HB&O

15/10/2026

Yesterday, our senior managers began a very exciting two-year development programme with Remarkable Practice Ltd led by Lisa Topliss and Doug Aitken.

As HB&O grows, we want our people to grow with it. This programme is about building skills, strengthening leadership and giving our team the space to reach their full potential.

Strong leaders make a real difference, both to the clients they support and to the trainees they help develop. We’re looking forward to following their progress!

07/10/2026

Are you thinking of trading in the EU? Trading with Europe has become more complex since Brexit, but the right advice can make it much more seamless.

This morning, members of our team joined the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce for its ‘Trading with the European Union: Where Are The Opportunities Now?’ event. Our Head of VAT, Jessica Mason, was one of the speakers, sharing practical VAT and customs considerations for businesses importing from and exporting to the EU.

Jessica highlighted some of the areas businesses should keep in mind, from ensuring import VAT is correctly reconciled to checking whether unnecessary duty is being paid and maintaining the evidence needed to support VAT treatment. Getting these details right can help protect cash flow, reduce risk and make cross-border trade work more effectively.

If you’re considering expanding into Europe or would like support with the VAT and customs implications of international trade, get in touch with Jessica at [email protected]

05/10/2026

We'd like to say a big thank you to everyone who joined us at Mallory Court Hotel for our seminar; 'Inheritance Tax Trusts & Estates: The Basics'. It was fantastic to see so many of our clients in the room with great questions and conversation afterwards.

A special thank you to Vanessa Glenn, who heads up our IHT, Trusts & Estates team. She made a complex and sensitive subject clear, practical and a lot less daunting, covering:

- How inheritance tax works and when it applies
- The nil rate band and residence nil rate band
- Lifetime gifts and the seven-year rule
- How pensions fit into the inheritance tax picture
- Business property relief and when it may apply

As mentioned in our seminar, the Budget on 28 October could bring changes to some of these areas. If you have plans in place, now is a good time to check they still align with you and your family.

Getting the right advice now can help protect what you've built, make sure your wishes are carried out and support your loved ones when it matters most.

Book a complimentary initial consultation with our team to start your planning today.
Email: [email protected].

21/09/2026

The next Making Tax Digital for Income Tax quarterly update deadline is 7 November, and it's worth getting ahead of it now rather than later.

If you are within scope for the 2026 to 2027 tax year, you're still in the soft-landing period, which means missing a deadline this year will not trigger penalty points.

However, the habits and systems you build now are the ones that will protect you when the penalty regime kicks in from April 2027. From then on, each missed quarterly deadline earns a penalty point. Four points mean a £200 fine, with further charges for every subsequent missed submission.

The 7 November deadline is a good moment to check that your compatible software is correctly set up, your digital records are up to date, and your process for submitting quarterly updates is working smoothly. If any of that is not yet in place, there is still time to sort it before the deadline arrives.

Our team can help you figure it out. Get in touch today to arrange a conversation.

18/09/2026

The HB&O team have been in Liverpool this week for a very special DFK UK & Ireland Annual and Emerging Leaders Conference - marking 30 years of DFK UK & Ireland!

It's a particularly proud moment for our Managing Director, Mark Ashfield, who has served as Chairman of DFK UKI since 2023 and is completing his final year in the role, a fitting milestone to mark alongside the National Group's own 30 years.

Also representing HB&O are Directors Helen Coombes, Neil Allcroft, Simon Turner and Stuart Grosvenor, together with Jessica Mason and Mark Green, and our Emerging Leaders, Jack Dunne and Jordan Chamberlain.

Here's to another brilliant conference, great connections across the association, and to the next 30 years!

15/09/2026

VAT in the Digital Age (ViDA) is the EU's most significant VAT overhaul in decades, replacing paper-based compliance with mandatory real-time digital reporting.

If your business exports goods or services to EU customers, the changes apply to you regardless of where you are based. The first milestone is already in force, and the digital mandate goes live in 2030. EU buyers are likely to increasingly prefer suppliers who can plug seamlessly into their digital systems, making preparation a competitive issue, not just a compliance one.

If your business will be affected by ViDA, the sooner you start preparing, the better. Our VAT team can help you understand the implications and ensure that your business activities and European income streams are ready when the changes come into effect.

Get in touch with the VAT team at [email protected] to find out more.

09/09/2026

In just under a week, members of the team will be heading to Liverpool to represent HB&O at the DFK UK & Ireland Annual & Emerging Leaders Conference.

This year’s event is particularly special as DFK UK&I celebrates its 30th anniversary. It promises to be a fantastic opportunity to recognise three decades of collaboration, success and shared achievements across the association!

19/08/2026

Congratulations, Anu, on becoming a Chartered Certified Accountant!

We're so thrilled to share that Anu Muthulingam, based in our Leamington Spa office, has passed all of her exams and is now qualified. Anyone who's worked alongside Anu will know how much dedication has gone into her studies after she joined us in 2023!

Helen Coombes, Staff Partner, said: "We're incredibly pleased for Anu and delighted with the progress she's made since joining HB&O. This next step is well deserved and we're looking forward to seeing her continue to grow within the team."

If you're considering a career in accountancy, take a look at our Trainee Programme and current opportunities: https://hboltd.co.uk/careers/

Read about Anu's journey: https://hboltd.co.uk/anu-qualifies-as-a-chartered-accountant/

Anu Muthulingam has qualified as a Chartered Accountant (ACCA) at HB&O in Leamington Spa. Discover her journey and our Trainee Programme opportunities.

13/08/2026

If you've been thinking about what a Virtual Finance Office could look like for your business, we have put together a free guide that covers everything you need to know.

From day-to-day finance operations and real-time reporting through to cash flow forecasting and strategic advisory support, our VFO service is built around your business, not a standard package.

The guide walks you through what's included, how the service works in practice, and what the result looks like for businesses that have made the switch.

Download your free copy via the link in the comments, and reach out to us if you have any questions.

11/08/2026

From April 2027, unused pension funds will be subject to inheritance tax for the first time. For many people, it is not just the pension that gets taxed. It's the interaction between IHT and income tax on the same funds that creates the real impact. We've broken the numbers down so you can see exactly what that looks like in practice.

For a personalised assessment of your own position, our Inheritance Tax, Trusts and Estates team is here to help. Get in touch with our team for more information: [email protected]