We love the Apprenticeship Scheme!

We’re big fans of the apprenticeship scheme. A number of young people have now started their careers at HB this way, either as trainee accountants. Last September, we employed two new trainee accountants, Max and Taylor, on our apprenticeship scheme. This is what they told us about their first few weeks with HB.

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HMRC has waived late filing and late payment penalties for Self Assessment taxpayers for one month

If you run a business, or are an investor or a trustee, it is important that you are aware of important dates and deadlines. Failure to do so can result in HMRC issuing penalties for late payment. Normally, late filing penalties are applied to all returns due on but filed after the 31 January deadline. This year, like last year, HMRC are waiving late filing penalties for Self-Assessment taxpayers for a month, giving you extra time, if you need it, to complete your 2020/21 tax return and pay any tax due. Self Assessment late payment penalties waived – more information below.

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Just announced: Additional financial support will be available for businesses who have been impacted by the Omicron variant

Rishi Sunak has announced that £1 billion of additional support will be available for businesses most affected by Omicron across the UK with businesses in the hospitality and leisure sectors in England eligible for one-off grants of up to £6,000 per premises. Plus more discretionary funding will be made available for local authorities to support other businesses

What additional financial support is being made available?

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How networking will boost your growth

The old adage ‘it’s not what you know, it’s who you know’ is more relevant today than ever. People do business with people they know, like and trust and for a business to grow, it’s team and management need to meet and build relationships. A fantastic way to do this is by networking: be this in person or virtually. Not only can you build those all-important business connections, you can also learn a tremendous amount by listening to different experiences and insights.

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Meet Karen – Director, Analytical Auditor and Charity Fundraiser

Karen Chase officially joined HB Accountants back in 1998. It was the year when Buffy the Vampire Slayer was all the rage, Titanic won 11 Oscars and a furby was the toy of choice! Karen had already gained an Accountancy and Finance degree but was unsure where she wanted to work – many accountancy firms seemed grey and impersonal. She was attracted to HB because many of our 10-strong audit team were of a similar age and Karen could see that there was both the opportunity to learn more about auditing as well as enjoy a social life.

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Giving Carter a Kickstart

We are so pleased to welcome Carter to HB team as our Junior Finance Team Assistant. Carter has joined us for 6 months on the government’s Kickstart Scheme, which provides funding to create new jobs for 16-24 year olds.

Carter has recently secured his A Levels and decided to pursue training, rather than heading off to University. When he has lots of valuable experience under his belt, Carter hopes to find an Apprenticeship scheme or a role that will allow him to develop his natural numeracy skills.

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HB Accountants are buzzing about positive changes

Climate chance: Evidence shows that our planet is warming up. The Paris Agreement is the UK’s legal target to achieve net zero by 2050 – businesses all over Hertfordshire and Essex and throughout the UK are collectively on this journey together – the first step: create a plan. Embedding that plan and utilising your business’ net zero efficiencies and educating your people will drive a positive change.

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The HB Accountants History part 4: The life of a post-war articled clerk

As we celebrate our 100th birthday, we thought it would be fun to look back at the history of HB Accountants. You can read part 1 – our birth – here or read about how the 2nd World War impacted us here or how we got our name here. In this blog, part 4, we revisit what life was like for an articled clerk, learning his trade as an accountant.

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