Insights

Is your SME ready to make the most of the business blitz?Unpacking the HMRC transformation roadmap – What could it mean for your business?Halfway through her term, what has the president of ICAS achieved and what is yet to come?Start preparing your business for the Christmas rush now!Could private equity change the accountancy sector and what does it mean for your business?83 per cent of Scottish small businesses experience barriers to growth – How can these barriers be broken?How your business can endure as the Scottish deficit growsTerrible tax tips are too common on social media – Have you fallen for any of them?Auditing in Lerwick – The business case for having a local auditor from the biggest auditor in ShetlandAuditor in Lerwick – Respecting Shetland’s businesses, community and historyCould an audit help your business? The chaos with local councils will tell you the answerCelebrate National Payroll Week with Scholes!Could Companies House changes kill competition?More AI-powered audits are on the way, but we still believe in the human touchIdentity verification deadline has been confirmed – Are you prepared?Mandatory HMRC registration for tax advisers is a step in the right directionAs audits face more challenges, how can businesses get the most benefit from them?Sort out the summer stress of seasonal workers by staying payroll compliantWhy you should pursue a career in accounting – your burning questions answeredAfter 38 years, I’m still learning – my top five takeaways from the ICAS conferenceBeware! Automatic disqualification criteria for charities are coming soonHave you submitted your charity trustee information yet?Can high-growth businesses maintain a strong working capital?How can business owners make the most of their balance sheets?Time is running out to submit your P11D!Companies House could catch out unprepared Scottish SMEsKeeping up with Companies HouseErik Stevenson joins the Scholes teamHow to make the most out of Enterprise Management IncentivesThe Scottish charity audit threshold is finally changingTips and tricks for handling tips and troncsMy sister may be competing, but why should she have all the fun?Working with the founder of the Island Games – my life as an attachéSee the squash squad strive for success in the Island GamesFootball fever sweeps the Island GamesWelcoming the Falkland Islands to the Island GamesFrom Malta to Orkney, Gozo is coming to the Island GamesDon’t forget to submit your P11D!How SMEs can stay compliant when declaring interim dividendsScholes’s role in the Island GamesWe are a gold sponsor for the Orkney Folk FestivalIntroducing the new ICAS president – Karen ScholesCharting Karen’s journey to Africa for WildHearts900,000 sole traders pulled into MTD – are you one of them?Small businesses that miss audits might miss growthInheritance Tax for farmers: ExplainedReviewing your remuneration structures in light of the National Insurance increasesHow your annual audit fuels business growthWhy Scholes CA is the perfect partner for your statutory auditDirectors: Are you doing your pensions right?Maximise your SME's tax efficiency before year-endHow to payroll benefits in kind (BIKs)Why every small business should have a pre-year-end meeting with their accountantA quick reminder about Benefits in Kind and company carsThe benefits of setting goals for your businessWhat you need to know about directors' loans and their tax implicationsShould you rush to buy a double cab pickup? A look at speed of acquisitionCapital expenditure: What you need to know before 2025Time to start planning for 2025!Our breakdown of the Scottish Budget 2025–2026ITSA - What if you can’t pay it?Remember: ITSA is just around the corner!A history of tax U-turns: Could Inheritance Tax be next?How small businesses might respond to the Employers’ National Insurance increasePotential solutions to the IHT problems created by the BudgetAutumn Budget: Capital Gains Tax reforms bad news for entrepreneursAutumn Budget: Double cab pickup users under fireAutumn Budget: Scottish hospitality sector reactsAutumn Budget: National Insurance blow to small businessesScholes CA helps Christmas tree company branch out into employee ownershipAccounting at the edge of the map – A short history of Scholes and OrkneyPre-empting the October BudgetR&D tax credits: Still a powerful tool for Scotland's green innovatorsPros and cons of different exit and succession strategiesContracting vs buying new equipment: A farmer’s dilemma during harvest seasonOutsourcing payroll - a comprehensive guide for employersBusiness valuation methods – Which is best?Brace for impact: Preparing for potential tax changes this autumnHow employee ownership trusts can shape your business exit strategyHospitality businesses: Do you want to capitalise on big events?Hospitality businesses: How to tackle the recruitment crisisMy role at ICAS – Reflections and looking to the futureChanges to Persons of Significant Control requirements now in placeOpen letter to the Scholes team – Congratulations!Scholes CA: Finalists for a prestigious awardA new VAT estimator and 5 other useful tools from HMRCLabour’s Green Energy plans – Good for Scotland?New laws on tips – Are you compliant?Do you need grant funding assurance?Labour’s election win – Understanding its impact on your financesChanges to second and