Just like marathon day itself, I didn’t let the challenge scare me, I loved and appreciated the support along the way, of course was happy to have crossed the line, but mainly just feel relief that I can have a few weeks off.

9 weeks on since the start of chemotherapy.  I always knew they’d pass by quickly, even during the sleepless nights and lethargic days.  It seemed that no sooner was one treatment finished, another started.

And for a fitting bookend, I finished just in time for Thanksgiving, which as some of you will know, is very much celebrated in this corner of West Yorkshire.  Today, more than ever before, this family, and its many friends, has much to be thankful for.

We are almost at mile 18 of this challenge, which as many of you London Marathon runners know that means we’ve reached Canary Wharf.

Canary Wharf certainly wasn’t my favourite part of the marathon.  The rising temperatures were beginning to take their toll, the seemingly narrow streets, the towering buildings reflecting sunlight in all directions, the noisy crowds and the start of twinging calves all made running through Canary Wharf an unforgettably painful few miles.  But, I made it through, breathed a huge sigh of relief as I ran down the exit road, composed myself and pushed on towards the finish.

Don’t misunderstand me, the last 8 miles were far from plain sailing BUT I chose not to listen to pre-race advice telling me “the first 20 miles of a marathon are easy, it’s the last 6 you need to worry about” – indeed I was at mile 24 before I realise I’d exceeded my “20 mile barrier”.

I’m sure, at times, the next three weeks of chemotherapy are going to have their tuppence say and add to the mounting side effects.  When they do, it’s best to try and breathe a sigh of relief, compose myself and never forget though that chemotherapy is pushing me one step closer to the finish line.

I’ve been overwhelmed by the support from current, and new, clients, from business associates, from old friends re-connecting on facebook, and from newer friends on Twitter.

And of course, from the support of my family, all of whom must find it so difficult to see me facing this challenge on my own – just as they did on marathon day – hopefully realising that it’s precisely because they’re supporting me every step of the way I’m able to eat up the miles so easily.

Boy, am I looking forward to a post-race stout!

Thank you all for your continued support.

Yes, I know my chemo doesn’t start until Monday, but I wanted to post this update during the working week.  It’s when most of the people I want to read this are online.

The support and encouragement I’ve received, both before and since I published the previous blog, has been overwhelming.

I’ve had fantastic support from clients, and prospective clients alike.  2012 is shaping up to be a busy, and productive year for all of us.  I can’t wait for it to start!

I’ve always believed in being a collaborator with, rather than competitor to, other accountants.  From the offers of help I’ve had, it seems others share my way of thinking.  The same goes for other businesses – I will not forget the gesture, regardless of whether I do or don’t accept the offers.

My twitter time line has been on fire!  Whether from the charity sector, business community or the fantastic twitter running club.  All 140 character messages are greatly received.  And it’s been nice to finally speak to some of you this week!

And of course, the support I’ve received from my family and friends – local, national and international – has been as it always is, and that just makes me

I am in no doubt that when I start my treatment on Monday there will be plenty of people willing me on.  Together, we’ll kick this cancer in the balls.  Pun intended.

I knew at the time what “made the marathon” was the training.   The training was the true challenge.  The 5am starts, the sub-zero temperatures, the alsatians & barb wire and the resulting trip to A&E!  It was those long solitary runs which put a smile on face, and if I’m honest, a little tear in my eye as I waited in the starting pens on that April morning.

However, on the day itself knowing I had so many supporters – sponsors, the twitter running family, that woman on the Embankment that gave me her banana – giving up was something that just didn’t occur to me.

Of course, like all the other runners I had aches & pains, but they were instantly forgotten when I reached Buckingham Palace, turned the corner and saw the finish line.  A photographer captured that moment perfectly, and it’s that photo that sits on my bedside table reminding me of what I can achieve when I my mind and body face a challenge.

And for the best part of the last six months I believed that was it.  Job done, earned the medal, raised some money, next challenge please……..

Well, now I really understand the true value that marathon success has given me.

You see, a few weeks ago I found a “lump”, and making a very long story short which ignores ultrasound, consultation, surgery, further scans and multiple blood tests, in a few days time I start nine weeks of chemotherapy.

The positive news is there’s a 90% cure rate after treatment.

The analogy is simple.  I don’t need to spell it out.

I want to thank those of you who already knew this “news”.  Family, friends, clients, business associates, and twitter friends.  Your discretion, advice, support & friendship over the last few weeks has been a great help to me and my family.

If you didn’t already know it’s simply because the opportunity hadn’t arisen for me to tell you.  Now is the right time to share this with all of my good friends.

I have big plans for 2012, both personally and for My Management Accountant.  I know I don’t have to ask for your support over the next few weeks to help make sure I put those plans into place.

I just need to remember to take the photo to hospital with me.

Taking care of the carers

Employers can support their businesses by helping staff with extra caring responsibilities outside work.

Supporting employees caring for disabled children or elderly relatives might not seem the highest priority in difficult times. But employers have a legal obligation to do this, and cuts in local authority finances are likely to make it harder – and more time consuming – for parents of children with special needs, for example, to get the right level of support. Ensuring that your staff are aware of the help available to them could result in less employee work time being lost as a result, as well as improved staff loyalty.

