Latest News

Douglas Russell Embarks on Charity Arctic Circle Trek

Armstrong Watson Accountants’ Dumfries Partner, Douglas Russell, will embark on the walk of a lifetime as he battles against the Arctic elements in aid of Scottish secondary breast cancer charity Make 2nds Count.

Dougie will begin his journey on 28^th February, travelling to Rovaniemi in Finland before spending the next 3 days trekking 65km deep into the Arctic Circle.

Preparing for a ‘No Deal’ Brexit

Even by recent standards, it marks a strange day in Politics when a British Prime Minister views it as a successful result to be given a brief to go back to re-negotiate a deal which is already binding and the EU insists it has no intention of re-opening. Still no credible statement has emerged of what the mooted “alternative arrangements” to the backstop might look like.

The other amendment passed last week was a motion rejecting a no-deal exit. But that motion was passed by an even smaller majority and is not binding on Parliament.

Accountants not ready for Making Tax Digital

A recent survey* of accountants shows that 90% of advisers do not have a solution in place to offer their clients ready for the looming Making Tax Digital deadline in April 2019. In brief, Making Tax Digital (MTD) requires businesses to submit their VAT return information directly from their book keeping software to HMRC, with effect from 1^st April.

Don’t use spreadsheets to comply with Making Tax Digital

For businesses who maintain their financial records using a manual cashbook or spreadsheet you need to convert to a book keeping package which is MTD compliant, such as Xero, or adapt your existing system to an “API enabled spreadsheet cashbook”.

More men in the boat but does it make it faster?

Investment in technology, innovation and higher level skills is needed for long term manufacturing growth 

New Year Resolution – get your paperwork in order

Are you part of a farming partnership? Do you know what the annual accounts show in terms of ownership of the business? 

Annual Investment Allowance - Maximise the Reliefs Available

Annual Investment Allowance ('AIA') has been temporarily increased from £200,000 to £1m per annum for a two year period between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2020.

Why do I need Corporate Finance Advisers?

Richard Gibson explains why it's important to use a corporate finance adviser when considering major changes to your business.

SRA Accounts Rules compliance: Internal Reviews

Legal Sector Audit & Assurance Director, Huw Nicholls, answers most common questions around SRA Accounts Rules compliance, in relation to internal reviews and compliance checks

Creating the workforce of the future

The World Economic Forum suggests that Artificial Intelligence could create 130 million jobs worldwide. What types of job will that create and will this mean less skilled factory workers required in the manufacturing industry?