Dear Reader

Welcome to the second issue of our newsletter for 2015 - its hard to believe we're nearly half way through the year already.  I do hope its been a successful one for you and your business to date and hasn't felt like the hard slog of running a marthon, I litterly know how that feels!

In this edition of our newsletter we have a real mix of topics, ranging from the witty observations of our receptionist Pamela Hyland, to the informative with articles by Sally Turner from our Payroll Department, Mark Ryan our Personal Insolvency Practictioner and Anne O'Doherty of Quintas Wealth Management.  We're also keeping you updated on whats has been happening in Quintas via our recent news section. 

I hope you enjoy the read and as always we'd be delighted to hear your feedback.


Tim McCarthy
Managing Partner

I’ve been asked to pen the Holy Grail of articles, the topic?  Reception, really? You know all about canny accountants, right?  Well I work with a whole team of them (I’m not one by the way, I’m lovely).  Does that really make for interesting reading?  Have I lost you already? 

I’ve been around the block, jobwise that is and was very ready for a change just over a year ago.  So, I took the plunge, and after meeting two of the partners at Quintas (two of the best talent spotters in Cork by the way) joined the sloooow lane as their front office person.  Semi-retirement was almost palatable, nice and easy nine to five with minimum responsibility compared to my last ship, answer the phone, make a few coffees… Tadah!

Every business has an employee who is critical to its profitability, someone who is integral and critical to the business, someone who is firmly entrenched and important, it might be a top salesperson or a manager that is vital to the business.  Ask yourself – “what would happen to your business if that employee were to pass away?" If that employee is indeed "key" that is, he or she creates significant revenue, revenue that would take a while to replace, then their loss would likely trigger an economic crisis in your small business!

Quintas provide a client payroll bureau where we process the payrolls on behalf of our clients.  We receive numerous queries about Public Holidays and the entitlements for same.  In this article I will outline the various Public Holidays we have here in Ireland, explain from a payroll perspective who is entitled to them and how you can calculate the payments for both full-time and part-time employees.

Public Holidays

There are 9 Public Holidays listed in the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997, they are:-

This is probably the 1^st question I get asked in my initial meeting with a client. The answer isn’t that simple as there are various options depending on the client and the debt involved.

There are a number of methods of dealing with debt on the family home but the main ways would be an informal restructure through discussions with your bank under the MARP (Mortgage Arrears Resolution Programme), a formal agreement under the new personal insolvency legislation or the final act which is bankruptcy. The banks must apply the conditions of MARP in all cases involving the family home.

None of the above options are to be feared but if you are unsure of your own position I would suggest that you contact someone to find out as you might find that it may not be as bad as you think.

We recently issued our bimonthly taxation update which put a spotlight on a number of topical tax issues such as the governments economic spring statement, form 46G, company law and VAT on telecommuncations, broadcasting and electronic services. 

To view a copy of this update click here.

If you have any taxation queries don't hesitate to contact us by email at info@quintas.ie or call 021 4641400.

ROAD RUNNERS!

Congrats to Tim McCarthy, Managing Partner and Mark Ryan, PIP both of whom ran personal bests at the recent Paris Marathon.

FUNDRAISING

We've had a particularly busy quarter with our fundraising efforts.  

We had a number of staff members assist with the Special Olympics flag day which took place on Friday 24th April and they managed to get a few pics with some famous faces, well done Mark, Anne, Lynda, Conor & Tadhg.

We also held two successful coffee mornings, one for the Irish Cancer Societies Daffodil Day and one for IMNDA.

SPONSORSHIP

Quintas were delighted to be sponsors of  the CBC Zambia Immersion Projects' fundraising event 'Who wants to be a Thousandaire?' which took place on the 5th March in the Rochestown Park Hotel.  We wish the students the very best with their trip to Zambia which is taking place in June.

JUNIOR CERT BUSINESS STUDIES REVISION COURSE

Cork Junior Cert students gathered at Quintas over a few weekends in March to swot up on Business Studies, ahead of their State examinations in June. The course, which was provided by Fachtna O'Mahony a Partner in Quintas for the sixth year running, covered such topics as time planning, topic prediction, marking schemes and question selection for the Business Studies Junior Cert Exam.   We wish all the students the very best with their upcoming exams.

 

APPOINTMENT ANNOUNCEMENT



Julie Murray, Financial Controller

Quintas is pleased to announce the appointment of Julie Murray, an experienced Certified Public Accountant, as its Financial Controller.  Julie has worked with the firm since 2002 and during that time has amassed a wealth of experience in a variety of positions within Quintas’ various departments.   As Financial Controller, Julie will now have responsibility for the Financial Management of Quintas.  Julie is a graduate of CIT where she obtained a Diploma in Business Studies, Accountancy.  Julie is a member of CPA Ireland and is a committee member of the Munster CPA society.

DEBT RESOLUTION OPEN EVENINGS

The Quintas PIP, Mark Ryan, is hosting FREE Information Evenings on debt resolution, insolvency and bankruptcy on Wednesday evenings from 5pm to 7pm.  These open evenings offer you the opportunity to meet with Mark Ryan for a 15 minute consultation whereby he can advise you on how you can best overcome your debt worries.  If you would like to avail of this offer contact Sarah O'Neill on 021 4641400 or email soneill@quintas.ie