left their roles over the last academic year, according to research by UHY Hacker Young, leaving schools with limited replacement options. Continue reading
169 companies fined by regulator due to pensions compliance failures
The Pensions Regulator has released figures confirming that a total of 169 employers have now been fined for failing to comply with their workplace pensions obligations. while this should alert the clients of London Registrars’ business support services to the importance of tending to their own duties in this area, tens of thousands of businesses have nonetheless now complied with their automatic enrolment duties. Continue reading
What companies need to know about Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA)
Those in need of new business support who are interested in analysing and comparing profitability between companies and industries may do so via EBITDA, a measure of profits that eliminates the effects of financing and accounting decisions.
You will find in a company’s income statements its earnings, tax and interest figures, and in the notes, to operating profit or on the cash flow statement the depreciation and amortization figures. EBITDA can be calculated by first establishing the operating profit – also known as earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) – before adding back depreciation and amortization.
However, EBITDA as a non-GAAP measure allows greater discretion to be exercised with regard to what does or doesn’t figure in the calculation. It means that from one reporting period to another, some companies may alter the items included in their EBITDA calculation.
Changes to business names rules
Changes to the rules regarding business names came into effect on 31st January 2015. The changes were outlined after a government consultation, which asked for views on the existing rules relating to names of registered companies that are similar to those of other businesses and words and expressions that were previously deemed āsensitiveā. Those embarking on new company formations may wish to register several variations on their name to stop their competitors taking advantage of the new rules. Continue reading