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The other day, we were speaking to a fellow accountant who was thinking about using an AI tool to respond to client emails. Like all of us, he is busy. So, if a tool could help him reply faster, clear his inbox and save a little bit of time each day, why not use it? But the more we talked about it, the more we started to question whether client emails were really the right place to save time. There is a big difference between using AI to help with something behind the scenes and letting it become the voice your clients hear when they contact you. And if that voice starts to sound generic, lazy, or as though nobody has really thought about what they asked, it can start to cheapen your business. AI writing is getting easier to spot When AI writing first became widely available, it was impressive. You could type in a few prompts and, within seconds, it would produce something that looked polished and professional. But now, because we all see so much of it, AI-generated content is easy to recognise. It has a certain rhythm. It can sound very smooth, but still empty. It has that uncanny way of using a lot of words without actually saying anything specific. And now one of the biggest giveaways is the repeated use of phrases like: “It’s not just about X, it’s about Y.” You see that structure everywhere. It appears in blogs, website copy, emails, and it's all over LinkedIn! And once you notice it, you can’t unnotice it. AI also loves short, dramatic lines for emphasis. Like this. I guess it thinks this sounds more powerful, or something. Most of the time, the writing won’t be technically bad. It will be fine. But “fine” is not always good enough when you are trying to build trust with clients. Clients are paying for you People choose a business for all sorts of reasons: the product, the service, the advice, the quality of the work, or simply because it makes their life easier. But often, a big part of what they are buying into is you.  That is why the human element matters. Clients and customers want to know that someone understands their situation, has thought about what they need and can guide them properly. So, what happens if a client opens an email from your business and it immediately feels like it has been written by a chatbot? Could they start to wonder whether they are getting the level of care and attention they thought they were paying for? If the email feels like something they could have generated themselves in ChatGPT, it weakens the sense of value. Efficiency has its limits At the start of the AI boom, many businesses were keen to show they were using it. Yes, there was a novelty factor, but more importantly, it made them look up to date with the latest tech. And, of course, there are plenty of tasks where AI can be genuinely useful. But not every task should be automated. Not everything should be made faster. Some things are better because a person has taken the time to think about them properly. A considered reply to a client may take longer than an AI-generated one, but it can strengthen the relationship and show that you have taken the time to respond properly. It's strange to say, but we may now actually be reaching the point where a business stands out by not using AI. Where AI does make sense None of this means that we should stubbornly cover our eyes and pretend AI tools had never been invented. We use them selectively to help our team with internal systems, processes, planning, summarising meeting notes and reducing the time we spend on repetitive admin tasks. And from what we have seen, that is where AI seems to work best. Anything creative, personal or client-facing deserves much more care. That includes emails, proposals, advice, website copy, social media posts and anything that shapes how people see your business. Yes, doing more of this yourself will take longer. But that isn’t a problem that needs to be fixed. How we can help At Inglis, we take client relationships seriously. We use technology where it helps us work efficiently, but we would never want our clients to feel fobbed off or handed over to a robot. We genuinely care about the people and businesses we work with. If you would like to find out more about working with us please contact us on 01904 787 973 or book a call with Donald Inglis .

