How to prepare for a great audit

An audit is an independent review of your company’s accounts to ensure that the business has been maintaining proper financial records and completing financial reporting requirements. An audit gives you peace of mind but it can feel quite traumatic to have external experts reviewing your finances. As ICAEW registered auditors, we have audited many businesses, subsidiaries and charities. Following are our tips about how to prepare for an audit to ensure that everyone involved has a relaxed and profitable experience.

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Most tax effective director’s salary and dividends for 2025-2026

You may wish to change how you pay a director’s salary and dividends due to the changes to Employer’s National Insurance Contributions (NICs) announced in the October budget. NICs are not payable on dividends so despite salaries being tax deductible, the optimum balance between paying a salary and a dividend may have shifted – depending on how many directors are in your business. If you are a director or shareholders of a small, limited company, read on to find out more.

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Self-Employed or a Landlord? Big Changes Ahead: Are You Ready for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax? (MTD ITSA)

From 6 April 2026, Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD ITSA) will transform the way self-employed individuals and landlords manage their tax affairs. If you earn income through self-employment or property rentals, you’ll need to keep digital records and submit updates to HMRC every quarter. While payment deadlines remain the same, the shift to more frequent reporting means you’ll need to stay on top of your bookkeeping because the way you report your earnings is changing – are you prepared?

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Celebrating T Level Thursday: The Value of T Level Placements

This National Apprenticeship Week 2025, we’re celebrating T Level Thursday by shining a light on the incredible value that T Level placements bring to businesses, just ask Alice, our fantastic T Level student! At HB Accountants, we are passionate about nurturing the next generation of professionals, and Alice’s journey with us perfectly showcases why T Level placements are a win-win for both students and businesses.

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Why Snakes Are Great Accountants!

We haven’t gone crazy! The snake is one of the animals in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac signs. The new Chinese lunar year is the start of the Year of the Snake in 2025 so we thought it would be fun to apply the stated behaviours of someone born in a snake year and think about why a snake would be a great accountant!

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Transforming lives through education

You all know that HB is passionate about education and skills training – and our many awards showcase our commitment. We are currently supporting Zambian-student Gertrude, to complete her financial training. We do this through the reputable and impactful African Impact Foundation. Investing in education is a sustainable way for us to ‘give back’ and help people, and we’re pleased to extend to Africa just part of the training and support that we offer in Hertfordshire through apprenticeships, work experience and career guidance. 

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Meet New Business Connections: Attend HB Accountants Ladies Business Networking in Hoddesdon

If you are ready to increase your business visibility, connect with like-minded professionals, or simply meet with the local business community, this event is for you! Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to grow your business network. Make 2025 the year you level up, sign up today and be part of a thriving community of wonderful businesswomen!

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