Corporate Advisor Spotlight: Adam Buse

Corporate Advisor Spotlight: Adam Buse

by | Jul 4, 2025 | Latest News

Adam Buse leads the Corporate team at Fiander Tovell, bringing over 13 years of practice experience as a Chartered Accountant. He works across a diverse range of sectors including legal, healthcare, construction and recruitment, offering a versatile approach to client service and advice. 

Learning to Leading 

Adam joined Fiander Tovell in 2006 as a trainee after seeing an ad for their Training Programme. This gave him the chance to build his skills as an aspiring accountant through hands-on experience and “the rest, as they say, is history,” he says. 

He’s still a big supporter of the programme and believes it carries advantages over more traditional routes into accounting. “The main benefits are that you have earned for the whole period of your apprenticeship, and you have practical work experience that will exceed that of the equivalent degree entrants,” he explains. 

His advice for anyone considering training? “I would encourage a pathway via AAT into ACA. AAT is an excellent grounding in basic accounting and allows you to keep all accountancy related career paths open at the early stages of your career.” 

A Dynamic Role 

Adam loves the variety his role brings. “Generally, our audit clients always have something interesting or different happening which allows us to develop as professionals,” he says. 

Equally important to him is supporting the growth of his team and helping them reach their fullest potential. “We really could not do what we do without our teams. My role is to steer that process and to provide support.” 

Looking Ahead 

Adam sees a bright future for audit, especially with better use of data and technology. “The way auditors use the data that a client has available is going to be key to the future of the specialism,” he says. This should improve assurance for clients while embracing new tech. 

But regulations are getting tighter too. “The FRC has responded to the high-profile audit failures, such as Carillion, by changing the regulations to tighten the work requirements,” he states. This means more documentation is needed to support audit opinions, especially for smaller jobs. 

He adds: “There have been moves to reduce regulation by changing the company size thresholds from 6 April 2025, but the upcoming changes to lease accounting and revenue recognition requirements in the new version of FRS102, will again affect the smallest entities more acutely.” 

Staying Current 

With audit changing so quickly, Adam suggests setting aside time to stay current. “This isn’t just confined to the audit standards, but also includes changes to accounts disclosure requirements, Companies House updates, corporation tax changes amongst others.” 

To do this, he recommends relying on trusted sources. “Regulatory bodies, particularly the ICAEW, offer excellent courses that help practitioners keep abreast of any changes.” 

Client-Centric Expertise 

Adam’s approach is defined by the value he provides to clients, tailoring it to their specific needs. “For some, that value is that the process has been smooth and efficient, meaning they can move on with running their business. For others, this might be that we have highlighted areas they can improve systems and controls.” 

The key is understanding what the client wants to achieve, so the team can show their full capabilities and provide the right support. “There are myriad ways that audit can add value, and these will depend on what you are looking to achieve as a business owner,” he says. 

The result of this is client loyalty. For example, after a Finance Director transitioned to a new role, he quickly reached out to work with the team again. “This really demonstrates the value of our approach and the relationships that we look to build with our clients.” 

Beyond the Office 

Adam enjoys a range of hobbies outside of work, including reading science and historical fiction and taking part in tabletop wargaming. A long-time passion of his is volleyball, which he played at a national league level. “This stopped around COVID, and I haven’t gone back or found something to replace it.” 

Find Out More 

Beyond exploring fantastical realms through books and games, Adam applies that same creativity and strategic vision to his work, providing clients with clear, actionable insights to navigate the complexities of corporate tax, audits and financial strategy. 

The Corporate team at Fiander Tovell deliver audit services, business insights and practical support that actually make a difference for their clients. Whether it’s accounting systems, grants, corporate governance or strategic advice, they’ve got you covered.  

Want to know more? Contact Adam with any queries on adambuse@fiandertovell.co.uk 

New Size Rules for UK Companies

New Size Rules for UK Companies

by | Jun 25, 2025 | Latest News

From 6 April, new rules came into force that affect how companies report their accounts. Announced by the UK Government on 10 December 2024, these changes are part of The Companies (Accounts and Reports) (Amendment and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2024. Here’s everything you need to know.

