Latest News

Mike Kienlen Welcomed as Chairman

Mike Keinlen has been appointed Chairman of Armstrong Watson LLP. With 13 years experience at the firm as Partner in the Restructuring, Recovery and Insolvency service line and joining the managment board in 2007, Mike is delighted to be taking on the new role. 

Will European Trade after Brexit Remain Simple?

Trade between the EU and the UK is fairly straightforward at present.  UK companies and those from other member states simply provide their customers or suppliers with their EU VAT numbers and the VAT is generally accounted for by the member state where the goods are sent to.

The EU VAT number is the same as a UK VAT number with the addition of “GB” in front of the number.  This denotes that the number is a UK VAT number but can be used and is recognised throughout the EU.

Making Tax Digital – a New Year resolution for 2019!

HMRC is introducing a fundamental change to the way in which VAT returns are being submitted from April 2019.  Are you ready for Making Tax Digital in April?

Karen Thomson welcomed as first Chartered Member of CIPP

We are very proud to announce that Director of Group Payroll Services, Karen Thomson, has become one of the first recipients of the prestigious accolade of Chartered Membership of the Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP).

'Get a Future' project banks nearly £25,000

After weeks of voting, Carlisle Youth Zone have won the public vote for funding from the Aviva Community Fund banking nearly £25,000 in the process.  The money will be used to fund the ‘Get a Future' project, a collaboration with Armstrong Watson which aims to give young people the skills for a future career.

Have you registered your Trust?

All trusts who have a liability to any form of tax in the tax year ended 5 April will need to register the trust with HMRC through their new service. This is in addition to the completion of an annual taxc return. Therefore even trusts who have previously registered with HMRC will need to register online. Emily explains who this affects, what is required when registering, when the deadlines are and how we can help.

45 ways to increase your retail profits

It is fair to say that retail is unquestionably facing its toughest times in recent years, with the threat that the internet poses, increasing employee costs and reducing family income, all leaving less money available for retail spending!

We believe its the independent retailers that add character to our high streets so download our top 45 steps to increasing retail profits and get ahead...

Here's our top 5 steps to guarentee 

1. Create a great window display.

Is your organisation living in the Dark Ages?

Does your business have effective internal communication? If something happened to your business, would everyone know what to do? Nick discusses the importance on internal communication and how vital it is to record documentation in order to help if an issues arises.

How do law firm partners get paid?

How does your remuneration package compare with other Law Firms?

Is remuneration in line with appraisal and how does the war for talent impact on incentive schemes, benefits, bonus and salaries?

What should be in my fee earners appraisals and how do law firm partners get paid?

We’ve surveyed over 40 legal practices across the UK to find out. Click on the link below to view our findings…

Are You Entitled to Bad Debt Relief?

With the recent news that Carillion has gone into liquidation, many small and medium businesses are left worried that they may be out of pocket, or even worse, depending on their exposure to Carillion. They good news is that these businesses can obtain VAT bad debt relief  on the amounts owed to them by debtors. Stephen goes into detail about the circumsatnces that will make businesses eligible for bad debt relief.