Accounting is an activity and an information system at the heart of every business in the land, big or small.
Come and see the accounting profession at The Forum, the people that make it all happen and their work environment in this fantastic photo exhibition. You will have the opportunity to see the image of professional accounting like it is in real life in the 21 century: dynamic, colourful and vibrant. Accounting is presented in an artistic as well as a pragmatic approach.
A chance to meet the people involved in accounting from both academia and practice, a chance to immerse in the universe of accounting and to speak about the impact and the opportunities that this exciting sector has to offer.
A project initiated and financed by Norwich Business School, University of East Anglia in collaboration with the Norfolk accountancy firm Lovewell-Blake. All welcome!
Here in the export department at the Norfolk Chambers of Commerce we understand the daily pressures that you as exporters and agents come up against when preparing Certificates of Origin and other shipping documents and how tricky it can be when things are delayed.
Julie Austin, Norfolk Chambers’ International Trade Manager, said
“Completing applications for Certificates of Origin can be a tricky process as there are lots of steps to remember. To try to make the process as smooth as possible for exporters, we have pulled together a checklist, which gives you a step by step guide to minimise the delays and give you peace of mind when submitting your documentation.”
If you work through our checklist below before submitting your application this can avoid discrepancies and related extra charges
If you’re applying online never use a colleagues’ log-in details and electronic signature
Make sure United Kingdom (in full) appears as part of your/the exporter’s address in box 1
Make sure the goods are described in a way that a lay person would understand, i.e. no technical jargon
Remember to add your export invoice number and date to the certificate
Check to ensure that the invoice number and date you’ve declared on the certificate match your supporting invoice
If your supporting invoice does not show the weight of the consignment please remember to supply a packing list
Check that the correct country of origin has been declared in box 3
If you’re claiming foreign origin make sure that you have supplied sufficient proof of origin with your application and check to ensure it provides clear linkage to the goods
If you’re applying for your Certificate of Origin online remember to upload your export invoice at the same time as well as your proof of origin if you’re claiming foreign origin
For goods of European Community origin the correct designation of origin in box 3 is “European Community” followed by the member state/s
Remember to add the marks and numbers that appear on the packages
Check that invoice or other documents for certifying are signed
When applying online for export invoices or other documents to be certified, tick the “stamp uploaded document” box
When applying online, enter an invoice or PO number as your customer reference – avoid adding your company name to this box – it helps you and us if you ever need to query an invoice we send you
If any mistakes are made we will work with you to put things right as quickly as possible, as we understand that you and your clients are relying on the service for the timely exportation of your goods.
If you have any questions please give Julie or the team a call on 01603 729706. Still worried about submitting your documents? For additional peace of mind, we also offer an advance checking service which you would need to implement before uploading your documents. The cost is just £5+VAT (members) and £10+VAT (non-members) plus the cost of the Certificate of Origin. To take advantage of this service, just email a draft copy of your certificate along with your supporting documents to export@norfolkchamber.co.uk for us to check. We will then let you know if any amendments need to be made; if we require any additional information; or if you can submit the application online.
For more information and if you have any questions about the process of completing Certificates of Origin, please do not hesitate to call us on 01603 729717 or email at export@norfolkchamber.co.uk.
The Apprenticeship Levy came into effect from April 2017. As an employer you will have to pay this levy if you have an annual pay bill in excess of £3 million, or are connected with other organisations which in total have a pay bill in excess of £3 million. As a consequence, there are many questions that employers are asking themselves: How is the levy calculated and how do I know if two organisations are connected? We don’t currently employ apprentices so how can I make use of the levy we are paying? What are our legal obligations with respect to taking on an apprentice? Along with Easton&Otley College, we would be delighted if you could join us as we bring together an expert group of speakers from Lovewell Blake and Easton+Otley College, along with a round table Q&A discussion led by Norfolk County Council, to help to explain the various issues around this subject, from a variety of perspectives. Timings: 5.30 pm Registration 5.45 pm Presentations 6.45 pm Round table Q&A discussion followed by a buffet supper Book your place here
Commenting on the parliamentary defeat of the meaningful vote on the Brexit agreement, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:
“Businesses have warned time and again that the United Kingdom is not ready to face the consequences of a messy and disorderly exit from the European Union. Government agencies are not ready, many businesses are not ready, and despite two and a half years passing since the referendum, there is no clear plan to support communities at the sharp end of such an abrupt change.
