Business and finance
Here come the bots (Accounting & Business, Oct 2017)
As routine tax compliance becomes increasingly automated, practitioners stand to benefit from new opportunities – provided that they are willing to adapt... read more
Time to think big (Accounting & Business, Sept 2017)
Innovation is not just for large firms with matching budgets. Even if you haven’t got Big Four resources, you can still move your practice forwards... read more
How accountants can flourish in a post-truth world (economia, June 2017)
When false news spreads like wildfire, businesses and their accountants have the opportunity to reinforce their position as the guardians of truth and trust... read more
How the private sector is influencing the migration debate (economia, May 2017)
Private sector companies can benefit from migration, but they need to engage in the immigration debate more... read more
Got it covered? (Accounting & Business, April 2017)
Tax enquiry fee protection insurance promises big benefits for your firm and clients, but with enquiries occurring on average every 20 years for individual taxpayers, is it worth it?... read more
Regtech to the rescue (Accounting & Business, Jan 2017)
In a world of ever increasing regulatory and reporting requirements, new technology can help businesses understand and manage their compliance risks better... read more
Dodge the tornado (Accounting & Business, Nov/Dec 2016)
While so-called 'black swan' events may be impossible to predict, businesses can mitigate financial risks by having the right strategies, processes and systems in place... read more
Profits squeeze (Accounting & Business, July/August 2016)
Competition for global corporate profits is heating up, so businesses must adjust their long-term strategies to earn their fair share of future gains... read more
Up to scratch (Accounting & Business, May 2016)
Benchmarking your practice against the competition allows you to identify your business’s strengths as well as areas where you can improve... read more
Engine failure (economia, April 2016)
Relying on outdated finance and other systems can have serious consequences for the entire business... read more
Working the crowd (Accounting and Business, March 2016)
As equity crowdfunding grows in popularity, practitioners can play a vital role to help their SME clients navigate the complexities... read more
Getting personal (economia, January 2016)
Changes to the EU data protection and privacy laws could cause advisers a headache. The key issues accountants need to be aware of and how they can best guide clients... read more
Internet of Things (economia, Oct 2015)
The Internet of Things is set to revolutionise every sector of industry, so businesses – and their accountants – must fully understand its benefits and challenges... read more
Taking the e-plunge (Accounting and Business, July 2015)
As more and more companies look to conduct at least some of their business online, are you ready to help your clients make the leap into the digital economy?... read more
When is the price right? (Accounting and Business, June 2015)
Getting the price wrong is the single biggest reason why owner-managed accountancy firms are failing to generate the profits they want. So how can they get it right?... read more
Bridging the brand gap (Accounting and Business, May 2015)
If practice leaders want to win more business for their firms, they must move out of their statistically based comfort zones and start collaborating with their marketing teams... read more
Inner strength (economia, April 2015)
Corporate entrepreneurship is on the rise but companies need to do more to fully benefit from internal innovation... read more
Disruptive finance (Student Accountant, April 2015)
The financial services industry is being turned upside down by innovative businesses that are changing the way we borrow, lend, invest and move money... read more
Crossing the audit threshold (economia, March 2015)
Over the last decade the audit threshold has been rising steadily, forcing smaller firms to evolve their services. But have they got the right expertise and are they aware of potential pitfalls?... read more
Raising the red flag (Accounting and Business, February 2015)
Bosses don't bother with talent data (The Times, February 2015)
The right time to buy your business premises? (Business Sense, February 2015)
With the UK economy growing at its fastest rate since before the recession and interest rates remaining low, buying commercial property could be the next logical step for many companies looking to grow as well as those wanting business stability, freedom from future rent increases and better control over their cash flow... read more
MINTS - hope or hype? (Student Accountant, January 2015)
A year ago, Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria and Turkey were tipped to become the next global economic powerhouses. Are they still on course to fulfil the promise?... read more
The SME Guide to bridging finance (The Telegraph, October 2014)
Bridging loans are the big brother of the payday loan and they can get you through a cash flow squeeze. Here’s more about the costs, pitfalls and alternatives... read more
Leadership for happy staff and customers (The Times, October 2014)
Indicators of customer satisfaction show that executives who empower employees not only manage to hold on to valued staff, but also improve levels of service... read more
Beyond the curtain (Economia, October 2014)
What is it like to do business in central and eastern Europe 25 years after the fall of communism?... read more
Into the fallout zone (Accounting and Business, September 2014)
There may be little businesses can do to control political risk, but its escalation, particularly for UK companies, makes acting to mitigate the effects a better response than ignoring it... read more
Tax matters (Accounting and Business, June 2014)
With reputations and profitability at stake, tax has been elevated to a board-level issue, and finance chiefs need to look at building a stronger partnership with the tax function... read more
Marking the scorecard (Economia, May 2014)
Companies are starting to shift their attention from issues of survival and stabilisation to higher performance and growth. But are they using the right tools to measure and improve their results?... read more
Pitch perfect (Accounting and Business, March 2014)
Being often more responsive, focused and faster, small firms can successfully compete against big firms for new clients - the key is not to try and do it on their terms... read more
Betting on black (Economia, February 2014)
The international black market is costing legitimate businesses billons each year. Iwona Tokc-Wilde explores the most threatened sectors and the crime hotspots... read more
New year, new franchise? (Accounting and Business, February 2014)
Is now a good time to start your own practice by buying into a franchise? Or if you already own a business, should you be thinking about expanding it and becoming a franchisor?... read more
United we stand? (Economia, November 2013)
