- "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
Automatic pension enrolment: Employer duties outlined in guidance
The Pensions Regulator has published guidance for businesses that will be subject to automatic pension enrolment duties which are being phased in from this October.
The document outlines its policy for employers who must comply with the automatic enrolment duties, and also details its enforcement strategy for those who fail to do so.
Over the next few years, all eligible private sector employees must be automatically enrolled into a workplace pension scheme, with employers required to contribute to each individual's pension fund, in a Government bid to encourage more workers to save for their retirement.
The scheme is being rolled out from this October, when the largest firms will be required to enrol all eligible employees. Small companies will follow suit at gradual staging dates until it is compulsory for all firms to do so from 1 January 2016.
The regulator said: "The underlying aim of this strategy is to have in place effective systems to maximise employers' compliance with their duties (under the Pensions Act 2008) and to ensure non-compliance is held at an absolute minimum, to safeguard workers ability to save in a pension scheme."
The main objectives of its strategy are to establish and maintain a 'pro-compliance' culture amongst businesses and to educate all employers so that they are aware of their obligations.
In its commitment to preparing employers for auto enrolment, the Pensions Regulator will:
- Notify employers at 12 and three months prior to their staging date
- Work with the pensions industry to provide pension products that work with the auto enrolment duties
- Help employers communicate with their pension advisors
- Produce guidance material to provide information and guidance
- Provide a contact centre as a single point of call for queries
- Make the process of registration simple for employers to minimise administrative burdens
The Pensions Regulator warned it would be 'tough' but 'fair' with non-compliant employers, saying it would consider the circumstances of each business that fails to meet its obligations and work with them to help get them compliant.
Please contact us to find out how we can help your business prepare for the 2012 pension reforms.