“Parliament must demonstrate that it will heed these repeated warnings. It is profoundly obvious that neither government nor many businesses are ready for a disorderly exit – and this must not be allowed to happen on March 29th, whether by default or by design.
“Businesses have been failed over and over again by Westminster in recent months, but allowing a messy and disorderly exit on March 29th would take political negligence to new extremes.”
The Norfolk and Suffolk Local Transport Body (LTB) has been created. This is a new body that will receive funding from the government for large transport schemes in our region. It will cover the geographical area of the two counties and New Anglia LEP, and is likely to receive around £39m of funding for major transport schemes over the 2015-19 spending period.
The Norfolk and Suffolk LTB is one of many local transport bodies that have been set up across the country to manage major transport scheme money. Whereas previously this money was managed centrally, government has now devolved the funding to local areas. The LTB comprises representatives from the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and the two local transport authorities (Norfolk County Council and Suffolk County Council).
A ‘Long-List’ has been derived from existing, agreed, and adopted strategies such as the counties’ Local Transport Plans, Growth Plans and Infrastructure Plans. Because these plans have already had extensive stakeholder engagement, the LTBare confident that the ‘Long-List’ is a good starting point to identify the transport projects to which they should direct its funding.
The Norfolk and Suffolk LTB are currently seeking the views of the local business community onthe ‘Long-List’ plus any suggestions for additional large capital transport schemesthat should be includedin the spending programme for 2014-19. Your comments will help provide a starting point and will allow the priorities to be assigned. The consultation period ends at midday on Friday 12 July 2013.
In July 2013 public sector net borrowing, excluding the effects of transfers from the QE scheme, was £0.5bn, £1.3bn higher than in July 2012 when it was -£0.8bn (a surplus)
Public sector net debt in July 2013 was 74.5% of GDP
Commenting on the Public Sector Finances for July 2013, published today by the ONS, David Kern, Chief Economist at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said:
“Various adjustments introduced this year, such as the exclusion of transfers from the Bank’s QE scheme, make it difficult to compare underlying trends in our public finances. However, the figures point to a slight deterioration, which is worse than expected. July is one of the main months of the year for generating tax receipts and is often in surplus, but this time we are seeing a small deficit. This shortfall could be a result of significant falls in our oil and gas reserves and the weakening of our financial sector. Despite this, we are still early in the financial year and if the economy continues to improve we could see a more meaningful reduction in the deficit in the months ahead.
“But challenges still remain and the government must continue with its plan to stabilise our public finances. While continuing with cuts in current public spending, the government must shift priorities towards measures to boost growth, such as investment in infrastructure projects that will help the economy continue to recover in the medium-term.”
BUSINESSES will have access to a wealth of advice and opportunities at a free business surgery at Beacon Park on Tuesday, September 19. The event is open to all businesses in the Great Yarmouth borough and those interested in moving to the area.
Great Yarmouth Borough Council’s Economic Development Unit has organised the drop-in event, at the successful Enterprise Zone, as part of its commitment to working closely with partners to support economic growth and job-creation.
Taking place between 11am and 2pm, at Unit 3, Malory Road, one of the highlights will be the opportunity to find out more about exporting from the Department of International Trade’s Export Hub, an impressive exhibition truck which is touring the region.
Alongside this, the advisors from New Anglia Growth Hub will be on hand to provide details of grants of up to £500,000. Groundwork will be on hand to offer guidance about BEE Anglia Business Energy Efficiency Grants of up to £20,000, in addition to providing free guidance on business resilience, with a particular focus on flooding.
