What is a Cash Flow Statement?

What is a Cash Flow Statement?

A Cash Flow Statement shows how money moves in and out of your business over a set period. This highlights where your cash comes from and how you spend it. As a result, you gain a real-time view of your financial activity. Unlike other reports, such as a Balance Sheet...
What is an Income Statement?

What is an Income Statement?

What is an Income Statement? An Income Statement, also known as a Profit and Loss Statement (P&L), summarises a company’s income and expenses over a specific period. It provides a snapshot of a business’s financial performance and is essential for...
What is a Balance Sheet?

What is a Balance Sheet?

A Balance Sheet is a financial statement that lists a company’s assets, liabilities and equity. It shows the financial position of a business on a specific date. Most businesses prepare balance sheets monthly, quarterly or annually. A Balance Sheet forms one of...
A P45 Explained By Accountants

A P45 Explained By Accountants

A P45 is the document you receive when you leave a job. It provides a clear summary of your earnings and the tax you have paid during the current tax year. Your employer must provide this document when your employment ends. This applies whether you resign, retire or...
A P60 Explained By Accountants

A P60 Explained By Accountants

A P60 is an end-of-year tax summary. Your employer provides it after the tax year ends. The tax year runs from 6 April to 5 April. This document shows how much you earned and how much tax you paid. It brings together all important figures from the year in one place....
A P30 Explained By Accountants

A P30 Explained By Accountants

A P30 is a document that shows employers how much tax and National Insurance they owe for a specific period. Employers send this document alongside their payment to HMRC. Moreover, employers collect the required tax and National Insurance from employee wages. Read...
What is an Accounting Journal?

What is an Accounting Journal?

What is an Accounting Journal? An accounting journal is a record where businesses document their financial transactions in chronological order. This process is the first step in the accounting cycle and is crucial for accurate financial reporting. Accountants and...
What is an Accounting Ledger?

What is an Accounting Ledger?

What is an Accounting Ledger? An accounting ledger records all financial transactions organised by account. This ledger records every financial move made by the business, providing a comprehensive view of its financial health. Think of it as the backbone of a...
What is an Accounting Period?

What is an Accounting Period?

What is an Accounting Period? An accounting period is a specific timeframe for which a business prepares its financial statements and reports. The purpose of an accounting period is to provide a consistent basis for measuring and reporting financial performance. This...
Base Rate Cut to 5% – The Bank of England’s Decision

Base Rate Cut to 5% – The Bank of England’s Decision

The Bank of England Cuts the Base Rate to 5% On the 1st August 2024, the Bank of England cut the base rate from 5.25% to 5% – marking the first base rate cut in over four years! The Bank of England (BoE) uses the base rate to control inflation, which also...
What is a Business Bank Account?

What is a Business Bank Account?

What is a Business Bank Account? A business bank account specifically manages the finances of a business. Unlike personal bank accounts, business bank accounts offer features tailored to business needs, helping you to manage income, expenses, and financial...
CIS Statements

CIS Statements

Contractors under the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS), must deduct tax from payments made to subcontractors. CIS Statements are the actual documents which detail how much the contractor paid and deducted. Additionally, each statement covers one tax month and...
The Cycle to Work Scheme

The Cycle to Work Scheme

The Cycle to Work Scheme is a government-backed initiative that helps employees save money on bicycles and cycling gear. It aims to promote healthier and more sustainable commuting habits while reducing traffic congestion and air pollution. Since its introduction in...
The Lower Earnings Limit Explained By Accountants

The Lower Earnings Limit Explained By Accountants

National Insurance funds the State Pension and several contributory benefits. However, not every worker pays National Insurance from their first pound of earnings. Instead, the system uses a series of thresholds, one of these being the Lower Earnings Limit (LEL). What...
Maternity Allowance Explained By Accountants

Maternity Allowance Explained By Accountants

Maternity Allowance can support your income when you take time off to have a baby. Many self-employed parents rely on it. Additionally, some employees claim it when they do not qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay. What is Maternity Allowance? Maternity Allowance is a...
What is Self Assessment?

What is Self Assessment?

HMRC uses the Self Assessment system to collect Income Tax and requires taxpayers to complete a yearly tax return. Self Assessment is for those who do not have their taxes automatically deducted from their earnings or for those with additional income sources....
Does Tax Apply to Marketable Securities?

Does Tax Apply to Marketable Securities?

Does Tax Apply to Marketable Securities? Yes, tax does apply to Marketable Securities. Marketable securities quickly and easily convert into cash due to their high liquidity. Common stocks, treasury bills, and bonds, traded on public stock exchanges, are examples of...
What is Football Transfer Tax?

What is Football Transfer Tax?

What is Football Transfer Tax? Football Transfer Tax refers to the tax implications and regulations surrounding the transfer of football players between clubs. There is no specific tax but rather various tax considerations that come into play during the process of...
Holiday Accrual on SSP

Holiday Accrual on SSP

Holiday Accrual on SSP When employees are unable to work due to sickness, they may be eligible for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP), currently set at £116.75 per week for up to 28 weeks in the UK. During these periods, employees still accrue Holiday or Annual Leave. Employees...
What is Corporation Tax?

What is Corporation Tax?

Corporation Tax is a tax that companies and certain organisations pay to HMRC on their profits. You calculate it for each accounting period, which usually matches your financial year. However, your first year can include more than one accounting period. Unlike many...
Student Loans Explained

Student Loans Explained

Student Loans are a form of support provided by the UK Government to help students cover the cost of attending university or college. They make higher education accessible to everyone, regardless of background. Student loans fall into two types: Tuition Fee Loans...
Marriage Allowance Transfer

Marriage Allowance Transfer

Marriage Allowance Transfer Marriage Allowance transfer allows one spouse to transfer a portion of their Personal Tax Allowance to the other, providing a tax reduction if certain conditions are met. Who is Eligible? You may qualify for Marriage Allowance if:...
What is Marriage Allowance?

What is Marriage Allowance?

What is Marriage Allowance? Marriage Allowance is a government initiative aimed at reducing the tax burden for married couples or civil partners. This scheme allows one partner to transfer a portion of their unused personal tax allowance to their spouse or civil...
Dividends Explained By Accountants

Dividends Explained By Accountants

Dividends affect how many business owners take income and how investors earn returns. They offer a simple and flexible way to share profits, and they often provide tax advantages when used well. What are Dividends? Dividends are payments that a limited company makes...