Welsh Country March-April 2017

Accountants - An Insight
Monmouthshire Food
Festival
Caldicot Castle
20th - 21st May
Entry Fee: £5 Under 12: Free
Free Car Parking - Disabled Parking - Dogs Welcome
Cookery Demonstration Theatre
Producers’ Market
Look and Learn Theatre
Guide Dogs
Children’s Quarter
At the age of 15 I had decided that I would be an
accountant. How exciting were my teenage years?
I was actually kayaking, playing football, boating,
tomb-stoning and chasing after my now beautiful
wife. She was beautiful 22 years ago as well. I did have a wobble
and think of going into law at one point, but couldn’t go fully to
the dark side.
So what was it about accountancy that attracted me? I know
you all think it’s the money, but I’m an accountant in west Wales!
It was actually the idea that something is black and white, or so
I thought. I thought there was a simple right or wrong and the
right would help every business. Well that is true to a degree. If
a business can keep on top of their accountancy functions it can
greatly assist in making key business decisions. Many profitable
businesses have failed because of not managing their cash flow
correctly. Yet this year I was still left with over 40 Tax Returns to
complete on 31st January!
Perhaps this is what HMRC want to help us with in getting
businesses to go ‘digital’. But is making tax digital going to help
businesses succeed as they complete quarterly management
accounts and submit them to HMRC? Sure there is change and
it will cost, but used correctly this could be a great tool for many
businesses and could even be value for money.
The cynic in me thinks it’s about collecting information about
you or getting more tax off us, but wouldn’t it be great if we could
use it to make better businesses and maybe even reduce our tax
liabilities! I often dream of making a difference in my work and
have thought do I need to change my career path? But as I reflect
on the interesting decisions governments around the world are
making, not being political, I start to think where are we going
as a developed country? Where is our sense of community,
friendship and human decency? I have even questioned the work
ethic of our younger generations.
I hope that as businesses embrace the reforms in politics and
tax that we are able to nurture a sense of belonging to something
much bigger. That we are able to build communities that make
change for the better, that develop a sense a belonging, that
encourage hard work and integrity and perhaps we can just be
accepting of people’s differences. I guess it begins with me, oh,
and you. Bring on the reforms’. U
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for personal,
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www.monmouthshirefoodfestival.co.uk
Words & Picture: Karl Wilcox
CHARTERED CERTIFIED ACCOUNTANTS AND
REGISTERED AUDITORS
Operating from twelve offices throughout South and West Wales
including Swansea, Camarthen and Haverfordwest
Disclaimer: “The above article are the thoughts of the writer
and do not represent the views of Ashmole and Co. and no
responsibility is taken by the firm.”
For further information please
call your local office. Details can
be found at:
www.ashmole.co.uk
36 Mar-Apr 17