Trivial Benefits and Christmas parties

With Christmas just around the corner we thought it would be useful to set out the rules surrounding trivial benefits and…

Meet the Team! Gabriella Kubiak-Szafranska

Meet Gabriella: the numbers wizard who can make spreadsheets sing!

The Budget 2024

Well, it wasn’t a great budget for businesses, but it could have been a lot worse.....

Ducketts Does Go Karting

What an incredible day we had during the first week of September!

Meet The Team! Claire James

Cat-loving Claire is a former wannabe dancer and interior designer – having spent several years in industry, means that …

Spring Budget 2024

As the seasons change, so too do the financial landscapes, and the Spring Budget of 2024 brings forth a series of noteworthy…

Cocktails and Canapes at The Green Dragon

Thank you to everyone who came along to our Cocktail Party last night, on what was a very bitter evening!

The Perfect Time for Reflection

Whilst it is still relatively early in the New Year, it is the perfect time to reflect on a few strategic questions for…

A Very Merry Christmas from Ducketts

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the Ducketts Team!

12 days of the Autumn statement

Instead of the twelve days of Christmas here are the twelve things you need to know from the Autumn Statement;

Posh dinner at The Bookshop Hereford

A Rainy Evening of Warm Company at the Ducketts Dinner

Phil's Back!

Phil has returned from successfully completing the Trek Petra challenge in Jordan! He is safe and slowly integrating back…

The Ducketts team gets a makeover

I never thought I’d see the day when Clive Haughton and Mark Vickress became catwalk models...

Exam Success at Ducketts

Big congratulations to Jake and Callum, who have recently passed their latest accounting exams.

Why we are proud to be supporting The Living Room Hereford

We are delighted to be supporting The Living Room and the great work that they do throughout Herefordshire, through this…

The team smashed RUN Hereford for St Michaels Hospice

Back in May, hundreds of runners descended on Hereford for one of the city's largest multi-distance running events raising…

Accountants can be life savers!

Our very own Sue Watkins not only fixes broken accounting systems and processes, she is also a life saver! 

Meet Callum Hutchison

Callum joined the Management Accountant team in November 2022 and is currently working through his CIMA qualifications.

Ducketts Long Service Awards

Last week at Ducketts we recognised work anniversaries for several our fabulous team, ranging from 5 to 20 years.

Tax Tips 2023

A summary of the issues we think are relevant now and going forward. 

Our calmest Tax Return season ever!

My 23rd year of Duckett Tax Returns was marked by a significant drop in expletives.

Having a time-to-pay agreement with HMRC is about to cost you.

Time to Pay agreements are becoming more expensive

No more Tax Returns?

Some years ago, George Osborne announced a plan to do away with tax returns.

Our charity efforts hit a new high

We’re proud to support the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity.

Levelling up with the Talent Academy

We had a really positive Talent Academy session yesterday.

Whitehall - Do as I say, not as I do.

No, not partygate, but IR35 Non Compliance.

Sorry Sir, the dog ate my tax return

It’s been reported that 2.3m taxpayers have missed the 31 January filing deadline which is up half a million on last year…

Christmas Cheer?

Another HMRC issue. Why aren't we suprised.....?

The 2021 budget - how it impacts you

After the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak delivered the Budget on 27th October 2021, we've produced an overview of the main points…

No Pain, no Gain

The Capital Gains Tax debacle continues…..

You can't pigeonhole the platypus

“Everybody tends to pigeonhole things they don’t understand” - Roberto Bolano

Older and Wiser - Managing a mixed age workforce.

Many businesses are likely to have some ‘ageing’ in their workforce. This is probably only going to increase as improved…

Meet the Team! Txell Casadesus

Formerly a biochemist who realised that numbers were more interesting than DNA. Txell also enjoys collecting letters after…

Is HMRC Broken?

Sara Morris, our Head of Tax, posed this question in the latest edition of Taxation magazine.

Meet the team! Jo Dillon

Should be on Countryfile? Jo is at her happiest when around animals and out in the fresh air. Not easily stressed, she loves…

Why we are proud to be supporting Martha Trust Hereford

We are delighted that Martha Trust Hereford, is one of the charities that we are supporting through this year’s Charity …

Euros 2020 - What can business learn from Gareth Southgate?

