June 22nd 2022
Tackling staff morale and boosting employee motivation It’s important to manage staff morale in good times and bad, but in difficult times SMEs face low staff retention rates and decreased productiv…
June 20th 2022
Can one partner seek to close a company? Although it’s common practice to split a shareholding equally between two people, and it’s generally done in a spirit of positivity - the lack of a ‘cast…
November 10th 2021
Understanding the new Rating (Coronavirus) and Director Disqualification (Dissolved Companies) Bill for company directors New legislation has been granted Royal Assent meaning former directors can be …
August 18th 2021
Limited company closure options for IR35 contractors Changes to IR35 legislation that were brought in by the government in April 2020 have created significant problems for contractors operating as lim…
July 23rd 2021
UK companies can offer various types of shares, generating vital funding and allowing investors to reap the rewards as the business grows. Ordinary shares and preference shares are just two types of s…
July 1st 2021
Restoring a Dissolved Company to the Register Administrative restoration is an official process by which companies can be reinstated to the Register of Companies at Companies House, and continue to tr…
June 30th 2021
Business Closure and the Role of the Accountant Having access to reliable accountancy services is often a key feature of a company’s success. In fact, a reliable accountant with knowledge of your in…
June 28th 2021
Understanding director resignations and shareholder disputes If you are thinking of resigning as a company director, there are specific steps you and the company must take. Whether you are resigning d…
February 25th 2021
Our new relationship with the EU has created a problematic trading environment for UK businesses.
February 10th 2021
It isn’t common knowledge but directors may have a claim for redundancy when their company enters liquidation. They must be able to prove their status as an employee of the company, and fulfil more …
February 3rd 2021
Advice for limited company directors managing HMRC arrears for unpaid taxes
February 2nd 2021
If you are experiencing business cash flow problems, you will want to act quickly to redress the position. Whatever the reasons for your cash problems, here are ten tips to help you regain control. {#…
December 22nd 2020
Following the accession of the Finance Act 2020, HMRC have had their second preferential creditor status restored. This means that when a company goes into liquidation owing money to HMRC, they will n…
March 25th 2020
Understanding the role, duties, and responsibilities of a licensed insolvency practitioner in a formal insolvency process
March 22nd 2020
Company director disqualification can stop you from acting as a company director if you fail to fulfil your legal duties or demonstrate improper conduct. Company directorship brings with it a legal ob…
Hiring an accountant to complete your company accounts and tax returns not only frees up time, it negates the need to employ high-level finance staff in-house. Most of the time this arrangement will w…
March 21st 2020
Understanding alternative funding options when your company is rejected for a loan
If you are in serious dispute with a co-director – maybe you have strongly disagreed on a matter of business, for example, or are a divorcing couple - you may want to liquidate the company and move …
March 19th 2020
In the main, the limited company legal structure protects directors from personal liability in relation to business debts. Situations do arise, however, where claims can be made against directors in o…
March 16th 2020
The Companies Act, 2006, sets out the general duties of company directors in the UK. If you breach these duties the consequences can be severe, with the company, its creditors, or shareholders having …
March 15th 2020
Understanding what constitutes misfeasance and how this is important if the company enters a formal insolvency process
March 13th 2020
Everyone gets ill from time to time and a couple of days away from work to rest and recover is often just what the doctor ordered. Occasional sick days are something most companies expect, and account…
March 12th 2020
Given the complexity of many commercial leases, it is vital that you understand your rights when it comes to signing a personal guarantee for a lease. The ramifications of failing to meet lease repaym…
March 8th 2020
The Big Bang Theory is a very popular and successful American sitcom. ‘Stuart Bloom’ is the character who owns The Comic Center of Pasadena, a comic book store the main characters often visit. Th…
When a company becomes insolvent but carries on trading, there’s a chance that directors could be accused of trading illegally if the company subsequently has to be liquidated.
March 7th 2020
Under company law you can be a director of multiple enterprises, regardless of whether one company is in liquidation. The Companies Act, 2006, also lays out your duties in directorship, and these incl…
Members’ Voluntary Liquidation must be carried out by a licensed insolvency practitioner (IP), which naturally attracts professional fees and costs.
