Finance Directors Update Course Recordings – February 2023

Neil Parsons covers the timing and payment of lawful interim and final dividends in light of recent case law. It includes a reminder of the main rules and the need for proposed dividend payments to be supported by relevant accounts and also the matter of when a legal directors’ duty to creditors arises under the Companies Act 2006. It also highlights common issues in terms of accounting for equity dividends and areas that may need to be considered over and above the current guidance issued by the ICAEW/ICAS on the matter of distributable reserves.

Felicity Butler focuses on tax planning up to 31 March 2023 - what is achievable and planning for the new Pillar 2 Taxes which will need systems changes and IT buy in quickly to be ready for it.  She covers: Tax Policy from 2022, property considerations, general considerations, timing of expenditure, Capital Allowances and multinational top up tax.

Jonathan Main provides an overview on the VAT implications of re-organisations (focussing on acquisitions and disposals), reconstructions and intra-group transactions and the key pitfalls to be aware of.

Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) reporting is a minefield for Finance Directors as there is very little clarity in the existing guidance available. Keeley Lund provides practical guidance, setting out the ‘what, when and where’ when it comes to making the disclosures, as well as who in your business might be best placed to help compile the relevant information.

Jay Bhatti focusses on the implications of recent changes by HMRC. He provides a guide to the differences between the SME scheme (Small & Medium Enterprises) and RDEC, predominantly for larger companies. He also covers the eligibility criteria, benefits of the schemes, the meaning of R&D for tax purposes, qualifying expenditure categories and recent changes to the schemes.