HMRC courses

[maidofkent]

Has anyone here taken advantage of the HMRC courses in their areas?

I know they're not all relevant to users of this site, but many of them would be. They're free, usually half a day, and I've found them all very interesting. I like it too that it makes the dreaded taxman seem less frightening when he's standing in front of you!

They're open to anyone, and you can go more than once. Over the last 2 years or so I've been to probably all of them, and some twice. Also, very good for networking - often you meet the same people more than once, in similar, or complementary industries.

Most appropriate here might be the one on self-assessment, for both the self-employed, and for bookkeepers. There are also several concerning aspects of PAYE, SSP, SMP, year-end, etc.

I'd recommend them.

MoK

[~Laura~]

I had to go to one at the start of the last tax year relating to the new CIS scheme. It was really interesting. I also went to one for New Employers which was held in durham. I'm hoping to get there this year aswell, that was also interesting. alot of the things i didnt have to know but i think its good that i know about it now. Plus i got to pretend that i owned a multi million pound company lol :p

I keep meaning to ring them and see if they do anything relating to payroll, as i know how to do it but want to know if i should be doing other things aswell, if you get me

[maidofkent]

lol! Nice to see the big boss likes to keep her hand in!!:D

They do lots on payroll, from start to end, and you always get to see how other people do things. I always come out thinking 'Now why didn't I think of that?'

And 'How on earth have I got away with not doing THAT for so long?':)

MoK

[~Laura~]

I was never bothered about how i do the payroll. but when we gave last years accounts to the accountant he came back say oh do you have this, that and the other. So i'm thinking 'am i supposed to be doing that?' i've been told that i'm doing everything correctly and the accountant is 'stuck in the dark ages' but i guess i just want to do it for my own piece of mind.

[maidofkent]

And the tea and biscuits........;)

[~Laura~]

water and biscuits. Aparently i'm 'one of those weird people' who doesnt like tea and coffee... lol

[maidofkent]

Yes...

That's really weird!:D

MoK

[Fernhurst Solutions Ltd]

MOK, how did you find the SA Tax Return course? Did they go through the whole process front start to finish? Could you PM me, rather than clog up the thread?

:)

[Jenni384]

MOK, how did you find the SA Tax Return course? Did they go through the whole process front start to finish? Could you PM me, rather than clog up the thread?

:)
On the contrary, I think this would be quite interesting to see in the thread :D

[Fernhurst Solutions Ltd]

Well Jenni, I will leave it upto to Christine to post it on, if its all the same to you :)

[maidofkent]

I'll attempt to put it in the thread. I'll try and copy and paste it. Bear with me..........

MoK

[maidofkent]

Wow......... it worked. The text of my mail was as follows:

Hi,

The SA course was aimed at newly self-employed, so was delivered with those in mind. It was very thorough, covering the subject from beginning to end, including things like accounting periods, writing down and first year allowances, different methods for calculating motor expenses, definition of cost of sales, and then an in-depth walk through completing the SA, spending some considerable time on what were allowable and non-allowable expenses. Also, there was some time spent on how to calculate working from home expenses; proportion of phone, office, room, etc, and on how to register and submit online.

It's a very free environment, in that although there's a structure to the course, often issues are raised that are specific to delegates, and many more situations get covered - a lot of discussion goes on.

Many of the delegates were in the construction industry, and it might sound as if (without patronising them), that this would be too involved, but it was presented in a very ordered and logical way. Of course, the presenter was good (I have been on courses where they haven't been), or it could have been a different story.

There were also course materials to take away, and a few exercises to work through.

You may think, from reading this, that I work for the Revenue! I don't, but I do value their courses. I've actually been on the SA one twice, late 2006 and late 2007.

One of things I also think that's good about them, apart from the content, is that it sort of breaks down the 'mystery' and 'fear factor' about the 'dreaded taxman' - as much a pr exercise as anything else - and you do see HMRC's perspective.

Of course, it also depends on the presenter. I've been on two courses, can't remember which but probably something like SSP, SMP, and the presenter was very poor. Easily distracted, badly prepared, and incredibly boring.

Overall though, I would certainly recommend them, and particularly the SA. For newly self-employed and more experienced alike. The only concern is - will my clients start doing their own bookkeeping and their own assessments?!

I hope this is the sort of information you were looking for.

Regards


MoK

[Jenni384]

Thanks Mok, it's very interesting to know what their courses are like :)

[elainec100@cheapaccounting]

I have been on a couple of these courses (keeps my CPD up to date:)) and have found them to be excellent for the new businesses going on them.

A great source of free information and help. The HMRC staff running were great.

As you can tell I am a fan :p

[Mister B]

For what it's worth, I've been on a few of these course myself. I thought that they were all first rate and although I have an accountant, the courses gave me the understanding that I need to make sure that I keep on the right side of my accountant. Never mind the VAT man:D

Mister B