Following the acquisition of our latest office, we are continuing to grow our team and are seeking a motivated and well organised Semi Senior Accountant to join our expanding practice. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who thrives in a fast paced, supportive environment and wants to develop their career within a dynamic and forward thinking firm.

Key Responsibilities
• Prepare and submit VAT returns in line with HMRC requirements and deadlines.
• Maintain accurate bookkeeping records for multiple client accounts using cloud accounting software (e.g., Xero, QuickBooks, Sage).
• Assist with month-end and year-end processes, including preparing information for senior accountants.
• Supporting MTD for ITSA, including digital record-keeping and quarterly submissions.
• Liaising directly with clients and building long term relationships
• Assisting in the preparation of financial accounts for limited companies, sole traders, and partnerships across a variety of industries.

Who We’re Looking For: The Ideal Candidate
• Actively studying AAT or qualified by experience.
• Minimum 2 years’ experience in an accountancy practice handling similar assignments.
• The ability to work effectively in a fast paced environment and manage time efficiently.
• A proactive, client focused approach with strong communication skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and strong organisational skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

What We Offer
• Ongoing professional development and training
• 20 days annual leave + bank holidays (plus your birthday & Christmas Eve off each year)
• Two paid volunteering days for a charity of your choice
• Dress down Friday – the last Friday of each month
• Two staff social events each year (Summer & Christmas)

HMRC still issues cheques when people don’t respond to rebate letters within 21 days – a legacy process that hasn’t fully adapted to the digital era. 1.74 million cheques were issued last year; although this is fewer than in the past, a significant number still go unclaimed.

HMRC is transitioning to a new system where cheques are only sent if someone specifically requests one. Around 20% of taxpayers are still on the old system, but HMRC aims to complete the switch by April next year.

Overpayments happen for common reasons such as job changes, incorrect tax codes or having multiple sources of income.

If you have an uncashed cheque from HMRC that was issued over six months ago, you will no longer be able to cash it. HMRC says it can be replaced on request.

The government wants to signal that Britain is ‘open for business’ and Ms Reeves has used the recent IMF meetings in Washington to promote the UK as a competitive destination for investment and residency. A senior Treasury official says geopolitical risk is reshaping where people choose to live and invest, and the UK wants to respond strategically.

The Treasury will launch a formal consultation on how Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) are taxed, as this has been a sticking point for potential wealthy arrivals. The review will look at targeted reliefs for new arrivals and possible reforms to offshore structures.

The Chancellor has faced criticism that her earlier tax increases drove millionaires out of the UK. The government hopes these new measures will reverse the exodus and bring high earners back.

The tax-free threshold for first-time buyers dropped from £425,000 to £300,000, increasing upfront costs. On average, buyers now pay about £4,618 more in stamp duty than before.

The change comes at a time when mortgage rates remain high, adding further pressure on new buyers. Over half (53%) of the extra revenue comes from property sales in London, with just under a quarter (23%) contributed from sales in the South East. Many properties in the North East and East Midlands remain below the £300,000 tax-free limit, contributing only 1.3% between them.

The premium increases depending on how long the property has been owned:

Under 2 years: double the standard rate

2–3 years: 300% surcharge

Over 3 years: full 500% premium

Empty homes are treated the same way. There are 35 second homes in Midlothian and only two are in Band G. So, this move is only expected to raise circa £200,000 in the 2026–27 financial year. But the council says the goal is behavioural change, not revenue – specifically to discourage second home ownership and free up housing for locals.

Scottish councils now have unlimited powers to set second home premiums. In England they are capped at 100% (double the standard rate), and in Wales it is up to 300%.

Critics argue they worsen the cost-of-living pressures, noting second homes already face an 8% additional dwelling supplement at purchase. The Adam Smith Institute warns extreme premiums could drive away investment and harm local economies.

Total gross HMRC tax and NICs receipts for April 2025 to January 2026 equalled £784.9 billion. This was £65.6 billion higher than the same period last year.

Income Tax, Capital Gains Tax & NICs Total were £460.7bn (up £52.0bn year-on-year). PAYE was £388.2bn (up £39.1bn). Self-Assessment brought in £70.3bn (up £12.8bn). January 2026 SA receipts are the highest on record.

Total VAT receipts were £154.3bn (up £9.0bn) with January 2026 VAT receipts being the highest on record. The growth was influenced by inflation and shifts in consumer spending.

