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Experienced corporate finance professional Steve Connelly joins us as a consultant

We are delighted to have engaged highly experienced Corporate Finance professional Steve Connelly on a consultancy basis for our clients.

Steve is a highly skilled and experienced professional with 15 years’ senior management experience in industry after a 20-year career in accountancy practices including Arthur Anderson and Baker Tilly.

Steve’s experience includes leading all types of transactions, principally acquisitions, disposals and buyouts, for a wide range of owner-managed businesses. Steve also has significant experience of fundraising, both bank and equity finance, in support of transactions.

This vast experience in leading Corporate Finance teams and transactions is a fantastic asset to our team and our client base. Great to be working with you Steve!

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Baby update!

We are pleased to report that our colleague Danielle Cresswell and her family are doing well since the birth of baby Tessa. She’s now 6 months old and we were sent some brilliant pictures of Danielle with the baby.

We can’t wait to see little Tessa again in the office and we are looking forward to welcoming Danielle back to our team in due course.

Thank you, Danielle, for allowing us to share this sweet photo of you both!

 

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SIC codes come under scrutiny by HMRC

The UK Standard Industrial Classification of economic activities, abbreviated as UK SIC, is a five-digit classification that you normally select upon registering your company.

It has been well publicised that HMRC is targeting non-compliance within the Research and Development tax credits regime and is placing a company’s SIC code under greater scrutiny.

A more reactive element of HM Revenue and Customs strategy lies within its approach to the enquiries being raised. They have published a list of sectors that are actively being targeted as they are deemed to be unlikely to undertake genuine Research and Development activities.

These are:

  • Care Homes
  • Childcare Providers
  • Personal Trainers
  • Wholesalers and Retailers
  • Pubs
  • Restaurants

We are also aware that unofficially certain other sectors are also subject to scrutiny and we believe these to include:

  • Estate Agents
  • Textile Industries
  • Construction Sector
  • Educational Institutions
  • Consultancy Firms

Part of this strategy is for R&D tax credit claimants to require more robust procedures both before submitting a claim and as part of the actual claim itself.

We actively work with our clients who undertake Research and Development activities to ensure that these obligations are fully met.

HMRC uses the SIC code as shown on public record at Companies House to identify whether a company falls into one of the sectors above. We are aware that companies initially select this code upon incorporation based upon the business plan for company at that time. The activities of a company will naturally change over the course of its life and thus over time the SIC code may not best represent the current activities of a company.

The SIC code should be periodically reviewed to ensure the most appropriate code has been selected and we would recommend that this review is part of any planning for a Research and Development claim.

If you are unsure of your SIC code and wish to discuss these issues, please do not hesitate to contact our team.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Companies House fee increase confirmed

Companies House is increasing the fee charged for the Confirmation Statement from £13 to £34. We are surprised it’s not a round figure such as £30.

For a complete list of disbursements you can go to the Companies House website here and here’s a selection of other fees for your reference.

Incorporation (Digital) £50
Incorporation (paper) £71
Confirmation Statement (Digital) £34
Confirmation Statement (Paper) £62
Change of Name (Digital) £20
Change of Name (Paper) £30
Voluntary Strike Off (Digital) £33
Voluntary Strike Off (Paper) £44
Registration of a Charge (Digital) £15
Registration of a Charge (Paper) £24

 

 

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Our international work continues to grow

We are delighted to continue receiving referrals from fellow MGI members from across the world. Our successful award-winning accountancy work for international-based clients who have operations in the UK is going strong.

We became a member of the MGI Worldwide in 2020. Member firms, which comprise 8,500 professionals  operate in more than 100 countries.

Joining the network has bolstered our international trade links and has enabled us to collaborate with accountancy firms in other jurisdictions.

Multiple companies headquartered in Canada, USA, Germany, Holland, Greece, Denmark, Switzerland, Malaysia, Singapore and more recently Sweden have appointed our team to support them with a number of specialist services that we provide.

You may remember that at the 2023 MGI UK & Ireland conference for partners & managers, which was held recently in Edinburgh, Murray and Kate collected an award on behalf of Alexander Knight & Co for ‘International Client Experience of the Year 2023’.

We are delighted to continue our success in this area in 2024. Thank you to the MGI members who place their trust in us to deliver for their clients here in the UK.

