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Our services for SMEs
Our services for SMEs
SERVICES FOR SMEs
Contents
About us ............................................................................................................................................................................... 1
Accountancy Services .......................................................................................................................................................... 2
Online Bookkeeping Services .............................................................................................................................................. 5
Payroll .................................................................................................................................................................................. 6
Tax ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 7
Corporate Services ............................................................................................................................................................... 8
Audit and Assurance ............................................................................................................................................................ 9
B&S Financial Management Ltd ......................................................................................................................................... 10
Contact us .......................................................................................................................................................................... 11
SERVICES FOR SMEs PAGE 1
About us
Beever and Struthers is an award winning firm of Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors in Manchester, Blackburn and London. We have been providing accountancy and financial advice to clients for over 100 years and currently rank in the Top 10 firms in the North West. The Firm comprises of 22 partners, all of whom are specialists in their chosen field of expertise. They are supported by an enthusiastic team of directors, managers and support staff who work in partnership with our clients. At Beever and Struthers we specialise in helping SMEs to achieve bigger and better things. We have the resources to successfully advise over 3,000 clients, with services tailored exactly to your needs. Whatever your business, whatever issues you face, whatever level of input you need, we will give you the business advice and award winning accountancy services you need.
An award winning firm In 2016 Beever and Struthers won “Best Accountancy Firm of the Year” 2016 at the Downtown in Lancashire Business Awards which is the firm’s fourth regional award since 2013. In 2014 we won "Accountancy Firm of the Year" at the North West Finance Awards as well as "Best Accountancy Firm of the Year" for the second consecutive year at the City of Manchester Business Awards (COMBA 2013 and 2014).
HLB International Beever and Struthers is a member of HLB International, a leading global network of independent accounting firms and
business advisors. In existence for more than 40 years, HLB International operates in over 140 countries with member
firms providing a comprehensive array of audit, accounting, tax and advisory services to a broad range of clients.
“We appointed Beever and Struthers because they are a long
established firm with an excellent reputation for working with
SMEs.”
Kate Branagan, Branagan Flooring
SERVICES FOR SMEs PAGE 2
Accountancy Services
Annual Accounts All businesses are required to prepare annual accounts and if deadlines are not met you could be liable for significant penalties. There is a need to produce accounts for a variety of organisations including; Companies House, HMRC, Lenders and potential purchasers. We can prepare your year end statutory accounts which will enable you to devote more time to your business and help you identify potential tax liabilities, plan cash flow and manage working capital for the future.
Management Accounts In addition to the preparation of annual accounts, we can assist with the preparation of regular management accounts. These provide up to date information on profitability and margins, and serve as an important tool in the operational control of the business which allows corrective actions to be taken where necessary. Management accounts can also be submitted to banks, lenders and even credit rating agencies to improve the overall status of the business and are extremely useful in establishing and maintaining business confidence, and possibly more favourable credit terms.
Business Planning Our team has extensive experience of assisting and advising a wide range of businesses at every stage of their development – from start-up right through to initial public offering, disposal or passing the business on to the next generation. We can act as a sounding board and provide a finance director function to a business, and thereby take a proactive role in the financial management of the business. Such services may include:
Development of a strategic business plan, setting out objectives, opportunities, constraints and an action plan.
Preparation of an overall business plan incorporating cash flow forecast, profit forecast and an assessment of anticipated working capital requirements.
Advice on business finance whether via bank funding, factoring, invoice discounting or external investment.
Management of the banking relationship and ensuring a good working relationship with the principle source of day to day finance, including reviews of banking covenants and key performance indicators.
Profit improvement and managing growth – an objective review of revenue and expenditure streams.
Tax planning, retirement planning, pensions and investment advice.
Advice relating to the sale of a business; advising in terms of maximising sale proceeds, minimising tax liabilities, and protecting management and employee interests.
Managing the due diligence process on behalf of clients, whether selling or acquiring.
Cash Flow Forecasts and Budgets As part of a business plan, we can also help you prepare and monitor your cash flow and budgets, compare actual performance with your budget and interpret what variances mean for your business. We can then advise on strategies to improve your performance and profitability.
SERVICES FOR SMEs PAGE 3
Accountancy Services
Business start-up and company formation The more consideration and planning that is put into a business at the start, the greater its chance of achieving its objectives and sustainability. There are a number of legal entities that a business can take: Limited company, Sole Trader, Partnership and Limited Liability Partnership. Each of these entities have both advantages and disadvantages but we will advise you on which is the most appropriate for your needs and circumstances. Although we can set up your business in any form required, it is important that consideration is given to a number of issues such as shareholdings, shareholder/partnership agreements, partnership shares, service agreements, remuneration packages etc. It may also be appropriate to discuss the benefits of employment versus self-employment. Crucial to any organisation are robust foundations in terms of objectives, strategy and mutual understanding of responsibilities and expectations. This is a stage at which business plans, forecasts and corporate structure can be discussed and the most appropriate solutions agreed. Following the legal formation of the business, we will:
Deal with the submission of statutory forms to the regulatory authorities.
