4th June
A rare opportunity to hear first hand from business leaders who have “been there; done that”. We are pleased to be a part of this practical evening session you will gain real insight into the resolution of common business problems that impact the bottom line. Use the link at the end of this piece to book directly.
Guest Speaker – James Grazebrook OBE.
James set up Halyard (M&I) Ltd in 1979 with two backers and £6,000 he saved working in the Middle East, he sold the company in 2011 for a seven figure sum. James ensured Halyard is uniquely placed in marine engineering by maximising opportunities in the reduction of engine noise and vibration. Halyard’s innovation in The Science of Silence is recognised by two Queen’s Awards for Innovation and a self supporting business model that no longer relies on James’ direct entrepreneurial input. James’ personal contribution to the UK’s marine industry was acknowledged with an OBE in 2012.
Nicky Matthews ACIM – owner of Media Box, the new agency with big ideas. Passionate about small business, Nicky offers a refreshing look at opportunities from a marketing point of view. With 25 years of experience across multiple sectors Nicky gives practical, proactive advice and highlights common marketing pitfalls, encouraging businesses to take stock. Nicky has also led a national award winning children’s charity. www.mediaboxmarketing.co.uk
Kevin Kennard Dip PFS – owner and manager of Clinton Kennard Chartered Financial Planners with business partner Mark Clinton. Winning national awards for excellence and high standards in professionalism the Clinton Kennard team provide a transparent approach to financial advice. Kevin believes the key to sound financial planning lies in translating complex investment, pension and trust planning ideas into straightforward solutions. www.clintonkennard.co.uk
Sophie White CTA – owner and manager of Total Tax Limited: a firm of Chartered Tax Advisers and Accountants with 8 specialist staff, now in its 10th year of business. Sophie started her career in tax at HMRC but jumped the fence early on, quickly progressing to Tax Partner of an award winning top 50 London firm at the tender age of just 27. Sophie has honed her commercial acumen by advising business owners in all areas of taxation for over 20 years and professionally there is nothing she hasn’t seen! www.totaltaxlimited.co.uk
Why attend?
The event will provide Business Intelligence direct from experts in marketing, finance, taxation, engineering and manufacturing. Their own “stories from the sharp end” of business will show you how to get it right first time. You will come away with practical advice on how to handle many tough business decisions.
Who should attend?
Aimed at business owners striving for excellence in business whether starting up, established or seeking an exit.
When, and where?
Date: Tuesday 9 July 2013
Time: 5.00 pm—7:30 pm (drinks and canapés)
Cost: £15.00
Venue: Chewton Glen Hotel New Milton Hampshire BH25 6QS www.chewton glen.com
Agenda:
5:00 pm: Registration and networking opportunity
5:30 pm: Speakers present
7:00 pm: Breakout; discuss key topics
7.30 pm: Round up and finish
13th May
Karren Brady (Vice Chair of West Ham United FC) a woman in business.
I heard Karren speak at the Salisbury Big Business event in April. I attended the event just to hear her speak and I was very glad I did. She’s an eloquent and motivational speaker, has a clear business vision, obviously works hard and is very determined. She is also distinctly feminine in a male dominated profession.
I was left feeling a little queasy though with the number of anecdotes in her speech that relied on a “man bashing” punch line. Usually the man in question was too dumb, or too unsophisticated, perhaps too Neanderthal to combat Karren’s sharp put downs. Although the jokes were funny, and had the mixed gender audience laughing in the aisles, I wondered how many of the men felt annoyed at the cheap laughs at their expense.
You know where this is leading but I’ll make the point anyway – if a bloke had stood up and littered a speech on his business acumen with similarly dismissive comments of the girls in his organisation, he’d have been booed off the stage. Or at the very least been subject to pointedly disapproving looks during the obligatory after speech networking – this is middle class England after all.
Actually, Karren Brady was later subject to a put down from a man, although completely unintended as I later found out. Salisbury’s Mayor, Councillor John Collier, took the podium after Karren to thank her for her tour de force. In so doing he managed to mangle his words and infer that she had not told us anything new but he hoped the audience had appreciated her enthusiasm. On leaving the event I shook his hand and asked “I hope you don’t regret saying Karren had nothing new to tell us?”, he had the good grace to flush and say ” I didn’t mean it like that…you know what I meant!”
Certainly the Mayor’s slip went unnoticed by the audience as there where many there who were clearly huge Karren Brady fans. During the Q&A session she was asked to comment on a range of issues facing women in business, here are some I can remember:
Did she think the government had gone far enough in the recent childcare tax relief announcement? Answer – In short, no there is still a long way to go, but each step helps.
