CA Magazine
Every article from your latest print edition of CA Magazine
February 2010
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Business faces up to new tax relief regime
Long-established tax reliefs have been shaken up, affecting research and development, capital allowances, venture capital and film ventures
Enterprise investment scheme rule change hits partnerships
HMRC has announced that it has no option but to strictly apply the legislation requiring a qualifying Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) trade to be carried on by a company or its 90 per cent subsidiary. This will impact on companies trading in partnership, or as a member of an LLP, as under these criteria, relief will not be due
New rules put a squeeze on size of nest eggs
Anti-forestalling rules aim to discourage high-income individuals from taking undue advantage of pension tax relief before restrictions come into force in 2011
Energy just got smarter
One of the main talking points in the energy sector just now is ‘getting smart metering right’. But what is it about smart metering that businesses in particular have to ‘get right’?
Audit firms pass the test, but...
While the Audit Inspection Unit has praised the overall quality of auditing in the UK, it has also flagged up areas of concern where further action is needed
Priority sectors for 2010/11 announced
The Financial Reporting Review Panel, the body that looks into potential breaches of accounting standards, has announced which sectors it will be treating as priorities through 2010/11
FRC says improvement is needed in M&A accounting
Merger and acquisition (M&A) accounting is costly and difficult for companies, and of little use to investors, according to a study carried out by the Financial Reporting Council
Success in segments
The Financial Reporting Review Panel (FRRP) of the Financial Reporting Council is concerned about how companies are reporting the performance of key parts of their business in the light of the introduction of IFRS 8, Operating Segments
Auditing Practices Board: update
New guidance to auditors
FRC consults on its priorities and funding
The FRC has published its priorities for 2010/11 and its funding proposals. The paper “Draft Plan and Levy Proposals 2010/11” is on the FRC website and responses are requested by 10 March 2010
Pensions update
New requirements for trustee knowledge and understanding now, in force
POB in survey call
The Professional Oversight Board has launched a questionnaire relating to the provision of accounting services by members of the UK professional accountancy bodies, as part of its review of the monitoring regimes for members providing non regulated accountancy services
In the hot seat
A new guide from ICAS provides advice for company directors to help them face the challenges and responsibilities of their role
The first step on the road to recovery
Amidst the expected flurry of administrations and liquidations last year, a previously little-used insolvency procedure – the company voluntary arrangement — emerged. Blair Nimmo describes the procedure and outlines the mechanics of the process and the benefits it can offer to both a company and its creditors
What goes around...
Share buybacks are a way for companies to return cash to their investors, but as Alpa Dhanani and Roydon Roberts discovered, some stakeholders question their motives for doing so
How does yours measure up?
In the first of a series of articles covering defined contribution (“money purchase”) pension schemes, Paul Provan takes a look at the new “Pensions Quality Mark” launched last year by the National Association of Pension Funds
Where do charities fit in?
Christine Scott reports on a debate over the place charities may take in the UK’s future system of financial reporting