Stay informed with the latest news and advice from Pearl
8 Hacks to Survive Working from Home
The Work-From-Home (WFH) Pros and Cons debate has raged for almost as long as the lockdowns have been going on. Netflix’s CEO believes that lockdowns are counterproductive, and Elon Musk is even moving Tesla out of Silicon Valley and to Texas in what is believed to be...
read more
Lockdown 3.0 Is Ending. Here’s What That Means for Businesses.
On Monday, 22 February 2021, Boris Johnson unveiled England’s four-step program for easing Britons out of lockdown. Although the rhyme and reason of the plan have been questioned, one thing is for sure: There is a roadmap, and there is hope for businesses to open up...
read more
Where to Start with Xero, Quickbooks or FreeAgent?
The sudden surge of accounting software into the market over the last few years has put accounting and bookkeeping into everyone’s hands. Or has it? Nothing is more frustrating than thinking you know something only to be left, at the end of it, mired down in confusion...
read more
22 Xero Tips to Make Your Business’s Accounting Easier!
Cloud-based accounting has revolutionised the way freelancers and small businesses do their bookkeeping, accounting and year-end taxes. Over the years, these tools have grown so sophisticated that many costly accounting functions of the past are now within the hands...
read more
Do I Need an Accountant If I Use Xero or Quickbooks?
The question has been asked many times before: Will tools like Xero, Quickbooks, FreeAgent, Sage — or any of the other accounting software tools out there — eventually replace your accountant? The question is a valid one. And, indeed, many accountants and bookkeepers...
read more
Brexit: Here’s What You Need to Know about EC Sales Lists
The UK left the EU on 31 January 2020 and the transition period officially ended on 31 December 2020. In other words, Brexit is done — but not necessarily dusted. Confusion about how to proceed abounds, and a Withdrawal Agreement that runs to several hundred pages...
read more
How Does Making Tax Digital Affect SMEs?
HMRC’s Making Tax Digital rollout for VAT submissions began on 1 April 2019, forcing businesses with a turnover of £85,000+ per annum to submit their VAT returns via approved-only, cloud-compliant software. Whereas SMEs were previously able to submit their VAT returns...
read more
Government Offers £4.6 Billion in Lockdown Grants — UK Lockdown 3.0
Brits were devastated on Monday night as Number 10 announced an unprecedented third national lockdown, including the mass closure of schools, universities (with only a few exceptions), “non-essential” shops, leisure venues, entertainment venues, pubs, and restaurants....
read more
What to Do to Make a Startup Succeed in the UK
With London recently named the FinTech-unicorn capital of Europe, it is clear to see that the UK is a key country in which to launch a high-tech startup. Even though countries such as France are now trying to catch up to the bandwagon by offering incentives for...
read more
COVID-19 Gives UK Contractors Breather on Draconian IR35 Reforms
If you’re a contractor for a medium- or large-sized company and have been dreading the upcoming IR35 reforms, scheduled for 6 April 2020, you can take a breather. The reform has been delayed for a year. A brief history of the ever-growing fishing net of...
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Top 10 tips for Contractor’s working inside IR35
Before understanding what exactly one requires to do being inside IR35, it is essential to know what IR35 is. Since it is a relatively new UK legislation, many UK companies find it challenging to understand the whole ruling as well as the key terms associated with it....
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The Importance of Accounting in The Healthcare Industry
The accounting department can be considered the backbone of any institution that has to deal with funds. Consequently, it plays a significant role in the healthcare industry, allowing it to work at its true potential. An accounting department is essential for any...
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How To Successfully Attract New Customers
Managing a business requires you to attract new customers all the time as its always risky to stay dependent on the existing one. There is no formal contract with the customers, and you can lose them anytime, even if they are loyal. So, it becomes essential for...
read more
How to win back lost customers
On the off chance that you know why you have lost customers, it's a lot simpler to win them back. Here are the top reasons why clients may quit working with you: They were charmed away by a contender promising better costs, better administration or some other...
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How to Change from a Sole Trader to a Limited Company
It’s common for many business owners, to begin trading as a sole trader rather than a limited company. Sometimes, working as a sole trader suits the business model of your new start-up. So, being a limited company never really crossed your mind. Generally, for...
