Increasing gender diversity to boost performance

This paper aims to help finance professionals understand the value of gender diversity and make the business case for diversity to their peers.

HMRC sets out payroll penalties approach

Employers that have received an in-year late filing penalty for the period 6 October 2014 to 5 January 2015 and were three days late or less should appeal online.

GAAP: Model accounts

ACCA has produced model accounts based on both the FRSSE 2015 and FRS 102.

VAT Update - March 2015

Updates on VAT MOSS and businesses which are alcohol wholesalers.

Late payment costs jobs and can jeopardise access to trade credit

A nuanced approach is key to tackling the practice of late payment among the UK’s smallest businesses, a new global study from ACCA shows.

New guidance for trustees of charities

The Charity Commission has issued guidance for trustees considering tax arrangements.

Tax penalty regime, mitigation, suspension and current developments

HMRC is examining its tax penalty regime. Learn how and have your say.

Finance Bill 2015

A summary of the key provisions included in the Finance Bill 2015 and measures that have an immediate effect.

GAAP: Software and website development costs

What impact will new UK GAAP have on certain technologies?

GAAP: Employee benefits

How to account for employee benefits under the new standard.

GAAP v FRS 102: cash flow statement

A look at the cash flow statement when transitioning to FRS 102.

GAAP: Foreign currency translation

Understanding the treatment of foreign currency under FRS 102.

GAAP: Deferred tax

How will deferred tax change under FRS 102?

GAAP: Consolidated financial statements and business combinations, current GAAP v FRS 102

How to address business combinations under FRS 102.

GAAP: Accounting for investment properties

Analysis of how to treat investment properties under FRS 102.

GAAP: Small company limit increases in 2015 or 2016?

Should a company transition to FRS 102 this year, or wait until 2016?

Alternative Finance Factsheet

Since the financial crisis, traditional forms of finance have been harder for companies, particularly SMEs, to access. This factsheet will consider the most prominent sources of alternative finance, peer-to-peer and crowdfunding, their main features and the amounts that can be obtained.

GAAP: Recognition of intangibles and goodwill: old GAAP v FRS 102

A comparison of the recognition treatment of intangibles and goodwill between old UK GAAP and FRS 102, including the potential tax impact of the new standard.

GAAP: Measurement of basic financial instruments: old GAAP v FRS 102

A comparison of the measurement treatment of basic financial instruments between old UK GAAP and FRS 102, including the potential tax impact of the new standard.

FRC issues new FREDs streamlining UK GAAP

On February 19 2015, the FRC launched a consultation on three financial reporting exposure drafts (FREDs) that make amendments to UK GAAP and base them on the FRS 102 framework.

New UK GAAP – an overview

Make sure that you are ready for the new UK GAAP and understand the choices available to businesses.

Guidelines on enforcement measures against recognised supervisory bodies and recognised qualifying bodies

Comments from ACCA to the Financial Reporting Council.

The European Commission’s multi-stakeholder forum on corporate social responsibility

This article reports on the CSR forum hosted at the European Commission on 3-4 February 2015.

Revenue and Customs Brief 42 (2014): integration of claims in insolvencies

This brief aims to alert the insolvency profession to upcoming changes in how HMRC deals with the tax affairs of insolvent taxpayers.

Pension auto-enrolment - What practising accountants can and cannot do

Guidance on the level of work that ACCA members in practice are permitted to undertake for their clients regarding pension auto-enrolment, plus useful resources.

Consultation: penalties

HMRC has issued HMRC Penalties: a Discussion Document which is open for comment until 11 May.

Public sector reporting

The International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board has issued several new standards for public sector reporting.

Double taxation

This page brings together information on double tax treaties in force, along with details of recent changes.

Improving the structure of the code of ethics for professional accountants

Comments from ACCA to the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants.

Charity tax

The Charity Commission has issued guidance for trustees considering tax arrangements.

Academies

Schools must publish the amount of grant received, how they spent it (or will spend it) and the impact on pupils’ PE (physical education) and sport participation and attainment.

Sustainable healthcare systems: an international study

This report reveals how well the existing healthcare systems in 11 countries are coping with the challenges of changing demographics and technological and economic change.

Regulatory fees and levies: policy proposals for 2015/16

Comments from ACCA to the Financial Conduct Authority.

European Commission proposal for a revised shareholder rights directive

This paper outlines ACCA’s key messages on shareholders rights in Europe and how they fit into the wider governance agenda.

Cybersecurity - fighting crime's enfant terrible

The purpose of this report is to review the cyber-threat landscape, to discuss cybersecurity and its future trends and areas of concern, and to highlight particular areas that are likely to have direct impact on the future of accountancy.

Cybersecurity - fighting crime's enfant terrible

The purpose of this report is to review the cyber-threat landscape, to discuss cybersecurity and its future trends and areas of concern, and to highlight particular areas that are likely to have direct impact on the future of accountancy.

Self Assessment Hints and Tips

This article pulls together various items from the Technical Advisory website which may prove useful in the run-up to the self assessment filing deadline.

Global economic conditions survey report: Q4, 2014

The 24th report of the quarterly ACCA–IMA survey.

The international project on lease accounting: the view from Europe

Following the issue of two Exposure Drafts on leasing by the IASB, deliberation continues on the contents of a revised IFRS. Peter Ujvari reports on a European outreach event intended to help progress this project.

Proportionate regulation: reporting accountant requirements

Comments from ACCA to the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

What is FATCA?

FATCA (Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act) is an American provision enacted in March 2010 and aimed at foreign financial institutions. It is part of a larger piece of legislation: Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act, designed to ensure that American citizens are fully disclosing their worldwide income to the US Internal Revenue Service.

Work of the Communities and Local Government Committee

Written evidence from ACCA for the Communities and Local Government Select Committee’s Inquiry.

Spotlight on accounting for complex supplier arrangements

The FRC has urged reporting entities to clarify the accounting treatment of complex supplier arrangements, which include supply chain finance and ‘pay to stay’ fees.

Clamping down on tax avoidance

The Finance Act 2014 contains a number of measures to minimise tax avoidance.

Tax return white space

The tax return white space is the innocuous looking ‘any other information’ space at box 19 of the main SA100 tax return. It is more important than it looks, as the case of Charlton and Others v HMRC illustrates.

High income child benefit charge

The high income child benefit tax charge is a unique tax, in that it seeks to claw back a state benefit, namely child benefit through the self-assessment tax system.

VAT: businesses supplying digital services to private consumers

New guidance covering the recent changes to the place of supply of digital services from 1 January 2015 is available from the GOV.UK website. The services covered by the changes are digital services otherwise known as broadcasting, telecommunications and electronic services (BTE).

Accrued income scheme

Understanding the accrued income scheme.

Ten common tax elections and claims

How to make claims under common tax elections.

VAT: educational exemption for catering

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) have issued Revenue & Customs Brief 39/2014: VAT exemption for catering and other services linked to education.