Latest News from Office Assistants
Office Assistants regularly updates this page with our latest news releases and bulletins, so keep it bookmarked!
How to Write a Business Plan
In simple terms, a business plan outlines your vision for the future of your business, assessing where you are now and where you want to be in the future. By asking yourself a few questions a comprehensive plan will begin to emerge. Read more...
How to become a Sole Trader
Setting up your own business and becoming an independent sole trader is a becoming an increasingly popular option mainly because of the easy start up procedures and the obvious appeals of being your own bos. Although relatively straight forward, it is important to follow the steps involved to avoid any unnecessary financial penalties. Read more...
Small Business and the New Coalition Government - What's in store?
With the new coalition government settling into its seats, how will your business fair in light of the proposed changes on the horizon? Many uncertainties are still lingering, so what can we expect from the new government and how will it affect the smaller business and sole trader? Read more...
Know the Rules on VAT Filing
From this April, if at or since 31 December 2009, your business turnover for the previous 12 months was more than £100,000, or you are newly registering for VAT, you have to file your returns online and pay electronically. HMRC is phasing out paper returns and this will eventually apply to all businesses, so even if you've already registered but don't reach the £100K threshold, it is a good idea to go electronic if you can. Read more...
Employed or Self-Employed: Guidance When Recruiting
The UK arm of the massively successful organisation WeightWatchers International was recently required to pay nearly £24 million to HMRC. Why? Because it had deemed its 1700 or so class leaders self employed, while the Revenue disagreed and was eventually backed up by a tax tribunal. Read more...
Data Protection: Have You Registered with the Information Commissioner?
Registration with the Information Commissioner is mandatory if you control data about individuals which is not for the purpose of staff administration; business accounts and records; or marketing activities for your own business. If you do these things for someone else, or if you use personal data for any other purpose, and the records are held electronically, you must be registered to comply with UK law. Read more...
More Cash Flow Tips: Get your Clients on Standing Orders
Good cash flow is imperative to businesses survival. One of the most common problems affecting cashflow is late or sporadic client payments. The most effective way of avoiding this problem is by encouraging clients to make their payments by standing order or direct debit. Read more...
Saying NO to the National Insurance Contributions Rise
Businesses both large and small are more than familiar with the devastating effects the recession has had on the economy. But along with cut backs and job losses, the business community will now have to contend with a 1% National Insurance Contributions increase. Read more...
Cash Flow Forecasting: Why your Business Must Know the Future
As a small business, it is imperative that you are able to estimate your cash flow in advance so that you can be prepared for any unexpected expenses that may arise. You can achieve this by ensuring you are up to date with cash flow forecasting. Read more...
CHEQUES: IS THE END NIGH?
Did you know that you may not be able to use or accept cheques for much longer? If the Payments Council has its way, central cheque clearing in the UK will cease at some point in 2018, so we could all be ditching our cheque books in eight years time. Read more...
TOP TIPS FOR ONLINE BANKING
All online banking services work hard to ensure security, but criminals are always looking for ways to access accounts, and your bank needs your cooperation to keep your money safe. Follow the general rules for keeping your own computer safe, and take heed of our top tips for real confidence in online banking. Read more...
WHAT BUSINESS INSURANCE DO I NEED?
Are you sure you have all the insurance cover you need for your business? This brief guide covers just some of the cover you may need to protect you and your business from risk. Read more...
HOW TO PREPARE AN INVOICE
Clients often ask us the correct way to go about setting out an invoice so we thought we'd put together this useful guide to help you get it right first time and ensure you include all the required information. Read more...
DEBT RECOVERY GUIDE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
In any small business, cash flow is crucial. It definitely pays you to stay on top of the cash you are owed. If any of your debtors are slow to pay, you need to do something about it. Read more...
HOW TO KEEP ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF HMRC
Tax can be a minefield for the unwary. Here is a checklist to help you through. Read more...
NEW PREMISES FOR OFFICE ASSISTANTS
Professional bookkeeping company Office Assistants has recently moved into new, larger premises. The modern offices, based in Rainham, Essex are centrally located and easily accessible with ample parking. Read more...
Making a Claim on your Insurance: Hidden Rule Warning
What do you think about when you are deciding whether to make a claim on your home contents insurance? How much you can get and whether you can claim more than the excess? There is something else you need to think about and it involves a worrying hidden rule. Read more...
Pre-Budget Report: What News for the Small Business?
As usual, there is both good and bad news for the small business in the Chancellor's Pre-Budget Report. How does it affect your small business? Find out in our brief summary. Read more...
THE TAX BENEFITS OF WORKING FROM HOME
If you run your business from your home, you will not only save on overheads, there are also a few tax perks to be had. You do, of course, need to know the rules. HMRC is strict about what constitutes legitimate expenses that can be claimed and deducted from the taxable income of the business. Read more...
