Pubs sit at the heart of our communities, but the rising costs are continuing to put pressure on our local businesses and the hospitality sector.
Author Archive: Muhammad Zia
It’s time to close the gender pay gap – How should businesses do this?
For business owners already working to prepare for the announcements made in the Autumn Budget, it can feel like there is already a lot to juggle.
How to prepare for an effective audit
Audits can be an efficient and valuable way for companies to strengthen their financial accuracy and operational efficiency.
Why outsourcing payroll is a smart move for growing businesses
Running a business comes with countless responsibilities and payroll is one of the most demanding.
When is a business expense really tax deductible?
One of the most common questions business owners ask accountants, “Can I put this through the business as an expense?”
The zombie company apocalypse: Will your business be around 28-years later?
A new tax year is steadily approaching and will manifest many of the changes announced in the Autumn Budget.
How do you know if you are exempt from Making Tax Digital (MTD)?
The first phase for Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax is nearly upon us, as the new system of digital tax reporting commences from 6 April 2026.
App of the Month: Stripe – Streamlining payments
In this month’s App of the Month feature, we are spotlighting Stripe, a leading payment platform that simplifies online transactions for businesses of all sizes.
Whether you are an e-commerce retailer, a service provider or a subscription-based business, Stripe makes it easy to accept payments, manage subscriptions and handle international transactions with ease.
Why Stripe?
Stripe offers businesses a secure and seamless way to accept payments online. With features designed to optimise both customer experience and business management, Stripe helps ensure that payments are processed quickly, accurately and securely.
Key features:
- Easy payment processing: Accept payments via credit cards, debit cards and even cryptocurrencies across different currencies.
- Subscription management: Create and manage subscriptions for your clients effortlessly, helping you maintain consistent revenue streams.
- Fraud prevention: Stripe uses machine learning to identify fraudulent activities, ensuring safe and secure transactions.
- Advanced reporting: Access comprehensive reports on payments, disputes and transactions in real-time, giving you deeper insights into your business’s financial health.
Integration with cloud accounting platforms
One of the standout features of Stripe is its ability to integrate seamlessly with several cloud accounting platforms, including QuickBooks, Xero and Sage.
This integration makes it easier than ever to manage payments and track financial records.
With automated syncing, you can quickly view payments, generate accurate financial reports and ensure your accounts are always up-to-date.
Why it’s perfect for businesses
For business owners, the automation of payment processing and the integration with accounting platforms removes the headache of manual reconciliation and reduces the chance of errors.
Whether you’re processing large volumes of transactions or a handful each month, Stripe scales with your business needs and helps you stay on top of your financials.
Ready to Simplify Your Payments?
If you’re looking to streamline payment processing and improve the efficiency of your financial management, Stripe is something that is worth considering.
Need help getting started? Contact us today for more details.
What Anti-Money Laundering (AML) checks to expect during the probate process
When handling an estate following a loved one’s passing, Anti-Money Laundering (AML) checks might not be top of mind.
However, they play a crucial role in ensuring that assets are managed lawfully, protecting both the estate and its beneficiaries.
AML checks are a standard part of the probate process, helping to prevent financial crime and safeguard the integrity of the estate.
Why are AML checks necessary?
AML rules are designed to stop criminals from using legitimate legal processes, like probate, to hide illegal funds.
The probate process often involves dealing with significant assets, such as property, investments and cash, making it an area susceptible to misuse.
While AML checks may seem daunting, they’re a simple way to ensure everything is handled properly. As long as you manage the estate correctly, these checks will be straightforward.
What do AML checks involve?
AML checks are typically done early in the probate process to prevent delays later on. They can involve checking:
- Personal representatives (executors or administrators) handling the estate
- Beneficiaries, especially when substantial sums or higher-risk factors are involved
- The deceased, to ensure the assets are legitimate
In practice, AML checks generally include verifying your identity, often through documents like a passport or driving license and confirming your address. You may also need to provide original or certified copies of key documents:
- Death certificate
- Will (if one exists)
- Grant of Probate
- Letters of Administration (if applicable)
How does the process work?
At the beginning of the probate process, a solicitor will explain the AML requirements and what documents you’ll need to provide.
If the estate involves substantial assets, like property or large cash sums, additional evidence might be required to show how the funds were generated, such as bank statements or sales documentation.
AML checks are ongoing throughout the probate process, ensuring that all transactions remain compliant.
Staying compliant with AML regulations
AML compliance is increasingly important in the legal sector. Though this may mean more detailed checks, it’s nothing to worry about.
We are here to guide you through each step, ensuring a smooth process and reducing any unnecessary disruptions.
If you have questions about AML checks during probate, get in touch with our specialist probate team at Rotherham Taylor today.
Local soup kitchen feeding more than 100 people a week wins Rotherham Taylor Community Fund
Recycling Lives has been awarded the latest Rotherham Taylor Community Fund grant, following a strong response to the scheme’s relaunch in 2025.
Rotherham Taylor, an established accountancy firm, invited local groups and charities to apply for a grant to support their work in the community.
The initiative has previously supported organisations including Teamkickabout, Preston Boxing Club, Cadley’s Under-7s football team, New Day Church Food Bank and All Saints’ Primary School.
After carefully reviewing this year’s applications, the team landed on Recycling Lives as its winner.
Recycling Lives is a charity that supports people through offender rehabilitation, residential services and food distribution.
The organisation runs a weekly soup kitchen from Crossgate Church, known as “Supper’s Up”, providing hot meals to more than 100 people every Wednesday.
Chloe Greenbank and Rebecca Bradshaw, Directors at Rotherham Taylor, presented a £500 cheque to Neil Flanagan from Recycling Lives, which will be used to buy food for the soup kitchen.
Neil shared his gratitude for the firm’s contribution to the cause.
“We want to thank the Rotherham Taylor team for their generous donation. The support directly helps us continue our work, changing lives and supporting people in our communities. Acts of kindness like theirs make a real difference, and we are truly grateful,” said Neil.
Chloe Greenbank explained the motivation behind the team’s backing of Recycling Lives.
“We first launched this fund in 2019 to help groups that make a real difference on the ground in our community.
“Recycling Lives stood out for the scale of what they provide each week and the impact it has locally. We are pleased to be able to support their soup kitchen and the people who depend on it.”
Rotherham Taylor intends to continue to support the community in 2026 through charitable initiatives. The firm will announce its chosen charity of the year partner in the coming weeks, so make sure to keep an eye out for updates.
