Haines Watts has been shortlisted for the ‘Auditor of the Year 2013’

Haines Watts has been shortlisted for the ‘Auditor of the Year 2013’ in the SME’s category at the national FD’s Excellence Awards which they won in 2012.

The FD’s Excellence Awards is the most prestigious programme recognising the UK’s top Financial Directors and their service providers.  Created by the Real Business the awards are held in association with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and supported by the CBI.  The announcement will be made on 9^th May at the prestigious awards ceremony held at London Marriott in Grosvenor Square.

Local Chartered Accountants Celebrate Further Exam Success

Southernhay-based Chartered Accountants Haines Watts specialising in the owner managed business sector, announce that Fern Stephens, a member of the audit and accounts department is now a fully qualified Chartered Accountant having passed her exams.  This success follows the triple celebration in 2012 when three other members of the firm, Andy Chant, Emma Banfield and Ryan Lewis passed their individual accountancy exams in various areas of the business.

27 year-old Fern joined Haines Watts Exeter in 2005 when she began studying for the AAT qualification. Fern continued her studies with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) advanced stage and is now fully-qualified as a Chartered Accountant.   In addition Fern has been promoted to the role of Accounts and Audit assistant manager looking after a portfolio of a variety of clients and her main area of responsibility is preparing the annual accounts and tax returns for small to medium sized owner managed businesses, partnerships and sole traders.   Fern also oversees a number of audits including small and medium sized companies, pension schemes and solicitors, since gaining her ICAEW qualification.

“I am happy that the studies are now over so I can put everything I have learnt to practical use. It’s proving an interesting role working with very different types of business. I particularly enjoy the extensive variety of clients that we have at Haines Watts and looking forward to building new relationships,” Says Fern.

Ben de Cruz, Managing Partner Haines Watts says: “I am delighted that Fern is now fully-qualified as a Chartered Accountant.  She has fully applied herself to gain her qualification and we are very proud of her and indeed all our staff; in particular the younger team members who are all working hard at their studies.  We are investing heavily in supporting the next generation of accountants and means that we can extend the range of services we provide and ensure that our client-base get the very best service and advice.” 

www.hwca.com/accountants-exeter

CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS ADVISE OFFSHORE HSBC ACCOUNT HOLDERS TO ‘ACT NOW OR FACE A HEAVY PENALTY’ FOLLOWING INFORMATION LEAK

Devon-based Chartered Accountants Haines Watts urges local taxpayers with undisclosed HSBC bank accounts in Jersey to seek advice as a matter of priority. The warning comes just days after a list, containing the names, addresses and account balances of 4,388 UK residents with offshore accounts, was given to HMRC by a secret source. Collectively, they have £699 million in current accounts at the bank.

Haines Watts Exeter office advises that they have already been contacted by individuals and companies that suspect they are on the list.

Patrick Tigwell Partner says: “This investigation is going to have an impact on a lot of people and some of those will be based in the South West. Since the news broke, we have been contacted by a handful of individuals who suspect they are on the list and who are unsure of what they should do next.  Those HSBC account holders who have not complied with their UK tax obligations need to act quickly and get the professional help that they need. If they do so, they could avoid a heavy penalty in the form of a fine.”

The leaked list of HSBC clients is reported to include names from the oil and mining industries as well as doctors and some celebrities – all groups that typically have significant overseas earnings.

Patrick adds: “If you have an offshore bank account whether in Jersey or elsewhere and you suspect there may be a problem, my advice would be to be proactive and take the relevant steps to make a disclosure before you are approached by HMRC.”

For more advice, contact Haines Watts direct on 01392 260 310, email jcrice@hwca.com or visit www.hwca.com/accountants-exeter

  

Patrick Tigwell, Partner Haines Watts Exeter