Accountancy firm reports surge in inquiries as Highland businesses fight hard to keep afloat amid coronavirus crisis
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An accountancy firm says it has been working around the clock to help Highlands firms put continuity plans in place using government schemes.
Goldwells, which has seven offices across north Scotland including Inverness, Nairn and Tain, has seen a huge increase in calls in the last two weeks as it helps businesses and self-employed individuals navigate through the various initiatives rolled out by the UK government.
A large proportion of the inquiries made to its team members, who are mostly working from home, concern the UK Government’s coronavirus job retention scheme which promises to cover 80 per cent of wages for employees placed on furlough.
The firm – which also has offices in Grantown, Kingussie, Buckie and Peterhead – has also seen an increase in inquiries about taxation, the extension of the IR35 off payroll tax reforms until a later date and the shelving of the second self-assessment payment on account,.
With a large proportion of self-employed workers in the north of Scotland, Goldwells said it has been helping sole traders access recently-announced government grants.
Managing director Gary Addison, said business owners were working hard to keep the local economy going.
“It is inspiring the way so many north businesses are working hard to do their best for their employees – not just during the lockdown but to make sure there is good employment in the area when the restrictions are lifted," he said.
"From Inverness to Peterhead, our team has been working hard helping small and medium businesses find the best way to shore up the finances of their businesses.
“Business continuity plans are being worked on up and down the country and the experts at Goldwells have been able to advise which grants to apply for and how to manage payroll during the lockdown.
“As a local firm, we are in a good position to help businesses, whatever the industry. As well as oil and gas workers, we have seafarers and tourism firms as clients alongside manufacturing and retail businesses.
"North Scotland has a rich heritage of enterprise and we have some fantastic new companies as well as businesses which have been established in the area for generations.
When it comes to business continuity, every organisation is different, with many people working on short term and zero-hour contracts.
“The recent changes made by the government to protect businesses and those self-employed during the pandemic are welcome but it is not always obvious to business owners what to do to access the right support.”