holiday homes – Time to reassess your portfolio?Scottish landowners: Are you risking a hefty fine?How to use share buybacks to buy out a shareholder in a small companyScholes CA’s tax considerations for start-upsWhen was the last time you reviewed your management accounts?Our guide to company cars and the taxes you pay on themLBTT is changing – here’s what we knowNew revenue recognition regulations could impact your businessNew accounting rules on leases: coming soon!Changes to Companies House regulations and what they mean for your businessTax year-end is coming: Don’t get stressed out!Changes to the Furnished Holiday Let Tax regime could affect your taxesSpotlighting two amazing individuals – Kayleigh and SandraToday is International Women’s Day!Our predictions for the Spring Budget 2024How Scholes CA helps SMEs with their international advisory needsGreen tax breaks for businessesWhat is Scholes CA doing for International Women’s Day?We stand with ICAS: Simplify our tax system!We’re promoting a culture of volunteering and community engagementWorried about the new tax rates in Scotland? Here’s how to mitigate themOur thoughts on e-commerce platforms and reporting your earnings to HMRCHow to save money and the environment at the same timeHow to accelerate the growth of your start-upSSE wins hydro electric scheme tax caseIslands Growth Deal announcedScottish Government launches consultation on Green Freeport LBTT reliefR&D tax relief - a summary of the position effective from 1 April 2023Spring Budget 2023Corporation tax rates from 1 April 2023 and the associated companies rulesDelivering a fair and secure zero carbon energy systemNew penalty regime for UK VATScottish Budget 2023A good time to look at share incentives for employees?Attracting and retaining staff with sharesR & D Tax Relief reformEmployee retention: 12 effective strategiesEmployee Ownership on the riseHMRC puts R&D tax credit payments on holdCapital allowances regime under reviewGrowth shares - an introductionUK Government sets out plan for cryptoVAT rate for hospitality sector reverts to 20% from 1 April 2022Chancellor signals major reform of R&D tax credit regimeSmall companies required to make P&L accounts public under new proposalsHow to combat inflation - strategies for small businessesScholes CA - a local accountancy firm with international reachCapital gains tax reforms shelvedBuilding trust within your teamNew loan scheme for Scotland's farmers and croftersThe new P11D regulations and your future digital reporting requirementsSpring Budget 2024Important changes to Income Tax in the 2024 Scottish BudgetTax change for empty and second homes in ScotlandHydrogen Expert SupportGoldman Sachs 10KSB: business accelerator programmeCoastal communities to receive funding for recreational sea fishingThird phase of the Industrial Energy Transformation Fund now liveState pension: why you should check your NI contributions record nowStudent loans: new repayment thresholds from 6 April 2023Tips and service charges: income tax and VAT considerationsThe King's Awards for EnterpriseFarmers' averaging - how does it work?New scheme for Scottish SMEs to review/ upgrade lighting systemsGetting ready for the 2025 PSTN switch-offUK Tradeshow ProgrammePensions tax relief reformed in Spring Budget 2023BSI publishes Net Zero 'how to' guideTaxpayers given more time to pay voluntary National Insurance contributionsNational Insurance for the self-employedDoes your company have a shareholders' agreement?Retiring soon? Check your state pension entitlement nowNational Minimum Wage - rates from 1 April 2023UK sets out plans to regulate crypto industryInvesting in sustainable agricultureCustoms Declaration Service deadline extendedChanges to R&D tax reliefs from April 2023LBTT Additional Dwelling Supplement increased to 6%Making Tax Digital for Income Tax delayed againKey employment trends in 2023New National Insurance rates confirmedResearch and developmentCapital gains tax annual exempt amountCorporation tax rates from April 2023Income tax rates and allowances 2023/24Dividend tax rates 2023/24Electric cars and salary sacrificeWill the capital gains indexation allowance make a comeback?VAT deregistrationHelping employees through the cost of living crisisHMRC reports increased use of tax credit appRecruitment challengesCapital allowances reform: professional bodies respond to consultationTen ways to boost your social media marketing effortsCryptoassets: government launches new consultationNIC threshold increase comes into effectCompany Voluntary ArrangementsThe taxation of dividend income in 2022/23End of tax year payroll proceduresTowards net zeroPension tax relief: report highlights lack of awarenessGiving shares to employeesAgricultural wages guide for workers and employersThe Small Business Sustainability Basics ProgrammeShould you consider salary sacrifice to reduce tax and NICs?Help to Grow: Digital schemeNational Minimum/ Living Wage increase from April 22Changes to accounting for VAT on importsIs your business attracting new talent?Two green freeports to be established in ScotlandTracking your cash flowsCorporate governance: ordinary and special resolutionsInsolvency service granted new powersBudgeting for uncertain timesBecoming a more eco-friendly businessThe power of purposeThe tax benefits of pension contributionsDeveloping