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A guide to New Tax Year Changes on 6th April 2019
This new tax year ought to be an interesting one, as it looks likely that it will occur a few days after the UK crashes out of the EU at the end of March, which could have interesting economic effects just before everyone is heading off to do their personal tax...
read more
Making Tax Digital for VAT
From April 2019, if your taxable turnover exceeds the VAT threshold of £85,000, you need to keep your VAT business records digitally and submit your VAT return via compatible software. Here at Pearl Accountants, we work with many different systems which are great for...
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Used to be with KPMG Small Business Services? Choose Pearl Accountants!
Just a few days ago, The Business Desk reported that KPMG small business is closing down, leaving thousands of former KPMG small business clients with no small business services accountants to turn to. The company’s SBA Service, which launched only 5 years ago, will...
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Tips To Help Freelancers Manage Their Accounting Better
Freelancers have the opportunity to get contracts and work on them one after the other. This means their income level is dictated by their skills and talents, and not by one employer but by multiple clients. However, the influx of all this work has a downside since...
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9 Ways to Find Freelancing Work That Actually Pays Well
We have a lot of clients who are freelancers. For many years, we have specialised in delivering accounting services to freelancers. One of the most common complaints we hear from freelancers is that it’s difficult to find high-paying jobs. Difficult, yes, but not...
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How to Apply for the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme
The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme(SEISS) was officially opened for applications at 8 am on 13 May 2020. The scheme is yet another in a series of schemes released by Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak in the last few months to assist businesses and...
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Freelancers: How to Stay Afloat during the COVID-19 Pandemic
It’s hard to tell which sector of business owners are hit the hardest during the multitudinous lockdowns going on in the world right now: Small freelancers, startups, contractors, large businesses? Each sector has its unique challenges and expenses which need to be...
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Freelancing as a second job what tax do I pay?
There are very few people out there who start to freelance full time and quit their regular jobs. In most cases, people take up freelancing as a side job while doing their daily job. Once they develop a firm footing in freelance work, only then they move it to full...
read more How To Successfully Attract New Customers
Managing a business requires you to attract new customers all the time as its always risky to stay dependent on the existing one. There is no formal contract with the customers, and you can lose them anytime, even if they are loyal. So, it becomes essential for...
read more
How To Deal With Painful Customers
Every entrepreneur has to face customers. How they handle the customers depends upon their communication and leadership skills. They might be good at handling all customers, but there are always customers who are just plain right rude and painful to interact...
read more How to win back lost customers
On the off chance that you know why you have lost customers, it's a lot simpler to win them back. Here are the top reasons why clients may quit working with you: They were charmed away by a contender promising better costs, better administration or some other...
read more A guide to New Tax Year Changes on 6th April 2019
This new tax year ought to be an interesting one, as it looks likely that it will occur a few days after the UK crashes out of the EU at the end of March, which could have interesting economic effects just before everyone is heading off to do their personal tax...
read more 8 Hacks to Survive Working from Home
The Work-From-Home (WFH) Pros and Cons debate has raged for almost as long as the lockdowns have been going on. Netflix’s CEO believes that lockdowns are counterproductive, and Elon Musk is even moving Tesla out of Silicon Valley and to Texas in what is believed to be...
read more Lockdown 3.0 Is Ending. Here’s What That Means for Businesses.
On Monday, 22 February 2021, Boris Johnson unveiled England’s four-step program for easing Britons out of lockdown. Although the rhyme and reason of the plan have been questioned, one thing is for sure: There is a roadmap, and there is hope for businesses to open up...
read more Where to Start with Xero, Quickbooks or FreeAgent?
The sudden surge of accounting software into the market over the last few years has put accounting and bookkeeping into everyone’s hands. Or has it? Nothing is more frustrating than thinking you know something only to be left, at the end of it, mired down in confusion...
read more 22 Xero Tips to Make Your Business’s Accounting Easier!
