Moore Accountancy

Moore Accountancy Proactive Chartered Accountant in Altrincham, North Cheshire / South Manchester / UK

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Proactive, Personable Chartered Accountants in Altrincham (South Manchester) Cheshire with clients predominantly in the North West and many across the UK. We work with clients in numerous industries including Legal, Consultancy, Marketing, Media and Retail.

It’s been another busy week of lead meetings! It feels like a mix of catching up after my holiday and a real surge in MT...
06/03/2026

It’s been another busy week of lead meetings! It feels like a mix of catching up after my holiday and a real surge in MTD awareness.

Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax kicks off this April for sole traders and landlords with gross income over £50,000.
HMRC has sent out letters, so the "it won't happen to me" phase is officially over! If you know anyone panicking about their digital records, please do pass them our details—we’re here to make the transition as painless as possible.

The Spring Forecast: Steady but Somber
As Rachel Reeves hinted, Tuesday’s Spring Forecast was light on new tax surprises—she’s sticking to her "one major budget a year" rule. However, the outlook remains a bit bleak:
• Growth Downgraded: The OBR cut the 2026 growth forecast to 1.1%.
• Fiscal Drag: No movement on tax thresholds, meaning more people are being pulled into higher brackets as wages rise.
• Global Headwinds: The Chancellor reiterated that the conflict in the Middle East is a significant risk to energy prices and economic stability.
• April Reminders: She confirmed the planned hikes coming next month, including the Dividend Tax increase (up by 2%) and the BADR (Capital Gains) rate jump from 14% to 18%.
QuickBooks Conference & Tim Harford
I’m currently in London for conferences, and had a fantastic day at the QuickBooks event yesterday. It was great to hear from Tim Harford OBE—his insights on the "Jagged frontier of AI Capability" were really interesting.

Key Takeaways:
• Innovation on a Budget: How to stay creative when resources are tight (a common theme for our micro-business clients!).
• AI & Automation: It’s not just a buzzword anymore; it’s about how we use it to free up time for the actual human advice that software can't replace.
• MTD Readiness: The tech is ready, even if we’re still waiting on the final few "HMRC quirks" to be ironed out.

✨ Looking Ahead
I’m working a few hours this morning before switching off to celebrate a friend’s 50th birthday! I’ll be spending the rest of the weekend catching up with family and friends here in London.

Hope you all have a brilliant weekend! 🍷

I’m back! After missing last week’s Friday post for a beautiful family wedding in India, I landed on Monday and went str...
27/02/2026

I’m back! After missing last week’s Friday post for a beautiful family wedding in India, I landed on Monday and went straight back into the thick of it. I’d clearly forgotten how "long-haul" feels when you don’t sleep on the plane—Monday was a total write-off, but we’re firing on all cylinders now!

A huge thank you to the team at Moore Accountancy for keeping things moving so brilliantly while I was away and for stepping into the breach to cover for those off for half term. You’re all absolute stars. ⭐

It’s been a week of community and personal challenges:

Fresh Air & Hayfever: Tuesday was a gorgeous, sunny day for the Altrincham BID Netwalking event. It was great to catch up with local businesses, though the high pollen count was a bit of a red flag for my hayfever. Our office air purifier is already on full blast—any fellow long-season sufferers out there? 🤧

Business Brainstorming: Huge thanks to Trafford College, Altrincham BID, and Naomi Timperley. We spent a morning using new tools to "tackle a business challenge." We often focus so much on our clients’ hurdles that it’s refreshing (and vital) to take time out to focus on our own as a small business.

Altrincham Vs Cancer: Yesterday, we did our bit for Altrincham HQ’s fantastic fundraising for The Christie by jogging 5k on the treadmill. I won’t lie—it was pretty awful (see my sweaty pics from yesterday for proof!), but it’s for a brilliant cause. If you’d like to donate, please click the link below and pop my name in the JustGiving message so I can personally thank you!
https://www.justgiving.com/page/altrinchamvscancer2026

Giving Back: We wrapped up yesterday with a very constructive Trustee meeting. With so many charities needing volunteer support, it feels great to give back to the Altrincham community.

End of an Era: A slightly sad Friday as our lease car went back after 3 years. It was our first foray into EVs and we absolutely loved it. The good news? We’re picking up a brand-new EV on Monday. Can’t wait!

Have a great weekend everyone!

That brown envelope from HMRC? 😬 Nobody wants one.Missing a tax deadline is easily done when you’re busy, but the penalt...
26/02/2026

That brown envelope from HMRC? 😬 Nobody wants one.

Missing a tax deadline is easily done when you’re busy, but the penalties can escalate quickly.

Did you know:
• Self-Assessment late filing starts at £100 even if no tax is due!
• VAT operates on a points system
• Companies House fines are automatic even if you’re only 1 day late
• PAYE penalties stack up monthly

We’ve put together a simple guide explaining how late penalties work across Self-Assessment, VAT, Corporation Tax, Companies House and PAYE.

Most penalties are avoidable and filing on time, even if you can’t pay, can significantly reduce the penalty cost.

