Frequently Asked Questions

Our head office is in Richmond in south-west London. We also have offices in Woking and Sittingbourne. Our clients are based all over the UK and internationally and we engage with them online as well as face to face.

Formed in 2003, we provide accountancy, employee benefits, payroll, tax, financial planning, and wealth management services. Our vision is to consolidate our position as a leading provider of holistic financial solutions.

We work with individuals, companies, partnerships, trusts and charities. We also work with professional intermediaries such as solicitors and financial advisers.

PK Financial Planning was ranked 60^th in FTAdviser’s list of Top 100 Financial Advisers 2020. The PK Group team was shortlisted for the West London Business Awards 2021: Finance Business of the Year. In addition we were commended in the 2019 Richmond Business Awards and shortlisted for the MoneyAge 2021 Financial Adviser Award: Small to Medium Firm of the Year.

We can arrange a meeting in person at one of our offices or alternatively we would be delighted to visit you at your home or office. We can also schedule meetings online using Microsoft Teams or Zoom.

There are multiple car parks near the Richmond Office (Head Office) including the rail station, Old Deer Park and Pools on the Park. Click here to find out more. When a client visits our office, we will guide them to where disabled parking facilities and access are available.

We have wheelchair access and lifts to all floors. Where possible we will offer to visit our client’s home.

No, we do not.

Online solutions add efficiency across all areas of PK Group. For example, Xero, QuickBooks, Sage and Receipt Bank. They help automate many accounting and bookkeeping processes, save inputting time cost and speed up payment operations. Our online solutions mean you can access data at any time on any device (computer, smartphone or tablet).

We have invested in automated accounts and audit software with Wolters Kluwer to ensure we are compliant with the latest financial reporting and auditing standards and our quality is maintained.

PK Group has selected a number of cloud-based software applications aimed at enhancing the firm’s ability to support its clients, whilst providing them with the convenience and security associated with cloud-based applications.

The earlier you start inheritance tax planning the better. It is important for everyone to protect assets and be able to transfer wealth efficiently to future generations and benefactors. Inheritance tax (IHT) is currently payable where a person’s wealth is in excess of £325,000 (2020–21). If you own your own house and hold savings, investments, life assurance policies, or business assets, your estate could be liable.

Going through divorce is a challenging time both emotionally and financially. Aside from property, pension assets are typically the largest asset to consider in divorce. We can advise on the best course of action regarding a possible pension split. PK Group can help you navigate the financial complexities of a divorce providing assistance in a number of ways including holistic financial planning, protection and investments.

Our advisers have expertise in specialist financial planning to help you manage complicated or sensitive situations. Notably, our Director of Operations, Bernard Rust, is a member of SOLLA, the Society of Later Life Advisers. SOLLA is dedicated to accessibility to regulated financial advice for older people and their families, and membership emphasises Bernard’s experience in retirement strategies, family inheritance and long-term care funding.

Yes, we provide independent mortgage advice whether it is your first step on the property ladder or if you have later life requirements. We can help you calculate the cost of a new mortgage, provide repayment or remortgage advice, or equity release guidance. We have expertise across both residential and buy-to-let segments.

Trusts are useful ways in which to raise funds for your children’s education and maintenance. PK Group has many years’ experience in advising on the most suitable type of trust to suit your circumstances, setting up trusts and assisting individuals with the accountancy issues surrounding trusts. If you want to know more about trusts, please download our guide.

We do not advise on wills. You will need to consult a solicitor / will specialist.

The purpose of an Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) is to help certain types of small, higher-risk, unquoted trading companies to raise capital. It provides income tax relief on the investment and a capital gains tax (CGT) exemption on gains made when the shares are disposed of. EIS investments are usually only available to high net worth or sophisticated investors with a speculative attitude to risk.

Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs) offer similar tax breaks to individuals as Enterprise Investment Schemes. They are managed by specialist fund managers and each VCT holds a portfolio of smaller, higher-risk, unquoted trading companies. These trusts must meet certain qualifying tests so they can offer shareholders relief from income tax on dividends and exemption from capital gains tax on disposal. VCT investments are usually only available to high net worth or sophisticated investors with a speculative attitude to risk.

Yes, a Lifetime ISA is available for adults under the age of 40. Individuals are able to contribute up to £4,000 per year and receive a 25% bonus on the contributions from the government. Funds, including the government bonus, can be used to buy a first home at any time from 12 months after opening the account. The Lifetime ISA can also be used to help fund retirement and can be withdrawn from age 60 completely tax-free.

Formed in 2016, PK Wealth is our wealth management entity. The investment team works with private individuals, companies, trusts and charities in conjunction with their professional advisers. We currently provide four investment services:

• Managed portfolios: Globally diversified, multi-asset risk-rated discretionary portfolios
• Sustainable portfolios: Fund selection is focused on ESG, SRI and Impact factors
• IHT portfolios: Innovative service providing exposure to AIM and Asset-Backed Investments.
• Direct bond and equity portfolios: Appropriate for individuals applying for Tier 1 VISAs.

Please visit https://www.pkgroup.co.uk/pk-specialist-service/pk-wealth/ for more information.

