Whitehead & Howarth Chartered Accountants

01/10/2026

Christian Dugdale, one of Whitehead and Howarth's previous partners, popped into the office this week and he found his tax info cards that he had kept dating back to 1978/1979!

We’ve found it very interesting to learn the tax rates from nearly 50 years ago, especially the section where men and woman paid different rates of National Insurance!

We thought we would share it with you too 🤓📚

18/09/2026

Companies House identity verification is becoming increasingly important for company directors!

The Insolvency Service has secured its first prosecutions for failing to comply with the new identity verification requirements. Three directors were fined after continuing to act as directors without completing the required checks.

The recent prosecutions demonstrate that Companies House and the Insolvency Service are actively enforcing the new requirements.

If you’re a company director and haven’t completed your identity verification yet, now is the time to check your position.

Need help understanding what the new Companies House requirements mean for your business? Get in touch with our team!

17/09/2026

With less than 100 days to go until Christmas, we have a question for you...

Should the staff party allowance increase?

The annual tax-free allowance for staff entertaining has been £150 per head for years… but with the cost of living continuing to rise, is it time for that limit to increase?

What used to cover a decent Christmas party, meal and a few drinks can certainly feel a lot harder to stretch these days!

So, we’re asking:

Should the £150 per-head limit be increased?

Should it be linked to inflation?

Or is £150 still enough for a good staff Christmas party?

What do you think? 👇🎅🏻🎄

20/08/2026

Women’s Tour of Britain heading past our office earlier today!

Some of the team headed out to support in the rain ☔️ 🚴‍♀️

20/08/2026

Today we are cheering on the Woman's Tour of Britain 2026!

The 106 riders are due to cycle past our office around 2pm we estimate.

Amazing stamina for those involved, in this weather too! 🚴‍♀️🇬🇧

We are watching live:

🚴‍♀️ Join us from Clitheroe for Stage Two of the 2026 Lloyds Tour o...

07/08/2026

Today is the final day for your first quarter report for MTD for self assessment!

Don’t forget if your sales or rental income is above £50,000 from your 2025 tax return you are subject to quarterly MTD reporting, failing to do so can result in fines from HMRC.

Contact us today for our assistance - 01253 725 111 📞

15/07/2026

I T S C O M I N G H O M E! ⚽

What are your score predictions for tonight's match?

Here in the office we ran a sweepstake, the following staff are in for £48 for the winning team...

Bethany - England
Hailey - Argentina
Hailey - Spain

24/06/2026

Despite a disappointing draw for England last night, spirits are still high in our office today as McCloud arrived dressed up ready to hopefully win our next game!

10/06/2026

We're Hiring: Trainee Accountant

Are you looking to start your career in accountancy?

We are seeking a Trainee Accountant to join our growing practice. This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated individual who is eager to develop their skills, gain hands-on experience, and work towards a professional accounting qualification.

What you'll be doing:
- Assisting with bookkeeping and accounts preparation
- Assisting with MTD
- Helping with administrative tasks
- Working closely with experienced accountants
- Learning and developing practical accounting skills

What we're looking for:
- Strong attention to detail
- Good communication and organisational skills
- A positive attitude and willingness to learn
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications
- A genuine interest in pursuing a career in accountancy

What we offer:
- Full training and mentoring
- Study support for professional qualifications
- Career progression opportunities

If you're ready to take the first step towards a rewarding career in accountancy, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today by sending your CV to [email protected] or message us for more information.

21/05/2026

Rachel Reeves announces changes....⚠

- She has confirmed the mileage allowance for under 10,000 miles will rise by 10p to 55p backdated to April 2026

- A reduced rate of VAT to 5% over this summer will apply to:
Children's menu meals served in restaurants for consumption on the premises
Children's and family tickets for cinemas, theatres, concerts, shows and exhibitions
Admission tickets for both children and adults for attractions including amusement parks, fairs, museums, zoos, soft play centres, circuses, adventure parks, nature reserves, wildlife parks and observation attractions

What are your thoughts on this? Share in the comments below 👇