Stay informed with the latest news and advice from Pearl
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...
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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
How to Save Tax in Your Small UK Business
The way a small business in the UK can save tax (legally!) is to engage in a proper tax optimisation strategy. Forget any ideas of never paying any tax. It just doesn’t happen (legally). Sure, sure, we’ve heard the rumours about “digital nomads” who spend only three...
read more
How to Choose the Best Company for Bookkeeping Services
Bookkeeping is an essential element in every business. However, many SMEs do not consider its importance when starting their projects; they see it as unnecessary. Accounting is a subject that deals with recording, classifying and summarizing the business operations of...
read more
How to choose the right Accountant
Top tips to Find an Accountant Choosing an accountant is an important step when growing your business, as choosing a good accountant could be essential for growing your business at a sustainable rate whilst ensuring that you fulfil your tax obligations with HMRC....
read more
Top Tips to Filing Your Self-Assessment
Successfully file your Self-Assessment if you are self-employed or run your own business using these top tips. Check the Tax Year for Filing Check with your accountant to ensure that you know the start and end dates for your self-assessment. This year’s filing covers...
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National Insurance for Contractors – Key Tips
Paying National Insurance(NI) is required by both employed and self-employed people above 16 years of age. The amount payable is the same for women and men. By contributing to your NI, you can receive a State pension and Jobseekers Allowance after a set time-period....
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Paper Self-Assessment Tax Return Deadline
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) deadline for 2016/2017 Paper Self-Assessment Tax Return is 31 October 2017. If you fail to meet this deadline then your Self-Assessment Tax Return will have to be submitted electronically as the deadline for Online Tax Returns is the 31...
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Resolving Disputes for Contractors – Top Tips
Resolving a dispute as a contractor can have implications in terms of money and time as well as reputation which could cost you future contracts. It is thus vital for disputes to be settled as quickly as possible. Here are some tips to ensure that disputes are dealt...
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Contractor Pensions – Quick Guide
A contractor should take out a pension as it offers many benefits in the long run. This quick guide will highlight the key points when choosing a contractor pension scheme. Pension Funds for Contractors As a Contractor, taking out a pension fund is a sound financial...
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Mortgages for Contractors
Securing a mortgage for a Contractor can be a lengthy and cumbersome process. However, with the right financial advice it is one of the best investments a Contractor can make. This guide will provide you with all the advice that you will need as a Contractor to take...
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How to find the best contract – Quick Guide
This guide will take you through the steps to ensure that you find and secure contracts as a UK based contractor. Plan your search A thorough investigation and lots of research into the contracting market will help you find the best contracts available. However, this...
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Top Tips Creating Contractor Invoices
By including the right information on your invoices will ensure that your clients will have all the information on hand to pay you quickly without delay. Your Contractor details The most important element of your invoice will be your contract details. When your client...
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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...
read more How to choose the right Accountant
Top tips to Find an Accountant Choosing an accountant is an important step when growing your business, as choosing a good accountant could be essential for growing your business at a sustainable rate whilst ensuring that you fulfil your tax obligations with HMRC....
read more Top Tips to Filing Your Self-Assessment
Successfully file your Self-Assessment if you are self-employed or run your own business using these top tips. Check the Tax Year for Filing Check with your accountant to ensure that you know the start and end dates for your self-assessment. This year’s filing covers...
read more
Managing Cash Flow for Freelancers – Top Tips
Managing your cash flow as a Freelancer can be tricky especially if you are just starting out. Here are a few top tips to help you keep your cash flow under control. Tip 1- Save, Save, Save It is important that you are aware from day one that you will have to manage...
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Working Remotely as a Freelancer
When you decide to work as a freelancer, you will often be faced with working remotely. Here are some top tips to ensure that you remain productive and professional even when you work offsite. Tip 1 Always ensure that you...
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Leading Top 8 Freelance Jobsites
Being a freelancer means that you can do what you love the most and still have a great work-life balance. However, when you first start out you may find that securing a steady flow of work the most challenging hurdle to overcome. There are a lot of job sites but it is...
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Sole Trader vs Limited Company – Freelancers Guide
Freelancers should choose which business structure that would like to follow depending on the type of business they run. Each business structure has their own legal, tax and liability issues which need to be taken into consideration when making your choice between a...
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Informing HMRC that you are Self-Employed
Registering with HMRC When you decide to become a freelancer, you need to inform HMRC that you are now self-employed. This means that you are working for yourself and you are now responsible for paying all Income tax and National insurance contributions. It is best to...
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 How to Save Tax in Your Small UK Business
The way a small business in the UK can save tax (legally!) is to engage in a proper tax optimisation strategy. Forget any ideas of never paying any tax. It just doesn’t happen (legally). Sure, sure, we’ve heard the rumours about “digital nomads” who spend only three...
read more How to Choose the Best Company for Bookkeeping Services
Bookkeeping is an essential element in every business. However, many SMEs do not consider its importance when starting their projects; they see it as unnecessary. Accounting is a subject that deals with recording, classifying and summarizing the business operations of...
read more
7 Questions Growth-Seeking CEO’s need to Answer
The role of a Chief Executive Officer in an organisation holds paramount importance. A CEO is the chieftain of a business whose leadership and power is the driving factor of the company. Many business owners around the world sitting in top organisations define their...
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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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Why MoneyPenny is your new business partner!
The 21st century is full of mind-blowing technological advancements. Whether it is asking Alexa to play your favourite song or letting Siri guide you to your destination; artificial intelligence has taken over the world. So, in a world where communication has reached...
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3 Ways To master Healthy Cash Flow Without Breaking A Sweat
Cash flow is one of the leading indicators of the financial status of your business. It is the one that reflects the liquidity of your trade, and its essential utility is to ensure the best possible use of money. One of the biggest challenges of accounting...
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10 Ways to Build A Vibrant Company Culture
A well-defined marketing strategy, massive investments, and excellent products are not the only elements that need to take your business up. Employees are the backbone of your business; if they are not working according to the core values and principles, then what’s...
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The Ultimate Tax And Accounting Tips For A Creative Agency
Very few people like to waste their time writing down records, looking for bills or matching numbers. However, this is necessary if you want a company to strive. The past accounting process for a creative agency determine its success or failure of the present and...
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Sacrifices entrepreneurs need to make
Everyone who steps into the business world brings in their own ideas and dreams. The best part of being an entrepreneur is that everything is under your control. If you follow the right path, invest your time and effort, entrepreneurs can do wonders for there...
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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...
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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...
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When should you have a business partner?
Your business is something you treat like a baby. It came to life because of you and because you looked after it throughout this time. It is a moment of pride for you every time you see it grow and prosper. You get the validation by sharing about its success with...
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