HB&O

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]

07/08/2026

One of the most common reasons a management buyout fails never has anything to do with the deal itself.

It comes down to timing. Business owners who decide to sell and immediately expect their management team to complete an MBO within a few months frequently run into financing and readiness problems that could have been avoided entirely with more lead time.

The management team needs time to prepare, financially and strategically, and the earlier both sides take independent advice, the more options are available to everyone.

If you are thinking about a management buyout, whether as a seller or as part of a management team, we'd be glad to support you. Reach out to our team today to find out more.

06/08/2026

Congratulations to Wayne Gutteridge, one of our Directors, on an incredible 25 years at HB&O!

Wayne’s story with HB&O began as a trainee accountant. After qualifying, he spent some time working in industry before returning home to HB&O, where he now leads our Accounts team in Coventry.

To mark this fantastic milestone, the team came together to celebrate Wayne’s achievement and thank him for his dedication and contribution during his time with us so far.

Here’s to 25 wonderful years, and many more to come. Congratulations, Wayne!

05/08/2026

If you are within the scope of Making Tax Digital for Income Tax, your first quarterly update deadline is this Friday, 7 August. Here's what you need to know.

For the 2026 to 2027 tax year, HMRC is not issuing penalty points for missed quarterly updates. This is a soft-landing period designed to give sole traders and landlords time to adjust to the new reporting rhythm. If you miss this first deadline, there is no immediate financial consequence this year.

However, this soft landing is not going to last forever. From the 2027 to 2028 tax year, missed quarterly updates will attract penalty points under the new system.

Think of the first deadline is a useful prompt. If you're not yet set up with compatible software, haven't worked out how quarterly reporting will fit into your workflow, or you're not certain whether you are in scope at all, now is the right time to address it before the penalties begin to bite.

HB&O can help you get set up and ready for the new process. If you need support, get in touch to arrange a conversation.

23/07/2026

Understanding how much your business is worth is an important piece of financial intelligence, even if you’re not selling.

If you are planning a sale, considering an employee ownership trust or management buyout, bringing in a business partner, or seeking investment, a business valuation provides the foundation for better decisions.

Click on the link below to read our latest article to learn more about UK business valuations, and speak to the HB&O team if you need to value your business:
https://hboltd.co.uk/how-to-value-a-business-uk-guide-for-business-owners/

21/07/2026

We are just over halfway through the year. For a lot of business owners, that means one thing: the numbers from January to June are in, and it is time to take an honest look at how things are going.

But it's also worth asking a different question. Not just how is the business performing, but whether the support around the business is keeping pace with it.

If your accountant only gets in touch at year end, you are making decisions without reliable up-to-date financial information, or your reporting feels like it is always one step behind where your business actually is, these are signs that your current setup may no longer be the right fit.

The second half of the year is a good time to address that. The right financial support should be helping you plan ahead, not just account for what has already happened.

If you would like to explore what a proactive accounting partnership could look like, we would be glad to have a conversation.

16/07/2026

VAT in the Digital Age is the EU’s answer to overhauling its existing VAT framework. If your UK business trades with customers in Europe, you must understand how the changes will apply.

HB&O will be sharing a series of informative blogs on ViDA, to help businesses gain a clear picture of the changes and timelines involved. Click on the link below to read the first article, and get in touch with our VAT team directly if you’d like to have a conversation: [email protected].

https://hboltd.co.uk/an-introduction-to-vat-in-the-digital-age-vida-part-one/

14/07/2026

The temporary VAT reduction on children's meals and family attractions is well underway. But with September approaching, it's important to make sure your systems are ready to revert when the time comes.

From 2 September 2026, the standard rate of 20% returns. That means the same till systems, accounting software, and invoicing processes you reconfigured in June need to be switched back. If that does not happen cleanly, you risk misapplying the standard rate in the weeks that follow.

It is also worth completing any outstanding VAT account adjustments for prepayments taken at the standard rate during the qualifying period, and ensuring your records are properly documented before the window closes.

If you have any questions about the reversal process or your VAT position more broadly, our team is here to help: https://hboltd.co.uk/indirect-tax/