Obligations

Under the Employment Rights Act 1996, employees who have been with their employer for more than six months have the right to request flexible working if they have caring obligations for dependants, such as disabled children under 18, or elderly relatives. Although employers are not required to grant such a request, they must:

• give it genuine consideration

• call a meeting to discuss it, if they are unable to simply agree to it

• have a real business reason if they have to turn the request down

Failing to do so could lead to a tribunal claim. The other risk faced by employers is a claim under the Equality Act if they discriminate against an employee because one of their dependants has a disability (or indeed any other aspect protected by the Act)

Going the extra mile

Caring for a disabled child or relative places a lot of strain on employees, taking up a lot of their time and almost all of their emotional energy. This inevitably has an impact on their work not to mention their work-life balance. Understanding your obligations in this area is one thing, but if you are able to better understand the issues being faced, and to offer some practical advice or possible solutions you are likely to reduce the potential burden on your business and improve employee contribution and loyalty.

Independent support could significantly reduce the amount of work hours spent, or time off taken off, by employees to deal with all the issues of trying to ensure that their children or relatives get the support they need.

It makes good business sense – as well as demonstrating the kind of approach that employees are increasingly seeking from their employers – to be in a position to offer advice on sources of support. Employers with staff going through this process can get advice and support from charities such as Independent Parental Special Educational Advice and the National Autistic Society. Age UK can be helpful for carers of elderly relatives.

Julie’s article highlights some really important topics, both with regards to obligations as well as to additional help an employer can give to an employee in this siutation.

Doesn’t it make sense to go that extra mile and help employees, both to make sure their needs are looked after and to ensure your business doesn’t suffer?

These individuals have been described as “ghosts” – people who have not declared income for the work they do – by HMRC.

Earlier this year it was my opinion that “plumbers” were just the start for HMRC.  My opinion hasn’t changed, and I believe all trades people – electricians, plasterers, joiners, builders, general construction workers – will soon be targeted by HMRC under similar initiatives.

My advice also remains the same.

If applicable, bring your financial records up to date as soon as possible, declare all income as soon as possible and make sure you contact HMRC before they contact you.

If you have any concerns at all please contact us here.

Inbetween the recent long bank holiday weekends, Martin Bown, owner of Management Accounting Services, sat the Xero Certified Partners exam.

Achieving a pass mark of 96%, we’re pleased to announce that he passed with flying colours!

What does this mean to you?

Well, we’re now formally qualified to tell you how great Xero is, and explain how it can help you and your business!

Would you like to discover more?  Please contact us to hear our thoughts on the benefits Xero can deliver to you and your business.

My opinion is they need to embrace it, and regardless of the industry they work in.  I think social media is as relevant to a self employed builder as it is to a retailer.

Here’s why I think that:

Remember watching TV adverts back in the mid-90′s, and remember how all the major companies started publishing a strange address beginning with “www.” where more information about the product or service could be found?

How quaint!  And how strange, now we know the internet has become the natural first choice for almost everybody to research an individual, business, product or service.

Whilst I’m not a social media “expert” I do foresee that sometime very soon customers will expect to research and buy services via social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter (just as they use Google now)

The recent BBC News article about increased advertising on Facebook only adds support to my argument.

Be warned, even if you think there’s no need for your business to start using social media, not all of your competitors will be the same.

If you haven’t already, don’t you think it’s time you thought about how social media could help your business grow?

I think the interesting phrase in the opening line of the announcement is “..a clampdown on tradespeople….”

So whilst, HMRC may be initially targeting the plumbing trade I’d expect to see similar schemes put in place for electricians, joiners, plasterers, painters….. in short a clampdown across all trades within the construction industry.

Plumbers have until 31 May to notify HMRC that they intend to make a disclosure about additional earnings & tax.

My advice, to all trades in the construction industry is make sure you bring your financial records up to date and disclose the correct amount of earnings, now.

Isn’t it better, in the words of HMRC themselves, for you to contact them before they contact you?

We’re happy to give you advice on how to make sure you contact HMRC before they contact you.

Contact us here, if you’re current advisor hasn’t already explained how this could affect you.

You feel that extra manpower is needed for your business but you are not quite ready or able to commit to hiring someone on a permanent basis. In this sort of situation a flexible zero hours contract sounds like the perfect solution. But is it as simple as it sounds or are there hidden pitfalls?

A zero-or nil-hours contract is an arrangement whereby an individual agrees to work for you on an “as and when” basis. That is, there are no set times or number of hours specified.
Furthermore you are under no obligation to provide that individual with work if you have none available.

The benefits of this sort of contract are as follows:

• You can bring in extra labour only when it is needed.
• You don’t have to pay for staff who are not on your premises or not carrying out work on your behalf.
• You can also have a number of individuals on zero hours contracts, and so build a bank of workers who are able to cover for others or provide extra labour at short notice.

There are possible pitfalls, however, and it is vital that employers are aware of these.

Workers on zero hours contracts have the right to be paid the National Minimum Wage.
It is possible for people working under such contracts to qualify for other statutory employment rights. If the worker is working similar hours on a regular basis, it is
possible that they can claim they have a fixed term contract and insist that you continue with these hours.

To avoid such claims it is important that you do not offer regular hours and keep  timesheets that show clearly any patterns emerging so that you can vary hours if necessary.

Also make it clear that if no work is undertaken for a given period, e.g. six months, the contract will be considered to be terminated.

If you would like further advice on the use of zero hours contracts, please contact us on                     01484 303585 or at www.ncoombes.co.uk