When you separate from your spouse, there are understandably far more important things to focus on than tax. But, once things begin to settle, it’s worth understanding how separation can affect your tax position. Changes introduced in April 2023 to the post-separation window mean that you may now have up to three years to move assets between you and your spouse on a no-gain/no-loss basis in many cases. But what does this mean for your tax? How the no-gain/no loss basis used to function Generally, when you transfer assets between you and your spouse, this is treated as being on a no-gain/no-loss (NG/NL) basis. This basically means that you can transfer these assets without any capital gains issues or additional tax to pay. However, this treatment was only available if you were married and living together in the tax year. The spousal benefit used to cease at the end of the tax year in which you were permanently separated. Transfers after that point were deemed to take place at market value, as you and your spouse remain ‘connected persons’ until the time of your divorce. The departing spouse could continue to treat their absence from the former matrimonial home as if it was their only or main residence. But to do this, the property had to remain the principal residence of the other spouse, and the departing spouse had to be living somewhere that didn’t qualify for Private Residence Relief (PRR) (e.g. they were living in rented accommodation away from the matrimonial home). What does the extension to the post-separation window mean? That ‘post-separation window’ has now been extended to include up to three tax years following the end of the tax year in which the couple separate. The departing spouse may also be able to continue treating the former matrimonial home as their principal residence in certain circumstances, even if another property could potentially qualify for relief. The legislation is based on ‘disposals’, so only disposals made on or after 6 April 2023 (or in the year of separation) qualify for the NG/NL treatment. So, what does this mean in real terms for your tax position and your ability to transfer assets to your ex? If you separated before 6 April 2023 (say March 2021) then you and your spouse would have up to three years from the end of the tax year you separated (i.e. starting 6 April 2021) to make any NG/NL transfers. But these transfers must be made on or after 6 April 2023. The window would close on 5 April 2024. The three-year window ends at the earlier of the end of the third tax year after the tax year of separation, or the date the divorce, annulment or dissolution is finalised. However, transfers made under a formal divorce or separation agreement or court order can still qualify for no-gain/no-loss treatment without any time limit. It may be that you and your ex have missed the three-year time frame. If this is the case, transfers made under a formal divorce or separation agreement or court order may still qualify for no-gain/no-loss treatment. Talk to us about the tax aspects of moving assets between spouses after separation The rules around separating couples and Capital Gains Tax changed significantly from 2023, giving separating spouses and civil partners more time to transfer assets on a no-gain/no-loss basis in many situations. Although it shouldn’t be your main focus, if you would like talk to us about the tax and related consequences that can arise from the division of assets following separation, we’d be happy to help. Call our office on 01904 787 973 or book a call with Donald Inglis .

Every business has expenses. Whether you’re a startup or an established company, there are always bills to pay, suppliers to manage, and overheads that take big bites out of your profits. However, small changes can often make a big difference. Getting a better handle on your spending can improve cash flow, increase profits, and give you more room to grow. Take a closer look at your overheads Many businesses continue paying for things simply because they always have. Review your regular overheads and ask whether they still make sense for the way your business operates today. This could include office space, software subscriptions, utilities, insurance, or outsourced services. Put clearer controls around expenses Staff expenses can easily creep up without anyone noticing. Having a simple expenses policy in place helps employees understand what can be claimed and what limits apply. Expense management software can also make it easier to track spending and spot patterns before costs get out of hand. Review your suppliers regularly If you have worked with the same suppliers for years, there is a chance you may no longer be getting the best deal. It’s worth comparing prices from time to time and having honest conversations with existing suppliers about costs. In many cases, suppliers are willing to negotiate to keep your business. Keep your operations efficient The more complicated your business becomes, the more expensive it often gets to run. Look for ways to simplify processes, reduce wasted time, and improve efficiency. That does not always mean cutting staff. Sometimes it is about improving systems or removing unnecessary steps that slow the business down. Make sure you are claiming available tax reliefs Many businesses miss out on tax reliefs and allowances simply because they are unaware they exist. Depending on your business, you could benefit from reliefs linked to investment, equipment purchases, research and development, or other qualifying activities. It is worth reviewing this regularly to make sure you are not paying more tax than necessary. Want help reviewing your business costs? If you’d like to improve your cash flow and get a better handle on spending, we’d be happy to help. Call our office on 01904 787 973 or book a call with Donald Inglis to discuss where your business could reduce unnecessary costs and improve profitability.

Remote working has become one of the biggest changes to modern business. For many companies, it proved that teams could stay productive outside of the office. But with many businesses continuing to encourage staff back in full time, many employers are asking the same question: should remote working stay as a permanent fixture of working life? Well, the answer will depend on your business, your team, and the way you work. Here are some of the main pros and cons to consider. The benefits of remote working Increased flexibility Many employees value the flexibility that working from home provides. Removing long commutes and allowing staff to work in a more comfortable environment can improve morale and work-life balance. For employers, this can lead to a happier and more motivated team. Lower business costs Remote or hybrid working can reduce overheads such as office space, utilities, and equipment costs. For smaller businesses especially, this can free up cash to invest in other areas of growth. Access to a wider talent pool When employees do not need to live near the office, businesses can recruit from a much larger pool of candidates. This can make it easier to find people with the right skills and experience. Better employee retention Flexible working arrangements are now a major factor for many employees when choosing where to work. Offering remote working can help businesses retain valuable staff and reduce recruitment costs. The challenges of remote working Communication can become harder Without regular face-to-face interaction, communication can sometimes become less effective, so clear processes and regular check-ins become much more important when teams work remotely. Team culture can suffer Building strong working relationships is often much easier in person. Some employees may also feel isolated if they spend too much time working alone. Because of that, many businesses find that a hybrid approach helps maintain team culture while still offering flexibility. Performance management Managing workloads and maintaining accountability can be more challenging when staff are not in the office. Setting clear expectations, goals, and regular review points can help keep everyone on track. Security and data protection Remote working can create additional security risks if employees use unsecured devices or networks. Businesses should make sure they have appropriate cybersecurity measures and policies in place to protect sensitive information. Finding the right balance There is no one-size-fits-all approach to remote working. For some businesses, fully remote teams work well. For others, a hybrid model offers the best balance between flexibility, collaboration, and productivity. The most important thing is having clear systems, good communication, and an approach that works for both the business and the team. If you would like advice on managing the financial and operational side of running your business, call our team on 01904 787 973 or book a discovery call with Donald Inglis .

