Every now and again you have to be reminded of the anti-social, anti-democratic forces we’re up against. So, I thought I’d give some publicity to a seminar being run today and tomorrow at the Institute of Directors in London by PWC, Credit Suisse and Development Economic West Switzerland. What’s on offer? This: international companies pay
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Emily Coltman, who suggested AccountingWEB’s campaign for cash accounting has posted a comment on my feature on this subject. Because I think it worth drawing to wider attention I am posting my response here. Emily seems to concede my point that the management of working capital (debtors, creditors and stock in the UK, receivables, payables
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AccountingWEB is starting a call for cash accounting for small businesses in UK tax returns. It’s calling it Cash Accounting for Small Enterprises, or the CASE for Cash. I’m surprised that Taxation magazine are joining in. I have to admit I think that this campaign is misguided for these reasons. 1. This is not a
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It’s 20 years since ‘Big Bang’ in the City of London, which helped give rise to the overgrowth of our financial services sector. The Observer noted this in a thoughtful leader yesterday. As they noted, amongst the hubris and celebrations the City is saying: [It] is the jewel in Britain’s economic crown, [] creating jobs
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After my return from a few days away I had my attention drawn to an article in The Times by Anatole Kaletsky, who wrote on 19 October that “If Mr Brown wants to stop businesses leaving Britain for tax reasons.. he should state explicitly that tax avoidance is a respectable aspect of business planning.” I
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I’ve just realised I am in Accountancy Age twice this week. The second mention comes within the context of my considerable concern about the IASB’s new proposed IFRS for small and medium sized enterprises, which I believe wholly unsuited for purpose for reasons I’ve already discussed here. I’m amused to note that Accountancy Age say:
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I wrote the main opinion article in Accountancy Age this week. The subject was simple – that the US now require companies reporting under US accounting principles to assess uncertainties that exist in the tax claims that they have made to tax authorities worldwide, and to disclose them in their accounts. It’s unsurprising I am
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Apparently Ghandi defined the seven deadly sins as: * Wealth without Work* Pleasure without Conscience* Science without Humanity* Knowledge without Character* Politics without Principle* Commerce without Morality* Worship without Sacrifice Many accountants would argue with the one I have highlighted. Take this from a partner is E & Y South Africa: It is my view
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It may have been obvious I have been away for the last few days. As a result I now need to blog Sunday’s news. Nick Cohen did a great article in the Observer on Sunday about Bono and his “efficient tax planning”. I admit it was all based on a discussion Nick and I had
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