March 6th 2020
Dividends are unlawful when insufficient profits exist within the company to cover the amounts paid. Rules regarding the payment of dividends are laid down in the Companies Act, 2006 which states, “…
March 5th 2020
When a company cannot pay its VAT liability on time, a penalty is applied by HMRC. Unfortunately, this only compounds an unstable financial position, so it is crucial for directors to take action quic…
March 3rd 2020
It only takes a downturn in the market or the loss of a key customer to dramatically change the fortunes of previously successful companies. In fact, the threat of insolvency hangs over every business…
March 1st 2020
Understand what happens to company assets when a business is placed into liquidation
It can be surprisingly easy for a profitable company to find themselves sliding towards a state of business distress. Often this may not have anything to do with your running of the business, but inst…
February 28th 2020
While taking on additional borrowing can be a great way to grow and expand your limited company, debt can become troublesome to a business if it is allowed to escalate
February 26th 2020
It is commonly the case that franchise agreements terminate automatically when a franchisee enters insolvency. Agreements vary, but whatever the situation, the franchisor will want to recoup any arrea…
Carrying out due diligence prior to acquiring a business allows you to assess its current financial and operational status, and evaluate the company’s likely success in the future. Taking due dilige…
February 25th 2020
Your fiduciary duties as a director reflect a relationship of trust and loyalty between yourself, the company, its members, and stakeholders. The expectation is that you will act in good faith, and in…
February 24th 2020
What must a director be aware of when their limited company becomes insolvent?
February 23rd 2020
When your business has cash flow problems it can be difficult to decide on the best course of action, but one of the main initial considerations is whether or not the company is actually solvent. If n…
What is the process for winding up a limited company with outstanding debts?
February 22nd 2020
Company directors can feel under enormous pressure from lenders if their company defaults on loan repayments. Threats of legal action often ensue, including County Court Judgements (CCJs), the seizure…
February 21st 2020
How to spot the early signs of distress in your limited company and what you can do to reverse the situation
February 17th 2020
What a Stay of Execution in relation to a County Court Judgment (CCJ) means for your company
Understanding debentures, asset security, and issues surrounding insolvency At some point during the life of their company, many directors will find themselves using their own personal finances to hel…
February 15th 2020
A defined hierarchy of creditors exists when a company enters insolvency, with secured creditors being at the top. A secured creditor is generally a bank or other asset-based lender that holds a fixed…
February 14th 2020
It is possible to officially register a company name at Companies House, but then use one or more ‘trading names’ as required by yourself or your organisation. Some companies trade under different…
February 10th 2020
Releasing capital from a solvent company is a relatively common process in the UK and is essentially a means of raising cash from a business that has, for whatever reason, outlived its worth. In these…
The path to a successful and profitable business is invariably littered with obstacles, the majority of which tend to be financial. There are common recurring pressures, however, that can be dealt wit…
HMRC have a number of options available to them when it comes to recovering late tax payments from UK companies.
February 9th 2020
Employers have a duty to ensure the health and safety of their employees and members of the general public when they are on business premises. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) bring prosecutions …
A transaction at undervalue is when business assets are sold lower than their true value or for a loss. If transactions at undervalue are entered into by a company that later becomes insolvent, it can…
How to better protect your limited company from the threat of cyber attacks
February 7th 2020
Overdrawn directors’ loan accounts can come to be a real cause for concern; particularly in the context of a company entering insolvency. Therefore it can help to understand as clearly as possible t…
February 6th 2020
There are various ways for directors to take money out of their limited company. One of the most popular methods of drawing down funds is by issuing dividends to shareholders. Often taken in conjuncti…
February 4th 2020
What information is needed to restore a company to the Companies House register and why would this be done?