Business Taxes, which include Corporation Tax, the Bank Levy, Digital Services Tax, and the Energy Profits Levy totalled £81.8bn (up £1.8bn). There were record-high December 2025 receipts due to strong onshore Corporation Tax receipts.

Stamp Taxes and Annual Tax Enveloped Dwellings (ATED) were £17.0bn (up £1.9bn). Receipts were influenced by Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) rate changes, increased transaction volumes around Budget periods and the threshold changes effective from April 2025.

Inheritance Tax (IHT) totalled £7.1bn (up £0.1bn). The slightly higher receipts were linked to increased asset values and frozen thresholds (to 2030/31).

Critics argue her admission comes too late for businesses and workers already affected. The TaxPayers’ Alliance said the tax rise inevitably reduced job opportunities, pointing to rising youth unemployment. Some argue that reversing the employer NI increase would help businesses and improve job prospects for young people.

ONS data shows 957,000 young people (16 – 24) were classed as NEET (not in education, employment, or training) in the last quarter – an increase of 11,000 from the previous period.

Ms Reeves said that the Government was expanding apprenticeships and pointed to her ‘youth guarantee’ which promises paid work for young people who’ve been out of education or employment for 18 months.

Returning earlier than planned can trigger the UK’s five-year temporary non-residency rule, an anti-avoidance measure. If someone becomes UK-resident again within five full tax years, capital gains made abroad may become taxable in the UK. This is catching out people who sold assets while abroad assuming they were outside the UK’s tax scope.

Tax advisers say families are ‘troubled’ by the unexpected liabilities. Many did not consider residency day-count rules during an emergency evacuation. HMRC has updated guidance to allow war as an ‘exceptional circumstance,’ but accountants argue the rules remain narrow and restrictive.

Experts urge HMRC to take a more pragmatic and sympathetic approach given the extraordinary situation. Staying in the UK after the initial crisis often does not qualify as an exceptional circumstance under current rules.

IHT currently charges 40% on estates above £325,000, or £500,000 when a main residence is passed to children.

The IEA argues the tax penalises wealth that has already been taxed through income tax, NI, and VAT. It discourages investment and entrepreneurship and creates unnecessary administrative burdens (it costs the government £66m annually just to collect). It says even a cautious government could raise the tax-free threshold, reduce the 40% rate and simplify gifting rules.

The government recently faced backlash from farmers after attempting to remove tax breaks for family farms. Following protests, ministers reversed course and raised the agricultural assets threshold to £2.5m. So, it remains to be seen if further changes to the IHT system will be made.

We are now seeking a motivated and organised Bookkeeping & VAT Manager to join our expanding team. In this role, you’ll manage a varied portfolio of clients across multiple industries, oversee VAT and bookkeeping processes, and support a small team of junior bookkeepers.

Key Responsibilities

• Review VAT returns, carry out quality control and manage the administration of the department.
• Support the team with VAT return preparation and submissions.
• Oversee VAT registration, deregistrations and Making Tax Digital (MTD) requirements.
• Allocate and manage team workloads, ensuring all deadlines are met.
• Provide VAT advice to colleagues and clients.
• Work closely with client managers to ensure VAT quarters are fully prepared, booked in, and ready for accounts preparation.

Who We’re Looking For: The Ideal Candidate

• Work well in a fast-paced environment and manage your time effectively
• Demonstrate strong attention to detail when handling financial data
• Communicate confidently and professionally with the team and clients
• Strong organisational skills

What We Offer

• Ongoing professional development and training
• 20 days annual leave + bank holidays (plus your birthday & Christmas Eve off each year)
• Two paid volunteering days for a charity of your choice
• Dress down Friday – the last Friday of each month
• Two staff social events each year (Summer & Christmas)

Our Values

• People-Centered: Building strong, lasting relationships with clients, the community, and the team.
• Helpfulness: helping above and beyond to assist and support.
• Efficiency: Delivering accurate and timely results while optimising processes.
• Professionalism: Upholding high standards of integrity, expertise, and ethical conduct.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: From £26,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company events
• Enhanced maternity leave
• Enhanced paternity leave
• Free parking
• Paid volunteer time

Experience:

• Xero: 2 years (required)
• QuickBooks: 2 years (required)
• Bookkeeping: 3 years (required)

Work Location: In person