THE BENEFITS OF ONLNE BANKING FOR THE SMALL BUSINESS
If you haven't switched to on-line banking yet, now is the time to give it some serious consideration. There are many benefits to gain from banking on-line and this article explores the main ones. Read more...
VAT INCREASE ON NEW YEARS DAY
If your business is VAT registered don't forget that the standard rate will change on 1 January 2010. It was reduced to 15% in December 2008 in an effort to boost consumer sales but will rise to 17.5% again as soon as the calendar turns to 2010. Read more...
SMALL BUSINESS TAX SAVING TIPS
You can legitimately reduce your tax bill if you familiarise yourself with the rules. Here a few tax saving tips from Office Assistants to get you on your way to a better tax year! Read more...
ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES OF BEING A SOLE TRADER
There are advantages and disadvantages to operating as a sole trader, partnership or limited company, so it's worthwhile taking some time to understand how each might affect your business and the way you run it. Read more...
MAXIMISE YOUR SMALL BUSINESS CASHFLOW!
Profit is good, but there's no point in making money on paper if there's not enough in the bank to pay the creditors knocking on your door. If you want your small business to be successful you need to pay close attention to the Cash Flow. Read more...
ATTEMPTS TO SAVE TAX COULD LEAD TO POOR CREDIT RATING
Decided not to Supply Full Audited Accounts to Companies House? Think Carefully; it could Affect your Credit Rating! Read more...
SUBMITTING AN ONLINE SELF ASSESSMENT? PROTECT YOUR PASSWORD!
HMRC has recently issued a warning to the self employed tax payer who submits an online self assessment return. According to HMRC, fraudsters have been making illegal claims by impersonating taxpayers. Read more...
TAXPAYERS TARGETED BY NEW HOAX E-MAIL
Have you received an e-mail supposedly from HMRC lately? If so, take care because it could be a hoax. Read more...
THE END OF THE LINE FOR PAYMENT BY CHEQUE?
The demise of cheque payments seems to have gathered pace according to research by Creditsafe. Their report indicates that a third of businesses will have stopped paying by cheque, and that one in nine will stop accepting cheque payments, within 12 months. Read more...
DEFERRING TAX PAYMENTS? PREPARE FOR TOUGHER QUESTIONS FROM HMRC!
Small businesses that rely on HMRC to defer their tax payments should prepare themselves for tougher questioning from HMRC. Read more...
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT OUR FREEPOST ENVELOPES
If you use our freepost envelopes then please stop with IMMEDIATE effect as we are no longer using our PO Box number. Read more...
DO YOU HAVE A CASH FLOW MANAGEMENT PLAN IN PLACE?
With so much financial pressure on small businesses it is imperative that you have a cash flow management plan in place to help you through these troubled economic times. Read more...
REDUCING YOUR JULY PAYMENT ON ACCOUNT
If you are due to make your second payment on account to HM Revenue & Customs come 31 July, but you feel this year's earnings will be lower than last year's, you need to read this. Read more...
PREVENT UNWANTED CALLS TO YOUR MOBILE!
A new directory of personal mobile telephone numbers was launched at the end of last month. 118800 connects people by texting anyone looking for you with your mobile phone number or by trying to connect them directly to your mobile or landline. It is likely that your mobile number is on this directory which could lead to unsolicited calls so it is recommended you become ex-directory. Read more...
TAX CREDITS: A REMINDER
If you claim Tax Credits, don't forget that you need to renew your claim and to do this you need to know your annual income. HMRC uses this information to check you received all the money you were entitled to in the previous year, and to make sure your payments for the year ahead are correct. Read more...
SUBCONTRACTOR TAX REFUNDS: GET WHAT'S DUE WITHOUT DELAY!
Subcontractors: now the end of the tax year has passed we can work out whether HMRC owes you a tax refund, and the sooner we do it, the sooner you could have some extra money in your pocket to help you enjoy your summer holidays! Read more...
YOUR VERY OWN ADMIN DEPARTMENT FOR A FRACTION OF THE COST OF HIRING FULL TIME STAFF
How often could you do with a 'virtual' office? Background support that makes it look like you have a team behind you answering your calls, dealing with enquiries, producing quotes and invoices, keeping paperwork up to date and allowing you to portray the impression of a professionally run company. Read more...
GOING THE EXTRA MILE WITH MORE SERVICES FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
Office Assistants is going the extra mile to help smaller businesses with a range of affordable additional services that will help their companies run more smoothly. Read more...
DO YOU KNOW HOW YOUR STAFF ARE SPENDING YOUR VALUABLE TIME?
Statistics show the average employee spends more than an hour and a half surfing the internet for personal use over the course of a week; that is ten days per year and is costing the economy some £10.6bn during that year. But what can be done to eliminate the problem? Read more...
