Posts

Bad Investment Makes no Cents.

/in

We have spoken at length in the past about various forms of funding and investment in business and the importance of the availability of funding for all businesses in particular small and medium enterprises who may rely on outside funding. Something which is rarely touched upon is the importance of choosing the right investor for your business, and one which can go the distance alongside your company. Failure to choose a sustainable investor can cause serious problems for both your business and the investor.

This issue is especially important this week as it was revealed that many Irish investment firms have been found to have failed to meet the required standard of investors by the Central Bank of Ireland. The bank recently conducted a review of suitability requirements for investment firms and found many companies to be sorely lacking, which is not encouraging news for business owners wishing to secure funding. Michael Hodson, Director of Asset Management has been quoted as saying of the findings:

“The review highlighted that firms need to improve the quality of information collected and how this information is utilised in the suitability process. With the introduction of higher suitability standards, the quality of the information collected is all the more significant.  Boards are reminded that they are responsible for implementing an appropriate governance framework that meets the suitability regulatory requirements and embeds a client-centric culture across the firm.  Investor protection is at the core of the Central Bank’s mandate.” 

The review found that many firms were unable to demonstrate that the required suitability policies and procedures were implicated whilst also pointing out that many application forms were incomplete. Some firms were also found to be reliant on self-assessment alone and had little to no tools in place for assessing suitability for investment, relying heavily on technology. In perhaps the most worrying finding, many companies were found to have nothing in place for dealing with potentially vulnerable clients and companies.

Thankfully, the Central Bank assure companies that in any areas that the findings may be damaging to consumers formal supervisory requirements have been implemented which should reduce risk greatly for prospective clients.

As always we are available for any advice or guidance you may require on business or finance matters.

– – –

~ DCA PARTNERS, DECLAN DOLAN & EAMONN GARVEY

PENSION DEADLINES

/in ,

The Revenue Commissioners have recently extended the deadline for people in excess of current pension savings to notify them. It has become a standard practise in the current financial climate for the amount of pension funds an individual can accrue while availing of tax relief to be reduced.

 

Those above the new threshold can notify Revenue and receive a new personal fund threshold, reflecting the size their pension fund was on the date the lower limit was announced. This is to ensure that these individuals do not face a further tax bill.

 

In January 2014, the threshold fell from €2.3 million to €2 million, those with savings between these figures were given until July 2nd, 2015 to notify Revenue. Despite the deadline, it is thought that many people have not been in touch with Revenue and as such the deadline has now been extended to July 31st 2015.

If you have pension savings between €2million and €2.3 million you are encouraged to notify Revenue ASAP in order to avoid any further taxation on these amounts. It is unlikely that further extensions will be granted.

 

The deadline for staff in the public service to retire if their pensions are to be calculated on the higher salaries has also been extended in recent months. The new deadline will be July 2016. Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Brendan Howlin has said that the new deadline is intended “To minimise impacts on schools in particular.”

 

It is hoped that this extension will reduce the number of key managerial senior staff retiring en masse, which could lead to significant financial strain on schools in particular.

The Department has said that under the Haddington Road agreement, public service pay rates were reduced by 5.5% or more. “Retiring within the extension period will allow an affected public servant to benefit from superannuation calculated at the pre-cut pay level.”

 

If you are unsure about how these changes may affect you or you require any assistance with your own financial matters, please don’t hesitate to contact us here at DCA Accountants.