Tough Times - Business Checklist
In these times of unprecedented economic uncertainty, we’ve put together a two-page ‘Tough Times Checklist’. It’s designed to help you review how your business is prepared for a possible recession ahead and is available for download here. Please review the checklist, marking as ‘Done’ in the appropriate box if you’re happy that you’re covered in any particular area. If there are any areas where you’re not covered, we suggest you put a  in the ‘Help!’ box. We’d be delighted to discuss any of these issues with you. In many cases, we may also be able to provide a solution’.
DK Sponsors Calday Grange Grammar School Enterprise Award
On 30 September 2008, at the BT Convention Centre in Liverpool in front of 500 proud parents and teachers, Calday Grange Grammar School A-level student James McNally became the first winner of the Dufton Kellner Enterprise Award. Not only did James perform admirably in his Business Studies A-level, but he also had real experience of launching a business venture during his upper sixth year.
Calday’s Business Studies teacher Geoff Bosworth said ‘James McNally is a young man who embodies the entrepreneurial spirit for which the UK is famous. Over the time he spent at Calday Grange Grammar, James became an integral part of an innovative and risky venture that we had never tried before. James was the managing director of the school’s young enterprise team that became the first student company to open and successfully sustain a real business, the black and white community gallery in Liscard. This award is a fitting testament to the hard work and commitment to the cause that James and the rest of his team showed.’
Stuart Kellner commented ‘We’re delighted to support this new award at Calday. Enterprise and business are crucial to the success of the economy, as recent events have reminded us. They are also frequently under-represented at school level, so we decided to support this award to hopefully encourage the students at Calday to do their very best in these important subjects.’
Pictured below is James receiving his award from Calday’s headmaster, Andrew Hall.
Dufton Kellner awarded 'PROBIZ Best Tax Member 2008'
Last Thursday 25 September 2008, in front of 400 accountants, we were delighted to be called on stage to be presented with the award of 'PROBIZ Best Tax Member 2008'. PROBIZ is a national network of accountancy firms, and provides those firms with access to leading edge tax planning strategies. It was a real honour to be selected as the best tax member firm, as the standard set by the others was very high.
Presenting the award to Stuart Kellner, Feisal Nahaboo, Managing Director of PROBIZ commented ‘In these unprecedented economic times, it’s more important than ever for all businesses to carefully manage their costs. And tax is a cost like any other – with the right advice, it is possible to significantly reduce the tax a business pays, entirely within the letter of the law. And tax saved is cash available for investment back into the business, helping to ensure its survival and hopefully enabling it to grow, to the benefit of those employed by that business, its suppliers, the local economy and ultimately the country as a whole.
Pictured below is Stuart Kellner receiving the award from PROBIZ MD Feisal Nahaboo
In selecting Dufton Kellner to receive the PROBIZ Best Tax Firm of the Year 2008 award, we were particularly impressed with the proactive way in which the firm has helped its clients to manage their tax costs. Dufton Kellner has achieved great success at tax planning by educating its clients and contacts on the opportunities available, and guiding them through the process. The number of referrals the firm has generated speaks volumes about how satisfied its clients are with the PROBIZ tax solutions and with the help they’ve received from Dufton Kellner. I’m delighted to present the firm with this well-deserved award.’
In these uncertain times, we believe that our clients should be given the choice of what to do with their hard-earned money. It seems that quite a few prefer to retain their profits within their businesses, helping to secure jobs, investment and the future prosperity of the firm, rather than contribute to the ever-widening hole that is the Treasury.
If you'd like to investigate how we could help you reduce your tax bill, please contact us without delay.
Dufton Kellner Wins Work-Life Balance Award
 On 21 August 2008, we were presented with a rare award by Investors in People – the Work-Life Balance Model.
We’ve been an accredited Investor in People since October 2001, and were one of the very first accountancy firms to be recognised under the IIP standard. We’ve subsequently passed two 3-yearly renewals.
At our last renewal, our assessor was impressed by the high team morale, which he attributed at least in part to our willingness to grant flexible working hours to our team. Approximately half our team have now taken advantage of our policy, which enables them to work around school hours, or work only a set number of days. As a result, he recommended that we apply to be assessed under the Investor in People Work:Life Balance model.
After undergoing an additional assessment, with every team member being interviewed by an independent assessor, we are delighted to have received this award. We’ve always believed that a happy and contented team will give our clients the very best levels of service, and see this award as official recognition of the priority we place on these principles.
Good Things Come in Threes: 3 New Dads in 3 Months!
Over the last few months, three of our team have become new dads! First off the block was Chartered Accountant Chris Geary, whose partner Rachel gave birth to their first child, Reuben Oliver Gerrard (guess which team Chris supports) on 15 May 2008. Reuben weighed in at a healthy 9lb 4 oz, so it won’t be long before he’s kicking a ball around with his Dad.
Next was Accounts Professional Richard Parry. Soon after joining us in June this year, Richard was called from the office when his partner Emma went into early labour, giving birth in record time to their first daughter Ellie Niamh. Ellie was born on 11 July and weighed in at a slender 6lb 2oz.
Finally it was the turn of Director Andrew Biddle, whose wife Louise gave birth to Poppy Beth on 24 July. Poppy is another slender one, weighing in at 6lb 12oz. No doubt her Dad will have her climbing mountains before she can walk.
We’d like to send our warmest congratulations and best wishes to Chris, Richard, Andrew and their new families.
>> New Resources
Click to download the following new resources:
|