the next generation of leadersFreeports and green portsHow to pivot your business strategyDoes social media marketing actually work?New penalty regime for income tax and VATHow non-UK resident landlords are taxed on UK property incomeUsing employee ownership to build a great businessAssociated companies and the new UK corporation tax ratesMergers & acquisitions - an overview of the processVAT schemes for small businessesRetirement planning and the pensions annual allowanceCorporation tax: instalment payment regime for larger companiesBrexit: opening an office in the EU57 Ways to grow your businessVAT Reverse Charge for Construction ServicesRecovering VAT when purchasing a business carMaximising Inheritance Tax Business ReliefTax relief for the cost of agricultural buildingsVAT domestic reverse charge on construction servicesProperty taxation: allocating profits and losses to property ownersGuide to Business PlanningGuide to Self-AssessmentGuide to Tax and PropertyGuide to Starting a BusinessBookshop: Small Business Financial ManagementTips to improve business performanceHow to showcase your company through the directors' reportTips for creating a great business planHMRC campaign highlights local efforts to get ready for MTDProviding assurance to Interreg grant funding programmesTax relief for trading losses in the early years of a new tradeTen reasons to #shoplocalSmall Business Coronavirus Support Guide - proceeds to NHSOut now on Amazon: “Small Business Financial Management”Guide to Growth for EntrepreneursAdvance assurance on EIS and SEIS schemesCorporation tax loss relief - options for relieving trading lossesDoes my company need an audit?The Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme - an Introduction for Entrepreneurs and Angel InvestorsCharitable giving - tax breaksDeath and taxes: famous quotes about taxationThe dangers of overtradingEntertainment costs and your business - make sure you know what you can claimMileage allowance paymentsTax planning for small businesses: popular themesCommon reasons to use a holding companyAlphabet shares and the family companyPersonal guarantees - an overviewEnterprise Management Incentives (EMI's)Improving the profitability of your farmTax relief for charitable donationsLocal business Flooers features in HMRC's latest video campaignR&D tax credits for farming companiesHow many sales do you need to make to break even?Birsay Bay Tearooms features in HMRC video campaignKey Performance IndicatorsCashflow crisis managementOrcadian John Walter and the Hudson's Bay CompanySelf Assessment: how the Payments on Account system worksPre year-end financial planning for companiesThe Scholes Portal - hints and tips for usersHMRC guidance on the domestic reverse charge for building and construction servicesCommon errors in management accounts - and how to avoid themSelling your Business to an Employee Ownership TrustVAT and payments for unfulfilled suppliesManaging the financial impact of late VAT registrationBuy to let using a limited company: the pros and consWhat is deferred tax?Why is my taxable profit different to the profit shown in my accounts?Directors' loan accountsCashflow: 30 suggestions to improve your small business's cashflowTips for small business budgetingUnderstanding profit marginsReturn on capital employed - what it is and why it mattersVAT registration and late registration issuesNational Insurance and the State PensionTax aspects of dissolving the small companyMaximising your return when you sell your businessStrengthening your company's balance sheetBusiness growth metricsThe Scholes CA PortalConstruction Industry Scheme contractor? Check if you're eligible for gross payment status.Small business valuation - an overviewPopular tax-free benefits for employees (including employed directors)Business asset rollover reliefTax relief for interest on qualifying loansEnterprise Investment SchemeBusiness growth strategiesVenture Capital Trusts - what are the tax benefits?Pricing strategies and the product lifecycleGet on top of your cashflowWhy small companies can benefit most from Research & Development Tax CreditsWhy have a shareholders' agreement?Tips for business startupsTax relief on the farmhouseFive basic tax planning tips for small businessesBudgeting for your small businessWhat should I put in my business plan?Understanding cost drivers in your small businessBusiness risk management and internal control for small businessesAn overview of Self Invested Personal PensionsBuilding contractors VAT reverse chargeDebt vs equity funding - what's best for my small business?The pros and cons of trading through a limited companyTax relief for expenditure on buildingsGetting paid - what to do when things go wrongHow to start up at low (or even no) costCould Research & Development Tax Credits benefit your company?Accounting myths and legendsFinancial key performance indicators from a growth perspectiveRaising capital using the Seed Enterprise Investment SchemeSelecting the right structure for your start-upDoes your business plan need a reboot?Introduction to accounts (free)Introduction to forms of business ownership (free)Understanding accountsIntroduction to limited companies (free)

Let's talk

Book your free consultation now:

CONTACT US

Kirkwall

Edinburgh

Aberdeen

Laurencekirk

Lerwick

QUICK LINKS