The Long View

September already! It does not seem that long since the daffodils were coming out and the leaves were unfolding on our trees. And now it’s September. I have had a couple of conversations in the last few days highlighting the change. Next month there will be Halloween and then we will be on the serious […]

This happened earlier this morning. If I had known the names of the bikers I may have changed them to disguise their identity, but I don’t. If you know the Kessock Service Station on Longman Road (the Esso garage not the BP one), you will know that there are frequently queues of cars and lorries

Every day is a school day. I am sure you will understand what this is all about. In our line of work, it is especially true as the tax system evolves in its normal chaotic way, the same as it has been doing for many, many years. I don’t suppose that is going to change

Recently, I saw a report that said that only 30% of businesses currently for sale will actually sell. I have just read an article that says that only 20% will sell. These statistics are alarming. After all these businesses will cease to trade and cease to exist. Presumably, the assets will either be sold, probably

Did you miss me?! I was away at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone and then my big sister came to visit. So, we took a break from publishing for a couple of weeks. Lauren (everybody needs a Lauren) from Adder, still had some material left to publish so maybe you did not notice. Over

I think everyone will be familiar with this or similar phrases. I expect you are thinking cars, bikes of boats. But the time when this had the most impact on me was at a 3-day accountants conference held near Heathrow. It was run by Steve Pipe, a forward thinking accountant and author. He used the

I must admit that I would like to have this accolade but on virtually any metric, I don’t think I would qualify. The former owner of the first accountancy practice that we bought used to turn accounts around very fast. There was a farm where the year end was 5 April. The accounts were signed

This was an email that I received earlier today. Let me explain. Last year the business of Cathedral Accountancy merged with that of The Long Partnership. It had been in the planning for a little while but as far as most people were concerned, very little changed. Cathedral is still in North Guildry Street, Elgin

Friday afternoon, heading north on the A9 south of Tain, and an event that in all my travels I have never seen before. If you know the road heading north to Tain, you will know the overtaking lane just north of the Nigg roundabout. Now, I was happily cruising along with cars in front and

I was up early this morning, just for a change. No alarm but just got up just before 4am. I had my 6 hours sleep, almost, so I was happy enough. These two words came into my head. I don’t know where from. One of life’s little mysteries. Within seconds this came to mind: –