PEM
PEM are your team of accountants, tax and business advisers.
The financial decisions you make today shape your tomorrows. So, we make it our business to understand and respond to every client’s unique needs.
From companies and non-profit organisations to individuals and families, we’rehere to offer friendly, flexible, expert support in all areas of business, tax and wealth. Here, not just as a trusted adviser, but as a core part of your team. In fact, we’ve been part of our clients’ teams, building confidence in their futures for almost 150 years.
How can we help shape yours?
Products and services
Virtual Finance Office
Our Virtual Finance Office (VFO) is an outsourced accounts solution that not only saves you money, but gives you back something more valuable – your time.
For anyone running a business, getting the finance function operating efficiently can present a challenge as all businesses require different skills from processing, through to reporting and forecasting, which are hard to find without hiring multiple people.
Our fully outsourced accounts solution ensures that you stay HMRC compliant, invoices are processed and paid in a timely manner, you have access to the latest technology, and receive to up-to-date information about your business, so you can make future decisions with confidence. However large your business, and whatever industry you’re in, simply select the services you need and free up your time to focus on running and growing your business.
Tax Advice and Planning
Are you paying more tax than you need to? Each year, thousands of people in the UK do just that. Our sixty strong tax team based in central Cambridge is on hand to guide you through the complexities of both UK and international tax systems making sure you’re not only compliant, but both you and your business save tax.
- Business taxes
- Employment taxes
- International tax
- Personal taxes
- Stamp Duty Land Tax
- VAT
Probate and Estate Administration
Holding your hand through the process of administrating the estate of a loved one.
Emotions can run high during this difficult time, so our experienced team are on hand to help guide you through the maze of probate and estate administration working with you to provide as much or as little help as you need. Where we have advised on the drafting of the will and wealth planning structuring, we can provide an insight to the arrangements and ensure that the deceased’s wishes are fulfilled.
We work with the family to
- Register the death
- Act as executors where appointed
- Obtain the will
- Protect assets during the probate and administration process
- Determine all the assets and liabilities
- Advertise the death to notify any creditors
- Determine gifts made during the deceased’s lifetime
- Complete the Inheritance Tax returns
- Arrange for Inheritance Tax to be paid
- Obtain a grant of probate or letters of representation
- Collect the assets
- Prepare the estate accounts
- Advise on the most tax efficient payments to beneficiaries
- Determine distributions for each beneficiary in line with the will
- Make final distributions to beneficiaries
- Prepare estate tax returns
- Complete repayment claims for beneficiaries
Recovery and Insolvency
Too often, events beyond your control can leave you and your business facing financial difficulties. Whether you’re a sole trader, partnership or limited company, if you find yourself slipping into debt, it’s vital to act fast, to prevent your business failing as a result.
Our experience shows that when running a business, whether you’re a sole trader, in partnership or have a limited company, the quicker you act the more chance you’ve got of being able to save your business or personal affairs.
Many situations can be resolved without the need for a formal insolvency process so getting advice at an early stage is vital. As the need to pay for professional advice can be yet another worry you don’t need, we initially start off by offering our time free of charge.
Payroll
If you employ staff you need payroll services. But what was once a reasonably straightforward task is becoming more and more complex.
Providing payroll services in-house can be expensive – and finding staff with the right skills can be a challenge. Consider PEM as a safe pair of hands for your payroll function, which helps free up your staff’s time to focus on your core business. Our dedicated payroll team have the expertise and technology to pay your staff both quickly and efficiently, providing a tailored, confidential service that’s designed to suit the needs of your business.
How it works
You provide all the details of the payroll, and we calculate it for you. We provide all the reports necessary for the post-payroll function via email or post and send you the payslips for distribution. You would typically deal with the HMRC and staff queries in the first instance. However we can provide more detailed advice on these areas if you require.
Benefits of outsourcing your payroll
- Frees up time
- Saves money
- Capital investment is reduced
- We take care of the legislative complexity
- Confidentiality is assured
- Staff are always paid on time
International Advice
Whether you’re a UK business looking to trade internationally, a foreign-owned business investing in the UK, or an individual working overseas every action has tax implications both locally and internationally so it pays to take advice.
PEM’s international tax team is made up of over 60 specialists who can guide you through the many complex international tax rules and help reduce your exposure to tax.
Our membership of Kreston International – a global network of independent accounting firms – means we have access to around 200 firms across 100 countries. So as well as the support of people who know you close to home, you have access to the knowledge and skills of our trusted counterparts.
- International business tax
- International employment tax
- International personal tax
- VAT overseas
Financial Planning
Life is not always plain sailing and at any time your financial and personal circumstances may unexpectedly change. Alongside tax and accounting advice you may need to seek specialist support from an independent financial adviser (IFA). We work with independent financial advisers (IFAs) that provide wealth management advice to individuals and their businesses to ensure a joined up approach.
We believe that, whatever your age and circumstances, you are more likely to achieve your personal and business financial goals if your advisers work together. An IFA will help you to establish your financial objectives and, working closely with your usual PEM contact, suggest a comprehensive wealth management strategy tailored to your specific needs and objectives.
Personal financial planning:
- Investment strategies
- Pension planning
- Lifestyle protection
- Mortgages and borrowings
Business financial planning:
- Business protection
- Directors' pensions
- Employee benefits
- Workplace pensions
Business Advisory
When you’re busy running a business, we know it can be hard to step away from the day-to-day management to focus on your overriding goals and aspirations; where you are now, where you want to be in the future and how you can get there.
That’s where our business advisory team have you covered. Whether you’re looking for regular input or help with a one-off project we’ll work with you to develop a defined, clear and measurable strategy to help you plan for success and keep you on track when it comes to achieving your goals.
From ambitious start-ups to established local businesses, our advice is always tailored and flexible for companies across all sectors and of all sizes. The structure of our department means we are able to deliver the personal approach of a small firm with the benefit of access to each of our specialist departments. All clients will have direct contact with the Partner responsible for their affairs in addition to their portfolio manager who we know in time will be regarded as a valued member of your extended team.
- Business development and diversification
- Profit improvement strategy
- Raising finance
- Start-up
- Due Diligence
Audit and Assurance
However large or small your business and whatever sector you’re in, keeping up with the production of accurate and timely year end accounts can be a burden – and that’s before you consider the ever-changing compliance regulations.
But there’s another perspective: auditing presents an opportunity to gain vital insights into your business – insights that can help you streamline the way you do things, improve your processes, and even profitability.
You’ll be assigned a team of specialists relevant to your industry that will get right down to the fundamentals of your business. On completion, you’ll receive a jargon free report containing key findings of the audit, an analysis of your current accountancy systems and recommendations for improvements or changes where appropriate.
- Financial audit
- Grant audit
- Specialist audit
Accounting
Whether you’re a self-employed individual, employee, business owner or charity, it’s hard to keep up with the latest changes in tax and accounting regulations and producing your annual accounts can be a headache.
As Cambridge’s largest firm of accountants, we’ve been helping clients make sense of their accounts for over 145 years. Our experienced advisers take the time to get to know your circumstances, goals and aspirations.
We don’t just produce your annual accounts – we put the figures into perspective so you can make the best decisions for the future of your business.
- Annual accounts and tax compliance
- Bookkeeping and management accounts
- Company secretarial services
- Virtual Finance Office