Register the business with the necessary authorities for all taxation obligations.
Deal with VAT registration and discuss various VAT Schemes available.
Assist with opening a bank account and, if necessary, assist in raising finance.
Advise on record keeping.
Company secretarial We offer a number of company secretarial services:
People with Significant Control (PSC) Register – as part of the government’s commitment to increase transparency in ownership and control of companies, all UK companies including LLPs are required to maintain a PSC Register. As part of our company secretarial services we can help you identify and set this up to ensure you meet your legal obligations.
Company formation - Company formation necessitates a high degree of form filling and online registration. We can register your company name, provide a certificate of incorporation and assist with the company’s memorandum and articles of association and preparation of share certificates.
Provision of Registered Office facilities - Formal legal notices are sent to a company’s registered office. As your accountants we can host your registered office, ensuring that important mail is identified and dealt with promptly.
Changes in Company Officers - When a new officer is appointed, the Registrar of Companies needs to be notified. We can complete the necessary forms and file these with Companies House on your behalf
Company searches - In times of economic uncertainty, all businesses need to gather as much information about new customers, and their credit status, as they can. We can undertake company searches on our clients behalf and interpret information filed at Companies House.
Amendments to Memorandum and Articles of Association - Sometimes you may need to change the company’s constitution. We can draft the necessary resolutions to effect the changes and ensure that statutory obligations are fulfilled.
Restructuring of Share Capital - From time to time it may be necessary to amend the company’s capital structure. We can guide you through the process of changing voting and dividend rights and can ensure that the appropriate paperwork is completed and filed.
SERVICES FOR SMEs PAGE 4
Accountancy Services
Bookkeeping services It is essential to have good accounting records whether you have just started your own business or have been trading for years. Your accounting records (whether digital or manual) form the platform from which management information is derived and are a key component in making the right decision about your business. We can provide all, or part, of your accountancy needs including purchase and sales ledger processing, invoicing, preparation and filing of online VAT returns, maintenance of fixed asset registers, profit and loss and monthly management reports. Our system can also produce a variety of other reports to suit your needs, including aged debtor and creditor reports, statements, bank reconciliations, VAT reports and trial balances.
“I have found Beever and Struthers to be reliable, knowledgeable and
efficient in all aspects, from tax advice/planning to general
business advice and yearly accounts creation, which in turn has
helped the growth and success of all ventures.”
Leo Graham, MGK 360 Recruitment
SERVICES FOR SMEs PAGE 5
Online Bookkeeping Services
Online bookkeeping, also known as ‘cloud’ accounting software, is increasingly replacing PC based accounting packages. The benefits our clients are seeing with a cloud based accounts package include:
No need to run annual updates on the software or invest in the costly IT hardware, it’s done automatically by the cloud software provider and monthly charges to customers are very modest.
Data is secure and backed up in the cloud.
Various time saving, automated features can be added such as:
- Automatic bank feeds straight into your accounts software. - The ability to manage your accounts anytime, anywhere from virtually any web enabled device such as using
your smart phone or tablet to capture photos of purchase invoices and expenses receipts and post them directly into the accounts software.
- Automated sales invoices or estimates, in your design and format, raised and emailed to clients with automated reminders if they haven’t paid within the agreed terms.
- Allowing your accountant access to live accounting information so that amendments can be made real time without the need to email backups of software to and forth with your accountant.
Furthermore the government’s proposal to require small businesses to file quarterly digital accounts from 2018 will, in all likelihood, require businesses to operate a cloud like accounts system that has the ability to upload data to HMRC. Making the move to a cloud based accounts package sooner rather than later could help manage the transition and ensure that the government proposals don’t cause unwanted disruption in the future. We have a great deal of experience in cloud accounting and can help you pick the right package, assist in setting up the system and assist you with ad hoc queries throughout the year. We are familiar with the various cloud offerings and have particular expertise with leading providers QuickBooks and Xero.
SERVICES FOR SMEs PAGE 6
Payroll
We have a dedicated payroll department which provides all the advantages of an in-house payroll department but none of the associated costs or requirements to keep up to date with legislative changes. Our experienced team are suitably qualified and fully aware of all the changes in payroll related legislation and compliance, including the CIS scheme. As well as providing all the expected payroll functions, such as payslips, online filing, SSP and SMP processing, etc., we are a BACS approved bureau which enables us to make payments directly to staff, HMRC, Pension Providers and other third parties.
Auto-Enrolment The new legislation on workplace pension requires all employers to automatically enrol some or all members of their workforce (depending on age and salary level) into a pension scheme which meets certain minimum standards. These rules are very complex, but with the potential for penalties to be charged it is important that you comply with them. We can provide assistance with the administration needed to set up and implement the pension scheme. Our dedicated payroll team will give you the business advice you need to successfully comply with auto-enrolment duties. *Please note that under FCA regulations Beever and Struthers cannot recommend a scheme provider to you. We can however let you have a note of the providers who we are aware offer a service to smaller employers.
