From the experience of working with business owners and managers we have designed and developed a sophisticated range of corporate financial planning services.
These services are tailored to requirements following a thorough fact-finding and discussion process; as every enterprise has its own individual needs, goals, circumstances and budget.
Corporate tax planning
Much of the specialist advice in this area is tailor made to the individual or company and as such is impossible to detail here. To assist, we utilise the professional connections we have developed over the years, some of whom are among the country’s top tax specialists. We aim to reduce tax and secure other benefits, usually at the same time. We would outline some ideas in collaboration with other professional advisers.
For example, investing in certain offshore instruments can improve a company’s cash flow while reducing a tax bill. Certain pension contracts can drastically reduce the tax on profits on an ongoing basis whilst providing many valuable immediate and future benefits to the company, directors and owners. We will also discuss the benefits of restructuring your method of remuneration, share structure and a tax efficient exit plan.
Employee Benefits Packages and Pensions
Pension Plans, Life Assurance, Permanent Health Insurance, Private Medical Insurance, Critical Illness Cover and other employee benefits are widely seen as valuable incentives on top of salary, bonuses and other financial inducements.
We can advise on and arrange plans which suit a company’s needs (and the employees) company size and payroll. Today, these can be structured in a flexible way so as to give employees more control over their level of benefits according to their personal circumstances. Increasingly, employees can take control of their package, reducing or adding to benefits according to their personal preference.
This can be done using the latest online systems for benefits communication and management. In almost every situation, when we have completed a full corporate financial review, we have been successful in at least one of the following four categories:- reducing costs (including tax), reducing the burden of benefits administration, improving the quality of service or improving the level of benefits. In many situations, we have been successful in all four.
We also provide Employee Advisory Services. Employers wishing to make the most of the money spent on benefits will want each employee to be fully aware of what they are given, its value and benefit to them as an individual.
This promotional or educational system transforms the benefits package into a recruitment and retention tool, which through savings in that area indirectly pays for the cost of the package its self. Clearly each employee more than welcomes the valuable facility of having an experienced and knowledgeable adviser to guide them through the labyrinth of financial packages, options and benefits, etc.
Employees increasingly recognise that they cannot depend on the State for their retirement income. Furthermore, a good pension plan can make all the difference when it comes to both finding and keeping the best people, particularly at the higher executive levels. We advise on stakeholder, group pension, executive pensions, SSASs and SIPPs, as well as existing arrangements. We can bring in professionals skilled in particular plans such as Final Salary schemes to assist, and we offer specialist services such as Executive Pension transfer assistance.
Health/Wellness Management
We are strong believers in and promoters of the benefits of Preventative Medicine and Wellness Programmes in the form of Employer-sponsored Cardiac Risk and Lifestyle Appraisal and Work/Life Balance Coaching – Employee Wellness being the main theme.
The Abacus Alliance Group promotes the services of a world-leader in the forward thinking field of preventative medicine - Wellness International, a company dedicated to working in partnership with individuals and organisations in order to optimise health, fitness and quality of life. We are proud to be closely associated with Wellness International and its founder and Managing Director Dr Dorian Dugmore. Click for Wellness Management page (Full details in our separate Health Assessment Services brochure available from the Abacus Alliance Group)
Group Insurance
The cost of this type of protection has reduced over the past 5 years; however, in some circumstances, this has also resulted in a reduction of benefits and or options. A review of group risk policies such as Group Life, Private Medical or Long Term Incapacity, will highlight any of these potential problems and at the same time, we may be in a position to negotiate more attractive rates.
Key Person Protection
Some companies, particularly smaller businesses, are especially dependent on the skills, knowledge and experience of certain key individuals. Most companies have a director or employee whose death or ill health would have serious financial consequences for their company. Key person protection can assist in bridging the gap, providing much-needed financial assistance until a replacement can be found or trained.
Shareholder Protection Arrangements
In many private companies, the directors hold all the shares. What happens if one of them dies? His or her shares might end up in the hands of someone with no business skills – or even hostile to the company. Share protection insurance and planning can ensure that the remaining shareholders have the funds and rights to obtain the deceased shareholding.
Business property purchase
There are many ways to purchase commercial premises, we can advise on the various options and the tax implications. Some of the most tax-efficient methods involve complex but proven practices that only an FSA authorised firm like Abacus can advise on and transact. If lending is required, our qualified lending advisers and specialist connections can provide help with the rigorous research and application processes.
Other corporate services in brief:
0 Director Remuneration Strategies 0 Trustee Investment Advice 0 Corporate Wills and Agreements 0 Corporate Finance and Banking 0 Sophisticated tax planning for corporate, high earning and high-net-worth clients 0 Many additional and complementary services for owner-managers, directors and entrepreneurs available through our external connections (click here)
The FSA do not regulate some forms of advice, e.g. tax and legal advice.
