Latest News

Armstrong Watson Takes on Record Number of New Trainees

Armstrong Watson Accountants, Business and Financial Advisers has taken on a record number of new starters, with the appointment of 11 chartered accountancy trainees and 20 trainees studying AAT/ATT across 5 of the firms offices in Glasgow, Carlisle, Northallerton, Skipton and Leeds.

10 reasons to make a will

What do Abraham Lincoln, Howard Hughes, Pablo Picasso and Jimi Hendrix all have in common? Apart from being famous, they all died without making a will. However it’s not just the rich and famous that don’t get around to making a will. Recent research indicates that more than 50% of UK adults don’t have a will. I often remind clients to make or update their will to ensure that their estate is left to the people they want it to go to. This is advice which cannot be repeated too often.

Here are ten good reasons to make a valid will:

Self Assessment – Time to get your tax affairs in order

As the summer holidays draw to a close and with a definite feel of Autumn in the air, it’s a clear reminder to all accountants that our busiest season is rapidly approaching. If you are within the Self Assessment system under which individuals are required to self-assess their tax liability in a tax return there are a few deadlines to consider.

UK Tax Implications post Brexit

Jim Meakin discusses the tax implications for UK businesses following Brexit on 31st October 2019.

Payroll Team Shortlisted for 3 National Awards

We're proud to announce that our payroll team have been shortlisted in 3 different categories at the Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP) Annual Excellence Awards.

The CIPP awards recognise the best in their field and Armstrong Watson’s nominations - and nominees - were shortlisted in the following categories:

What’s it worth?

I’m often instructed to value legal practices, whether that is part of advising on a merger/acquisition, restructuring, partnership dispute or retirement. Valuations have become increasingly important during the past couple of years, particularly as we have seen major changes within the ownership and trading structure of law firms. As we move forward into the post Legal Services Act era, and as external ownership of/investment in law firms is permitted, the valuation issues will become ever more important.

Compulsory purchase of land and Capital Gains Tax

There are Capital Gains Tax (CGT) consequences to consider when land is sold under a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO). A sale like this may be involuntary and this is recognised by the tax system. This is by way of a form of rollover relief, which is similar but crucially different to that available to all trading businesses.

The increasing cost of death

The Taxpayers’ Alliance recently published its report on the cost of dying. The report looks at the taxes and charges which arise on death and concludes that it is becoming more expensive.

Nicki Hutchinson joins Armstrong Watson Northallerton as Accounting Senior Manager

Nicki Hutchinson joins Armstrong Watson's Northallerton team as Accounting Senior Manager and will offer accountancy and tax advice to family and owner managed businesses.

Where next for Inheritance Tax?

The Office of Tax Simplification (OTS) has made several announcements around tax legislation which could adversely affect farmers and other rural businesses in the coming years.