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Monday 9am - 5pm Tuesday 9am - 5pm Wednesday 9am - 5pm Thursday 9am - 5pm Friday 9am - 4:30pm

B W Whiffin & Co

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B W Whiffin & Co

In addition to traditional accounting and tax services we also provide advice on how to improve and develop your business.

As well as general accountancy and tax skills, our staff also have specialist skills which enables us to provide clients with a premium service as and when required. Whether you need an integrated business strategy, access to corporate finance or specialist tax advice we are here to help you achieve your goals. Over the years, we have developed an excellent reputation for a prompt, reliable and pr

ofessional service giving you that peace of mind that all of your financial requirements are in good hands. We pride ourselves on client relations and we are always available to take a phone call. We are always happy to see clients whether it be for a meeting, bringing in records or just a word of advice.

22/07/2026

🔐 Could your business survive a cyber attack?

Cyber criminals aren't just targeting large organisations. Small businesses are increasingly at risk, and a single attack can disrupt operations, damage customer trust and lead to significant financial losses.

Simple steps can make a big difference:
✔ Keep software and devices up to date
✔ Use strong passwords and multi-factor authentication
✔ Back up your business data regularly
✔ Train staff to spot phishing emails and scams
✔ Limit access to sensitive systems and information

Cyber security isn't just an IT issue – it's an important part of protecting your business, your customers and your reputation.

A few simple precautions today could save a great deal of time, money and stress in the future.

📞 01376 570171
📩 [email protected]
🌐 www.whiffin.co.uk

20/07/2026

🤖 Five ways AI can save your business hours every week

AI is no longer just for large organisations. Used correctly, it can help small businesses save time, improve efficiency and free up more time to focus on growth.

AI can help with:
✔ Drafting emails, letters and documents
✔ Researching and summarising information
✔ Supporting customer service with common enquiries
✔ Creating ideas for social media and marketing
✔ Organising notes, action lists and business information

The key is to treat AI as an assistant, not a replacement. It can save hours on routine tasks, but important financial, legal and customer-facing decisions should always be reviewed by a person.

Used well, even one or two AI tools could make a noticeable difference to your productivity.

📞 01376 570171
📩 [email protected]
🌐 www.whiffin.co.uk

17/07/2026

💷 Could your savings generate a tax bill?

Many people can earn savings interest without paying tax, but if your interest exceeds the available allowances, you could have a tax liability.

The main tax-free allowances include:
✔ Your Personal Allowance (where available)
✔ The Starting Rate for Savings (up to £5,000, subject to your other income)
✔ The Personal Savings Allowance – up to £1,000 for basic rate taxpayers or £500 for higher rate taxpayers

If your savings interest goes above these limits, any excess is generally taxed at your normal Income Tax rate.

If you're unsure whether you need to declare savings interest or think you've paid too much tax, we're happy to help.

📞 01376 570171
📩 [email protected]
🌐 www.whiffin.co.uk

15/07/2026

📅 Company filing penalties are easy to avoid

Missing Companies House deadlines can lead to unnecessary penalties and, in some cases, more serious enforcement action.

For private companies, late filing of annual accounts can result in penalties of up to £1,500. If accounts are filed late in two consecutive years, those penalties are automatically doubled.

It's also important not to overlook your confirmation statement. While there isn't a standard late filing penalty, failing to submit it is still a breach of the Companies Act and can lead to enforcement action, fines or even the company being struck off the register.

The best way to avoid problems?
✔ Keep accurate accounting records
✔ Know your filing deadlines
✔ Prepare accounts well in advance

If you instruct us to act for your company, we'll help keep track of your key filing deadlines, giving you one less thing to worry about.

📞 01376 570171
📩 [email protected]
🌐 www.whiffin.co.uk

13/07/2026

📈 Selling shares this year?

If you're planning to sell shares or other investments, it's worth checking whether Capital Gains Tax (CGT) could apply.

For the current tax year:
✔ The annual CGT allowance is £3,000
✔ Basic rate taxpayers may pay 18% or 24%, depending on their income
✔ Higher and additional rate taxpayers generally pay 24%

Remember, not all shares are taxable. Investments held within an ISA, shares in approved employee schemes and UK government gilts are generally exempt.

