Record-breaking number of start-ups hailed

entry-meta

Company formations continued apace throughout 2014 as the economy picked up, as indicated by new figures released by StartUp Britain. They reveal that the UK saw the creation of a record number of new businesses over the past year, with 184,671 Greater London businesses being registered with Companies House.

That predictably made the capital the strongest performer on the ‘entrepreneurial map’ that was also released by the national enterprise campaign, which is run by the Centre for Entrepreneurs think tank. 581,173 businesses were registered across the country overall last year, compared to the previous record of 526,446 businesses the year before, and 2012’s 484,224 figure. Continue reading

Will the FCA’s move to reduce the clutter of quarterly reports be effective?

entry-meta

While the recent Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) Policy Statement – Removing the Transparency Directive’s requirement to publish interim management statements will certainly be welcomed by many of the organisations using London Registrars business consultant services, it will not necessarily have much impact on its aim of reducing the clutter of quarterly reports. Continue reading

The Charity Commission promises to make charities more accountable

entry-meta

New regulation requirements for charities has underlined the importance of hiring trusted business consultancy services to keep charities performing as compliantly as possible.

On 23rd October 2014, the Charity Commission, an independent regulator of charities in England and Wales, announced changes to the annual return process, which is intended to ensure that the public can give money to charities in confidence. Regulators reported that new questions to be added to the annual return will improve its ability to identify those charities in risk of financial failure, thereby making them more accountable to the public that supports them. Continue reading

Select tax-efficient dates for increased cash-flow

entry-meta

New companies often experience steady growth during their first months in business, so it is important to properly assess the optimal accounting dates in order to make earnings as tax efficient as possible. Those benefitting from London Registrars’ outstanding support for new businesses can be guided through the most advantageous processes in order to secure the maximum benefit, and ensure their rapid growth and future success.

Incorporated businesses must adhere to a maximum period of twelve months for tax calculations. However, your company’s accounting period does not have to be one year exactly – you have the option of extending up to a period of 18 months, or reducing it as much as you require. Altering your accounting period can serve to extend your Corporation Tax date, which can be especially beneficial for new businesses from a tax point of view. Continue reading

UK Corporate Governance Code updated by Financial Reporting Council

entry-meta

It will interest many of those firms benefitting from London Registrars’ business consultancy in London to learn that an updated version of the UK Corporate Governance Code was been issued by the Financial Reporting Council (FRC). The aim is to ensure that investors are significantly better informed on listed companies’ long-term health and the bar for risk management is also being raised. Continue reading

Bill introduces concept of ‘persons with significant control’

entry-meta

Business support agencies like London Registrars are currently updating their clients on the progress through Parliament of the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill, which was introduced by the government in June 2014. The draft legislation proposes that all UK companies will be obligated to create and maintain a register of beneficial ownership, the intention being to make publicly available all of the information contained in these registers. Continue reading

New research shows vital role of the company secretary

entry-meta

Much insight into the significant contribution that a good company secretary makes to board performance has been given by new research from Henley Business School. The study, undertaken in conjunction with the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA), scrutinised the unique role of company secretaries, finding that despite being sometimes undervalued and misunderstood, they were intrinsic to the success of their organisations. Continue reading

What the switch from the Annual Return to the Annual Confirmation Statement really means

entry-meta

Many clients of business support agencies like London Registrars may have noticed the recent introduction in Parliament of the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill, which proposes the replacement of the familiar Annual Return with something called the ‘Annual Confirmation Statement’. It may sound like a drastic a change but it only really amounts to a rebranding of the Annual Return. Continue reading