Overview of changes

Applicable to companies set up under the Companies Act 2006 and limited liability partnerships (LLPs), the updated rules raise the thresholds for what counts as a micro, small or medium-sized company.

This means more businesses may benefit from simpler reporting requirements and some of the information typically included in the Directors’ Report will no longer be required. 

New thresholds

For individual companies: 

 Micro Small Medium Large 
Annual turnover <£1m  <£15m <£54m >£54m 
Balance sheet total <£500k <£7.5m <£27m >£27m 
Average no. of employees <10 <50 <250 >250 

 

For parent companies: 

 Small Medium Large 
Annual turnover <£18m <£64m >£64m 
Balance sheet total <£9m <£32m >£32m 
Average no. of employees <50 <250 >250 

 

The new size thresholds apply for accounting periods starting on or after 6 April 2025. You can use them for both the current and previous year, but only if your first set of accounts starts after that date. 

This means if your year-end is 30 June, you can’t use the new thresholds for the year ending 30 June 2025 (since it started before 6 April). But you can use them from the year ending 30 June 2026 and then apply them to the prior year to check if you meet the “two-year” rule. 

Impact of threshold uplift

The government expects the changes to affect a lot of businesses, with roughly: 

  • 113,000 companies and LLPs eligible to move from small to micro 
  • 14,000 eligible to move from medium to small 
  • 6,000 eligible to move from large to medium 


Moving down a size category means less reporting and fewer audit requirements. Some key changes include: 

  • Small entities may no longer need a statutory audit or Strategic Report (depending on group structure) 
  • Micro entities are now exempt from preparing a Directors’ Report 
  • Medium-sized entities can skip certain parts of the Strategic Report, including the section 172(1) statement 

How we can help

For more information on how the changes to company size thresholds and reporting requirements may affect you or for guidance on what to do next, get in touch today to find out how we can help. 

Private Client Tax Advisor Spotlight: Rachel Waterman

Private Client Tax Advisor Spotlight: Rachel Waterman

by | May 28, 2025 | Latest News

With over 25 years of experience, Rachel Waterman is a Chartered Tax Advisor who specialises in Private Client tax focusing on Inheritance Tax and succession planning, Capital Gains Tax and family trusts.  

Known for her dedication to providing comprehensive tax planning and advisory services, Rachel enjoys making a tangible difference in her clients’ lives and helping them to look after and protect their assets.  

From Languages to Tax 

Rachel spent her college years studying languages with the expectation of working abroad but found herself joining EY’s Employment Solutions team at the age of 19. She passed her tax exams to become a Chartered Tax Advisor at the age of 23, a career highlight for her.  Rachel then went on to work in the Private Client tax team at a top accountancy firm for over 23 years before joining Fiander Tovell, bringing a wealth of experience and knowledge with her.  

A Client-Focused Approach 

Rachel aspires to provide a highly personalised and holistic service, positioning herself as a trusted advisor to her clients.  Although Rachel specialises in private client tax, she knows it is important to consider the broader picture when advising clients, ensuring she has a full understanding of what they want to achieve and their overall financial position.  

“Every client has unique circumstances, which means no two days are the same,” Rachel says. 

Rachel helps navigate key tax compliance whilst also providing strategic tax planning advice for individuals, trustees and executors.  Rachel finds that it is always rewarding to see where you can add value, regardless of how large or small. “It can be as simple as reviewing a client’s annual tax return to find ways to mitigate an income tax or capital gains tax liability, to reviewing family structures to help preserve family wealth for the younger generations.” 

Providing a dedicated and professional yet friendly approach to both new and long-term clients, she has built up long-lasting relationships over the years. “Clients can expect me to provide comprehensive tax advice tailored to their needs while remaining at the end of the phone to help with their ongoing tax queries – and many other issues!” 

Approaching Challenges 

Keeping up to date in an ever-evolving industry is vital to ensure best practices. Rachel reflects upon this, stating “one of the most challenging aspects of working in any area of tax is navigating the constant changes in tax legislation.” 