Late payments to UK small businesses are on the rise, putting pressure on cash flow and making it harder to cover day-to-day costs. If you’re regularly chasing invoices, you’ll know how quickly it starts to affect the business. According to recent research, payments are delayed by more than a week on average. And when your customers don’t pay on time, this late payment can cause a multitude of business problems. Not only does your cash flow take a dip, but working relationships can be damaged and hours of business time can be wasted chasing up these overdue payments. So, here are five straightforward ways to improve your payment times. Offer flexible payment options The easier you make it for customers to pay, the better. Provide your customers with a variety of payment methods, including credit cards, debit cards, regular Direct Debit payments and payment gateways like PayPal or Stripe. Send your invoices out on time The customer can only pay once you raise an invoice. Make sure you send invoices out in a timely way, and that the details are accurate and clear. Break large invoices up into smaller payments that get sent out when specific milestones are reached in the project. Offer discounts for early payment Customers won’t pay before the invoice due date unless it’s in their interest to do so. But you can incentivise customers to pay their invoices early by offering discounts for fast payment. For example, if payment terms are usually 30 days, offer a 2% discount if the invoice is paid within 10 days. Get proactive with your credit control Check your aged debtor reports regularly and chase up invoices that are overdue. Politely reach out to the customer and remind them of the outstanding balance. Sending automated notifications from your accounting software can also help to provide some impetus for customers to settle their bills. Consider invoice finance In a worst-case scenario, where payments are well overdue and cash flow is suffering, it’s worth considering invoice finance. Selling your outstanding invoice to a financing provider gets you the cash you need now, while passing the debt to the provider and allowing the customer time to breathe. Talk to us about reducing overdue payments If late payments are becoming an issue, it’s important to take action fast! Talk to us by booking a call with Donald Inglis or call 01904 787 973 to find new ways to speed up payment times.

With ongoing changes to Making Tax Digital, many business owners are having to adapt how they keep records and report to HMRC. At the same time, costs continue to rise. Wages, increases in employer National Insurance and energy are all putting pressure on margins. This is where your accountant should be adding value. Here are some of the key ways we support our clients at Inglis Accountants. Financial forecasting and planning Cash flow issues rarely come out of nowhere, even if it feels that way at the time. Regular forecasting helps you see what’s coming over the next few months, not just what’s already happened. If there’s a shortfall ahead, you have time to deal with it. We also look at different scenarios with clients. For example, if sales slow down or costs increase again, decisions can be based on numbers rather than simply guesswork. Performance monitoring and analysis Most owners will track certain business metrics, like income or expenses, but not always the ones that matter most. We help you focus on a handful of measures that reflect how your business is actually performing. That might be gross margin, overheads as a percentage of revenue, or cash conversion. Reviewing these regularly makes it easier to spot trends and deal with issues early. Strategic business reviews While some accountants focus mainly on reporting the numbers, we work with clients to review their direction, sense-check decisions, and recommend adjustments where needed. This could involve pricing, cost control, staffing, or investment. Staying ahead of tax changes Tax rules change regularly, and recent updates to Making Tax Digital have added more reporting requirements for many businesses. At Inglis, we keep you informed about what’s coming up and how it affects your business. This includes key deadlines, available tax reliefs, and new planning opportunities. Need help? If you are not getting the most from your accountant, we would be happy to have a brief introductory call to see where we can help. If you would like a no-obligation chat, call us on 01904 787 973 or book a call with our team .

