Held to account

Accounts, accounting and accountants are all I have had today.

Lloyd's of London

First Lloyd’s of London’s half-year results came out at 7am so I had to write those for the Insurance Times and Global Reinsurance websites. I dropped 1 of the stories I had not started on, but that still made 9 in total. I finished uploading them after 8am, so I was late.

Then I visited my accountant, Steve Hale of Perry’s (link opens new window), down in Tonbridge Wells. I can’t even understand my own accounts so the thought that I was analysing the vastly more complex figures provided by Lloyd’s was scary.

My accountant is my business’s single biggest cost. But he keeps my over-exuberant accounting suggestions in check – I have feature edited Accountancy Age, after all. He once again refused to tell me that I’d be better off buying a brand new motorbike. If there is an accountant out there who can prove to me (well my wife, actually) that I would be better off with a brand new bike please get in touch.

Tax evasion or avoidance?

Total tax came in at about 8% of turnover.

We have a long history of tax rebellions in the UK, especially those of us near Blackheath – see my Lady Godiva website (link opens new window). Instead of cutting off the Chancellor’s heads these days, we use accountants to cut off their money supply.

I queried a few figures and Steve checked a few details before I signed off the accounts, but we mainly chewed the fat about how work was changing and then talked a lot about my motorcycling.

Make a wish

Steve had sponsored me on the xrv.org.uk (link opens new window) charity motorcycle ride.

The Longest Day ride this year was five capitals in 24 hours, starting in Edinburgh and passing through Belfast, Dublin and Cardiff before ending at the Ace Café about 6am.

I was back at the Ace on Sunday to meet Karen England of our chosen charity Make-a-Wish to reveal that we had raised £22,700.

Subbing accounts

Back in the office I have been subbing the annual report and accounts for one of our clients. My eyes are now strained from staring at the screen. You have to get these things absolutely right.

Mistakes you might excuse in a magazine because of the tight deadlines are inexcusable when drafts will be going back and forth for weeks and auditors will be running their slide rule over them.

Mind you, there are still sections missing, and some photos. I am supposed to send the first completed draft to the client tomorrow.

No leg to stand on

Lewisham hospital (link opens new window) called. Looks like I’ll be having my knee operation on 19 October.