Listen to people who know things that you don’t

Meet the Team! Lauren Bedington

The SAS of processes and controls! Also an early riser, especially to fit in a workout.

We're proud to support KidsOut!

Each year more than 20,000 children flee domestic abuse to seek sanctuary in refuge.

Failure. It’s not something that we generally like or encourage.  It has a negative feel about it and it’s not something…

Super Deduction (Capital Allowance)

The government has offered unprecedented support for businesses during the Covid pandemic and resulting lockdowns. Even …

Meet the Team! - Jasmine Tyler

A big fan of the sunshine. If not outside enjoying the Great British warm weather, you may find her stood at the oche throwing…

Meet the Team! Dasha Berezka

A goldmine of serious endeavour, and always positive.

The Budget 2021 - How does it impact you?

In the Chancellor’s 2021 Budget he announced that he had to “level with people about the state of the UK economy…

Electric Vehicles - Are we at the tipping point?

Let’s consider the tax benefits....

Meet the Team! Carrie Davies

Miss Positive, always active - likes throwing herself out of planes, tackling gruelling walks and bike rides or covering…

Breaking news!

Latest news on late tax return penalties.

Introducing Our Apprentices - Jake Edmonds

2020 saw Ducketts employing apprentices for the first time. Jake Edmonds, our second apprentice, joined us as an Assistant…

Payback time?

Borrowing to fund the pandemic response has been unprecedented. So, how are we going to pay it back?

Employment and Brexit - Tips and guidance from our favourite HR specialist, Sophie Williams

Who would have thought it would be a relief to think about Brexit?

Just Cancel Christmas?

The 2020 festive season will be unlike any other. Traditional office parties may not be an option, but organisations still…

Introducing our Apprentices - Rachel Mason

2020 saw Ducketts employing apprentices for the first time. In January, Rachel Mason joined us as our Business Administrator…

Leaving the EU Single Market and Customs Union

With everything that’s going on in the world, we’re a little hesitant about posting this message – but we think it’s worth…

Who (or what) was to blame for the Covid-19 data loss?

There's been a great amount of discussion within the accounting industry about the recent Covid-19 data debacle. Is it time…

Does my business need a board?

We think so. Here's why....

Sorry, but......

Don’t forget to fire back up your VAT direct debit!

Grant funding - Act now or miss out!

Who's watching you work?

How to protect your sensitive corporate data while remote working.

CBILS

How we can help secure the funding you need

Transform Part 2

We have pulled together some additional questions to aid and provoke thought, to seize the real opportunity for Transformation…

Transform

Navigating from crisis management part 1 - Seizeing the opportunity to transform

Covid 19

The Digital Dangers & How You Can Avoid Them

Coronavirus impacts everyone

What measures should your businesses consider in the light of this viral outbreak?

Gearing up for kicking back.

Why going to the gym will improve your retirement

Economic Abuse

What is it? Could you spot it? What can we do?

5G What does it mean for businesses?

I was fortunate to attend Harrison Clark Rickerbys Big Techie Brekkie event recently. The presentation centred on the potential…

AI in Accounting: Can we trust what we don't understand?

As ICAEW (Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales) launches a new ethics and tech resources hub, its experts…

More than just bean counters

How Ducketts uses a whole-business evaluation process to help you make better financial decisions.

How Might the Next Prime Minister Impact Fiscal Policy?

Whilst Brexit has understandably been the primary policy issue in the Conservative leadership election so far, some of …

Ducketts Business Club - Mission Motorsport

A huge thank you to James Cameron for being our guest speaker at last nights Ducketts Business Club event.

Confidence comes from being prepared.

There is still uncertainty around what Brexit will mean and planning for a “No Deal” scenario seems sensible right now…

Out of the Frying Pan and into the Fire?

If you're struggling to find a High Street lender it's often tempting to look to "challenger" banks. However, further borrowing…

Bah-Humbug!