You may also be able to reduce your tax bill by deducting allowable costs or claiming available tax reliefs.

If you're selling investments and want to understand the tax implications before you do, we're happy to help.

📞 01376 570171
📩 [email protected]
🌐 www.whiffin.co.uk

10/07/2026

🎁 Did you know some employee benefits are tax-free?

Not every workplace benefit creates a tax charge. In fact, several common benefits can be provided tax-free if the right conditions are met.

Examples include:
✔ One employer-provided mobile phone
✔ Workplace parking and bicycle parking
✔ Tea, coffee and drinking water at work
✔ Annual staff or Christmas parties (within HMRC limits)
✔ One annual health screening or medical check-up
✔ Certain long service and employee suggestion awards

Providing tax-efficient benefits can be a great way to reward employees while keeping costs under control.

If you're unsure which benefits qualify for exemption, we're happy to help.

📞 01376 570171
📩 [email protected]
🌐 www.whiffin.co.uk

08/07/2026

📝 Have you checked your National Insurance record?

Your National Insurance record can tell you whether you have enough qualifying years for your State Pension and whether there are any gaps that could affect your entitlement.

By checking your record, you can:
✔ See your National Insurance contributions and credits
✔ Identify any missing qualifying years
✔ View your State Pension forecast
✔ Find out whether voluntary contributions could increase your future pension

Checking your record regularly can help you avoid unexpected surprises when you reach State Pension age.

If you're unsure how your National Insurance record could affect your retirement planning, we're happy to help.

📞 01376 570171
📩 [email protected]
🌐 www.whiffin.co.uk

06/07/2026

📈 Selling shares or investments? You may need to pay Capital Gains Tax

Capital Gains Tax (CGT) is charged on the profit you make when selling or disposing of an asset, not on the total amount you receive.

For the 2026–27 tax year:
✔ The annual CGT allowance is £3,000
✔ Basic rate taxpayers may pay 18% or 24%, depending on their income
✔ Higher and additional rate taxpayers generally pay 24%

Not all investments are subject to CGT. For example, investments held within ISAs, UK government gilts and Premium Bonds are generally exempt.

If you've made a gain, remember that investment losses may be available to reduce your tax bill, and keeping accurate records of purchase costs, sale proceeds and associated fees is essential.

If you're planning to sell shares or investments and want to understand the tax implications, we're here to help.

📞 01376 570171
📩 [email protected]
🌐 www.whiffin.co.uk

03/07/2026

⚖️ Employment manuals could play a bigger role in equal pay claims

A recent Court of Appeal ruling has highlighted the importance of an employer’s own policies, procedures and training manuals when assessing equal pay claims.

Rather than focusing on minute-by-minute analysis of what employees actually do, the Court confirmed that the duties and responsibilities set out in an employer’s official documentation can be key evidence when determining whether different roles are of equal value.

For employers, this serves as an important reminder to:
✔ Keep job descriptions up to date
✔ Ensure policies and training materials accurately reflect each role
✔ Regularly review pay structures for consistency and fairness
✔ Check that written documentation aligns with day-to-day expectations

Clear, accurate documentation is not only good practice, it can also play a crucial role in managing legal risk.

📞 01376 570171
📩 [email protected]
🌐 www.whiffin.co.uk

01/07/2026

📊 Profit & loss accounts to be filed from April 2028

The Government has confirmed that changes to Companies House filing requirements will now take effect from April 2028, giving small companies and micro-entities extra time to prepare.

Under the new rules:
✔ Small companies and micro-entities will need to submit a profit and loss account to Companies House.
✔ Businesses will be able to opt out of having it published on the public register, helping to protect commercially sensitive information.
✔ The reforms form part of wider measures to improve transparency and tackle economic crime.

Although the changes are still some time away, it is worth understanding how they may affect your company and annual accounts process.

If you have any questions about the upcoming Companies House reforms, we're here to help.

📞 01376 570171
📩 [email protected]
🌐 www.whiffin.co.uk

Address

90 High Street
Colchester
CO59AA

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+441376570171

Website

http://www.whiffin.co.uk/

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