Belfasttelegraph.co.uk - Business Clinic RSS Feed

Avoid being named and shamed over tax

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:48:42 GMT

Question: My business has recently had a visit from HM Revenue and Customs and now I have agreed to pay extra PAYE tax and NIC. Will I be named and shamed under the taxman’s new powers?

What’s the criteria for getting a loan?

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 12:23:28 GMT

Question: I have plans for expanding my business, but need extra funding to get started. What criteria are banks looking for in credit and loan applications?

Redundancy process: Be aware of the pitfalls

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 11:03:18 GMT

Question: I have won my first business in India. Are there any pitfalls I should avoid?

Making waves helps renewable energy

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 11:28:20 GMT

Question: With the Copenhagen conference failing to deliver a legally binding target for emission reduction, do you think we will see a reluctance towards exploring renewable energy sources?

New qualifications on a candidate’s CV?

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 11:08:05 GMT

Question: I have just received an application for a position in my company and the applicant has listed a QCF qualification under educational achievement. I am familiar with NVQs, but what do these new qualifications mean? How do they compare with more familiar qualifications such as NVQs?

Standing out brings outstanding results

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 11:30:20 GMT

Question: What is search engine optimisation?

Why it’s good to talk in exporting your goods

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 14:51:00 GMT

Question: In such an increasingly competitive business climate, I am thinking about growing my business overseas and want to know more about getting into the export market. How do I go about it?

How to ensure you get paid by government

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 11:10:22 GMT

Question: My company has a contract with a government department, how can I ensure I get paid quickly?

Websites are windows to woo the shoppers

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 10:18:36 GMT

Like many businesses you may have a website through which you sell your products.

HMRC health plan is no tonic

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 10:06:55 GMT

Question: Can HMRC’s Tax Health Plan help my business?

Take your pick: Better protection or lower income?

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 08:00:00 GMT

Question: I'm thinking of changing from a sole trader to limited company position. Are there any pitfalls?

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 08:00:00 GMT

Q. Can you explain what pay per click advertising is?

Take your pick: Better protection or lower income?Claire Geddis, S Hill & Co Q: I'm thinking of changing from a sole trader to limited company position. Are there any pitfalls?

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 08:00:00 GMT

Irish investors are laughing all the way to the bank after striking black gold in Central America.

How can businesses new to exporting ensure payment?

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 11:38:16 GMT

Question: My business is fairly new to exporting but already we’ve had a few bad experiences of not getting paid. Is there anything I can do to reduce this risk?

Ho! Ho! Ho! Office party can be left off the tax bill

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 11:10:54 GMT

Question: What are the tax and VAT implications of Christmas parties and giving gifts to employees?

A tender approach to spending public money

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Question: I manage a SME in the engineering sector and regularly tender for public sector contracts. I am interested to know how will the new European Remedies Directive impact on public tendering procedures?

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Q: I manage a SME in the engineering sector and regularly tender for public sector contracts. I am interested to know how will the new European Remedies Directive impact on public tendering procedures?

Have I missed the boat for the current tax amnesty?

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:12:23 GMT

Question: Am I too late to take advantage of the current UK tax amnesty?

Where do businesses stand with part-time employees?

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Question: I am concerned that my sales are lower than forecasted. What can I do to better manage my cash flow during this slow period?

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Q: I am concerned that my sales are lower than forecasted. What can I do to better manage my cash flow during this slow period?

Where you stand with strict liability in business

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:02:08 GMT

Question: I am concerned about how my family would cope if I became incapable of managing my financial affairs due to an accident or serious illness. I was thinking about signing an Enduring Power of Attorney but I heard that the law has changed. What should I do?

Can firm use temporary staff to help it thwart strike action?

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:40:09 GMT

Question: I’ve been reading the press reports about Royal Mail’s plans to recruit 30,000 temps to deal with a backlog of mail caused by striking employees. The Communication Workers Union (CWU) claims this is illegal. My organisation may be facing its own strike soon and we had planned to ‘plug the gap’ with agency temps. So what is the position?

If you are unhappy with your bank, how easy is it to change?

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Q: I signed my house over to my children about 10 years ago in order to avoid inheritance tax but have heard that this might be challenged by HM Revenue & Customs. Is this correct?

If you have a good business idea don't let recession hold you back

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 07:00:00 GMT

Question: I have an idea for a business but in the current economic climate I'm not sure it's the best time to start up. Do you have any advice?

If workers have to retire at 65 can they claim unfair dismissal?

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 07:00:00 GMT

Question: The October 31 self-assessment tax deadline is fast approaching and I'm having problems receiving the right forms from HMRC - what should I do?