At this time of year, we get a lot of the following questions regarding Christmas Parties: Are Christmas Parties tax deductible…

Pay up or else!!! Protecting yourself from blackmail online

Viruses, Spyware, and Trojans are all used by cybercriminals to compromise your personal information. Often you don't even…

Top 5 things to discuss with your clients

Following last months Budget we’ve compiled a short list of the key issues that we would like to bring to your attention…

Making Tax Digital (MTD alert #697)

Our man Neil has written this update on MTD and we felt in only right that we should share it with you all;

Cloud Countdown - dragging accounts production into the 21st Century

As you may know, Claire is our ''Cloud Champion'' (or is it “Queen of Cloud’’), which means she gets very excited about …

Ducketts Website Privacy Policy

This privacy notice provides you with details of how we collect and process your personal data through your use of our site…

Making Tax Digital

Unless you’ve been living in a cave for the last couple of years, you must be aware that HMRC are introducing compulsory…

Tax Tips 2018

​A summary of the issues we think are relevant now and going forward. It’s not a riveting read but there’s quite a lot going…

''What if...?''

At Ducketts, we believe that What If? is a very important question.

The capital levy?

The (right wing) press has been having some fun speculating what a Labour Govt, under proforma Chancellor John MacDonald…

Sales Training Courses For Sales People, Customer Service Staff, Sales Managers & Business Owners

Are you looking for a sales course for yourself or your colleagues?

The Criminal Finance Act 2017

I've been on another tax course and as usual have returned feeling totally demoralised. The Criminal Finance Act of 2017…

Ducketts Golf Day 13th September 2017

Ducketts Golf Day 13th September 2017

Channel 4 'Beat The Tax Dodgers'

I watched with interest the Channel 4 documentary on Monday night to see what areas it would cover with HMRC’s work into…

Networking Rocks

Networking Rocks

It's not fair

There has been much wailing and gnashing of teeth over the inequities between those dastardly self employed and the saintly…

Exporting?

Since the Financial crash at the end of the last decade, the Government has had an aspiration to re-balance the economy

Latest from HMRC

They've just published their annual report and revenues are up by £38.1bn to £574.9bn.

Are HMRC changing tactics?

When our client, let's call him Stan, first told me about what happened to him a few weeks ago, I wondered if he had been…

Marriage Guidance

After the birthday flowers uproar, a recent article in a weekend newspaper has caused further unrest.

Accounting: high risk of loss of balance

Who knew? We've just had a health and safety warning about the use of stepladders.

Floral Expressions

A male team member has caused uproar in office dynamics this week

Do You Know What Your Customer's Think About You?

As part of our business development offering at Ducketts, we like to go and talk to our clients’ customers, to see what …

Tax question of the week

My client has acquired a buy-to-let property and will be carrying out some repairs before taking on tenants. Will the repair…

Masterpiece released

The weekend saw the release of the long awaited video epic by cult director David (call me Cecil B.) Lloyd.

Not Another Piece on Cyber Security! by Martyn Wright

There seems to have been a plethora of articles on cyber risks recently, so why the need for another one, you might ask?

Here is the new member of the Vickress family. Meet baby Rupert.

Here is the new member of the Vickress family. Meet baby Rupert.

High Chancellor of the Dark Side does Farming

But this is more about tax than farming.

Your overseas assets are going to be notified to HMRC

The UK has agreed with 100 other countries to exchange information with banks, Trustees, company administrators, insurance…

Latest on HMRC investigations

I've been on a tax investigation conference. It was more fun than you might think and all sorts of interesting snippets …

Brexit - Economists Latest Thoughts! by Martyn Wright

Earlier this week, I attended a HSBC Brexit seminar, where the key speaker was the Bank’s Head of Economics for Commercial…

Whiplash Chronicle Update 1

I've been on a tax course which always gets my dander up, so stand by for a procession of batterings along the line of '....…

Too much irrelevant stuff?

The National Franchise Exhibition was on at the NEC last weekend, so a few of us went along. My plan, with a couple of …

Ducketts Event

What makes your business different and does anyone care?

Is it me?

Most self employed clients will be aware that they are no longer paying their Class 2 NI (stamp) monthly by direct debit…

Impractical Magic

​It is entirely possible that this tax snippet may only be interesting to insomniacs and anoraks but I liked it so read …

Making Tax Digital

What is 'Making Tax Digital'? This is a big deal. HMRC’s ultimate objective is to drive the self-employed (others) into …