Partners must pull in the same direction if firms want to maximise profits, especially in tough economic times. Iwona Tokc-Wilde investigates how to ensure partner accountability and unity... read more
Is the start-up bubble about to burst? (Better Business, Oct/Nov 2013)
There are said to be record numbers of start ups in the UK and the Government is encouraging more, with claims that it has never been easier to start a business. But starting in business is not the same as surviving in business, so is this really good news or a cause for concern?... read more
Scaling peak performance by climbing mountains (The Times, October 2013)
Identifying potential leaders and feeding their appetite for success with demanding challenges is instrumental in developing careers... read more
Inside the finance factories (Accounting and Business, October 2013)
Critics say tax compliance centres lead to missed tax-planning opportunities for clients and limited career progression for staff. Proponents dispute this and point to the cost efficiencies... read more
Right on the money (Economia, July/August 2013)
As the UK government looks to rebalance the economy to reduce the emphasis on financial services, Iwona Tokc-Wilde runs the figures to see exactly how the sector’s contribution stacks up... read more
The future of UK exports (Accounting and Business, July 2013)
Britain will be more reliant on exports than ever in the painfull post-recession era. To stand a chance of sustainable growth, we have to start selling more into growth markets... read more
Is there still life in the high street? (Better Business, June/July 2013)
The UK high street is said to be on its knees or even dead. While there is no denying it has taken a hefty battering recently, are these reports exaggerated? And what does the future hold?... read more
Knowing correct business protocol (The Times, May 2013)
How to behave in business can vary from country to country and inadvertently causing offence or lacking local insight can be a costly mistake... read more
Modern accountants - people who think differently (Accountancy Age, May 2013)
Prompted by the global recession and evolving technology, finance and accounting teams have shrunk and services are now commonly shared or outsourced. At the same time, more organisations are becoming global and structurally complex, and there is more regulation. To remain relevant, the profession must face these challenges and adapt, which means young and new accountants must develop new skills, too... read more
Keeping it in the family (Better Business, April/May 2013)
Going into business with your relatives can cause no end of problems. Iwona Tokc-Wilde discovers what it takes to build a family business that lasts... read more
Women and MBAs (The Week, March 2013)
A postgraduate degree, such as a Master of Business Administration, can boost your career trajectory, but more men than women study for an MBA. Iwona Tokc-Wilde investigates... read more
The finance network (Economia, March 2013)
Where do finance professionals network, off and online? Iwona Tokc-Wilde finds out... read more
When two's no longer company (Better Business, Feb/March 2013)
Teaming up with a partner is a popular way of starting in business, but why do more than half of all business partnerships fail?... read more
Age of opportunity (Economia, Feb 2013)
It is becoming a lucrative niche in accounting to serve retirees and elderly clients. But, says Iwona Tokc-Wilde, a rapidly ageing client base will bring new challenges for your practice... read more
From freebies to profit (Better Business, Dec/Jan 2013)
Turning prospects into paying customers isn't easy, especially if you're working with a small marketing budget. Iwona Tokc-Wilde reveals how some businesses have won paying customers by giving away their products and services for free... read more
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Handbags and gladrags (Economia, Nov 2012)
Iconic and vintage high fashion can be a lucrative investment alternative. Iwona Tokc-Wilde explains the unadorned facts and figures... read more
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Creative accounting (Economia, Oct 2012)
The UK fashion industry is more than frocks and frills, it's a £21bn creative success story. But Iwona Tokc-Wilde discovers that a British label isn't enough to ensure a profitable brand... read more
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On the house (Economia, Oct 2012)
While free initial consultation is the industry norm, some proactive accountants take their complimentary offering a step further in a bid to win new clients. Iwona Tokc-Wilde explains how charging nothing pays off... read more
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Rules of engagement (Executive PA, Sept/Oct 2012)
Engaging the team goes far beyond Friday night drinks - although they help. So how can you ensure your team is fully committed both to their roles and to each other? read more
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Fancy a franchise? (Accounting and Business, Sept 2012)
If you want your own practice on the increasingly competitive high street, the franchise route offers a number of benefits. But it's no guarantee of success and won't suit everyone... read more
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Harnessing the power of celebrity (Better Business, Aug/Sept 2012)
Celebrity endorsement is a powerful marketing tool, but it's not just for global brands. Iwona Tokc-Wilde hears how some innovative businesses have managed to get a star to back their product... read more
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Being a virtual accountant (Accounting and Business, June 2012)
Never meeting your clients face to face and telling them to do their own bookkeeping? We look at the growing popularity of online accountants... read more
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Someone's watching you (The Guardian, May 2011)
_Your boss could hire a private eye, or monitor your emails and calls -
in most cases, it's perfectly legal. Iwona Tokc-Wilde looks at the ways
companies keep tabs on employees... read more
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Because I'm worth it (Executive PA, Feb/Mar 2011)
_Top
salaries are within reach of PAs who are the right match with the employer’s
organisation, have relevant sector
experience and in demand skills.
But how do you know if you meet the criteria? Iwona Tokc-Wilde looks at the latest salary and market surveys... read more
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Giving tough messages positively (Better Business, Jan/Feb 2011)
_Stop ignoring that elephant in your
office. It’s your responsibility to ensure your staff learn and develop
to reach their full potential, says Iwona Tokc-Wilde...read more
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A beginner's guide to CRM (Accounting Technician, Nov/Dev 2010)
Customers are key to business success. Iwona Tokc-Wilde explores the benefits and drawbacks of a strategy encouraging business growth through improved customer loyalty... read more
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