HMRC agent updates

HMRC issues regular updates for accountants, or tax agents. The latest (number 42, published in July 2014) and previous issues are available here.

Hong Kong Budget Submission 2016/17

Budget Submission 2016/17. Issued by the Financial Secretary, Hong Kong

Financing futures: a quick overview

Manos Schizas discusses the Financing Futures project – a groundbreaking study of how small businesses might be financed in the far future.

Ending late payment

Manos Schizas introduces ACCA’s research into trade credit and the search for ways of overcoming late payment.

Access to finance for SMEs in Cyprus: an update from ACCA

This paper presents new analytical and theoretical work performed by ACCA and proposes possible avenues for further research.

State pensions

Changes are coming on state pensions.

Unlock your growth potential

New support tools launched by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS).

National Insurance contributions and under 21 year-olds

From the 6 April 2015, for certain employees under the age of 21, an employer will no longer need to pay employer Class 1 secondary NICs for them.

Recognition of deferred tax assets for unrealised losses: proposed amendments to IAS12

Comments from ACCA to the International Accounting Standards Board.

Scottish Taxpayers

As previously highlighted, when the Scottish Rate of Income Tax is introduced in 2016 the focus will be on where that individual resides.

Revenue Scotland

The Revenue Scotland website is up and running with its initial focus on the administration of Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) and Scottish Landfill Tax (SLfT).

VAT update - December 2014

Details of recent VAT changes.

Risk reporting

This report examines how the quality and value of risk reporting can be improved. It reviews current practice in risk reporting, the barriers to better risk reporting, the wishes of users, and the concerns of preparers.

Integrated Reporting

The International Integrated reporting Council (IIRC) has issued the first in what it promises will be a series of publications called the Creating Value series.

Share-based payments

International Accounting Standards Board Exposure Draft amending IFRS 2 for share-based payment is open for comment until 25 March.

Autumn statement highlights

A collection of snippets from the Autumn Statement.

A new breed of adviser for the modern-day enterprise

This discussion paper presents views and recommendations on the growing implications, for both the finance profession and aspiring entrepreneurs, of the changing business landscape.

Sustainability and business: the next ten years

Find out more about young finance professionals’ views on sustainability issues from the ACCA survey conducted on behalf of the of The Prince of Wales Accounting for Sustainability Project.

Culture vs regulation: what is needed to improve ethics in finance?

This paper examines the respective roles of the regulator and of culture in increasing ethical behaviour in finance, and the need to address dysfunctional finance market and behaviour.

Consultation on the updated CDSB framework

Comments from ACCA to the Climate Disclosure Standards Board (CDSB).

HMRC Let property campaign - The first 12 months

HMRC issues report on "first 12 months" of let property campaign.

Smart budgeting: integrating financial and strategic planning for outcomes

This report from the New Local Government Network (NLGN) in association with the ACCA and Mazars recommends radical changes to the way local government approaches the budgeting process.

Proposed statement on non-GAAP financial measures

Comments from ACCA to the Board of the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO).

Limit on income tax relief takes effect

New legislation limited to amount of income tax relief available from tax year 2013-14 onwards.

Finance transformation roles: pathways to CFO

This report asks a simple question: are finance shared service and transformation roles valuable in the career path to becoming a CFO?

The ACCA international public sector conference 2014

Video presentations from the 2014 conference explore the theme 'putting finance into politics'.

Legal fees and Court costs

We go 'back to basics' as we examine what can be allowed in terms of legal costs.

Share matching rules

This worked example looks at the share identification rules that should be followed when there is a disposal of shares in a company, for capital gains tax purposes.

Business-to-consumer supplies - E-services

The EU place of supply VAT rules will change from 1 January 2015.

Collecting overdue tax through tax codes

From April 2015 HMRC is increasing the amount of overdue tax it can recover through a taxpayer's Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax code.

HMRC direct debt recovery - Additional safeguards announced

Following consultation, HMRC announces additional safeguards as part of the controversial direct debt recovery proposals.

Concept paper on weighted voting rights

ACCA response to Concept paper on weighted voting rights - a consultation issued by the Hong Kong Stock Exchange

Accounting standards for small entities

Comments from ACCA to the Financial Reporting Council (FRC).

Accounting for children: implementing child rights for better business

This report introduces the concept of children’s rights as a business issue of concern to finance directors and accounting teams.

Hong Kong programme for Comprehensive Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement

Hong Kong’s programme for Comprehensive Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement (CDTA) and Tax Information Exchange Agreement (TIEA) Consultation issued by the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, Hong Kong

FRED 55: Amendments to FRS102, pension obligations

Comments from ACCA to the Financial Reporting Council.

Governance, family and small firms: an institutional context

Professor Mike Wright gave his presentation as part of the ESRC’s seminar series on governance, CSR and SMEs in emerging economies.

Closing discussion

Professor Laura Spence gave her presentation as part of the ESRC’s seminar series on governance, CSR and SMEs in emerging economies.

Bribery and corruption: the SME perspective

Manos Schizas gave his presentation from a practice perspective as part of the ESRC’s seminar series on governance, CSR and SMEs in emerging economies.

Assessing and implementing governance in family owned SMEs in emerging economies

Kiril Nejkov gave his presentation from a practice perspective as part of the ESRC’s seminar series on governance, CSR and SMEs in emerging economies.

Corporate governance and CSR

Jeremy Moon gave his presentation from an academic perspective as part of the ESRC’s seminar series on governance, CSR and SMEs in emerging economies.

A framework for effective governance: growth through responsible business

Tracy Gordon gave her presentation from a practice perspective as part of the ESRC’s seminar series on governance, CSR and SMEs in emerging economies.

The state of business finance

This set of three reports describe ACCA’s ambitious global investigation into the state of business finance.

Balancing rules and flexibility

A joint KPMG and ACCA report of a study of corporate governance requirements across 25 markets.

Governance, CSR and SMEs in emerging economies

As part of ESRC’s seminar series on governance, CSR and SMEs in emerging economies, ACCA hosted a conference on 19 November 2014.

Automatic Exchange of Information for Tax Purpose HK

Automatic Exchange of Information for Tax Purpose (AEOI). Consultation issued by the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, Hong Kong

Proposed changes to certain provisions of the Code addressing the long association of personnel with an audit or assurance client

Comments from ACCA to the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants.

Updating the PEFA performance measurement framework

Comments from ACCA to the PEFA Secretariat.

Global economic conditions survey report: Q3, 2014

This is the 23rd edition of the ACCA–IMA Global Economic Conditions Survey Report.

Tackling offshore tax evasion: strengthening civil deterrents

Comments from ACCA to HM Revenue & Customs.