How books helped my personal journey.
There’s something really great about a book, films and audio books are great but they don’t leave as much to the imagination. A great book or article is an immersive experience, your mind starts to determine the voice which is being read back to you, the image of the characters and the words jump off the page and become mechanics of the stories. They are the home of fact but also the space of continuous imagination, a place to escape reality or create a world where anything is possible....
September 6, 2024Why being memorable matters
In a world where everyone’s competing for attention, standing out is key. Whether you’re at work or hanging out with friends, making yourself memorable can really give you an edge. Those people who stick in our minds often end up being the ones we look to for advice and inspiration. Here’s how you can be one of them:1. Nail That First ImpressionYou’ve heard it a million times: first impressions count. Before you meet someone new, do a little homework. Find out who they are and think of w...
August 1, 2024Why Networking is a important for Small Business Owners
Let’s talk about something that’s often talked about in business circles but can feel a bit elusive: networking. Yes, we know, the term might conjure up images of stuffy conferences, awkward small talk, and a stack of business cards collecting dust. But trust us, networking is way more than just swapping business cards and LinkedIn invites. Let’s dive into why networking is essential for your business.1. Connections Lead to OpportunitiesThink of networking like planting seeds. Every conver...
June 28, 2024Understanding Economic Change - Strategies to help your business
Understanding the current economic changes is crucial for businesses to navigate challenges and seize opportunities. Recent data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) and decisions by the Bank of England have provided a mixed picture of the economic landscape. Here's a breakdown of the key points and their implications for businesses, along with strategies to adapt effectively.Growth in the EconomyThe economy grew by 0.6% from January to March 2024, a positive sign following a 0.9% increa...
May 21, 2024A guide to help this Stress Awareness Month
April is Stress Awareness Month.What is Stress? It is perceived as a bad thing but actually, without the ability to experience stress, mankind wouldn't have survived. Stress releases the hormones that give us the fight or flight mode we use daily.How do we recognise stress? What are the key signs?How does stress affect us? Our cognitive reactions, our physical movements as well as our behaviour and emotions?Coping with stress will differ for each of us, depending on our triggers, but this ...
April 5, 2024Tax Rate Cards - 2024/2025
Tax Rates giving you a headache? Don’t worry if you’re stuck working out your tax rates for the next financial year. We have put together some simple to follow tax rate cards for guidance. The cards are based on the Spring Budget announcement delivered by Jeremy Hunt a few weeks ago.If you are looking for any specific Tax Planning advice, why not get in touch with the team....
March 27, 2024Sole trader or limited company? Here are your pros and cons
If you are having a hard time deciding whether to register as a sole trader or limited company, we have some advice on both the definition and the pros and cons of each choice....
March 22, 2024Spring Budget 2024
The Spring Budget, delivered by Jeremy Hunt this week, included several key measures that will affect you and your business. Headlines include:Tax on Savings and Dividend Income:Savings and dividend allowances set at £1,000 and £500, respectively.Reduction in the dividend allowance from £1,000 to £500 in 2024/25.High-Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC):Thresholds for HICBC increased with a slower rate of clawback.Plans to administer HICBC based on total household income by April 2026.Em...
March 8, 2024How we can help you submit your tax return easily
Are you feeling exasperated and struggling to get your tax return submitted? The tax year end shouldn't feel fretful and so we are going to talk you through how we help our clients make tax returns a breeze!...
January 9, 2024What is Capital Gains Tax?
Capital gains refer to the profits earned from the sale of certain assets, including investment properties(not your main residence), stocks, shares, and the sale of businesses. Capital gains tax (CGT) is a tax imposed on these profits.As of October 2021, there are specific rules for reporting capital gains, especially on the sale of second homes. Gains related to property sales must be declared within 60 days of the sale, and any tax owed must be paid promptly. If gains not related to property, ...
December 6, 2023Autumn Statement 2023 - What does this mean for you and your business?
The Autumn Statement delivered by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt on November 22, 2023, included several key headlines and measures:1. National Insurance Contribution (NIC) Cuts:The main rate of Class 1 NICs for employees earning more than £12,570 a year will be reduced from 12% to 10% starting from January 6, 2024.The Class 1 NIC rate will remain at 2% for earnings above £50,270 a year.Self-employed individuals will experience a cut in ...
November 23, 2023Is my Money Safe? How to Protect Your Business Funds
BusinessAs your business grows, it is likely the cash you hold in your company bank account(s) will grow too.Any cash deposited with a bank or building society authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority, benefits from the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). The FSCS was set up by Government, to offer some protection when financial firms fail.What is the compensation limit?The compensation limit is £85,000 per bank or building society. If you have money in multiple accounts wit...
October 23, 2023The Henry Dancer Days Story
Everyone is affected by cancer in some way, sadly. I was too. Can you imagine your beautiful child being fine one day, having a limp the next then, after a visit to your GP, having him/her diagnosed with a cruel and aggressive cancer: commencing treatment within 48 hours? Within 3 months you face the amputation of his/her leg then, before a year is up, his/her death after suffering horrendous treatment and reactions to it.I lost my only son, Henry Dancer, to Osteosarcoma when he was j...