Fuel and energy costs have risen sharply since the war in Iran and subsequent near total closure of the Strait of Hormuz. And the pressure this is already putting on business owners’ margins and cash flow can’t be overstated. From our experience of previous years when fuel costs have escalated quickly, the businesses that handle this best are the ones that make small, sensible adjustments early. So, what adjustments could you make? Start by understanding where your money is going Before making any changes, take a step back and look at your recent costs properly. Go through the last six to 12 months and track what you have actually spent on fuel and energy. You may notice certain times of year where usage increases, or specific activities that drive higher costs. Once you have a clear picture of where and when your money is being spent, you can start to make changes that will have the biggest impact. Focus on simple ways to reduce usage You do not need to overhaul your entire business to see savings. In many cases, small changes across the business will have a noticeable impact over time. Turn off equipment and lighting when not in use, especially outside working hours Review heating and cooling settings and avoid setting them too high or too low Switch to LED lighting if you have not already Check for equipment running unnecessarily in the background Individually, these changes may seem minor, but across a full month or year, they can add up very quickly. Reduce travel costs Fuel costs are often one of the biggest expenses, especially if your team commutes to the office each day. Encouraging car sharing where practical can make an immediate difference. Even a few team members travelling together a couple of days a week can noticeably reduce overall fuel spend. It is also worth considering whether some roles can work from home part of the week. Fewer people travelling into the office reduces fuel costs for your team and can also lower your office energy usage at the same time. Be realistic about your pricing Raising prices on your loyal customers can sometimes feel like you’re letting them down. However, if your costs have increased, unfortunately, your pricing may need to follow. Holding prices steady while your costs rise will eat into your margins. However, a small, well-communicated increase is often far easier for clients to accept than a sudden, larger change later on. Check what support is available There may be support, reliefs, or allowances available depending on your situation, particularly if you are investing in more energy-efficient equipment or systems. These schemes do change, so it is worth checking rather than assuming nothing applies based on previous research. Please let us know if you’d like our help with this. Need help? If rising costs are starting to put unwanted pressure on your business, we can help to see what you can do about it. Feel free to give us a call on 01904 787 973 or book a call with our team . 

As the new tax year starts, you may find yourself among the thousands of savers contacted by HMRC about tax on savings interest. As you likely know, you do not pay tax on the money you save, however you may need to pay tax on the interest it earns. And with interest rates still relatively high and tax thresholds unchanged, it is becoming easier to cross that line without realising. In fact, recent estimates suggest around 2.79 million people could receive a letter. Why this is happening If you have noticed better returns on your savings over the past couple of years, you are certainly not alone. Higher interest rates mean your money is likely earning more than it used to. At the same time, tax thresholds have remained frozen. That combination means you may now be exceeding your allowance, even if your savings habits have not changed. In short, you may be earning more interest without actively doing anything differently, and that is what can trigger a tax charge. How the personal savings allowance works The amount of interest you can earn tax free depends on your income. If you are a basic rate taxpayer, you can earn up to £1,000 in interest tax free. Anything above this is taxed at 20%. If you are a higher rate taxpayer, your allowance drops to £500, with interest above that taxed at 40%. If you are an additional rate taxpayer, there is no allowance, so all interest is taxed at 45%. If your income is below the personal allowance, you may be able to earn more interest tax free, depending on your circumstances. Why you could still be affected with modest savings You might assume that only large savings balances are affected. In reality, it can happen sooner than expected. For example, if you are using a fixed rate savings account, interest is often paid at the end of the term. If that term runs over more than one tax year, all the interest can be counted in the year it becomes accessible. That can push you over your allowance in one go. In some cases, even a relatively modest balance can be enough. What to expect from HMRC Your bank or building society reports the interest you earn directly to HMRC, so in most cases, you do not need to do anything yourself. If tax is due, you will usually receive a P800 letter or a Simple Assessment. This will explain what you owe and how it will be collected. For many people, the amount is recovered through a change to your tax code, rather than a separate payment. What you can do now It is worth taking a few minutes to check how much interest your savings are generating, especially if you have money spread across different accounts. You can review this through your bank statements or your Personal Tax Account on GOV.UK . This will give you a clearer idea of whether you are likely to exceed your allowance. Need help? If you think you may be close to the limit, it may be worth reviewing how your savings are structured. If you would like a second pair of eyes on your savings, or want to understand how the rules apply to you, call us on 01904 787 973 or book a call with our team .