How does she manage her work/life balance? Answer – she splits her week between London and home, from Thursday through the weekend she is at home for her family
How many women does she employ? Answer – Obviously it’s an all guy team! But Karren said 60% of the off pitch staff are female. (I have checked this in so far as I can and of the 6 directors of W H Holdings Ltd which owns the Club Karren is the only female and the Club’s website show only 3 females make up the of 14 “executive” positions.)
How does she encourage women to enjoy football? Answer – she ensures the whole family can experience a day at the game, through family friendly price tickets to education programmes in local schools.
What does she do for “me time”? Answer – She reads. Voraciously. Usually articles on business.
For me, I was less interested in her femaleness, much more interested in her business experience. It seems to me, having watched her career and now heard her speak, that Karren’s success is built on foundations of hard work, clear vision and pure determination. These are attributes common to both men and women, they are not gender specific; they are the building blocks for any “person in business”.
If you would like to join the debate please follow it on linkedin here.
11th April
The Brand new App from TOTAL TAX LIMITED
At Total Tax Limited we are constantly looking for ways we can improve the service we offer our customers, so we are proud to announce the launch of our brand new TOTAL TAX LIMITED App. It’s completely free of charge to download and it’s available for iPhone, iPads and Android phones and devices.
So the next time you need to look up a tax rate or work out a VAT calculation, our new App can help. It provides you with up to date, important accountancy data at your fingertips.
It’s available for iPhone, iPad and Android devices and it’s available free of charge today.
What will the Total Tax App do for you?
The App has been carefully designed in response to the growing use of smart phones and mobile devices by our clients. We wanted to develop a way to keep you up to date with the very latest news, views and tips from Total Tax, as well as providing you with key accounting data, in real time, at your fingertips.
Amongst other things, the App will enable you to check the amount of tax you might be paying, or see how you might increase your profits as a business. You can calculate the tax on certain company cars, or check Stamp Duty costs. You can also browse the library of tax tables, giving you the very latest tax rates 24/7 whenever you need them. From National Insurance and Inheritance tax to Income Tax and Tax Credits – it’s all there for you.
Why did we develop our very own App?
We’re a proactive firm of accountants and love nothing more than helping companies and individuals to become more successful, more profitable and ultimately more enjoyable to run. This App gives you fantastic content. It also makes it really easy to keep in touch – with a simple ‘arrange to meet’ page along with all our contact information as well as links to our social media pages.
Please be kind enough to review the app after you have downloaded. Link via the icons to go direct to to the App stores.
Enjoy
30th March
Thank you to those who attended our workshop at The Green House Hotel for professional advisors seeking clarity in the complex area of tax-avoidance last week. It was a very interactive and thought provoking event with stimulating conversations on all sides.
Areas covered by the workshop:
- The GAAR – what is your position in the moral debate on tax avoidance? And how to help your clients through the maze of misinformation
- Can clients still use disclosed tax-avoidance schemes and what protection does DOTAS provide?
- When does tax planning become tax-avoidance?
- Effective use of HMRC Tax Amnesties and Disclosure Facilities
- How we differ from the “one hit wonder” tax boutiques who promote “product” not advice
- The benefits of choosing proactive Trustees, rather than passive intermediaries
Also, following the recent Budget we discussed the implications of current Treasury thinking.
If you would like to learn more about the points covered do get in touch with Sophie White at sophie@totaltaxlimited.co.uk
12th February
A opportunity to join an expanding business at equity level.
Based on the Hampshire Wiltshire borders, this firm of Chartered Tax Advisers and Accountants is looking for an entrepreneurial individual to be actively involved in the development of new business.
The role will include:
- Championing the Managing Director’s business plan for expansion over the next five years
- Involvement in the strategic decisions for business development
- Participating in the negotiations to purchase new fee income
- Integration of new fee income into the existing compliance practice
- Responsible for overseeing the management of the audit and accounts compliance function
It is anticipated that you will have the following profile, experience, skills and attributes.
You may be:
- A sole practitioner looking to join forces, or a senior manager in a firm which is not able to offer you partnership
You must have:
- ACA/ACCA with PQE of at least 5 years in Practice
- Already a Registered Auditor or ability to obtain a practising certificate
- Entrepreneurial ability; the drive to make strategic business decisions, the determination to make those decisions work, and the necessary pragmatism required in being part of a service based business.
- Strong client relationship skills with a proven track record of adding value to the client and to the business
- The ability to lead existing staff through periods of change based on a flexible and open minded attitude
It would be of considerable benefit if you also had:
- An ability to purchase equity in the business to become a shareholder
- An existing client base/fee following
- Experience in a finance role in industry, in any sector
Please email in confidence to sophie@totaltaxlimited.co.uk in the first instance (no agencies)
