We’re a forward-thinking firm of Chartered Certified Accountants with three offices across Kent. Founded in 2003, we have grown to become one of the largest independent accountancy practices in the county, supporting individuals, businesses, and not-for-profit organisations across the UK and Europe.

What is the Opportunity?

We’re looking for an Accounts Apprentice to join our Ramsgate office. This is a great opportunity for a school leaver or somebody looking to take their first steps into accountancy.

In this role, you’ll work with a varied portfolio of clients across a range of industries, carrying out bookkeeping duties and preparing VAT returns. You’ll gain valuable hands-on experience, whilst building client relationships and developing your technical knowledge.

Job Description

• Process invoices and bank transactions, keeping financial records accurate and up to date.
• Prepare VAT returns for manager review across a range of VAT schemes, using accounting software such as Xero and QuickBooks.
• Build your client communication skills and, over time, become a friendly first point of contact for client queries.
• Liaise with HMRC when required in relation to client queries and enquiries.
• Stay organised, manage your workload and meet deadlines in a busy environment.

Experience

Applicants must have a minimum of 5 GCSE’s grades 4 and above (or equivalent)

No previous accountancy experience is required – we’re looking for someone who is keen to learn, has a positive attitude and is interested in building a career in accountancy. Previous customer service experience would be an advantage but is not essential.

Working Arrangements

The working week: 37.5 hours per week (Monday – Friday) 8:30 – 17:00 with time off to attend college / training course.

Your principle working location will be 424 Margate Road, Westwood, Ramsgate, CT12 6SJ.

Benefits you’ll receive

• Fully funded training and study support (AAT)
• 20 days annual leave + bank holidays (plus your birthday and Christmas Eve off each year)
• Two paid volunteering days for a charity of your choice
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Dress down Friday – the last Friday of each month

HMRC stresses it will never send an email with an urgent deadline to claim a tax refund. To check a legitimate refund, taxpayers should log in securely via GOV.UK or the HMRC app. HMRC urges people to stop and think before sharing information or opening links/attachments in unexpected messages.

If unsure, do not click anything and report the message to HMRC. GOV.UK provides a list of genuine HMRC contact details to help verify messages.

Suspicious phone calls can be reported through HMRC’s online service (requires email or sign-in).

Suspicious text messages should be forwarded to 60599 (network charges apply). HMRC will never notify you of a tax rebate or request personal/payment details by text message.

Suspicious emails can be forwarded to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk, then deleted to avoid accidental clicks.

In 2003, Elborne sold her home to a trust in exchange for a loan note. She then transferred the loan note to another trust for her children. She continued living in the home rent-free. Because she lived more than seven years after the transfer, the loan note fell outside her estate under the rules at the time.

The Court of Appeal ruled that HMRC’s anti-avoidance arguments didn’t apply, as the scheme pre-dated later rule changes and complied with the law then in force. This ruling sets a significant precedent for families involved in similar legacy home-loan schemes. It may lead to reduced or cancelled inheritance tax liabilities for many long-running disputes.

The Prime Minister has hinted he may “ask for a bit more in tax” to fund policy plans and as the fiscal rules and reduced headroom mean limited scope for borrowing, this does push the Chancellor toward tax rises. Economists expect increases similar to the £26bn rise in November 2025, or even £42bn if spending plans are very high.

Labour has committed not to raise income tax, VAT, employee NI, or onshore corporation tax – together 54% of the tax base. Stamp duty and council tax reform are also ruled out, and experts say large structural reforms are unrealistic before October. Economists predict a “dog’s breakfast” of smaller measures rather than big reforms. Key candidates include capital gains tax, pension taxation, “sin taxes” and wealth taxes.

Experts strongly advise not making major financial decisions based on speculation. Instead, focus on actions based on current rules. Use your full £20k ISA allowance and maximise pension tax relief while it exists in its current form. Prepare for known upcoming changes such as the cash ISA allowance dropping to £12k for under 65s next year and pensions being included in estates for inheritance tax calculations.

If a pension is found years after someone’s death, the IHT bill for the entire estate may need to be recalculated, potentially reopening settled estates. Executors will not be liable for any tax due on pensions discovered after they have already received clearance from HMRC confirming that all inheritance tax due has been paid. Instead, HMRC would need to revisit the initial calculations, including any tapering of the residence nil-rate band, potentially landing beneficiaries with an additional tax bill years down the line.

The Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT) calls the proposals “highly unsatisfactory”, warning of unfair tax bills, delays in settling estates, disputes between families, pension providers and executors, and an increased administrative and compliance burden for HMRC. The CIOT said that the new rules should be changed so that a pension discovered after an estate has been wound up should incur IHT at a flat rate, which would vary depending on the tax position when an estate was finalised.

Spurling Cannon is a forward-thinking firm of Chartered Certified Accountants with three offices across Kent. Founded in 2003, we have grown to become one of the largest independent accountancy practices in the region, supporting individuals, businesses, and not-for-profit organisations across the UK and Europe.

