- "In the last 20 years our business has changed considerably…and as the focus of our business has changed, Bird Luckin have moved with us."
Alex Tanner, George Tanner (Shalford) Ltd - "Bird Luckin has looked after us incredibly well for over 60 years, they are pro-active and innovational - meeting all our needs to help us achieve our aims."
Richard Stubbings, Cliffords Limited - "I can honestly say that Bird Luckin are the best firm of accountants and auditors I have ever dealt with - and I don't say that lightly!"
Colin Webb, Walthamstow Stadium - "It's important for us to know that we will always be able to contact the right people to give us the right advice and support."
Jane Bennett, Bennetts Funeral Directors - "Although we deal mainly with one Partner … we also know that if we need to contact someone else who is a specialist in another area, we can get the advice we need quickly and easily"
Jeremy Ruggles, J.S. Wright & Sons Ltd - "Bird Luckin got us to a stage which would have taken us months - if not years - to reach on our own, and they got us there in a matter of weeks"
Matthew Sullivan, SNC Ltd - "You can be a good accountant, but if you don't have an understanding of the industry it can be very difficult. "There are two or three people we have regular contact with at Bird Luckin who know our business well, and it makes a difference.""
Robert Church, W A Church (Bures) Ltd - "The work which Bird Luckin has done for Boddingtons over the past few months has helped shape our future direction for the better."
John Warner, Chief Executive, Boddingtons Ltd - "Bird Luckin has acted for us since our inception 10 years ago. They have a very 'can do' yet highly professional attitude - we are very appreciative of their support and advice over the years."
Marlon Fox, Outlook Property Ltd
Managing a pension scheme
There are a number of rules and legal stipulations that govern the management of a firm's workplace pension scheme.
Of these, several apply to the employers themselves.
Employers must manage the payment of the contributions to the fund. Contributions from employees must be paid within 19 days of the month in which the money was deducted from members' paypackets. Contributions from employers need to be paid by the date set out in the payment schedule. Not making the appropriate payments on time is regarded as a serious breach of the pensions rules and could involve action from the Pensions Regulator.
Employers must establish clear lines of demarcation between the assets of the business and the assets of the pension fund.
Employers must provide employees with necessary information about the scheme and must consult with them on any changes such as rises in the pension age or closing the scheme to new members.
In the case of schemes that are run by trustees, employers must help the trustees in the carrying out of their responsibilities. Where the trustees are also employees, they must be given sufficient paid time off work to fulfil their duties.
If there are any problems with the scheme, employers must tell the Pensions Regulator.
The above are all legal requirements. But there are some good practices that employers should adhere to when managing a workplace pension.
These include making sure that any chosen scheme is registered by HM Revenue and Customs so that the full range of tax allowances can be taken advantage of; seeking professional guidance; and providing employees with access to pensions advice.
It is possible now to manage a workplace pension online.
If you are considering setting up a pension scheme or would like any advice about the running of an existing scheme, please don't hesitate to contact us.