Ulster’s Chartered Accountants and Barclays have come together to raise a significant sum for local charity Autism NI. Chartered Accountants Ulster Society raised £8,500 for Autism NI at its Charity Lunch. This total was doubled to £17,000 by the event sponsor Barclays.   The charity event also raised over £7,000 worth of toys for the Salvation Army and St. Vincent de Paul.   Niall Harkin, Chairman of Chartered Accountants Ulster Society said: “The Charity Lunch is a tremendous opportunity for the local business community to come together and help to make a difference for local charities. This year we had a record attendance of over 500 people and so we’re delighted to have raised this amount for Autism NI which is helping so many families across Northern Ireland.   John Mathers, Corporate Development Director of Barclays said: “Barclays is delighted to, once again, sponsor the Ulster Society Charity lunch. Ulster Society members are extremely generous in their donations of toys and money, helping to make a real difference. We know that the funds raised will help Autism NI to provide its excellent family helpline service.”   Kerry Boyd, Chief Executive of Autism NI said: “This is a fantastic amount of money that the Ulster’s Chartered Accountants and Barclays have raised and will make a huge difference as the need for autism support services in Northern Ireland is greater than ever.   “This money will be specially used for Autism NI’s Helpline service which is invaluable to local families, autistic individuals and professionals; receiving over 4,000 calls annually. Events like this are vital to the work the charity carries out and helps provide life-changing services and support to the 30,000 families living with the daily challenges of autism in Northern Ireland.”   Pictured at the cheque presentation in Belfast are Zara Duffy, Chartered Accountants Ireland; John Mathers, Barclays; Niall Harkin, Chartered Accountants Ulster Society; and Kerry Boyd, Autism NI.

Chartered Accountants Ireland has warned its members not to be complacent about a Brexit political settlement that might not materialise before 29 March 2019.   In a joint statement, the Chairs of Chartered Accountants Ulster Society and the Chartered Accountants Ireland London Society said that there is no hard evidence that the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement, which would avoid a hard Brexit, will be agreed on 15 January at Westminster.   Both societies are advising businesses to prepare for a no-deal Brexit and for the reintroduction tariffs and quotas on imports and exports between the UK and the EU from the end of March.   The Chartered Accountancy bodies also state that they have particular concerns regarding the readiness of the SME sector to deal with these challenges.   Niall Harkin, Chairman of Chartered Accountants Ulster Society said: “Generally, aside from the agribusiness sectors, it is not the amount of customs duties to be reintroduced that will pose problems for businesses in the UK and NI in particular.    “Rather it is the disruption which will be caused by customs checking at the borders with the EU and the increased administration that this will bring.  Furthermore, many businesses will encounter a new up-front VAT charge on imported goods which will impact on cash flow.”   Gerry Nicholas, Chairman of Chartered Accountants Ireland London Society said: “Chartered Accountants, as business leaders and financial planners and managers, will be at the forefront of dealing with any new trading obligations post Brexit.  We must ensure that businesses will meet any new legal requirements that emerge.   “We are recommending that as a minimum first step, cross-border trading businesses ensure that their business has applied for a UK EORI number required to continue to trade within the EU after 29 March.”   The UK government has released a Partnership pack which covers information on how to prepare for changes at the UK border in the event of a no deal Brexit.  The guide addresses future cross-border trading activity and highlights steps which can be taken to prepare for Brexit.  Chartered Accountants Ireland is publicising this guide.   Chartered Accountants Ireland has also prepared a written guide on how customs operate (and is designed particularly for traders who are dealing with customs for the first time) in conjunction with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and a free copy is available at www.charteredaccountants.ie.   In terms of financial services, there are definitive reports of firm’s relocating from the UK to Ireland. We would urge such firms to continue with contingency planning with customers and investors in mind.  Chartered Accountants Ireland is also engaging with the relevant regulatory bodies, the FRC and IAASA, to ensure continued cross-border recognition of its members’ qualification and auditing rights across the island of Ireland after Brexit.   UK businesses can apply for an EORI number online at https://www.gov.uk/eori. 

Ulster’s Chartered Accountants gave out some early Christmas presents this week and provided a boost to local children’s charities by presenting hundreds of toys to the Salvation Army and St. Vincent de Paul Family Appeal. Chartered Accountants Ulster Society also raised £8,500 for Autism NI. This total will be doubled to £17,000 by the event sponsor Barclays.   The toys and funds were collected at the Society’s Christmas Charity Lunch at the Europa Hotel in Belfast, attended by over 500 Chartered Accountants.   Niall Harkin, Chair of Chartered Accountants Ulster Society said: “Our Charity Lunch is a major event for local business and a great opportunity to make Christmas a bit more special for thousands of children and families across Northern Ireland.   “It’s really important that at this time of year we can put a bit of magic into Christmas for local kids. Chartered Accountants have raised money and donated toys which will make a big difference. We’re especially pleased that through the support of Barclays we have been able to make this a bumper year.”   John Mathers, Corporate Development Director of Barclays said: “Members of the Ulster Society are extremely generous in their donations of toys and money which will help to make a real difference for many families who are in a less fortunate position.  Barclays is pleased to be match-funding the amount raised for Autism NI, which does fantastic work throughout the year with families right across Northern Ireland.”   Pictured at the Charity Lunch with just a few of the toys collected are John Mathers, Corporate Development Director with event sponsors Barclays; Niall Harkin, Chairman Chartered Accountants Ulster Society; and Zara Duffy, Head of Chartered Accountants Northern Ireland.