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What is an Audit?
What is an Audit?

An independent party conducts an audit to investigate a company’s financial report. The audit aims to provide assurance (different from a guarantee) that the financial statements are true and fair according to the relevant financial reporting framework. Typically,...

Mandatory payrolling of employment benefits from 2026
Mandatory payrolling of employment benefits from 2026

HMRC have announced that from April 2026, the reporting and payment of income tax and Class 1A National Insurance Contributions (NIC) on benefits in kind will be required to be made through payroll software. This is a significant development and will affect all...

When is the 2024 Spring Budget?
When is the 2024 Spring Budget?

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt will deliver his 2024 Spring Budget on Wednesday 6 March 2024.   What time is the Budget? The Budget is expected to take place at about 12:30 pm, straight after PMQs. The first part of the statement typically begins with a review of the...

Tax or treat? Don’t be spooked! 5 ways to avoid a tax fright
Tax or treat? Don’t be spooked! 5 ways to avoid a tax fright

The leaves are falling and the jack-o’-lanterns are out, which means one thing… Halloween season is amongst us. Ensure that your tax affairs do not turn into a nightmare. Here are our 5 tax tips to avoid a horror story emerging for you this tax year. 1. Double, double...

Trivial benefits
Trivial benefits

Employers can provide trivial benefits to employees without incurring tax liabilities. To qualify as a trivial benefit, a number of conditions must be met which are that the: Cost of providing the benefit does not exceed £50 Benefit is not cash or a cash voucher...

FRS102 revenue and lease overhaul delayed until 2026
FRS102 revenue and lease overhaul delayed until 2026

The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has decided to push back its timetable for drafting changes to FRS102 and other financial reporting standards. Originally, it was thought that the final amendments would be ready in the first half of 2024 and be effective for...

Financial Fraud: Safeguarding Your Assets
Financial Fraud: Safeguarding Your Assets

In today's digital age, financial transactions and personal information are exchanged more rapidly and conveniently than ever before. Whilst this is a positive move for convenience it has also led to a surge in fraud, which can have devastating consequences for...

Average inheritance tax bill reaches £214K
Average inheritance tax bill reaches £214K

With house prices soaring, more estates are now being subject to inheritance tax as the average inheritance tax bill reaches £214K. In the 2020-21 tax year, inheritance tax was charged on 27,000 estates. An increase of 4,000 compared to the previous year. This raised...

EOT Case Study – Hi-Tech Automation Limited

Deal Completed – 2023 Hawsons Corporate Finance had the pleasure of supporting Hi-Tech Automation Limited (“Hi-Tech”), a well-established automation intelligence company, during its transition to Employee Ownership. The company, based in Kettering, Northamptonshire,...

How does an employee ownership trust (EOT) work?
How does an employee ownership trust (EOT) work?

Basics of an EOT An EOT is a trust that acquires shares in a company which are then held on behalf of the employees. It is an increasingly popular exit strategy for shareholders which offers attractive tax incentives and peace of mind over the future of the business...