Great Yarmouth Borough Council will be showcasing the brand new office and industrial units at Beacon Park, which offers business rates discount of up to £55,000 each year for five years for eligible businesses that can move in by March 31, 2018. Visitors will be able to view the available units.
Healthy workplace provider, Thriving Workplaces, will offer free support for employee health and wellbeing. Businesses can find out more from Norfolk County Council about Great Yarmouth’s proposed Third River Crossing and have their say in the public consultation.
In addition, the East of England Energy Group (EEEGR), Norfolk Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Small Businesses will be on hand to offer advice and promote local business networking events.
enterpriseGY, the borough council’s business support service, will be available to help businesses with their applications for the Spirit of Enterprise Awards, which are now in their 10th year and offer the opportunity for businesses to raise their profile in the borough.
Cllr Paul Hammond, vice chairman of the economic development committee, said: “There is a significant amount of support available in the borough for businesses, including grants and expert guidance, offered through various different organisations.
“This free drop-in surgery is really useful because it enables businesses to meet all these organisations under one roof, discuss the full range of advice and opportunities available, and really reap the benefits.
“This is all part of the borough council’s important work to support and encourage businesses to invest in, grow within and relocate to the borough. It is also fitting that we are staging the surgery at Beacon Park, an energy hub and top Enterprise Zone site.”
Understand the key elements of security related risks and practical steps required for implementing an effective security strategy.
About this course
Almost half of all organisations in the UK fall victim to cyber security breaches every year, often leading to personal data breaches, interruption to business, financial loss and reputational damage.
Many businesses still mistakenly consider Cyber Security a technical IT problem, but more and more are realising that Cyber Attacks such as Ransomware and business email compromise (BEC) represent a key business risk requiring visibility and focus at the executive level.
This non-technical, workshop based course is designed to help business owners and senior leadership teams to understand the key elements of Cyber and Information Security related risks, and the practical steps required for a comprehensive Cyber Security strategy appropriate to their business.
This course will include both presentation and group exercises and focuses on:
Understanding Cyber Security from a business perspective
“While this is a giant political leap for the Prime Minister, this is only a small step towards the clarity and precision that businesses need to chart their future direction.
“The overriding priority is still to assure businesses and communities that an unwanted ‘no deal’ scenario will not happen by default on March 29th.
“Businesses still need to ensure they are preparing for all possible scenarios and government and its agencies must provide clear, precise and accurate information for all eventualities.”
‘Coffee Means Business – relaxed, informal business networking for all local businesses. No membership, no pressure, just great networking over coffee.
Programme: · 9:30 am – help yourself to coffees and teas, meet with other businesses · 10.00 am – a welcome from Genix · 10.05am – time for more conversation · 10.30 am – short presentations from local businesses · 10.40am – who will you meet? · 11:30 am – time to go…
Bring plenty of business cards!
“The most cost-effective networking I have ever done”.
For more details call us on 0800 096 3013 or email info@genix.org.uk.
This year we are also running more open courses in first aid initial, requalification and refresher training than ever before. We hope that this will make it easier for you to successfully book onto your chosen course date following our near sell-out sessions last year – Early booking is still advised of course. https://www.norvictraining/course-dates/
Commenting on the parliamentary vote on extending Article 50, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:
“While most businesses will support an extension to Article 50 to avert the prospect of a messy and disorderly exit on the March 29th, with just two weeks to go this vote leaves firms with no real clarity on the future.
“Although Parliament has indicated this week its desire to avoid a no deal exit and has requested the Prime Minister seek an extension to Article 50, the purpose and the timeframe are yet to be determined. Crucially, until this is agreed with the EU, leaving without a deal on March 29th remains the default position.
“Once again, businesses are left waiting for Parliament to reach a consensus on the way forward and are losing faith that they will achieve this. In the meantime, firms are continuing to enact their contingency plans, anxiety amongst many businesses is rising, and customers are being lost.
“While this process rumbles on, there must be no let up from Government, its agencies and businesses in their preparations for all eventualities, including a no deal exit.
“Businesses, jobs, investment and our communities are still firmly in the danger zone.”