We offer an online automated investment service called KlikInvest with access to nine risk-rated low-cost globally diversified portfolios. You can open a SIPP, ISA or General Investment Account (GIA) using a simple online application process, with access to your portfolio 24/7. For more information please visit: https://www.pkgroup.co.uk/pk-specialist-service/klikinvest/

Pension legislation places duties on employers to automatically enrol workers into a work-based pension scheme. Employers must provide a qualifying auto enrolment pension scheme for the relevant workers, which can be an existing qualifying scheme, a new scheme or a government low-cost scheme. PK Group’s employee benefits specialists and financial planners are on hand to help you to navigate auto enrolment and comply with all the relevant requirements.

PK Engage is our mobile app. It has been designed to help employees understand, interact and get more from their employee benefits. It is available to download for Apple and Android users.

Does your accountant positively help you identify opportunities to improve your profits? Work with you to achieve your business goals? Give you more time to run your business? Help to minimise your tax liability? It’s essential to determine whether you are receiving the most from your accountant, and how happy you are with the service level. If you decide to change accountants, PK Group can guide you through the process, manage the exchange of information from your current accountants, and ensure an efficient and timely crossover.

It is crucial to carry out thorough tax planning at the beginning of a new tax year, in order to ensure your liabilities are minimised. Keeping in regular touch with us, especially before the accounting year end, may aid you in making the most of your personal and business finances.

At any stage of a business, planning is the key to success and a comprehensive business plan will increase the likelihood of you meeting your financial goals. We can help you create a business plan that is tailored to your unique requirements. Our knowledgeable and friendly team will also help you to incorporate steps into your business plan to minimise your tax liability.

Our payroll service includes the creation of customised payslips, PAYE administration, national insurance, Statutory Sick Pay, and Statutory Maternity Pay. We can also administer workplace pension schemes, alongside pensions auto-enrolment, handle the administration of bonuses, termination and ex-gratia payments, and provide analyses and summaries of staff costs.

Our specialists use detailed analysis of key performance indicators (KPIs) and business accounts to help our clients to structure suitable growth projections. We offer business services that can be tailored to meet any entity’s specific needs. PK Group’s personable team help clients in many ways, from the sourcing of capital to identifying opportunities for business improvement and expansion.

A comprehensive succession plan will give you peace of mind that control of your business will be transferred according to your wishes. It will help minimise your tax liability and maximise your financial gains from the business. For successful, established businesses it is never too early to give serious consideration to succession. PK Group can assist and advise on business exit strategies that will provide ongoing financial security for you and your family.

Our Associate Directors are senior members of the Team, who do not have the statutory duties or board participation that are part of the role of a Director.

HMRC is phasing in its Making Tax Digital (MTD) regime. Since April 2019 businesses with a taxable turnover above the VAT threshold (currently £85,000) must keep digital records for VAT purposes. HMRC remains committed to phasing in other elements of MTD over the next few years and we will keep our clients updated with the latest updates.

Yes, our tax advisers have significant experience with CGT. We can deal with the filing of capital gains on UK property returns. We also advise on tax efficient investments and wrappers, considering your overall financial situation to help reduce your annual tax burden with a focus on income and capital gains tax.

Yes, property tax is one of our areas of expertise. For example, we can assist with filing personal tax returns and tax planning for landlords.

Our tax specialists have experience working with a diverse range of clients including individuals, corporations, limited companies, partnerships, and sole traders and ensure you are compliant with HMRC’s requirements. We can advise on UK tax matters for non residents  and advise UK residents on matters relating to the UK tax position on overseas income and gains.

All UK limited companies must pay corporation tax on taxable profits. PK Group’s tax advisers can help relieve you of the burden that corporation tax administration presents and minimise your exposure to corporate tax. We can also assist you in remaining compliant with the corporation tax self-assessment demands and act on your behalf in discussions with HMRC.

Yes, PK Group can help you at any stage of your business cycle. We can identify the most appropriate legal structure for your business and work with a range of entities including corporations, partnerships, limited companies, start-ups and sole traders. We also offer a registered office service to help clients fulfil their legal obligation to have a registered UK office for their business. This enhances corporate identity and allows correspondence to be managed efficiently.

We can determine the most tax efficient structure for your business; assist you in accessing the appropriate tax opportunities and reliefs; help you to achieve the optimum capital or revenue tax treatment; minimise tax on disposals and maximise relief on any acquisitions.

The Pay As You Earn (PAYE) system is a method of paying income tax and national insurance contributions. Your employer deducts tax and national insurance contributions from your wages or occupational pension before paying you your wages or pension. The tax year runs from 6th April to 5th April each year and it is on this basis that PAYE is calculated.

We can provide generic guidance but if you need specific information about your pension you will need to contact HMRC directly. You can contact them via telephone on 0300 200 3500 or online: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs

If you believe your tax code is wrong you will need to contact HMRC directly. They will be able to issue a revised tax code as required. You can contact them via telephone on 0300 200 3500 or online: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs

Your National Insurance number is made up of numbers and letters and never changes. It can be found on your payslip, on your P60, on letters about your tax, pensions or benefits, and in the National Insurance section of your online personal tax account.