Ward and Co Chartered Accountants

22/06/2026

Received an Email from Companies House? Here's What You Need to Know

Many companies may have recently received an email from Companies House regarding upcoming changes to accounts filing requirements.

The Government has now confirmed that from 1 April 2028 small and micro companies will be required to file profit and loss accounts with Companies House. Importantly, these businesses will be able to opt out of having their profit and loss accounts published on the public register.

The move to software only accounts filing has also been confirmed, with implementation delayed until April 2028 to give businesses more time to prepare.

There is no immediate action required, and we will continue to keep clients informed as further guidance becomes available. If you have any questions in the meantime, please get in touch with our team.

12/06/2026

As the new school year approaches, RABI is committed to helping thousands of school-aged children (4–16 years old) start September confident, equipped and ready to thrive. Grants of £200 per school-aged child (4–16 years old) are available, providing vital assistance to ease the financial burden and ensure every child has what they need to succeed. Please click on the link below to find out if you are eligible to apply.

RABI’s Return to School Grant opens Monday 15 June at 12pm, offering £200 per school-aged child aged 4–16 to support farming families with back-to-school costs.

There are 4,000 grants available across two phases:

➡️ Phase 1 opens Monday 15 June
➡️ Phase 2 opens Monday 29 June

We expect demand to be high, so we encourage eligible applicants to prepare in advance and apply as soon as the portal opens.

📄 Before applying, please make sure you have:

• The number of children you receive Child Benefit for
• Your Child Benefit payment amount
• A bank statement from the last two months showing your Child Benefit payment

👉 Check eligibility and get prepared here:
rabi.org.uk/returntoschool/

P.S. Know a family who could benefit? Encourage them to apply.

10/06/2026

Leave Surplus Funds in Your Company or Withdraw Them?

We have prepared a guide examining one of the most common questions faced by business owners: what should be done with surplus funds held within a company?

08/06/2026

UPDATED GUIDE NOW AVAILABLE - Incorporating a Dairy Farming Business

Should your dairy farm be trading through a limited company? Would limited liability better suit your business risk profile?

For some farms, incorporation can create significant opportunities for tax planning, succession and future growth. Tax is, of course, only one of many considerations, and ensuring any structure fits your personal and family circumstances is often more important.

For others, the additional costs, administration and long-term implications may outweigh the benefits.

Our updated Guide to Incorporating a Dairy Farming Business explores both sides of the argument, providing practical insight into the opportunities, challenges and key considerations involved in making this important decision.

To request a copy, contact Jayne Gillanders on 01271 326762 or email [email protected]. Alternatively, speak to your usual Ward & Co adviser.

03/06/2026

Summer 2026 Temporary Reduction in VAT for Certain Hospitality & Leisure Activities

To support the hospitality sector and help families with the cost of living, the Chancellor has launched the ‘Great British Summer Savings’ scheme.

03/06/2026

HMRC mileage rate rises from 45p to 55p per mile from 6 April 2026

The Government has confirmed an increase to the HMRC Approved Mileage Allowance Payment (AMAP) rate from 6 April 2026 for cars and vans.

01/06/2026

We are delighted to congratulate four of our trainees who have recently passed ACCA examinations!

Studying alongside a busy role in practice takes dedication and commitment, and we're proud of the hard work they have put in to achieve these results.

Supporting training and professional development remains a key part of our business, helping our team build successful careers while ensuring we continue to provide the highest standards of service to our clients.

Congratulations to all four on their successful exam results, and we wish them every success in their future studies.

12/05/2026

We’re proud that four of our trainees, now two years into their studies, are sitting further exams this month at Ward & Co, with more to follow in the Autumn.

One of the most rewarding parts of our business is seeing our team members grow, qualify, and build successful careers — both during their studies and beyond.

Our continued financial and personal commitment to training every member of our team to the highest possible standards is central to ensuring Ward & Co remains a leading independent local accountancy practice for generations to come, while embracing the latest technology and software.

Creating proper jobs, long-term careers, and opportunities for people in North Devon remains a core part of our strategy.

29/04/2026