October 23, 2023How to write a successful business plan
Want to create a business plan but don’t know where to start – Here are Stephens Tips from a recent conversation with software partner Fathom.Tip #1: Discover your why and purpose Step away from your desk and find your peace in a place that resonates with you. For me, it's the beach. Take time to connect with your why and purpose. Speak with someone who can help you understand and define these fundamental aspects of your business. When you know your why, you'll be better equipped to cra...
October 4, 2023Workflow Max Update Seminar 2
Our systems implementation manager David gives his latest updates on what's happening with the WorkflowMax platform and what the future holds. This seminar was first delivered at the end of September 2023.You can watch the full seminar here:...
October 4, 2023How to set yourself up for long term success in your business
Overnight business success would be the ultimate dream achievement, but unfortunately is rare. For the long term success of a business, leaders need to adopt a perseverance mindset.Let's break it down: Setting the Goals: We always talk about your why and your purpose and that is because it is step number one in the business journey. What is it that you want to achieve? Personal and Business. Understanding this is essential for providing direction to the team. Goals helps m...
October 4, 2023Xero Launch Beautiful Business Fund
Xero have recently launched their Beautiful Business Fund. Do you run a great business, use Xero to manage your business finances, and want to win up to £35,000?Applications for the fund are now open and we encourage you to apply. There are four funding categories, with no cap on how many you can enter: Innovating for sustainabilityHow are you taking the next step on your sustainability journey? Trailblazing with technologyHow are you seeking to innovate and set pace with ...
September 15, 2023Choosing the best accountancy software for your business
Choosing the right accounting software for your business is a critical decision that can significantly impact your financial management and overall success. Here are the steps we take to help you find the best option: Assess Your Business Requirements: Identify your primary needs and objectives. Determine if you need features like inventory management, integration with other software, or online access while travelling. This will help you narrow down your options.Evaluate Scalability: Choose...
August 30, 2023Stephen's Interview with Pat Delbridge of the ACCA
Following Valued's double win at the Northeast Accountancy Awards Stephen was interviewed by Pat Delbridge of the ACCA. Pat then shared the interview on Linkedin.Here's what Stephen had to say about the win!"I honestly had no interest in entering Valued into the North East Accountancy Awards - I’d tried ten years ago and got nowhere. Our new office manager really wanted to enter us and drafted the nomination and asked me to read it over. It was when I was reading it over that I thought wow - w...
July 28, 2023About HMRC's Seasonal Model
The HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has recently unveiled that it will be conducting a pilot program for a new seasonal model for the Self Assessment (SA) helpline. The pilot will run for 3 months from 12 June until 4 September, during which period SA queries will be temporarily redirected to digital services, including online guidance, digital assistants, and webchat. This pilot is aimed at prioritizing urgent queries and providing expert support to those who really need it....
July 28, 2023Valued does the double at North East Accountancy Awards
Friday 30th June 2023: Consett-based accountancy and business advisory firm, Valued, has done the double, winning not one but two prestigious accolades, at last night’s North East Accountancy Awards.Returning for 2023, the awards recognise excellence within the fields of finance, accounting and tax, from all industry sectors operating in the North East. At last night’s black-tie dinner - held at the Hilton Hotel Newcastle | Gateshead and hosted by ex-BBC Newcastle presenter and all-round fun...
July 18, 2023Workflow Max Update Seminar
Our systems implementation manager David gives his latest updates on what's happening with the WorkflowMax platform and what the future holds.You can watch the full seminar here:...
July 18, 2023How to build confidence as an entrepreneur and stay on the path to success.
The more time I spend time talking to clients, the more I realise that many business owners don’t need a complete overhaul in order to operate at their best. They just need a bit of help clearing the fog and finding their way again. Whether that’s providing their first timely set of accounts or helping them ‘find their why’, all they need is guidance.At Valued we’ve spent the last few years trying to distil the process of helping down into something more tangible and yet still fle...
May 25, 2023Losing Your Compass: Why many entrepreneurs lose direction.
Hey, It’s Stephen here. Founder of Valued and a fellow business owner.Starting a business is exciting, but much like any journey, it’s not uncommon for entrepreneurs to lose direction along the way. In fact, there are regular patterns of behaviour that we see amongst many new clients and we’ve given it a name. We call it ‘Losing your compass’. Any of this sound familiar?...
May 25, 2023Case Study: Qutis
Qutis have been pioneers of aesthetic skin treatments for over 20 years.Run by husband and wife team Marea and Stephen, Marea began offering botox treatments before they were in vogue and has spent the subsequent decades honing her craft whilst building a trusted brand based out of Oxfordshire. They have three clinics, Incredible staff and turnover in the millions. Still, despite their accolades even this friendly team haven’t always been able to completely avoid the challenges that come with ...
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