With the recent release of Mary Portas’ final proposal to the Government for the regeneration of Britain’s ‘vacant high streets’ and the continuation of figures being released; ‘over 14% of Britain’s high streets are currently unoccupied’ (The Local Data Company); surplus property and vacant sites are hot topics.

Rigorous new tax rules on the employment of casual staff are set to give farmers and landowners an administrative nightmare and also increase their costs.

Research has revealed that the financial sector has seen steady growth in annual turnover, with 59% of respondents reporting an increase in turnover.

Our survey of 100 Aim-listed companies' first annual reports under IFRS reveals that companies recognise the value of narrative reporting.

In June 2013 the UK Government introduced new regulated tax-transparent fund vehicles.

An amendment to FRS 3 confirms that recycling previously recognised gains and losses is allowed in some circumstances.

Chris Bates assesses the UK's growth prospects as the economy appears to be gaining traction.

Patrick Crawford of UK Export Finance explains how the organisation is expanding the range of support it provides to exporters.

The amount of stamp duty land tax (SDLT), often simply called stamp duty, may be a considerable deterrent to the purchase of a house.

In 2008 HMRC embarked on the biggest change in its compliance powers for over a decade – Schedule 36 Finance Act 2008.

When the Coalition Government took office, it announced a fundamental reform of corporation tax.

Following the announcement in the Autumn Statement, the Government has introduced the new Seed EIS (SEIS) for shares issued after 5 April 2012.

The latest Smith & Williamson Enterprise Index revealed that confidence in the economy is on the up with 73% of respondents expecting an upturn in the economy.

While no one wants to face up to their own mortality, the heads of wealthy families must make detailed plans for the handing over of control to the next generation or risk causing severe difficulties for their children and grandchildren.

In March 2010, the US Congress enacted the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act, which included provisions that are known as FATCA.

Budding entrepreneurs can take heart from our research into the current economic environment

"The UK public sector net debt is forecast to worsen from 71.8% of GDP in 2011-12 to a peak of 85.6% of GDP in 2016-17 according to the Office for Budget Responsibility."

An expanding UK company at the forefront of technology in water analysis and colour measurement has appointed Smith & Williamson for audit and tax services.

These costly changes relate to the increase in the personal allowance to £10,000 (costing £1bn), the introduction in the married couples allowance (cost around £600m) and a new allowance on national insurance worth £2,000 for all employers (£1.2bn).

With inflation expected to exceed 3% this year, preserving the real value of your assets may be becoming a higher priority.