Seminars

Forthcoming seminars and events.

Details of our 2009 seminar programme will be published on this page shortly.

For more information on our recent seminars click on the links:

Charity Forum 2008

Following the success of Charity Insights, we are hosting further sessions, which will explore the key issues discussed on the day in more depth. Charity Forum programme.

If you would like to attend any of these sessions, please register by completing our online booking form, or by e-mail Louise Freedman. Please state which sessions you would like to attend and your preferred venue.

When: Events run from 3.00pm to 5.00pm.

Where:

  • Glasgow: Scott-Moncrieff, 25 Bothwell Street, G2 6NL. Click for map.
  • Edinburgh: Scott-Moncrieff, 17 Melville Street, EH3 7PH. Click for map.

Booking: There is no charge for attendance but numbers are limited and places will be
allocated on a first come basis. Click here to register.

Charity Forum Programme 2008:

Competitive Tendering: Pitch to Win

When & Where:

Speakers:
Gareth Magee, Corporate Finance Partner, Scott-Moncrieff
Craig McArthur, Senior Marketing Manager, Scott-Moncrieff

Synopsis:

More than ever, charities are finding themselves sandwiched between burdensome regulation and an increasingly competitive funding environment. Many charities are now also finding that annual grants are being replaced by commercial contracts, awarded through an increasingly competitive tendering process. Progressively, charities are finding themselves pitching for these contracts against private sector organisations and to succeed must approach these tenders in an increasingly professional and commercial manner.

This session will look at the thinking, methods and tactics you can employ, which will increase your chances of winning competitive pitches.Click here to register.

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The Benefits of Joint Working and Collaboration; Adopting Legal Models

When & Where:

Speakers:
Campbell McLundie, Corporate and Consulting Partner, Scott-Moncrieff
Stephen Phillips, Partner, Burness

Synopsis:

Joint working and collaboration are being looked at by increasing numbers of not for profit organisations as a result of ever increasing funding pressures and changes in public procurement as a result of the McLelland Report. Options include collaborative tender bids, joint ventures, Public Social Partnerships and potential shared support services. This session highlights the reasons behind this growing interest in joint working, some of the benefits to be gained and the issues that need to be considered when developing such an approach.

Stephen Phillips will explore some of the more innovative legal models, which charities and other voluntary sector organisations are increasingly adopting, in an effort to respond to the new environment. Click here to register.

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Tax Issues Arising from Diversification and Change

When & Where:

Speaker:

Scott Craig, VAT Partner, Scott Moncrieff

Synopsis:

Increased scrutiny over the operation and control of charities and not-for-profit organisations has resulted in a number of practical and legal changes to the tax position of charities.

As well as providing a update on the key tax issues, the session will provide you an opportunity to discuss tax changes to funding arrangements, corporate structures and fund raising activities which have resulted in tax issues and opportunities for organisations that have previously been exempt from most taxes. Click here to register.

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More information: Charity Insights

Financial Insights 2008

This event has now taken place. For more information on Financial Insights see below.

Financial Insights has been designed to provide company directors, business owner-managers and senior finance staff with a high level overview of the key economic, business and accounting issues and challenges they will face in 2008.

Click here to download Financial Insights 2008 programme

For more information, click on the links below:

Download Financial Insights 2008 programme

Financial Insights 2008 - Overview

After a few days of showery weather across the central belt, August 8 2007 was a typically Scottish summer’s day. Temperatures were around 20c and we were experiencing below average sunshine and above average rainfall.

When the Bank of England set out its quarterly outlook, the economic weather also looked benign, with the barometer set fair. Growth was moving along apace, too strong for some but it was expected to moderate in 2008. Inflation was also forecast to remain under control provided that the base rate rose from 5.75% to 6% by early 2008.

On August 9 all of this changed. The world’s financial markets froze and the credit crisis began. Since then our economy has seldom been out of the headlines. Then the revelation in mid-September that the BoE was stepping in as a lender of last resort to Northern Rock, which led to the first bank run in the UK since Victorian times.

With numerous economic indicators hinting that the economy may be slowing (some going as far to predict a full scale global recession) many in the business community welcomed the first base rate-cut in two years on December 6.

So what happened between August 8 & 9? What’s in store for next twelve months? How will this impact on Scotland’s economy and your business’ prospects? And what about the Olympics and Commonwealth Games – who will benefit and by how much?

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Economic Outlook

These are just some of the questions which will be addressed during the first session at Financial Insights 2008. The session will be presented by Dougie Adams, an economist and director with Oxford Economic Forecasting. OEF works with major international organisations including the IMF and World Bank, government departments, as well as blue chip companies across the world.

