There are times in the vast history of humanity when you will remember where you were.
 
For example, when JFK was shot (sorry, I wasn’t born)
 
Or when Princess Diana was killed (at Debbie’s 30^th 20^th Birthday party)
 
Or on 9/11 (underwater in a cave, in Tenerife)
 
What about when diplomacy (not to mention common decency) died at the White House last Friday…
 
Which really sums up what we’re facing.  
 
I don’t know about you, but it seems there is about 1000kg of bedding going on right now. (For those that don’t think the same as me, that is a ton of sheet)
 
How do we deal with it ?
 
One approach is one I witnessed many times.  We once had a one-eyed Cocker Spaniel called Nibbles. (Incidentally, never let a five year old name a dog.) He and his brother Buster kept us sane (or close to) during the COVID lockdowns.
 
Nibbles’ approach to life was that if something was happening he didn’t like (eg at the vets), he’d hide the left side of his face and whatever was going on ceased to exist.  
 
But I’ve tried that approach and yet when I open either eye Rachel Reeves and Donald Trump are still there.
 
So if we reluctantly accept that Nibbles was wrong, what do we do instead ? Here are just three tips:-

• Focus on the positive. Eg the stars are shining bright tonight, not the fact that you’ll need to scrape your car windscreen tomorrow

• Remember that hard times are built for leaders to shine. Note that this is ‘leaders’ not ‘Leaders’. Trump is a ‘Leader’, need I say more ? We all have the ability to lead in our own field. 

• Remember that it’s easier to win in business when your competitors are scared, confused and checked out

In other words, stay positive ! So to help you, here we are, with your regular(ish) dose of positivity from your favourite accountant.
 
So why am I feeling positive today ?
 
We’ve hit a milestone – (stop it - that’s enough sniggers about my driving) - I was reminded by a surprise party from my team that we’ve been in business for 15 years. A time that started during the financial crash, continued through austerity, COVID lockdowns, Boris (did he really become PM?), Liz Truss being outlived by a lettuce, two regional wars breaking out, Trump being elected a second time and now whatever it is we’re now living through. Despite all this we’ve grown by an infinite percentage
 
Which just goes to show that even when common sense tells you to stick to the safe path, sometimes taking a risk and backing your belief is exactly the right thing to do.
 
We have a new website – Launched last week, it’s the third iteration in 15 years. It’s been about a year in conception, and delivery has been made possible by our friends at Spi-Design (see https://www.spi-des-ign.co.uk)
 
Take a look at www.quove.co.uk, Incidentally, an inside tip for anyone like me who is – to put it politely – a control freak.  Against my natural instinct I left this project alone, with two people that I trust leading it, Jemma and Lili. The result is something I’m really proud of. Moral (for me at least) – if you trust the people, trust the people. 
 
Initially I was thinking of doing a low-key launch so that OnlyFans could see it, but I’ve been told that might not give us the result we were looking for.
 
George hasn’t got a tax penalty – Since the January self-assessment filing deadline we’ve seen more than ever incorrect penalty assessments. George (name changed to protect the innocent) has today had his appeal accepted by HMRC on the grounds that:-

1. HMRC accept that a filing in August 2024 is before the deadline of end January 2025
2. HMRC accept that as a partnership if George received a penalty then so should his partner Mildred (who didn’t)
3. A penalty for (allegedly) missing the 31-1-25 deadline should not have been issued on 10-1-25

Seriously we are seeing HMRC waking from a five year slumber. They have employed a vast number of extra staff, I’d like to think they are being properly trained.  I’d also like to think I looked like George Clooney…
 
So if you are seeing ‘strange’ correspondence please send it through to us – we’ll deal with it.
 
To finish, as some of you know, I love cooking, it’s a great way of unwinding after a stressful day. Tonight whilst cooking I was sorting out our herb bottles. Debbie hates it when I do this.  
 
I’m not in trouble yet but the thyme is cumin.

Categories: Positive Accountant