The Auto Enrolment Journey
• Why? The income gap when people want to stop work
• How? The choices you have and the costs involved
• by When? Start with the end in mind
Colin is Director of Corporate Business at Henderson Stone &Co Ltd.
3. @TheBusJourney #SMEJourney
The Business Journey aims to
act as a free, non-executive
board to owner-managed
businesses operating in the
West of Scotland SME
community.
8. Object for today
• Awareness
• Consider and check all of your compliance requirements
• Plan for the future; don’t fall foul of regulations
9. Business compliance & obligations
• Not just for start-ups
• ‘Compliance’ – What does that mean?
• Conforming to a rule, policy, standard or law
• ‘Regulatory Compliance’ – Adherence to laws, guidelines, specifications
• “Red tape”
10. “Red Tape”
• Generally filling out paperwork, obtaining licence, permits, seeking
approval or certification.
• Reporting requirements, procedures
• Inspection, investigation, enforcement
• Can have a negative impact on business – but vitally important to be
adhered to
11. Statutory compliance
• Statutory or legal requirements can include:
• Legislation
• Anti- Money Laundering; High Value Dealer
• Companies Act; Director’s fiduciary duties
• Licence, IP rights
• By-laws
• Title deeds
• Town planning
12. Other considerations
• Insurances: Home insurance, PII
• Professional bodies
• Company Memo & Articles of Association
• Shareholders agreement
• Partnership agreement
• Contract for services
• Staffing and HR issues. NMW, H&S…
13. Other pitfalls – deadline dates
• Company filing requirements and deadlines: Co House, HMRC (easier
now for ‘Micro entities’)
• A tax system riddled with statutory deadlines
• VAT returns
• PAYE returns
• Tax returns
• Payment of taxes on time
• Tax elections – one day late can deny an opportunity forever
• Plan in advance. Deal with all taxes in a timely manner
14. VAT
• According to .Gov research: 36% SMEs unaware of the rules
• 780,000 SMEs potentially open to fines by HMRC
• Compulsory registration threshold
• 9% of businesses intentionally stay below the threshold
• Penalties for late registration + the VAT payable
• VAT exempt, Zero-Rated or Standard Rated?
• Overseas trading causes no end of confusion
• MOSS: e-commerce B2C in the EU. Change to ‘place of supply’ rules
15. Books and records
• Must maintain proper books and records
• Must be retained for inspection
• Recommend keeping books for 5 years after filing deadline
• Keep a back-up copy (safe)
17. Help!
• Stay calm and seek help
• Get advice and guidance before, not after
• Where?
• Professionals, FSB, ACAS, HMRC, peers, Business Gateway, etc.
• Advice is an investment, not a cost
• Free up your time to concentrate on your business
18. Get ready for digital services
• Online filing
• Online payments
• Digital interface with .Gov for everything
• “Tax Returns abolished” – George Osborne