Changes to Agricultural Property Relief from April 2026
By Clare Slattery, Tax Director The government has announced significant reforms to Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR), which will take effect from 6 April 2026. These changes are designed to balance continued support for farms and businesses with the government’s aim of improving public finances and funding public services. Under the […]
ADR and HMRC Compliance Checks
By James Allen, Senior Tax Manager When a client has a compliance check opened by HMRC, it can bring a range of emotions and uncertainty, particularly where the claim in question is technical or complex. The process itself can feel drawn out, and the avenues available to resolve disagreements are not always obvious at the […]
Company liquidations and insolvencies are still elevated
The Insolvency Service data for England and Wales shows monthly company insolvencies remain high by historical standards, even though they move up and down month to month. For example, November 2025 recorded 1,866 registered company insolvencies, down on October 2025 and also below the same month a
Learning from mistakes in business
Making mistakes in business is unavoidable. No matter how experienced or careful someone is, decisions are made with imperfect information, time pressure and changing conditions. What separates resilient businesses from those that struggle is not the absence of mistakes, but the ability to learn
Implications of The Autumn Budget 2025 – changes for SMEs
The recent Autumn Budget delivered stability for businesses but introduced several measures that will impact SME owners, employers, and individuals. While markets welcomed the lack of major surprises, the changes signal higher personal taxes, increased labour costs, and reduced generosity in long-term tax reliefs. This is a summary of the key implications for SMEs and […]
Cash flow pressures
Cash flow remains one of the most pressing concerns for small businesses, even where trading appears stable. Many businesses are finding that rising costs, cautious lenders and slower customer payments are combining to create ongoing pressure on day to day finances. In our experience, cash flow
Funding options for asset acquisition
Acquiring new assets is often essential for small businesses looking to grow, improve efficiency or remain competitive. Whether the investment is in vehicles, machinery, IT systems or specialist equipment, choosing the right funding method can have a significant impact on cash flow, tax efficiency
Avoid over-stocking
Accountants often see the impact that excess stock has on a business long before the business owner realises what is happening. Over-stocking drains cash, fills storage space, increases waste, and restricts flexibility at key moments. Many business owners still treat high stock levels as a sign of
The value of an overhead audit
Many businesses regard their overheads as fixed, predictable, and largely outside their control. In reality, an overhead audit often uncovers costs that have risen quietly, services that are no longer used, and processes that have gone unchallenged for far too long. Carrying out a structured review
Outlook For Food And Energy Prices In The Year Ahead
Food and energy costs remain central concerns for households and businesses because they influence everything from wages to margins to day to day operating decisions. Inflation is easing compared to the volatility of the last few years, but the picture for the next twelve months is still mixed.