“I can sincerely recommend having a professional, focused, accountancy
firm behind your business, be it a one man limited company or a growing
SME. Beever and Struthers will act in the best interest to their client
ensuring that all the legalities are adhered to.”
Mike Thirsk, Tenet Consultants
SERVICES FOR SMEs PAGE 7
Tax
Tax and VAT is a part of everyone's life and is something all our clients must consider, whether they are a business or individual. There are many tax issues which are relevant to SME clients, including pre year-end tax planning, submission of tax returns, remuneration planning, management of tax risks and dealing with investigations and compliance issues. We review all these issues and provide solutions which are tailored to your individual circumstances. All partners within our SME team have a broad working knowledge of corporate, personal and other taxes. They work closely with our experienced tax team to provide tax planning or more specialised advice you may need.
VAT VAT is a complex area of tax and can be difficult for many people to understand. We have a specialist VAT team who can help navigate you through the wide range of issues and the constant legislative changes. We can:
Complete and submit your VAT return.
Deal with VAT enquiries from HMRC.
Advise you on the VAT impact of various transactions, including complex land and property transactions.
Give advice on the problems of partial exemption and look at the best method of accounting for exempt sales.
Provide sector specific advice for not for profit organisations, including charities and registered providers.
Assist with VAT tribunals.
Whilst minimising tax liabilities is important, our team consider
the wider picture and look at tax planning issues alongside
commercial reality and the practicalities of life.
SERVICES FOR SMEs PAGE 8
Corporate Services
Beever and Struthers has a dedicated Corporate Services Department which provides high quality and bespoke advice on all forms of corporate activity. Whether you are just starting-up and looking to raise finance, want to grow your business through acquisition or realise its value through exit, we have an experienced team who will work closely with you and offer tailored advice to suit your specific needs. We also understand in difficult times, when a business is in distress, you need trustworthy advisors who can guide you through the options. Our specialist Corporate Recovery Team provides a range of restructuring, refinancing and insolvency advice to help you through financial pressures. Whatever stage your business is at our approach is to deliver a client focused service which is aimed at meeting your specific, individual needs and enables you to achieve your long and short term business goals. This department specialises in providing quality advice in a variety of forms of activity including:
Mergers and acquisitions.
Management Buyouts/Management Buy-ins.
Due Diligence.
Business and Share Valuations.
Business Disposals (including preparing for sale).
Raising finance.
Business Start-up advice.
Business Strategic planning.
Turnaround, Recovery and Regeneration.
Restructuring and Refinancing.
Formal insolvency procedures.
Informal debt arrangements.
Fraud/Forensic Investigations.
Litigation support.
SERVICES FOR SMEs PAGE 9
Audit and Assurance
There is an increasing demand for all businesses to demonstrate that they have appropriate controls in place to manage potential risks. We have an experienced audit and assurance team who offer a range of services to help you manage the range of risks to your business. Our teams are based at our Manchester, Blackburn and London offices, but we operate throughout the UK with clients in Scotland, Wales and England. We also work with clients with a national presence and have the resources to provide an excellent and efficient service across all client locations. All our services are provided by appropriately qualified staff in accounting, internal audit, IT audit, tax and HR and we also have a certified fraud examiner for specialist fraud work. Our key services are:
External audit.
Internal audit.
IT audit.
Business assurance.
HR support.
Board member and staff training.
Data mining.
Anti-fraud consultancy and fraud investigations.
"Our business continues to evolve and grow and to help meet the
challenges of constantly changing markets and business
conditions. We are delighted to appoint Beever and Struthers as our
auditors. I'm certain that their proactive approach will provide us
with a perfect partner for the future."
Stephen Greenhalgh, J & J Ormerod
SERVICES FOR SMEs PAGE 10
B&S Financial Management
We work in collaboration with B&S Financial Management Ltd which enables us to offer a range of additional financial and wealth management options for both businesses and individuals. The main advantage of B&S Financial Management Ltd is that it is truly independent and has no commitment to other wealth management companies, insurance companies, mortgage lenders or banks. This means the advisors can recommend products across the whole market to ensure they suit your needs and circumstances. Their areas of expertise include:
Wealth management service.
Pension advice.
Savings and investment guidance.
Mortgage advice.
Life, income and business protection.
Market analysis.
Simply Wealth Newsletters. The advisors at B&S Financial Management Ltd are qualified with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The team includes a Chartered Financial Planner, staff with the Certificate in Mortgage advice and Practice (CeMap) and the Financial Planning Certificate B&S Financial Management Ltd is authorised and regulated by the FCA. To find out more please contact Dawn Ellis on 0161 833 1001 or email [email protected]
SERVICES FOR SMEs PAGE 11
Contact us
Paul Wilson Head of SME d. 0161 838 1808
If you would like to discuss our services in more detail please contact a member of our SME team below:
Disclaimer: Please note that this literature is provided for your information only. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy, information contained in this
literature may not be comprehensive and you should not act upon it without professional advice.