Rachel tells us that she is often required to review changes at short notice, for example after a Financial Budget, and provide timely and tailored advice to her clients.   

“Understanding changes and applying them enables clients to be responsive and well informed, preparing for any impacts on their unique and specific situations” says Rachel.  

An Increasingly Digital World 

Staying updated with latest developments in tax is absolutely integral. Just like the wider world, the accounting industry is becoming more reliant on technology and AI. “It’s important to embrace and use available tools and products to access knowledge more efficiently and streamline processes,” Rachel states, reflecting her willingness to new technologies that improve the service for both her clients and the firm.  

Success Stories 

In many families, a significant portion of wealth remains with the older generation, and their assets are often tied up in property or land. This may result in assets being sold to fund IHT liabilities, reducing the amount available for the remaining family.  

Rachel worked closely with a client to strategically reduce their property holdings and overall wealth, whilst ensuring they retained sufficient funds to support their future. Through thoughtful planning, her client was able to successfully pass on assets to both their children and grandchildren via the use of a family trust fund.  

“By gifting and using available reliefs, my clients were not only able to reduce their taxable estate for IHT purposes but also support their children at a time in their lives when they had many demands on their finances.” 

“Piecing Together a Puzzle” 

The most general misconception of working in tax is that it’s all about crunching numbers, however, Rachel explains this is not the case. 

“Tax is more like detective work,” she says, “It’s like piecing together a puzzle to create the best tax strategy for each client. Working in tax is more than just calculations: it’s about problem solving, strategic planning, identifying opportunities and helping clients navigate financial landscapes”. 

Advice for the Next Generation 

Rachel believes that the apprenticeship route brings many advantages for those interested in pursuing a career in any area of tax: “I really support the apprenticeship route, as there are some fantastic opportunities within both the large accountancy firms and smaller independent practices.” 

She finds that apprenticeships offer people the chance to work in many areas of tax to gain experience and knowledge before deciding a specialism, all while studying towards essential tax qualifications. 

Personal Life 

Outside the office, Rachel spends her time on “mum duties”, spending her weekends at her children’s sports competitions or on the pitch side. Outside of these duties, she can often be found in her nearest garden centre, purchasing plants for her garden or in the garden café, sampling the delicacies. She also spends many weekends walking in the New Forest with her dachshund, Ruby.  

With her wealth of experience and a strong focus on her clients’ needs, Rachel is a highly trusted advisor known for building lasting relationships that stand the test of time. If you would like to contact Rachel with any queries, email rachelwaterman@fiandertovell.co.uk for more information.

Capital Gains Tax Changes for the Tax Year and Beyond

Capital Gains Tax Changes for the Tax Year and Beyond

by | May 14, 2025 | Latest News

The new tax year commenced on 6 April, and there are several changes to Capital Gains Tax (CGT) that have come into effect. These changes announced in the recent Autumn Budget aim to increase tax revenues and reduce the gap between CGT and income tax rates. Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know.  

Increased CGT rates for individuals

Effective from 30 October 2024, the main CGT rates for disposals of assets increased, excluding residential property and carried interest. The lower rate increased from 10% to 18% and the higher rate increased from 20% to 24%.  

These changes apply to gains realised on or after 30 October 2024. The CGT rates for residential property disposals remain at 18% for lower rate taxpayers and 24% for higher rate taxpayers.  

For trustees and personal representatives

From 30 October 2024, the CGT rate for trustees and representatives increased from 20% to 24% and affects the taxation of gains within trusts and estates. 

Business Asset Disposal Relief (BADR) and Investors’ Relief

Significant changes to BADR and Investors’ Relief are expected to be phased in over the next year: 

  • From 6 April 2025, the CGT rate increased from 10% to 14% 
  • From 6 April 2026, a further 18% increase will be made 

In addition to these changes, the lifetime limit for Investors’ Relief has been reduced from £10 million to £1 million for disposals made on or after 30 October 2024 to align with the BADR limit.