Cloud-based accounting has revolutionised the way freelancers and small businesses do their bookkeeping, accounting and year-end taxes. Over the years, these tools have grown so sophisticated that many costly accounting functions of the past are now within the hands...
read more Brexit: Here’s What You Need to Know about EC Sales Lists
The UK left the EU on 31 January 2020 and the transition period officially ended on 31 December 2020. In other words, Brexit is done — but not necessarily dusted. Confusion about how to proceed abounds, and a Withdrawal Agreement that runs to several hundred pages...
read more How Does Making Tax Digital Affect SMEs?
HMRC’s Making Tax Digital rollout for VAT submissions began on 1 April 2019, forcing businesses with a turnover of £85,000+ per annum to submit their VAT returns via approved-only, cloud-compliant software. Whereas SMEs were previously able to submit their VAT returns...
read more Government Offers £4.6 Billion in Lockdown Grants — UK Lockdown 3.0
Brits were devastated on Monday night as Number 10 announced an unprecedented third national lockdown, including the mass closure of schools, universities (with only a few exceptions), “non-essential” shops, leisure venues, entertainment venues, pubs, and restaurants....
read more What to Do to Make a Startup Succeed in the UK
With London recently named the FinTech-unicorn capital of Europe, it is clear to see that the UK is a key country in which to launch a high-tech startup. Even though countries such as France are now trying to catch up to the bandwagon by offering incentives for...
read more
How to successfully start a small business
Guest post by Stacey McIntosh, Editor, Sage Advice UK & Ireland Starting a small business is no easy feat, especially during the first few years – there’s a lot to think about, but with forward planning, you’ll give your business the best chance of success. This...
read more 8 Hacks to Survive Working from Home
The Work-From-Home (WFH) Pros and Cons debate has raged for almost as long as the lockdowns have been going on. Netflix’s CEO believes that lockdowns are counterproductive, and Elon Musk is even moving Tesla out of Silicon Valley and to Texas in what is believed to be...
read more 22 Xero Tips to Make Your Business’s Accounting Easier!
Cloud-based accounting has revolutionised the way freelancers and small businesses do their bookkeeping, accounting and year-end taxes. Over the years, these tools have grown so sophisticated that many costly accounting functions of the past are now within the hands...
read more Do I Need an Accountant If I Use Xero or Quickbooks?
The question has been asked many times before: Will tools like Xero, Quickbooks, FreeAgent, Sage — or any of the other accounting software tools out there — eventually replace your accountant? The question is a valid one. And, indeed, many accountants and bookkeepers...
read more Brexit: Here’s What You Need to Know about EC Sales Lists
The UK left the EU on 31 January 2020 and the transition period officially ended on 31 December 2020. In other words, Brexit is done — but not necessarily dusted. Confusion about how to proceed abounds, and a Withdrawal Agreement that runs to several hundred pages...
read more How Does Making Tax Digital Affect SMEs?
HMRC’s Making Tax Digital rollout for VAT submissions began on 1 April 2019, forcing businesses with a turnover of £85,000+ per annum to submit their VAT returns via approved-only, cloud-compliant software. Whereas SMEs were previously able to submit their VAT returns...
read more How to successfully start a small business
Guest post by Stacey McIntosh, Editor, Sage Advice UK & Ireland Starting a small business is no easy feat, especially during the first few years – there’s a lot to think about, but with forward planning, you’ll give your business the best chance of success. This...
read more
“Why Do I Need a Website for My Small Offline Business?”
If you don’t yet have a business website, likely you’ve been hearing about having an online presence for over a decade. Perhaps friends have looked at you askance, wondering how in the world you can operate without a website. Maybe you look at them strangely in return...
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Go Local: 3 Phenomenal UK-Based E-commerce Platforms You Could Be Using
If you’re looking to start an E-commerce business in the UK then no doubt you are feeling the pressure to get things going urgently. Times are tough, and we’re all going to have to foot the bill for it. If the UK economy ever needed your help, it is now. That doesn’t...
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How can a finance director help me?
When you think of a Finance Director (FD), what comes to mind? Calculators, spreadsheets, counting, addition, the list goes on. Perhaps you’ve been advised to seek the help of a part-time or full-time Finance Director. However, do you know what their role is and how...
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