Read the full blog here:
https://mooreaccountancy.co.uk/late-filing-penalties-what-you-need-to-know-self-assessment-vat-corporation-tax-paye/

If you’re unsure about an upcoming deadline, message us and we’ll be happy to help.

Happy Friday from Singapore! Despite it being a short week for me (we flew from Manchester yesterday)  it has still been...
13/02/2026

Happy Friday from Singapore!

Despite it being a short week for me (we flew from Manchester yesterday) it has still been a busy week for the team, especially with quite a few of us off for half term.

Here’s a quick look at what we’ve been up to:

We are currently in the process of changing our payroll bureau system. We’re always looking for ways to make our processes more efficient and secure for our clients. Naina will be providing more detailed information on these changes next month, so do keep an eye out for her update.

While we are always on top of technical and ethical updates, this week’s monthly team meeting focused on soft skills and team development. Technical knowledge is the baseline, but we hope that we can explain complex tax positions in plain English. There is no such thing as a "stupid" client question, and these sessions ensure we stay the approachable partners our small business and rental property clients need.

It will be quiet on social media this coming week as i'm taking a short break in Singapore to visit my brother-in-law and his family. I’ll be starting my Saturday morning at the East Coast Parkrun—though I suspect the humidity might make my recent times a distant dream!
We're then heading off to India for a family wedding.

Finally, if you filed your Self Assessment Tax Return (SATR) in the last couple of months, keep a very close eye on your February and March payslips. HMRC’s systems often "talk" to each other right about now, and they may have automatically adjusted your PAYE tax code to collect underpaid tax or account for new rental income.

When you add a February bonus or a March pay rise into the mix, your take-home pay can look very different than expected. Check your tax code on your latest payslip now—it’s much easier to fix an error before the new tax year starts on 6th April than to chase a refund later!

Enjoy your weekend!

Happy February!After a busy January finishing our final self assessments, we’re now looking ahead to the new tax year an...
09/02/2026

Happy February!

After a busy January finishing our final self assessments, we’re now looking ahead to the new tax year and upcoming changes, including Confirmation Statement fees and reporting timelines.

We also enjoyed a belated Christmas party with the team. Alex McCann and Altrincham BID the annual Altrincham vs Cancer fundraiser aiming to raise £15,000 for The Christie a cancer treatement and research charity. One of these events is a 5k run hosted on 26th February

Read more here:
https://mailchi.mp/c11b0d23e96d/moore-accountancy-update-february

They say a team that eats together, works well together—and based on this week’s evidence, we’re in great shape! We kick...
06/02/2026

They say a team that eats together, works well together—and based on this week’s evidence, we’re in great shape!

We kicked off our week with our annual Christmas party (better late than never!), taking on the Immersive Gamebox. We split into two teams and had a blast trying to coordinate our skills to beat the high scores. We then headed over to Comptoir Libanais for this lovely social meal you see in the photo—complete with a very special birthday cake for Bertha Keta!

Back to the ‘Day Job’
Between the celebrations, it’s been a high-energy week in the office. Much of our time has been spent on the phone with HMRC, closing down January files, and responding to your queries.

Looking Ahead: MTD is on the Horizon
Susie, Chi, and Sid also had a productive MTD planning meeting. We’ve been finalising our support strategy for those starting in:
April 2026: (Sales and rental income over £50k)
April 2027: (Gross income over £30k)
If you think this applies to you and you’re feeling a bit daunted, please get in touch. We’re here to make the digital transition as smooth as possible.

Out and About in
Last night we caught up with our local community at a networking event with Altrincham BiD and Oyez Arts Limited. If you haven't seen the new video by Oyez yet, definitely check it out—it’s a brilliant Blur-inspired tribute to our town and what Oyez do! It was great catching up with Graham Bowcock and Paul Limb amongst others.

A Final Thought on Tax Planning
With the tax year-end fast approaching, it’s a great time to think about your planning. A little proactivity now can make a big difference to your bottom line.

Some of us are heading off for half-term, so we’ll be a little quieter on social media for a bit, but we’ll be back soon, fully revitalised!

Life has been a bit of a whirlwind lately (when is it not?!) After a weekend spent in Leicester after dropping my middle...
30/01/2026

Life has been a bit of a whirlwind lately (when is it not?!)
After a weekend spent in Leicester after dropping my middle one off at university in Nottingham (and sneaking in a fantastic new parkrun at Watermead Country Park — highly recommend!), it’s been straight back into the "January Tunnel."

It’s that time of year where the office feels like a giant countdown timer. We’ve been ticking off the final 30/04/2025 Limited Company accounts and those 31/01/2026 Self Assessment deadlines one by one. To all our clients: thank you for being so organised—we’re almost at the finish line! 🏁

While most of us have been buried in spreadsheets, the team has been out developing their skills. Liam attended a brilliant marketing talk by Alex McCann this week, coming back with some fresh ideas on how we can better communicate our accounts and tax services to help our clients grow in 2026. I can't wait to get stuck into planning that with him next week.

