Walker Thompson Newsletter 51

WELCOME TO 2012

On 15 December 2011 Walker Thompson were successfully re-assessed against the Investors in Excellence Standard, first achieved by the firm in 2007 and again two years later.
PENSIONS AUTO ENROLMENT

The Government has confirmed that pensions auto enrolment will commence in Autumn 2012 and all employers will remain within the scope of the rules.

ADVISORY FUEL RATES FOR COMPANY CARS

New company car advisory fuel rates have been published to take effect from 1 December 2011.

CAPITAL ALLOWANCES IN ENTERPRISE ZONES

Following the Autumn Statement at the end of November 2011, more information is now available in respect of the proposal to give 100% first year allowances on plant and machinery expenditure for use in some Enterprise Zone areas.

SEED ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SCHEME

The government has released more information on the new Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) aimed at smaller companies.

STATUTORY RESIDENCE TEST

The government has been consulting on introducing a Statutory Residence Test (SRT). The test which was expected to be introduced from 2012 has been delayed until 6 April 2013. More details are expected to be announced in the 2012 Budget.

SELF ASSESSMENT DEADLINE FAST APPROACHING

HMRC are reminding taxpayers that the deadline for filing self assessment tax returns is fast approaching.

THE PORTAS REVIEW

The CBI commented on a report by Mary Portas on the future of the high street.

HMRC TO ACCEPT FASTER PAYMENTS

HMRC have announced that they will now accept payments made using the Faster Payments Service. This will allow taxpayers to make faster electronic payments, typically via internet or telephone banking, enabling them to be processed on the same or next day.

2012/13 STATUTORY PAYMENTS

HMRC have announced the following statutory payment rates which are due to take affect for 2012/13. These rates are still subject to Parliamentary approval and HMRC will confirm the rates before 1 April 2012.

Investor in Excellence

On 15 December 2011 Walker Thompson were successfully re-assessed against the 9 principles and 31 indicators within the IIE Standard which we first achieved in 2007 and again in 2009.

The process covers a rigorous process consisting of a documentary submission, desktop review and an on site assessment by external assessors.

The IIE Standard applies to the practice as a whole business and includes areas such as policy and management, people and processes and most importantly results.  Working within the IIE framework has become an invisible part of the way we work at Walker Thompson and we are delighted with the outcome from this latest assessment.

The assessment highlighted the following within the firm:

• "A genuine commitment to quality and high standards of performance"
• "People development has a high profile"
• The firm welcomes external perspectives and is committed to continuous improvement"

Contact us at clientcare@walkerthompson.co.uk or find out more at Investors in Excellence

Midlands Excellence Awards Finalist

We are pleased to announce that for the second year running the firm has succeeded in reaching the finals at the Midlands Excellence Awards.

The firm will be attending a prestigious awards ceremony to be held at the International Conference Centre Birmingham on 3 February 2011 where the key speaker will be Sir Ranulph Fiennes.

Walker Thompson are currently the only firm of Accountants in Coventry & Warwickshire who have been accredited against the IIE Standard of Excellence which is based upon the EFQM Quality Model.

“Clients can be assured of a high quality service by our dedicated team of accountants and support staff”