Carried interest taxation

From 6 April 2025, gains from carried interest are now taxed at a unified rate of 32%, instead of between 18% and 28%. Further reforms are planned for April 2026, when carried interest will be taxed as income rather than capital gains, consequently aligning with income tax and National Insurance Contributions.   

Reductions in Annual Exempt Amount (AEA)

The Annual Exempt Amount (AEA) refers to the threshold which individuals do not pay CGT. It has been significantly reduced:  

  • From 6 April 2024, AEA was reduced to £3,000 for individuals 
  • For trustees, AEA is typically half the individual amount, now £1,500 

This reduction increases the likelihood that individuals and trustees will need to report and pay CGT on disposals.  

How we can help

All these changes are projected to raise substantial additional revenue for the government. Individuals who are considering the disposal of assets should review their plans in light of the new CGT rates and allowance. 

Need help navigating the adjustments to CGT? Talk to our expert team at Fiander Tovell for further information and guidance.  

The optimum Director salary for 2025/26

The optimum Director salary for 2025/26

by | Apr 9, 2025 | Latest News

Owner–managed businesses have the flexibility of deciding how to pay themselves, either via a salary, dividends or a mixture of both. In this article, we’ll break down the most tax-efficient way to pay yourself as a director in 2025/26.

How much should a Directors salary be?

For 2025/26, Directors with no other income should look to pay themselves the optimum Directors salary of £12,570 per annum, which equates to £1,047 per month or £241 per week, with any additional income being paid as dividends. 

Benefits of this salary

£12,570 per annum is the most tax efficient amount as it ensures that the Director qualifies for the state pension but does not need to pay any National Insurance (NI) employee contributions and PAYE. 

In addition to this, salary paid is a tax-deductible expense. With corporation rates at 19%, 25% and 26.5%, on a salary of £12,570 per Director, the company will save corporation tax of anywhere between £2,388 and £3,331. There is no such saving if dividends are paid. 

When would this salary not be advisable?

If the Director has other income such as pension / rental income or another salary, it’s in their best interest to pay a £nil salary. It’s also not advisable for Directors to pay themselves this amount if they have reached the number of qualifying years for state pension.  

There are also situations where a higher salary would be more appropriate. These include: 

  • If Directors have a contract of service as they must legally be paid the National Minimum Hourly Wage which would be higher than £12,570 per annum 
  • If the company has made losses in the past as dividends can only be paid out if the company has profit and loss reserves 
  • If there may be Employment Allowance available 
  • If the Director has reached pension age and therefore does not incur Employee NI 
  • If, for the purpose of a mortgage, the bank or building society insists that the Director receiving a high level of fixed salary (although most providers consider Dividends for Directors/Shareholders as being part of remuneration) 
What about Employment Allowance?

The Employment Allowance allows a company to reduce their Employer NI liability by up to £10,500 per annum, a significant increase from the 2024/25 tax year which was only a £5,000 reduction. 

Unfortunately, the Employment Allowance is not available to all businesses. A company must have multiple Directors or employees to be able to make the claim. Read more about Employment Allowance here. 

Should an Employment Allowance claim be available, then the Employer NI of £1,136 would reduce down to £nil.

There are also situations where a higher salary would be more appropriate. These include: 

  • If Directors have a contract of service as they must legally be paid the National Minimum Hourly Wage which would be higher than £12,570 per annum 
  • If the company has made losses in the past as dividends can only be paid out if the company has profit and loss reserves 
  • If there may be Employment Allowance available 
  • If the Director has reached pension age and therefore does not incur Employee NI 
  • If, for the purpose of a mortgage, the bank or building society insists that the Director receiving a high level of fixed salary (although most providers consider Dividends for Directors/Shareholders as being part of remuneration) 

How can we help?

Before deciding on how to proceed with setting an optimum salary for your company Directors that matches your specific requirements, you should seek professional advice. 

Please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss the salary to pay your Directors, maximisation of profit extraction, operation of payroll or eligibility of Employment Allowance.