The "File" button is about to get a rest.
Tonight, I’m heading to the cinema to catch Hamnet (I’ve heard it’s a tear-jerker, so I’m bringing the tissues!), followed by our Annual Staff Do tomorrow! We’re heading to the Immersive Gamebox in Manchester for some healthy team competition, followed by a Lebanese in Spinningfields
Then? I’m planning on a very long date with my duvet to catch up on some sleep.
Wishing you all a deadline-free weekend!

A quick hello from the eye of the storm!I’ve been a little quiet on here since we broke for Christmas—my last post was w...
16/01/2026

A quick hello from the eye of the storm!

I’ve been a little quiet on here since we broke for Christmas—my last post was way back in December! To say it’s been "full throttle" since we returned would be a massive understatement.

We are currently right in the thick of what we call our “January madness”. The team and I are working flat out to hit those final SATR deadlines on the 31st, all while onboarding a fantastic variety of new clients and partnerships. A huge welcome to everyone who has joined us so far in 2026!

Luckily, I started the year with a much-needed reset in the Lake District. There was plenty of hiking followed by some serious star-gazing from the hot tub—the perfect way to recharge the batteries before the January rush began.

Speaking of hiking, Mike and I want to make a 10–12 mile walk a monthly habit this year. If you have any recommendations for great circular or out-and-back routes around the North West, please do let me know in the comments! 🥾

I’m also really motivated to get my fitness back on track after my broken foot in the Autumn. I’m taking part in McCann’s brilliant Altrincham vs Cancer fundraiser at the end of February to raise money for The Christie, so the training starts now! 🏃‍♀️

Finally, it’s International Hot & Spicy Day today! 🌶️ We’re heading out for dinner tonight before the middle one heads back to uni. I’m usually a "mild to medium" curry person—how about you? Are you brave enough for the hot stuff?

Right, back to the calculators for a few more hours before the weekend officially starts.

Wishing you all a productive and happy Friday!

Not sure what business expenses you can claim? 🤔 Whether you’re self-employed or running a limited company, knowing what...
15/01/2026

Not sure what business expenses you can claim? 🤔

Whether you’re self-employed or running a limited company, knowing what’s allowable (and what isn’t) can save you money — and stress.

We’ve put together a clear, practical guide covering:
• Common allowable expenses
• What HMRC won’t allow
• Key differences between sole traders and limited companies

Take a look here 👉 https://mooreaccountancy.co.uk/what-expenses-can-i-claim-a-guide-for-the-self-employed-and-limited-companies-uk/

If you’re still unsure, we offer a free 30-minute consultation for new clients.

It’s been a little quiet on here for the last few weeks…Life has been a bit of a balancing act lately, between supportin...
19/12/2025

It’s been a little quiet on here for the last few weeks…

Life has been a bit of a balancing act lately, between supporting an elderly parent through post-op recovery and navigating the whirlwind of university interviews for the youngest, things have been non-stop!

It’s been a fantastic end to the year, though. We’ve welcomed some cracking new local clients to the fold, some needing a hand to get their 24/25 returns finalised, and others just starting out and looking for proactive support for the road ahead.

It was brilliant catching up with so many of you at the recent Altrincham Small Business Christmas networking event, thank you for the great conversations and the festive cheer!

🛑 Official Closing Dates
The team and I are officially hanging up the calculators today. We’ll be closed from this afternoon until Monday, 5th January.

While we’re away, a few useful reminders:

✨ MTD is coming — We’re already helping clients find the best software solutions for Making Tax Digital. The shift starts in April 2026 for those with income over £50k, followed by those with rental or business income between £30k and £50k in April 2027. If that’s you, it’s worth getting prepared sooner rather than later.

💡 Dividend Planning — With the upcoming 2% increase in dividend tax arriving in April 2026, now’s a smart time to review your extraction strategy and see if it makes sense to take dividends before the change.

🥳 The Annual Party — A quick reminder for my Limited Company clients — you can claim up to £150 per head (inc. VAT) for an annual staff function. It’s a lovely way to celebrate a busy year while keeping things tax-efficient. (More on this in our festive blog: Christmas entertaining — are parties tax deductible? 🎉 https://mooreaccountancy.co.uk/christmas-entertaining-are-parties-tax-deductible/)

A huge thank you to all our amazing clients and contacts for your support throughout 2025.
We hope you have a restful and happy Christmas.

See you in the New Year! 🎅✨

Cash vs Accrual Accounting – what’s changing for 2024/25?HMRC has changed the default accounting basis for Self-Assessme...
18/12/2025

Cash vs Accrual Accounting – what’s changing for 2024/25?

HMRC has changed the default accounting basis for Self-Assessment tax returns from 2024/25.

This could affect:
• Your tax bill
• Cashflow
• How your income is reported

We’ve explained the changes clearly in our latest blog
https://mooreaccountancy.co.uk/cash-vs-accruals-accounting-method

If you’re unsure which method applies to you, get in touch:
0161 470 7878
[email protected]

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1 Northway
Manchester
WA141NN

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Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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