Accounting Update

Following Dougie Adams, Bruce Cowie, FTC Kaplan and Iain Lee, Scott-Moncrieff will present the annual accounting update session, which will focus on the following:

  • Finance Act 2007 – impact of the changes to capital allowances and deferred taxation.
  • Business review changes.
  • Convergence – IFRS for AIM; small and medium sized companies.
  • FRS 17 amendments.
  • Proposed dividends.
  • Socially responsible accounting.
  • Companies Act 2006 – update on implementation and issues encountered.

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Financial Insights Sessions Download FI 2008 programme

In addition to the economic outlook and accounting update sessions, you will also have the opportunity to get the inside track on the latest developments in corporate, employer and indirect taxes, business technology, corporate finance and our wealth management colleagues will be showcasing a new interactive web tool to help manage your personal assets.

The programme

  • 8.30am Registration & light breakfast
  • 9.00am Welcome and introduction.
  • 9.10am Economic Outlook.
  • 9.40am Accounting Update & Companies Act 2006.
  • 10.25am Financial Insights Sessions Overview.
  • 10.30am Coffee Break
  • 10.45am Financial Insights session (1)
  • 11.15am Financial Insights Session (2)
  • 12.00pm Financial Insights Q & A Panel
  • 12.30pm Buffet Lunch

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Financial Insights Sessions
You can choose to attend two sessions.

Four financial insights sessions will run concurrently at 10.45am and again at 11.25am. You can choose to attend any two from the following four sessions.

Session One
Developments in Taxation

This session will provide you with practical advice on current direct, employer, and indirect tax issues and provide a forewarning for future tax developments which could potentially impact your business.

  • Common tax issues and problems faced by companies.
  • Recent developments in employer tax and VAT.
  • An early look ahead to the Chancellor’s Budget 2008.

Speakers: Paul Renz, Head of Tax, Scott Craig, VAT Partner, Justine Riccomini, Head of Employer Solutions, Scott-Moncrieff.

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Session Two
How secure is your data?

Towards the end of 2007 a number of high profile scandals emerged regarding government departments handling of confidential and personal information. Since then UK ministers have acknowledged that hundreds of government laptops have been lost or stolen in the last several years. Commercial businesses are not required to disclose such information, but there is no reason to suppose their experiences are any different. This session will look at:

  • What are the most common threats to your data?
  • How is your data likely to be compromised?
  • Implementing practical preventative measures.
  • Best practice tips to make sure it doesn’t happen to you.

Speakers: Robert Mackenzie, Partner, Campbell McLundie, Partner, Business Technology Group, Scott-Moncrieff.

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Session Three
When should I sell my business?

Our senior corporate finance team will host this session and will answer some of the most commonly asked questions:

  • When is the best time to sell?
  • Should I prepare my business for sale?
  • When should I start?
  • What do I need to consider?
  • How can I maximise the price?
  • Who is likely to buy my business?
  • Will I be expected to work in the business after it is sold?
  • What are my options post-sale?

Speakers: Stewart MacDonald, Partner, Gareth Magee, Partner, Kay Findlay, Director, Corporate Finance, Scott-Moncrieff.

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Session Four
Wealth management: getting best advice.

Consumers rely heavily on advice from intermediaries, although they have almost no understanding of the costs of obtaining this, and are unable to gauge its quality. Moreover, the advice itself is often compromised by the incentive effects of commission paid by product providers. Sandler Review 2002: Medium and Long Term Savings in the UK. This session will address:

  • How to gauge the quality of wealth management advice you receive.
  • How our client segregation approach ensures that all consumers, and not just those in the higher income brackets, receive best advice.
  • Wealthmanagement-online. Introducing our new web based tool which will help you to monitor your investment strategy – and your providers’ performance.

Speakers: Andrew Cumming, Director, Heather McGovern, Consultant & Stuart McGregor, Wealthmanagement-online. Scott-Moncrieff Wealth Management Ltd.

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Recent seminars and speaker notes:

Charity Insights 13 November 2007

This seminar has now taken place. Download our Charity Insights programme for further information on the sessions and to review Scott Craig's take on cultural exemption for charities and 'Why accountability matters' by Gillian Donald, Head of Scott-Moncrieff's Charity Group.

Download Charity Insights presentation packs by clicking on the links below:

When: 13 Nov 2007 8.45am-12.30pm Where: Menzies Belford Hotel, Edinburgh Download programme

Overview

The economic landscape is changing for the charity sector in Scotland. The emergence of the 'New Philanthropists' and expected outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review will have significant implications for how charity trustees and senior managers continue to meet their legal responsibility to act in the best interests of the charity.

Who is it aimed at?

Aimed at senior directors, trustees and management, Charity Insights will provide you with the opportunity to consider the strategic issues associated with fund raising, joint working and collaboration, legal developments and charity taxation and to debate these issues with a panel of experts and your fellow delegates.

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