Courier Business Awards 2008
09/07/2008
We are proud to be once again sponsoring the 'New Business' category at the Halifax Evening Courier Business Awards 2008. Please click on the link below to see what a good time we had last year!
www.halifaxcourier.co.uk
Further details will be available for viewing after the actual event.
Staff Summer Trip 2008
21/06/2008
Despite another year of rain for the annual Riley & Co summer trip, a great time was had by all staff and their partner's at Redcar racecourse!
Charity Accounts Diploma
14/05/2008
Riley and Co Chartered Accountants are pleased to announce that Sarah Crawford, Riley and Co’s Charity Accounts Manager, has gained the ICAEW Diploma in Charity Accounting. Sarah is the first successful candidate for the Diploma in Halifax and only the second successful candidate in West Yorkshire, making Sarah eligible to use the designatory letters DChA.
This high level qualification has been specifically designed by the Institute for Chartered Accountants for professionals working in the Charity and Voluntary Sector, and recognises the specialised skills and experience required by them in dealing with charity and voluntary sector organisations and to date only 175 applicants have successfully gained the qualification via the experience route.
Riley and Co has a dedicated charity’s department, which has been managed by Sarah since February 2007, and we act for more than 35 charities in the West Yorkshire and Lancashire area.
We keep up to date with all developments in charity accounting by regular attendance at seminars and conferences and for the last two years both Sarah and Vicky Atkinson, Audit Director, have attended the ICAEW Charity Annual Conference at Leeds Royal Armouries. We use specialised charity accounts software and audit manuals for all charity assignments, and all our staff receive extensive in house training in all aspects of charity accounting.
Accountants' aid to charity
10/05/2008
West Yorkshire Society of Chartered Accountants' president Angela Riley, of Riley and Co, St John's Lane, Halifax, Halifax, presented £4,000 to Age Concern.
The money was raised during her year as president, with a large amount collected at the society's 100th anniversay dinner. Age Concern Calderdale received a £2,000 share of the money and Bradford, Kirklees, Leeds, Wakefield and York will each received £400.
"It is particularly pleasing for me as a member of the board of Age Concern Calderdale, of which I have been treasurer since 1993, and I know how important this cash will be to help in their support for the older members of our society," said Angela Riley.
Tim Swift, of Age Concern Calderdale, said: "Age Concern's services reach out to those older people who are often missed by the public services, but whose lives can be made better by a little bit of help. "
"This donation will help us to support our volunteer-led services in meeting these needs."
Riley & Co raises £300 for Macmillan Cancer Support
02/04/2008
Riley & Co sponsored the Yorkshire league squash match between Queens Hi-Q and Chapel Allerton on Wednesday 2 April 2008.
Chapel Allerton are top of the league and this was the last match so the result made no difference to the final standings but the squash was brilliant and enjoyed by all the guests some of whom had never seen a squash match before.
We raised £300 for MacMillan Cancer Support which was a great effort. There will be few people who haven’t lost someone close to cancer so this is a very popular cause.
In the photo we have Angela Riley congratulating team captain David Campion on the win. He is the England under 19 coach and we had some of his protégées playing. Also in the picture is Tony Cahill who helped organise the event. He works in Riley & Co’s tax department and is also social convenor for Queens Sports Club.
Tony's VAT Diploma Success!
19/11/2007
Congratulations to Tony Cahill on passing the VAT Compliance Diploma
Warley Greens Under 10's
21/10/2007
Riley & Co are proud sponsors of Warley Greens under 10's who play in the Calderdale Junior Football League. The team is pictured here before the start of a recent home match play at Saville Park, Halifax on 21 October 2007.
Presidential visit to Riley & Co & to HBOS
04/10/2007
Richard Dyson, national president of Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales visited Halifax as part of the centenary celebrations of the West Yorkshire Society of Chartered Accountants. Originally from Huddersfield, Richard toured Riley & Co's offices before attending HBOS board room for a buffet lunch and a meeting with the Chartered Accountants who work there.
WYSCA Centenary Dinner 2007
04/10/2007
At the Society’s centenary annual dinner president of West Yorkshire Society of Chartered Accountants, Angela Riley and national president of the ICAEW, Richard Dyson presented a surprise lifetime achievement award to chartered accountant Alison Portlock for her services to the profession locally, nationally and internationally. Richard Dyson, returning to his Yorkshire roots, gave a speech about what the Institute does for the business community. 400 members and guests , including 17 past presidents of the Society, attended the splendid occasion in Leeds Town Hall in the presence of Lord Mayor Coun Brian Cleasby. Entertainment was provided by comedian Tom O’Connor and there was an operatic interlude by Opus, directed by David Heathcote.