What is the Opportunity?

We are looking for a Semi Senior Accountant to join our Tonbridge office, offering an excellent opportunity to develop your career within a growing and supportive firm. This role will provide exposure to a varied client portfolio and a broad range of responsibilities, allowing you to build both your technical skills and client relationship experience.

The role would suit someone who enjoys working as part of a team, is proactive in their approach, and takes pride in building strong relationships with clients. In return, you’ll join a supportive team that encourages professional development, offers opportunities for progression, and provides study support to help you achieve your professional qualifications.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist in the preparation of year end financial accounts for limited companies, sole traders, and partnerships across a variety of industries.
• Assist in the preparation of personal tax returns, corporation tax returns, VAT returns and management accounts.
• Undertake bookkeeping duties and maintain client records to ensure accuracy and compliance
• Use a variety of cloud-based and desktop accounting software including Xero, Quickbooks and Sage.
• Support Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax Self Assessment (ITSA), including digital record-keeping and quarterly submissions.
• Build and maintain strong, long-term client relationships through a professional and proactive approach.
• Collaborate with colleagues across the firm to deliver excellent client service.

Who We’re Looking For

• Actively studying AAT, ACCA or ACA or qualified by experience.
• Minimum 2 years’ experience in a UK accountancy practice handling similar assignments.
• Experience using Iris, Sage, Xero or QuickBooks would be advantageous.
• Confident communicating with clients, demonstrating a professional and service-focused approach.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to produce high-quality, accurate work.

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)

Spurling Cannon is a forward-thinking firm of Chartered Certified Accountants with three offices across Kent. Founded in 2003, we have grown to become one of the largest independent accountancy practices in the region, supporting individuals, businesses, and not-for-profit organisations across the UK and Europe.

What is the Opportunity?

Following the acquisition of our latest office, we are continuing to grow our team and are seeking a motivated and well‑organised 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.

This role will provide exposure to a varied client portfolio and a broad range of responsibilities, allowing you to build both your technical skills and client relationship experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Preparing and reviewing financial accounts for limited companies, sole traders, and partnerships across a variety of industries.
• Preparing and reviewing tax computations and returns for corporation tax and personal tax.
• Supporting MTD for ITSA, including digital record-keeping and quarterly submissions.
• Use a variety of cloud-based and desktop accounting software including Xero, Quickbooks and Sage.
• Assisting with VAT returns, CIS, and general bookkeeping.
• Build and maintain strong, long-term client relationships through a professional and proactive approach.

Who We’re Looking For: The Ideal Candidate

• ACCA / ACA qualified, actively studying towards either of these qualifications or qualified by experience.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in a UK 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)

Since 2019, MTD for VAT has been mandatory for all VAT-registered businesses above the £85,000 threshold, including voluntary registrants.

From April 2026, MTD applies to sole traders and landlords earning over £50,000. Those thresholds will fall further: £30,000 from April 2027 and then £20,000 from April 2028.

HMRC faces a significant challenge persuading smaller businesses and landlords to adopt digital record-keeping and quarterly reporting. The slow registration rate suggests many affected taxpayers may not be prepared for the upcoming mandatory deadlines. For now, customers who miss this deadline will be sent a reminder letter with no penalties for the 2026/27 tax year.

HMRC repaid £44.1m between January and March, with 13,942 approved claims processed in that period. The average repayment exceeded £3,160, up nearly 10% from the previous year.

Emergency tax codes remain the core problem. When they are applied to initial flexible withdrawals, they then continue to cause unexpected and excessive deductions for retirees, taxing the withdrawal as if it were monthly income for the rest of the tax year.

Experts have highlighted a shift in the issue – while fewer people may be affected, those who are caught by the system are losing larger sums up front. The government’s plan to make pensions subject to inheritance tax could push more people to withdraw large lump sums which may increase emergency tax incidents even further.

HMRC has announced an overhaul of emergency pension tax processes, promising faster refunds, but higher-rate charges will still occur.

The Winter Fuel Payment (£200 – £300 depending on age) was paid to everyone, but around two million pensioners who earned above £35,000 must now repay it via tax adjustments.

Pensioners will receive a letter or HMRC app notification when their tax code changes. HMRC will review tax paid versus tax due, and if the full amount cannot be collected, they will issue a tax calculation afterwards.

HMRC will automatically reclaim the payment by adjusting PAYE tax codes for affected pensioners, unless they file Self-Assessment returns. Pensioners cannot repay early; they must wait for HMRC to collect it through future tax codes.

Repayment will occur in the 2026 – 27 tax year, recovering the payment made in 2025 – 26. As an example: a £200 payment will mean roughly £17 extra tax per month until repaid.

HMRC says most repayments will be handled automatically through tax codes, while Self-Assessment users will repay via their tax return.