BUDGET 2009: NEWS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
Although the news on the budget front can't really be considered all bad for businesses, it appears from internet reports that small business owners and business support groups, such as the Federation of Small Businesses, feel Alistair Darling could have done more to soften the blow of the economic crisis. Read more...
INCREASED LATE FILING PENALTIES FOR ANNUAL COMPANY ACCOUNTS
The penalties for the late filing of annual company accounts rose as of 1 February 2009. The Companies Act 2006 provides that all companies must deliver annual accounts to the Registrar of Companies by the due date otherwise a late filing penalty will be payable. Business owners who wish to avoid these now quite substantial penalties should ensure their records are given to us in plenty of time. Read more...
SELF CERT MORTGAGE CULL MEANS REGULAR BOOKKEEPING IS IMPERATIVE FOR THE SELF EMPLOYED
Self certification mortgages look like they are about to fizzle out as anxious lenders decide borrowers without a robust proof of income are not worth the risk. Now it seems that self employed workers must have proper sets of accounts in readiness if they want to get a mortgage which means regular bookkeeping will become vital. Read more...
OFFICE ASSISTANTS GETS CASH ROLLING IN FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
Keeping invoices going out and payments coming in is a vital part of running a successful business. But having the time to do these things and keep the cash flow balanced can be a real challenge. Office Assistants fully understands the challenges faced by smaller businesses so they have put together a cash flow management service specifically tailored to them. Read more...
DON'T LET COST CUTTING COST YOU MONEY SAYS OFFICE ASSISTANTS!
Business owners looking for ways to cut costs are all too often taking action that can have the completely opposite effect and prove a drastically false economy. One of these mistakes is switching to a cheaper accountant or opting to handle their own accounts. Read more...
ESSEX BOOKKEEPING FIRM OFFERS FULL CIS SERVICE
Penalties charged for late or non-submission of CIS returns are high and can be easily avoided by handing over to an experienced company like Office Assistants that has dedicated, fully trained and qualified staff waiting to take the job off time strapped hands. Read more...
OFFICE ASSISTANTS OFFERS BOOKKEEPING ADVICE FOR NEW BUSINESSES IN ESSEX AND LONDON
Anyone setting up in business should make sure they get organised from day one as far as bookkeeping goes so as to avoid any future issues with HM Revenue and Customs. Read more...
Small Business Advice: Make Sure your Bookkeeper Ticks all the Right Boxes!
Trying to find a bookkeeper that will offer you the very best service and value for money is not always a straightforward task. Lynn Watson offers a helping hand by way of advice on what factors that should appear at the top of a business owner's wish list when sourcing a professional to take care of their accounting and admin needs. Read more...
Christmas Parties and Gifts: What you need to Know about Tax and VAT
The rules surrounding what can and can't be claimed back on tax and VAT when it comes to Christmas entertaining and gifts for staff or clients can be quite ambiguous and often many business owners don't realise the conditions associated with the rules, so we have put together a straightforward guide covering what you need to know, and the things to beware of! Read more...
Office Assistants says 'Leave bookkeeping to the professionals' as they find one client £6,000 in unclaimed VAT
It was a case of 'should have left it to the professionals' last week as Office Assistants was called in to bail out a small business with a big bookkeeping problem. Read more...
Save your Business Money: Outsource your Bookkeeping and Admin Systems
Office Assistants has seen a recent upturn in companies outsourcing things like payroll administration, invoicing and bookkeeping. Why? Because it can save businesses a considerable amount of money. Read more...
Office Assistants offers Bespoke Bookkeeping Package for Sole Traders
Any sole trader that feels bogged down with paperwork, keeps missing vital deadlines and ends up paying fines as a result will not fail to be tempted by the affordable new Sole Trader Service being offered by Office Assistants. Read more...
Office Assistants receives accolade from the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers
In July this year, Office Assistants was very proud to be awarded membership of The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB); the largest bookkeeping institute in the world. Read more...
Office Assistants launches website and offers Lifeline for SMEs in southeast England
Small to medium sized businesses bogged down in the rigmarole of accounts paperwork are to be thrown a lifeline by Essex-based bookkeeping and office administration company Office Assistants. Read more...
Free e-mail reminder service helps companies avoid late payment fines
Essex-based bookkeeping and office administration company Office Assistants is offering a helping hand to small and medium sized businesses through its free e-mail reminder service which will help them avoid late filing and payment fines. Read more...
Office Assistants offers tailored services for small building & construction companies in Essex and London
Small businesses or sole traders in the southeast's building and construction industry are being thrown a lifeline with the chance to shift the weight of paperwork worries off their shoulders. Read more...
A helping hand for London and Essex tradespeople suffering paperwork overload
Businesses bogged down in the rigmarole of filing returns and remembering to make crucial payments can stop worrying because Essex bookkeeping and office admin company Office Assistants has just launched a free e-mail reminder service via their website. Read more...
