Grant McKnight Blog

  Hello, my name is Shakeal and I am currently studying an Accounting apprenticeship at Sutton Coldfield College. On my first day of starting my apprenticeship on the 28th September 2020, I was nervous, but at the same time I was elated to make a further step within my career. From the minute I stepped foot inside the office I was greeted by the team with a warm welcome and I felt as if I already belonged within the team which helped me relax instead of worrying and being sceptical. Being introduced to the team was a blast! Every member of the team had charisma and heart and you could tell that they were happy within themselves and the workplace which was really settling. As I proceeded onto the introduction and was shown the different types of technical software that Grant Mcknight use, at first was a little bit of a struggle as my impression of accountants was tons of paper, whereas at Grant Mcknight, it’s completely paperless organisation which is actually amazing, as time went ...

  NatWest partners with Xero for SME cashflow tech: NatWest has integrated with global small business platform Xero to make funding more accessible for small and medium sized (SME) businesses. Under the terms of the integration, users will be able to access a NatWest lending service directly from the Xero platform. Eligible Xero subscribers will be able to apply for NatWest’s Rapid Cash service, which delivers a flexible line of credit based on outstanding invoices of up to £300,000. The new partnership is part of the bank’s wider strategy to introduce broader connectivity between its suite of ventures for small businesses and other major providers to UK small businesses. “We’re delighted to begin offering our Rapid Cash directly to Xero’s users in such an integrated way,” said Julie Ashmore, chief economic officer at NatWest Rapid Cash. “Our customers increasingly tell us that they want simple access to quick, accessible lending that helps them run their business day to day, and w...

Self Assessment Dear customer, Today HMRC has announced that Self Assessment customers will not receive a penalty for filing their 2019-20 tax return late, as long as they file online by 28 ‌‌ ‌ February. We are still encouraging customers who have not yet filed to do so by 31 ‌‌ ‌ January, if possible. Customers still need to pay their Self Assessment tax bill by 31 ‌‌ ‌ January. Interest will be charged from 1 ‌‌ ‌ February on any outstanding liabilities. Customers can pay online, or through their bank, or by post before they file. If any customer cannot afford to pay by 31 ‌‌ ‌ January, they may be able to set up an affordable plan and pay in monthly instalments. But they will need to file their 2019-20 tax return before setting up a time to pay arrangement. More information is available on  GOV.UK .

Closed businesses are in line for grants of up to £9,000 in the latest effort to keep companies afloat  through another lockdown.   Mr Sunak has revealed new measures totalling £4.6bn to help struggling firms after lockdowns were announced in England and Scotland yesterday.   The latest support package also includes a £594m discretionary fund for other businesses that might be affected, an additional £1.1 billion in discretionary grant funding for Local Authorities, Local Restriction Support Grants worth up to £3,000 a month and extension of furlough scheme.   The announcement comes after Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, supported by more than 50 regional stakeholders and business leaders, wrote to the Chancellor urging him to provide enhanced grant support for impacted businesses (find out more  here ).   Paul Faulkner  (pictured) , chief executive of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said: “We are relieved that the Chancellor has answe...

  Shortlist revealed for regional Chambers awards Twenty-six businesses and individuals have been shortlisted for the Sutton Coldfield, Lichfield & Tamworth and Cannock Chase Chambers of Commerce annual awards. Five awards will be presented at the event, being live streamed from Chamber House in Edgbaston on 28 January 2021. In addition to the accolades, Sutton Coldfield Chamber president Phil Arkinstall, Lichfield and Tamworth Chamber president Jason Challoner and Cannock Chase Chamber president Gill Durkin will each present their own President’s Awards. The Lichfield and Tamworth Chamber President’s Award is sponsored by Inspired Energy and the Cannock Chase Chamber President’s Award will be presented in partnership with Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Growth Hub. Retail giant Amazon has also been confirmed as headline sponsor of the awards.  To view more sponsorship opportunities, or to register a place at the awards, click  here Asian Business Chamber of Commerce...

Birmingham businesses can now apply for the latest round of Covid grants. The grants, available from Birmingham City Council, are for those severely impacted or required to close due to Covid measures before and during lockdown in November, alongside sector specific support for nightclubs and adult entertainment venues. In order to apply, businesses will need to create a BRUM Account ( click here ), which helps Birmingham City Council to speed up processing of applications and payment of future grants under the new three-tier system. It will also give businesses access to services (such as their business rate account) online.   To access the grants businesses complete one short form, find out more and apply  here . The grants available for businesses based in the Birmingham City Council area include: Grants worth between £984 per 28 days to £2,100 per 28 days for businesses in the hospitality, hotel, bed and breakfast and leisure sectors affected by the Tier two local restrict...

The accountants of C OVID-19                     At the beginning of the second lockdown, the Business Finance Guide met with some of Britain’s most unlikely heroes - the accountants. They recounted their experiences, from receiving the first calls from clients following the PM's address to the nation back in March, to giving advice on rates relief, VAT deferral, furlough and the coronavirus loan schemes. They also described what it truly means to be a trusted partner to a client. The Cavern Club, Liv erpool From a love of the Beatles to the building of a global brand. All part of a journey that started from a conversation with an accountant. We met with Bill Heckle, director of the Cavern Club in Liverpool. He told us how his business has grown hand-in-hand with Liverpool’s own economic development and described what impact the coronavirus pandemic has had on his famous music venue. Busi...