The vibrant and lively city of Leeds was confirmed as the leading centre for financial and business services outside London, following publication of the government's Annual Business Inquiry. Leeds has also now moved into the top 25 European cities for business according to the recent European Cities Monitor Report.

The Haines Watts Accountants office in Leeds was opened in 1989 by the current Managing Partner, Peter Bancroft, providing owner managers with the business advisory and accountancy services you would expect from a national top 15 firm.

In addition the team in Leeds have the depth of expertise to provide successful individuals and growing businesses with an unrivalled level of technical and tax advice through specialist Tax Accountants, VAT Accountants and Corporate Finance Partners, and via other specialist services including online outsourcing.

On 1st April 2008 in common with most other large accounting practices, Haines Watts in Leeds became a UK Limited Liability Partnership (LLP). The move followed a change in the legislation, which recognised the realities of operating a modern partnership advising on large commercial transactions. The relationship between a LLP and its members is similar in terms of rights and liabilities to that of a UK company and its Directors. We feel that the new structure will enhance our professional competitiveness and help us attract the very best people to support our commitment to providing excellent client service.

News

HW Leeds student Matthew Barton with Managing Partner Peter Bancroft at recent ACA prizegiving. Click picture for full news story

Funding for businesses

Is your business based in the Yorkshire and Humber region and in need of further funding?

Is your business profitable but unable to secure the required funding for existing operations or to fund any planned expansion activity?

Have you reached the maximum your bank is prepared to lend you?

If the answer to these questions is yes, we may be able to help.

We have assisted many businesses in accessing the funding they need. For more details or to arrange a no obligation exploratory meeting with our Head of Business Advisory Services Jacquie Leake, please go to Business Advisory Yorkshire.

HW Leeds Specialist VAT team - current issues

Please see our new VAT Specialist page

Factsheets

Factsheet section

Specialist Services

Corporate Finance

HW Corporate Finance specialists are all experienced professionals providing advice on acquisitions, mergers, disposals, MBO, MBI, pre-sale planning, strategic and business planning, refinancing, restructuring, improving profitability, start up funding, venture and development capital and due diligence.

We approach each transaction and project with the intention of ensuring that the advice given is of the highest quality and meets with our clients' objectives. We are committed to providing a partner led, personal and proactive approach and have undertaken many different types of corporate finance projects across a wide range of sectors.

Tax

Planning

We have a technically strong and commercially aware team of specialist tax partners providing tax advice in Leeds who constantly update their knowledge on changes in legislation.

Our philosophy is that taxation should be treated like every other business cost and should be controlled wherever possible in relation to both amount and timing.

Tax planning is about selecting the most effective route to achieve both business and personal objectives, we look to make this possible through regular meetings with our clients.

Compliance

The introduction of self assessment has transferred the burden of compliance firmly into the hands of taxpayer together with the risk of penalties and charges accruing on missed deadlines.

We provide a personal tax return service and by adopting a pro active tax advice service, taking an overall look at your personal affairs, we can highlight any opportunities available to you.

We have introduced comprehensive computer software to aid in advising and complying with all statutory requirements which removes any concerns regarding compliance penalties, enabling our clients to focus on running their business.

Financial Services

Stefan Palenski (Dip PFS CFP) - Financial Services consultant Stefan heads up HW Financial Services Limited in Leeds, previously working as a senior consultant at Yorkshire Investment Group.

HW Financial Services Limited offers independent financial planning advice to our clients. Stefan is their local consultant to provide you with a financial plan appropriate to your needs. Examples of services offered include: pension advice, tax planning, investment planning, life assurance, mortgages and partnership/key personnel insurance. For more information, and a comprehensive list of services offered, please click here.

HW Financial Services Limited are Independent Financial Advisers, authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority, which may or may not regulate the products and services mentioned above. They are owned by Bestinvest (Holdings) Limited.

VAT

HW have developed unrivalled strength in the formation of a Northern VAT team based in Leeds providing specialist VAT advice.

Terry Parkinson and Peter Smallwood have extensive knowledge on the listed topics as well as many years experience working with HM Customs & Excise, which enables us to give the best possible VAT service at a realistic cost.

Some of the specialist areas covered include:

Assessments and Appeals - experience shows that many VAT assessments can be challenged with costs frequently recovered from Customs
VAT Claims
Property Transactions - obtaining the correct VAT advice is essential in respect of virtually all property transactions
Partial Exemption
Catering - we have advised many large catering organisations, obtaining significant VAT refunds on numerous occasions
International Issues
VAT Special Schemes

If you're looking for accountants in Leeds then please give HW a call.

Not-for-Profit

We know that the Not-for-Profit sector has unique characteristics which require specialist skills and we are confident in our ability to provide you with guidance to ensure your organisation fulfils its purpose while maximising its fund raising potential.

Clubs and Societies

Recent changes in the regulatory framework for clubs and associations have given rise to a range of new possibilities for some organisations within this sector.

Charities

Haines Watts provide audit services to over 150 charities and advise many more on issues such as SORP compliance, public benefit, VAT, tax-effective giving, trading, Charity Commission guidance, internal controls, trustee responsibilities and governance matters.

Students' Unions

There have been recent developments concerning the VAT treatment of the provision of live entertainments by Students’ Unions. A recent VAT Appeal case was lost by the Students’ Union concerned based on its own facts, but the issues concerned have been clarified in the process. This ruling can lead to potential VAT savings for the future.

It is believed that most Students’ Unions are entitled, under European law, to exemption from VAT in respect of almost all live entertainments events, providing the correct procedures are followed. ‘Live entertainments' can include bands, comedians, DJs who mix (rather than purely play records) and even karaoke! Consequently the majority of the entertainments income of Students’ Unions could be free of VAT if properly advised.

It is likely that in each case there will be an annual saving of a significant five-figure sum. We can assist you to put the correct procedures in place and to obtain HMRC agreement.