Britannia Radio

Editor's Note Well, the weekend will be fast upon us, and I hope you have a good one. One person that won't be relaxing too much (one hopes) will be Alastair Darling. As much as he might need a break (what with helping to manage 17 banks), he has the pre-budget report to deliver on Monday. For all we know, he's still writing it. So what's going to be in it? Well, some of the bigger firms are already starting to offer some considered guesses about what Darling might deliver. They've even provided odds on possible policies (I contacted Ladbrokes and William Hill but they haven't got back to me). What do you think will be in it? Incidentally, we all very much hope that you'll be watching the PBR with us. We'll have breaking news and analysis as it comes in, and we're bound to have an awful lot of community activity. Feel free to comment! The more of us there are, the better it will be. Of course, you might have forgotten just how good AccountingWEB.co.uk can be when it's firing on all four cylinders. Check out our Best of 2008 section to see the highlights of the last 11 months, and make sure your favourite members get the recognition they deserve. I've got some bad news about the caption competition, though. Please don't take it to heart. We'll probably all need a good laugh this time next week. Regards to all Rob Lewis Practice Editor, AccountingWEB.co.uk editor@accountingweb.co.uk Events 2008 Quarterly Tax Update 2008 The Quarterly Tax Update makes sure you are alerted to developments significant to your own practice, whilst retaining an overall awareness of all developments. Various dates and locations Anti Money Laundering: One year on This December, the last set of Money Laundering Regulations will have been in effect for a year. Accountants who braced themselves for the law in theory will now need to stay on top of the law in practice. And if you weren't confident of your compliance in the first place, then there's never been a better time to catch up. 4 December - The Law Society, London

Featured links Are you ready for REACH? Pre-registration ends 1 December Nurturing talent to help grow your business or practice Out now! The CCH 2009 CPD training programme Keytime unveils new accounts production module PBR 2008: What the pundits predict Monday afternoon Darling delivers what Britain hopes will be the rescue package for all our ills. Undoubtedly he won't, but how close will he come? Some firms are already sticking their necks out. more Are you ready for REACH? Pre-registration ends 1 December Today most businesses rely on chemicals in some way. When the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulations come into effect some substances could be in question. Click here to find out what REACH means for you and your clients The Great Debate: Accountancy and environmentalism The Great Debate returns. Are accountants obliged to be green, or is their first duty to their client? more Nurturing talent to help grow your business or practice Developing existing staff is a key way organisations can make big cost savings. It's also a way to drive growth and efficiency and ultimately, profitability. These top tips from learndirect Business can help you to develop and implement ways to nurture existing talent in your business or practice. You can also download a free appraisal form template and a Cranfield University research report. When is a resident not a resident? That is the question In the latest MGI blog, tax partner John Kinsella takes a look at the taxman's tougher line on residency issues. more Out now! The CCH 2009 CPD training programme Whether you work in business or practice, CCH Professional Development can provide you with the perfect blended learning solution - from face-to-face courses and seminars, to online CPD, in-company training and hot topic conferences. Book now and receive 2009 courses at 2008 prices along with a £10 Waterstone's book voucher for each delegate. Click here to find out more Featured Opportunity Keith Mallet reckons that given the economic climate, practices may for the first time be losing clients on the basis of cost. He may well be right. So he's offering firms the chance to 'ride the storm' and provide some extra service in the tough times by offering a cost-effective solution. He's a CIMA qualified management accountant with a wealth of industry/commercial experience and will work on-site anywhere in Yorkshire/Humberside/east Midlands. And his day rates are quiet competitive, he says. Email kmallett@live.co.uk or leave a comment here. Tax advice required? Practice management services Bookkeeper available (Scotland) View all opportunities Keytime unveils new accounts production module Keytime strengthens its Accountants' Suite by unveiling a new Accounts Production package and announces a series of webinars for firms to see it in action. Developed in line with what users say they want, the product offers unrivalled functionality at an affordable price. Click for webinar details and exclusive introductory pricing Debate of the week Albert Camus (we’ve long been a big fan of your novels, Albert) is in a bit of bother with the ICAEW. Now there are two sides to every story, but it seems he’s really been very unlucky here. Or has he? For a sad tale of debt collection, a £30,000 fine, the withdrawal of a practising certificate and ejection from the partnership, read on. All for a client that wouldn’t pay £500 worth of fees. No wonder your books are so dark, Albert. Commiserate or criticise here. Other Any Answers Sick pay and absence due to alcohol abuse more Dividends and CT more Property slump – reflection in accounts more Weekenders CEO's Diary: Paying for other people's extra-marital affairs Practitioner's Diary: 64-8 just isn't enough Accountants and bookkeepers face possible 30% drop in revenue Lehman worse than Enron, says PricewaterhouseCoopers Public demand for social enterprises on the up