A recent ruling has cleared the path to uncapped financial compensation following a forced resignation. A longstanding social worker had complaints raised over her work by an interim service manager.
Author: Aitch
I'm Aitch, the Founder and CEO of CIGMA Accounting Ltd. As a Chartered Management Accountant and as a CIMA member, I've spent more than 16 years helping businesses, entrepreneurs, landlords, and individuals with tax planning, accounting, and HMRC compliance. As a chartered accountant in London, I'm passionate about making complex tax matters easier to understand and helping clients make confident financial decisions.
Over the years, I've advised start-ups, SMEs, established companies, and high-net-worth individuals across a wide range of tax and accounting matters. My expertise includes Corporation Tax, Self-Assessment, Capital Gains Tax, Inheritance Tax planning, R&D tax relief, capital allowances, international tax, and resolving complex HMRC compliance issues. Whether clients need a business accountant, tax accountant, or strategic tax advisor, my focus is always on delivering practical advice that creates long-term value.
One of my specialist areas is Making Tax Digital (MTD). I've worked extensively with businesses preparing HMRC's digital reporting requirements, helping them move to cloud accounting, improve financial processes, and adopt technology that makes compliance more efficient. I regularly speak at Making Tax Digital roadshows, industry events, and educational sessions in collaboration with Zoho Books, sharing practical insights into digital accounting, tax legislation, and the future of the profession.
Many business owners looking for the best accounting firm in London are not simply searching for an accountant they're looking for trusted advice, responsive support, and long-term value. That's the approach I've taken in building CIGMA Accounting. My team and I work closely with businesses across London and the UK, providing accounting services, tax advisory, bookkeeping, payroll, VAT, company accounts, and strategic tax planning tailored to each client's goals.
Through this website, I share practical guidance on UK taxation, Making Tax Digital, HMRC updates, Corporation Tax, Self-Assessment, and business finance. My aim is to provide reliable, straightforward information that helps business owners understand changing regulations, reduce compliance risks, and make informed financial decisions with confidence.
Has a pay rise quietly increased your tax bill?
Many employees and business owners have welcomed higher earnings over the past few years. However, for a growing number of taxpayers, a larger salary does not necessarily mean significantly more money
Could new VAT rules change how you sell online?
The Government has launched a consultation on proposals that could significantly change the way VAT is collected on goods sold through online marketplaces. Although the changes are not yet law, they
Are you maximising tax relief on company losses?
If your company makes a trading loss, it may be able to claim relief to reduce its Corporation Tax liability. Trading losses can often be used in different ways, depending on your company’s
Could you claim tax relief for property repairs?
Property owners often incur costs for repairs, and understanding which costs can be deducted is important when calculating taxable property income. You can generally claim tax relief for repairs
Is your spouse paying more tax than necessary?
Married couples and civil partners are taxed separately for Capital Gains Tax (CGT), meaning each person has their own annual tax position. However, with careful planning, transferring assets between
Could your business recover more VAT?
If your business is VAT registered, you can usually reclaim VAT on many of the goods and services you buy for business purposes. However, many businesses fail to claim everything to which they are
When does a hobby become a taxable business?
Not every hobby becomes a taxable business, but it is important to be aware when this can happen. This can apply even if you are making some money from your hobby. HMRC looks at a range of factors to
Do you know who must register for VAT?
Businesses must register for VAT if their taxable turnover exceeds the VAT registration threshold, or if they expect it to exceed the threshold in certain circumstances. The VAT registration
Five ways AI can save you hours every week
Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer just for large organisations. Many small businesses are now using affordable AI tools to reduce administration, improve customer service and free up valuable
Could your business survive a cyber attack?
Cyber-crime is no longer a problem faced only by large organisations. Small businesses are increasingly being targeted because criminals often assume they have fewer security measures in place. A
Are you claiming all your allowable business expenses?
If you are self-employed, claiming all of your allowable business expenses can reduce your taxable profit and, in turn, the amount of Income Tax you pay. Allowable expenses are costs that are incurred
Have you overlooked this valuable capital allowance?
If you have invested in a new commercial building or carried out significant renovation work, you may have overlooked a valuable capital allowance. The Structures and Buildings Allowance (SBA)
Selling shares this year?
If you are selling shares or other investments, you may incur Capital Gains Tax (CGT) on any profit, or 'gain', you make. You will need to work out your gain to determine if you need to pay tax, which
Could your savings generate a tax bill?
Most individuals can earn interest from their savings without incurring a tax liability thanks to a number of allowances available each tax year (from 6 April to 5 April). These include your Personal
Employee benefits: Are you creating tax problems without realising it?
Providing benefits and covering expenses for employees is a common part of running a business, but it is important to understand the tax implications. A benefit that appears simple or low value could
Making Tax Digital: Are you ready for your first quarterly deadline?
If you are already registered for Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax, it is important to ensure you are ready for your first quarterly update deadline. Unlike a traditional self-assessment
Tax Diary August/September 2026
1 August 2026 - Due date for Corporation Tax due for the year ended 31 October 2025. 19 August 2026 - PAYE and NIC deductions due for the month ended 5 August 2026. (If you pay electronically, the
Where do we draw the line between free speech and racism?
The volatile boundary between workplace speech, belief, and discrimination was recently ignited in a case that tested the sanctity of protected beliefs.
The dispute began when a white British
Company filing penalties you should avoid
Most company directors are aware that they must file annual accounts and a confirmation statement with Companies House. However, missing these deadlines can lead to unnecessary costs and, in some
When did you last check your credit rating?
Many business owners regularly monitor their bank balance, sales and cash flow, but overlook another important financial indicator, their credit rating. Whether you are applying for finance,
Meaning of Permanent Establishment
The term permanent establishment (PE) is an important tax concept for businesses that operate across international borders. In simple terms, it determines whether a business has created a sufficient
Don’t forget to pay your Class 1A NICs
Employers are reminded that Class 1A National Insurance contributions (NICs) for the 2025-26 tax year must be paid by 19 July 2026 (or 22 July 2026 if paying electronically) to avoid penalties. These
Construction Industry Scheme responsibilities
The Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) is used within the UK construction sector to help manage payments between contractors and subcontractors effectively. This scheme mandates that contractors
Meaning of Carried Interest
Carried interest is essentially a share of the profits from an investment fund that is paid to the fund managers. Unlike a fixed fee, its value depends directly on the fund’s performance. This type of
Avoid 60% Income Tax band
A ‘60% Income Tax band’ can arises when an individual’s income exceeds £100,000 in a tax year. Once this threshold is crossed, the personal allowance is gradually withdrawn at a rate of £1 for every
Child Benefit and the High Income Child Benefit Charge
The High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC) applies where an individual or their partner receives Child Benefit, and their adjusted net income currently exceeds £60,000. The charge may also apply
Five ways to improve customer retention
Winning new customers is important, but many businesses overlook the value of keeping the customers they already have. Existing customers are often more likely to buy again, recommend your business to
Are you too dependent on one customer?
Many successful businesses begin by working closely with one major customer. While this can provide valuable income and stability in the early years, becoming too dependent on a single customer can
Investment Manager Exemption (IME)
The Investment Manager Exemption (IME) is a long-standing HMRC concession that helps attract international investment in the UK. It allows overseas investors to appoint UK-based investment managers