- "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
HMRC's Real Time Information (RTI) pilot launched
A pilot project marking a significant change in the way that PAYE payments are calculated has been launched by HMRC, with the first volunteer employers testing the new Real Time Information (RTI) system.
Under RTI, employers and pension providers will inform HMRC about any PAYE payments, such as tax and NICs, each month as opposed to at the end of each tax year. 10 volunteer employers have now submitted their RTI returns, which HMRC hopes will make the PAYE process easier, more accurate and reduce HMRC administration and costs.
The majority of employers will join RTI from April 2013, with all employers switching to the service by October 2013. By this date, the RTI system will also support the operation of the Government's flagship Universal Credit welfare programme, which will calculate welfare claims and tax credits automatically based on real time earnings.
According to David Gauke, exchequer secretary, the new system will remove £300 million worth of administrative burdens from employers, mainly from the abolition of the end-of-year PAYE return process.
"RTI will ensure that the PAYE system meets the needs of the 21st century. It will improve the service to taxpayers by making it easier to ensure that people pay the right tax after a change of job," he said.
"HMRC is committed to a smooth and on-time transition. The start of the pilot today demonstrates that RTI is on track."
HMRC was heavily criticised in 2010 after millions of people were sent tax demands due to incorrect calculations obtained from its PAYE system. It has confirmed that it is one of the 10 test employers to use the new system allowing a first-hand experience on how it is working from an employer's perspective.
A further 310 volunteer employers and pension providers are set to join the pilot during May and June, with hopes of around 1,300 volunteers joining by September.