 

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NEW VACANCY: TAX SENIOR MANAGER

Our practice in Hale, Cheshire is expanding. If you are an experienced tax professional and you’d like to join our team  – or you know someone suitable – please send a confidential email to Alison Spier in the first instance.

We have an exceptional list of loyal clients with multi-million turnover businesses. The majority of these companies have been working with us for many years and we are highly focused on building long term, meaningful relationships.

We are growing our team and have created this new Tax Senior Manager role. Part-time will also be considered for the right candidate. 

Suitable candidates will have experience working in a fast-paced accountancy practice, dealing with clients both face to face and over the phone, advising them on a variety of tax issues, including corporation tax, including R&D, & CGT. You must be able to demonstrate exceptional client relationship skills, and have an approachable, professional manner. Experience with income tax, IHT & SDLT would also be extremely useful.

As part of MGI Worldwide, the global accounting network, you will also join the Tax Forum, enabling you to network with peers from other practices across the UK and worldwide. International tax conferences are also organised by MGI Worldwide and you will join delegations to these when they occur.

If you feel that your experience is a good fit and you are looking for a modern accountancy practice – based in Grade A offices in the heart of Hale – to develop your career, and you would like to find out more, please email Alison Spier with your updated CV and details of your current package.

Disclaimer 

Alexander Knight & Co is an equal opportunities employer and no terminology in this advert is intended to discriminate on the grounds of a person’s gender, marital status, race, religion, colour, age, disability or sexual orientation.

All candidates will only be assessed in accordance with their merits, qualifications and abilities to perform the role expected. Only successful applicants will be invited to the next stage consisting of an interview and assessment.

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Altrincham Rail Station advert by Alexander Knight & Co accountants

Are you a commuter passing through Altrincham rail station? Keep an eye out for the latest Alexander Knight & Co advertisement proudly displayed on the information board!

We understand the importance of clear, concise information—whether it’s about your financial and business goals or your train schedule. That’s why we’ve sponsored this information board in our home town of Altrincham.

Murray Patt, founder of Alexander Knight & Co said:

“We’re proud to feature at Altrincham Rail station. We deliberately selected Platform 4 because this is the stop for the historic Mid Cheshire line which takes in Manchester, Chester, Stockport and Hale where our office is located.”

Altrincham Rail. Station advertising by accountants Alexander Knight & Co

Murray Patt on platform 4 at Altrincham Rail Station.

The advert at Altrincham Rail Station in 2024:

 

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Clancy Consulting appoints Alexander Knight & Co

Clancy Consulting Logo

Alexander Knight & Co is delighted to have been appointed by Clancy Consulting to provide audit and accountancy services.

With roots going all the way back to 1972, Clancy has been delivering industry leading engineering for more than fifty years. Founded by Brian Clancy in South Manchester, the business started out life trading as The Brian Clancy Partnership.

Initially focused on providing civil and structural engineering services in the North West, the Clancy of today has evolved to include 10 offices across the UK. Clancy has also developed international links and has expanded globally by partnering with local firms in India and Oman.

Clancy’s multidisciplinary engineering services, national expertise and local knowledge are renowned amongst its broad client base, evidenced by the many clients who have retained their services for multiple decades.

Murray Patt, founder of Alexander Knight & Co, said:

Murray Patt of Alexander Knight & Co.

“Clancy Consulting is a forward-thinking practice and a leader in the field. We are delighted to have been appointed by this dynamic and growing organisation and we are looking forward to developing a positive relationship.”

You can find out more about Clancy Consulting here.

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Vacancy: Payroll Manager (Part-time) Hale

Payroll Manager (Part-time) Hale

We are now recruiting for a Payroll Manager to join us on a part-time basis.

The role is two days per week based in our office in Hale, Cheshire and previous experience in payroll is essential.

Alexander Knight & Co is based in Grade A offices at Westgate House on Hale Road and we are an award-winning accountancy practice. We work with clients across the region and beyond.

Duties

  • Preparing monthly payroll for clients
  • Making relevant submissions to HMRC
  • Processing payroll payments and make relevant payments to HMRC.
  • Auto enrolment and submission of pension information on behalf of clients
  • Liaising with clients to answer payroll queries and deliver excellent service.
  • Carrying out year end activities such as producing P60s, claiming Employment Allowance and completing P11d’s where necessary.

To apply please email Alison Spier with your CV  alison@alexanderknightaccountants.co.uk

 

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