More Exam Success!
21/08/2007
Congratulations to Bernie Wilson on passing the Association of Accounting Technicians exams whilst with Riley & Co.
Jones V Garnett (Arctic Systems): Victory for the Joneses
25/07/2007
This landmark tax case finally reached a conclusion today with the lords rejecting HMRC's appeal.
To read more on this story please visit www.accountingweb.co.uk
Examinations success!
25/07/2007
Congratulations to Lisa Walsh on passing the Tax & Audit papers of the professional stage of the ICAEW examinations. Lisa is now well underway to becoming a fully fledged Chartered Accountant having already passed the Association of Accounting Technicians exams whilst with Riley & Co.
Riley & Co sponsor the Courier Business Awards 2007
23/07/2007
Extract from the Halifax Courier feature Monday 23 July 2007.....
Starting up? We can help smooth the way
FROM little acorns grow mighty oak trees and at Riley & Co the partners have seen many clients who approached them as business start-ups flourish to become much larger and stronger businesses.
That is why the Halifax firm was keen to be involved in the Evening Courier New Business Award.
Vicky Atkinson and Simon Walton, partners at the firm, are keen that potential new businesses get the correct help and advice before they embark on what could be an exciting adventure and avoid many of the pitfalls that can hit new businesses.
"When someone approaches us we tell them that planning is crucial and they must have a clear path to follow," said Mrs Atkinson.
"We work very closely with Business Link who advise new start-ups and it is clear that many potential new businesses require professional advice to identify all of the areas for consideration. Cash flow is critical and is the biggest contributory factor in business failures.
"Coupled with this, many people who want to start their own business do so because they have a skill rather than a management qualification.
"This is where we can help them appreciate what is involved in running their own business from a financial and legislative perspective," she said.
Simon Walton is concerned about tax implications for start-up businesses and ensuring that new ventures are set up using the most appropriate vehicle from the start, whether that be a limited company or self employment.
Other things for new businesses to consider are the importance of using professionally regulated accountants and ensuring they make the appropriate registrations to the proper authorities from the outset.
"Good advice is priceless. Riley & Co encourages regular meetings to consider not only the previous year's results but also to look forward to future trading periods.
"We look at what options lie ahead with regards to share structure, remuneration strategy and other tax planning opportunities," said Mrs Atkinson.
Both agree one of the most satisfying aspects of their role is dealing with clients that came to them as new ventures and have grown into strong and successful businesses through professional advice and help.
"Many of our clients have been with us for 20 years and it is great to see them doing well and know we were involved at the start," she said.
Meeting with Richard Lambert - Director General of the CBI
12/07/2007
On 12 July Richard Lambert was awarded an honorary doctorate at York University. As President of WYSCA Angela Riley attended the subsequent symposium on academia and industry liaison. Professor Steve Toms, Head of Accounting and Finance, commented 'As one of Britain's newest Management Schools, we are keen to work innovatively with industrial partners.'
Richard was appointed in to the top CBI job in July 2006 after 35 years as a financial journalist. He is a former editor of the Financial Times and led a review on University-business interaction which produced the 'Lambert Report'. His predecessor at the CBI was Sir Digby Jones.
WYSCA gives a bursary annually to a top accountancy student at York, and four other universities in the region, in the hope of encouraging students to consider careers as Chartered Accountants.
Chester Races 2007
30/06/2007
The partners and staff enjoyed a terrific day out at the races. The weather was unforgiving but this didn't thwart our intrepid racegoers who drank champagne and picked the winners from the shelter of our newly acquired gazebo. After the races we all headed into Chester for more drink and merriment.
A great day out was had by all !!
Law Society Softball 2007 Competition
28/06/2007
This year Riley & Co came 3rd in the softball competition at the YMCA grounds at Saledine Nook with an impressive 52 points. Team players were, Simon, Abdul, Tony, Matt, Ben, Joanne, Lisa, Esmè, John Maguire & Craig Hamer.
Angela hosts roundtable breakfast
16/05/2007
Angela hosted the third in a series of four roundtable breakfasts on Principles Based Regulation, at the Metrople Hotel in Leeds, as part of the launch of the new ICAEW Financial Services Faculty. This followed a similar meeting on 16 May in London at which John Tiner the Chief Executive of the Financial Services Authority was the key speaker, his speech and the subsequent meeting is available in full as a webcast on www.icaew.com
Angela Riley becomes WYSCA president
14/05/2007
Angela Riley becomes WYSCA's President for 2007/08. At the AGM on 14 May she took over from Gail Monnickendam, of Lunn Ventures plc (left), the outgoing president. Merryck Lowe (right) of Pannel Kerr Forster is Angela's deputy for the year.
