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At Oxbridge Accountants and Tax Advisors, we understand that accounting and tax terminology can often feel complex and overwhelming.
This glossary has been created to provide clear, simple explanations of common financial, accounting, and tax terms to help you better understand your finances and make informed decisions.
Assurance services are provided by qualified professionals to improve the reliability of financial information and identify risks, helping business owners make informed decisions.
Accounting is the process of recording, analysing, and reporting financial information to understand the financial performance of a business or individual.
Bonds are a type of investment where you lend money to a company or government in return for regular interest payments and repayment of the original amount at a future date.
Bankruptcy is a legal process for individuals or businesses who cannot repay their debts. It is usually considered a last resort and can have serious financial consequences.
Bookkeeping is the process of recording daily financial transactions, ensuring your financial records are accurate and up to date.
International business refers to trading goods or services across national borders.
Cloud accounting uses online software to manage your accounts, allowing access from anywhere with real-time financial data.
A chartered accountant is a highly qualified accounting professional with recognised certifications and expertise.
A high growth company is one that expands rapidly, often increasing revenue or size significantly over a short period.
Capital Gains Tax is charged on the profit made when selling assets such as property or investments, not on the total sale value.
Corporate finance focuses on how businesses manage funding, investments, and financial structures.
All charities are not for profit organisations, but not all not for profit organisations are charities. Charities must have defined social or charitable objectives.
Due diligence is the process of reviewing financial, tax, and legal information before buying or selling a business to identify risks.
An estate represents the total value of a person’s assets, including property, savings, and investments.
An estate is valued by calculating total assets minus any liabilities such as debts or mortgages.
ESG investing considers environmental, social, and governance factors when making investment decisions.
Exit planning involves preparing a strategy to sell or transfer ownership of a business efficiently and profitably.
Financial planning is the process of managing your finances to achieve your long-term goals, such as retirement or business growth.
A gift is the transfer of money or assets to another person without receiving anything in return, which may have tax implications.
Human Resources refers to managing employees, including recruitment, performance, and compliance with employment law.
HR consultancy provides expert advice on managing employees, policies, and workplace issues.
Capital investment is money spent by a business on assets or growth opportunities.
Inheritance Tax is charged on the value of an estate after death, subject to allowances and reliefs.
Investing involves using money to generate returns through assets such as shares or property.
Liquidation is the process of closing a business and selling its assets to repay creditors.
NICs are payments made by employees and employers to fund state benefits such as pensions and healthcare.
Payroll is the process of paying employees, including calculating wages, tax deductions, and reporting to HMRC.
A pension is a long-term savings plan designed to provide income during retirement.
Yes, pension income may be subject to tax depending on how and when funds are withdrawn.
A registered office is the official address of a company registered with Companies House.
Retirement is when an individual stops working, typically supported by savings and pensions.
A startup is a newly established business, often focused on growth and innovation.
SME stands for Small to Medium Enterprise, typically a business with fewer than 250 employees.
The State Pension is a regular payment from the government once you reach retirement age.
Tax is a compulsory payment to the government used to fund public services.
Retirement is when an individual stops working, typically supported by savings and pensions.
MTD is a UK government initiative requiring businesses to keep digital records and submit tax returns electronically.
A tax audit is a review by HMRC to ensure correct tax has been paid.
Year end is the end of a financial or tax year, after which accounts are prepared.
For individuals, the UK tax year ends on 5 April. For companies, it depends on their accounting period.
If you need help understanding any accounting or tax term, our experts are here to help.
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Oxbridge Accountant Ltd & Co is with registered Companies House in England and Wales with registration no: 11374222. All information provided on this site is for public and general use only. None of the information on this site should be construed as business, investment or tax planning advice or personalized advice for your particular circumstances.
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Oxbridge Accountants & Tax advisors with Company Registration No. 1137422 Registered in England and Wales. Registered Address: 20-22 Wenlock Road, London, Islington, N1 7GU England. Member of Institute of Chartered Accountants for England & Wales with Membership Number: 6389314.
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