February 3rd 2020
Even when your company is experiencing financial distress, it can be difficult to know when to seek professional help. It is a natural reaction to want to trade your way out of difficulty, but the soo…
February 2nd 2020
As the director of a limited company, engaging in fraudulent or wrongful trading can have severe repercussions particularly if the business becomes insolvent
February 1st 2020
If you’re a company director then circumstances can arise in which you decide to offer personal guarantees in support of a loan application or your pursuit of a line of credit. Where these guarantee…
January 31st 2020
Company Liquidation and administration are two formal insolvency processes with some similarities and also some significant differences.
January 29th 2020
An Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) is a common debt recovery process in England, Scotland and Wales. It offers a number of benefits to those trying to escape unmanageable debt, but IVAs aren’…
January 28th 2020
Business Asset Disposal Relief - formally known as Entrepreneurs' Relief - is a tax-relief scheme which can be used when a company enters a solvent MVL process
January 27th 2020
There are many reasons why you, as a company director, may wish to sell or otherwise dispose of, some or all of the assets of your company. It may be that they are simply no longer required, or your m…
January 25th 2020
There are ways to save an insolvent company from closure if swift action is taken
Failing to pay your creditors leaves you open to various forms of legal action, which can be taken through the County Court or High Court. These are civil rather than criminal courts, and as communica…
January 24th 2020
When deciding on the best course of action for your insolvent company, choosing between pre pack administration versus Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) can be difficult without first identifying y…
January 22nd 2020
As a formal alternative to bankruptcy, an Individual Voluntary Arrangement is more flexible in that it allows a company director to remain in their position. Equally, you can be appointed as a new co…
January 21st 2020
While business growth is often a positive step, there are significant dangers when a company begins to over-trade
January 16th 2020
Understanding the position of a shadow - or silent - director if the limited company enters a formal insolvency process
January 15th 2020
Voluntary Company Liquidation - Understanding Company Dissolution and Strike Off There are many reasons why you might want to dissolve your limited company. Perhaps you experienced early success, but …
January 13th 2020
Understanding directors' liabilities towards business debts once a limited company becomes insolvent
January 12th 2020
It’s important to find the right accountant or auditor for your business. Their input can save you time and money, and make a huge difference to your overall success. In fact, it’s often said that…
January 11th 2020
If you are owed money by an insolvent company, your options vary according to the level of debt, and the lengths you are prepared to go to recover your money. The most drastic creditor action you can …
Pre pack administration offers the opportunity to start a new limited company without pressure of debt. This is a popular solution for insolvent companies, with specific requirements in place to safe…
Commercial rent reviews were originally introduced after the Second World War, when inflation levels were high.
January 8th 2020
Running a recruitment agency can be an extremely rewarding experience, both on a personal and a financial level. However, should business take a turn for the worse, problems can quickly mount up and y…
January 6th 2020
The pressure placed on government to reduce business rates has led to a range of reliefs and exemptions being made available, with some local authorities also offering discretionary reliefs to local b…
The Register of People with Significant control was introduced as part of the Small Business and Employment Act, 2015, after concerns were raised about corporate transparency at the 2013 G8 Summit. Al…
January 5th 2020
Understanding the limited liability partnership (LLP) operating structure
January 4th 2020
The manufacturing industry is experiencing significant change as it struggles to deal with the effects and uncertainties surrounding Brexit. Replacing skilled workers who have returned to the EU, deve…
How to liquidate when a company has no money It is no secret that company liquidation, such as a CVL, has a price tag attached to it. For a company in financial distress meeting this cost may seem out…
Late or non-payment of invoices can quickly see a business experience cash flow problems
January 3rd 2020
The reluctance of some banks in offering business loans, as well as a potentially onerous administrative procedure, has resulted in more directors lending to their own company. Without the security of…
January 1st 2020
Poor cash flow can have a highly detrimental impact on a company. What may appear to be a temporary problem that is easily resolved, can quickly result in the company facing a winding up petition from…
March 31st 2017
Personal Guarantee Insurance (PGI) is designed to offer some financial protection if you have provided a personal guarantee for company loans. Intended to offset your personal financial risk by provid…
The revaluation of business rates that is due to take effect from 1st April 2017, will mean a substantial increase in liability for some companies already in financial difficulty. It could see a worse…
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