Angela thanked Gail for her inspired leadership, in her year at the helm, and noted the parallel appointment of Gordon Brown who is concurrently taking over from Tony Blair. She asked the members present to volunteer as officers in their society but regretably,unlike being Prime Minister, this does not guarantee their place in history.
The meeting was priviledged to hear a talk from Martin Ellis, Chief Economist of HBoS on the economic prospects for the region and the UK. Members were interested to hear his views on the future of interest rates and the housing market.
Angela is keen to represent local members' views to the ICAEW nationally so members who have relevant matters, requiring an airing, should get in touch.
Matthew collects award
12/04/2007
Matthew Robinson collects his ATT award from Jean Jesty at Stationers Hall in London.
Matthew had worked very hard to pass the exams to be admitted as a member of the Association of Tax Technicians. Jean Jesty is their national president.
Angela Riley has a day in Leeds with the ICAEW Chief Executive
11/04/2007
ICAEW Chief Executive Michael Izza spent the day in Leeds on March 19 to meet members and talk about what the Institute is doing to support Chartered Accountants and Chartered Accountancy. Topics included the launch in Summer 2007 of the new structure ACA qualification; relationships with HMRC; the problems caused for members by over-regulation; and how best to communicate with members. His itinerary included coffee with partners in practice, lunch with a small group of Finance Directors, press interviews, the WYSCA committee meeting, and a drinks reception.
HRH Princess Anne visits Rishworth School
28/02/2007
On 28 February 2007 Princess Anne opened Rishworth School's new community sports club, arriving in a helicopter to the huge excitement of the assembled children, staff and guests. In her capacity of school governor Angela Riley was priviledged to meet Her Royal Highness, who was very complimentary and gracious about the school and her welcome there. More details and photos are on the School website which may be accessed via our 'Links'.
MP's export advice
30/01/2007
Feature from the Halifax Evening Courier Tuesday January 30 2007.
HALIFAX MP Linda Riordan congratulated Matthew Robinson, 22, on passing his Association of Tax Technicians examination on a visit to Riley and Co accountants.
The former Brooksbank School, Elland pupil has been with Rileys since leaving school and will now go on to further his career as a tax adviser.
The MP was at the company to discuss how she could help its business clients develop their export trade and to explore her fields of interest.
Partner Angela Riley said it was part of the West Yorkshire Institute of Chartered Accountants' campaign to promote better relationships with Parliamentarians.
"A recent survey by the institute discovered the second most pressing issue for people was public transport and Linda is involved with the environment and transport," she said.
"If people are genuinely interested in helping the environment then it is critical we have a sustainable transport policy that is efficient."
Riley & Co goes Pink!
27/10/2006
Riley and Co show their support for the Wear it Pink day 2006 for the Breast Cancer Campaign by joining in and dressing in pink for the day!
Since then, in May 2007 Senior Partner, Angela Riley and her husband David Bull went on a fundraising rally for MacMillan Cancer Support. With another 34 classic cars they raised £59,226 before gift aid. The rally was the 2007 Cape to Cape, being from Cape Wrath on Scotland to Cape Clear in Eire.
20 Years of Business!
01/12/2005
Riley & Co has celebrated 20 years in business!
We had a nostalgia-fest by inviting as many of our notable ex-employees as we could get in touch with to a dinner at Holdsworth House in December 2005. Do you remember Pam Greenwood, Yvette Ruddock, Simon Pease and Elizabeth Jessop? Pam came from Shropshire, Yvette from the Isle of Man, Simon from Harrogate and Elizabeth from Halifax. We received congratulations but apologies that they couldn’t be with us from Dorothy Pickersgill, Phil Hobbs, Shahida Tontus, Valerie Cote and James Blackburn. We were also glad to entertain staff who left more recently including Marie Hancock, Kevin McDaid, Matthew Sutcliffe, Elaine Daniels and Helen Snowley. Julie-Ann Pearson and Melanie Lambert didn’t make it on the night and were missed by colleagues who were looking forward to an update on their health and careers as well as the usual ‘births, marriages etc’.
Riley & Co wins Star Award 2004
22/10/2004
Riley & Co scooped the 2004 Star Employer (small firm) at the West Yorkshire Society of Chartered Accounts "Cluster of Stars Awards".
This category which is split between large and small firms, recognises how a practice has supported the life/work balance, offered training and shown flexibility - the winners demonstrated that they offer a stimoulating work environment for career development with recognition and reward.
Photo: Dermot Hamblin, Iris Software, presents the award to Angela Riley.
