Vale & West Chartered Accountants Blog

The most wonderful time of the year for tax savings: HMRC’s £150-a-head party exemption

As the winter months approach and the nights begin to roll in, many businesses start to plan and book their annual Christmas bash.

Read More

Following the latest Facebook fad? Did you know you need to pay tax on your cake shed?

While honesty boxes have long been a part of British culture, little sheds are popping up at the end of people’s front gardens that hold a mass of homemade cakes, brownies and sourdough bread.

Read More

An average loss of £700 – the true cost of not listening to an accountant

Accounting support from social media and AI might seem helpful at a time when people are looking to bring down costs, as it is effectively free.

Read More

Invoice financing vs overdrafts: Which one closes your cash flow gap?

Cash tied up in unpaid invoices, with upcoming payroll and other business costs pending, can be frustrating and destabilising for many SMEs.

Read More

What a change in the National Living Wage could mean for SMES ahead of the Autumn Budget

The Autumn Budget is now less than two months away, falling on 28 October 2026. As business owners anxiously await the proposed tax changes, employees tend to be waiting to see if there will be any changes to their living wage base pay.

Read More

Retention or recruitment – Which is more costly for your business?

Employment costs typically make up one of the biggest expenditures a business can face, meaning that cuts there feel inevitable for most owners when times get tough.

Read More

What are the most common payroll mistakes?

Doing payroll can be quite a tricky process for employers. With so many factors going into the process, it can be easy to make an error.

Read More

Five ways small businesses can improve payroll efficiency

National Payroll Week is a fitting moment to look again at how payroll actually runs in your business.

Read More

Three costly payroll compliance risks every small business needs to be aware of

Evolving compliance requirements mean the goalposts for payroll compliance are regularly moving and the risk of financial penalties is increasing.

Read More

More than a million pensioners now pay higher rate tax – Here’s what it means for you

New figures have confirmed what many retirees are starting to feel in their bank statements.

Read More