Nantwich and Wilmslow based Chartered Accountants Afford Bond LLP have just scooped a prestigious national business award as the top accountancy firm for the second year running.

Afford Bond was judged by its peers as the best overall performer in a 400 strong group of Accountants whose practices are members of the Probiz Excellence organisation. Probiz, known for its ground breaking innovative approach to the accountancy profession, has members throughout the length and breadth of the UK. In addition Gary Greer also received the joint top director award for his contribution to Probiz in helping to expand its influence as the fastest growing accountancy group in the country.

Afford Bond, which attributes its success to a highly professional and pro-active approach, provides accountancy and specialist taxation services to a wide range of clients both locally and nationally. The awards were accepted by Afford Bond directors, Gary Greer and David Bailey (pictured). For further information on the above please call Gary or David on 01270 623731 or 01625 416380.

Do you have a staff handbook? If so, when was it last updated?
Do all your employees have contracts of employment?
Has an employee taken you to Employment Tribunal in the past 3 years.

These are a few questions you need to ask yourself and a simple solution to solving them can be found at a FREE SEMINAR on Wednesday 24 February. At the seminar, Cork Griffiths and Abbey's HR consultants will outline the current employment law provisions and, how you can stay one step ahead of these. After the session, there will be an opportunity to meet the consultants and discuss any specific HR or employment issue which may be troubling you.

If you would like to attend the seminar, please call Sarah Ashworth on 0844 736 2886 to reserve your place. These will be limited so please book early to avoid disappointment. Alternatively, if you don’t wish to attend but would like to discuss an HR issue or your existing provisions for HR, then please telephone Paul Griffiths on 07802 716996.

The standard rate of VAT is set to increase from 15% to 17.5% on 1st January 2010.

The new rate must be applied to all supplies of standard-rated goods and services from this date. However, there are VAT saving opportunities available, so please read on...

We are pleased to announce that we have a new service line to offer clients of our firm. This will be spearheaded by Paul Griffiths, FCIPD who has over 20 years experience in recruitment, supplemented by his initial career as an accountant. Paul has been running his own recruitment business for the past 15 years and, during that time, has supported us with a number of Partner appointments here at Afford Bond as well as carrying out numerous key appointments for clients.

If you would like to make contact with Paul, please telephone him on 0844 736 2886 or 07802 716996. He would welcome the opportunity to meet up and discuss any aspect of your HR strategy.

Entrepreneur’s Relief – watch out for the traps when selling your company

Entrepreneur’s relief (ER) was introduced by way of a Government U-turn in response to a general outcry by the business community over an out-of-the-blue decision to abolish taper relief from 6th April 2008. Reinstating the rules was not a political option, but pressure was mounting...

Afford Bond are pleased to announce their merger with Wilmslow based accountancy practice, Phibbs Edge. Afford Bond have been looking to gain a presence in the South Manchester area and identified Phibbs Edge as a like-minded organisation with similar focus and goals. The merger consolidates Afford Bond’s position as one of the leading independent practices in the North West.

You may need to act now!

Since 1984, furnished holiday lettings have been given special tax treatment over long term lets, which allows them to be treated as a trade for most tax purposes irrespective of how they are actually run...