EQ Accountants, part of the Sumer Group

⏳ Maximise Your Pension Contributions Before the New Tax Year! ⏳ As the new tax year approaches, now’s the time to make the most of your pension contributions. 💰 Making contributions can reduce your taxable income and provide valuable tax relief. Here’s why it matters: ✅ Tax Relief for Basic Rate Taxpayers: For every £80 you contribute, the government adds £20, making your £80 total £100 in your pension! ✅ Higher-Rate Taxpayers: You can claim additional tax relief to lower your effective tax rate. ✅ Income Over £100,000? Pension contributions help you retain your personal allowance, which might otherwise be lost. Most individuals can contribute up to £60,000 annually – the more you contribute, the more you save on taxes! 💡 Make sure to complete your pension contributions before 5 April to reduce your overall taxable income for this year. Get in touch today with your EQ contact or through our website: https://lnkd.in/g_h-xaV #PensionContributions #TaxRelief #TaxPlanning #OneEQ #SumerGroup 

⏰Time is Running Out to Make Voluntary National Insurance Contributions You have until 5th April 2025 to pay contributions for any missing National Insurance years from 2006 to 2016. Our latest blog post talks about how voluntary contributions can help safeguard your state pension, the practical steps to take, and the benefits you might be missing out on. Read the full article here 👉 https://lnkd.in/eKxBF4SC Have you considered making voluntary contributions? #FinancialPlanning #RetirementPlanning #StatePension #TaxAdvice #EQAccountants

On Friday, March 7th, Caroline McKenna, COO EQ, and Elaine Maddison, CEO Brightsolid, hosted the first Local Ladies in Senior Roles Lunch at The Rhynd. They were joined by a group of successful women in senior roles, including EQ partner, Louise Grant.   It was a fantastic opportunity for like-minded women to connect, share experiences, and inspire change. As part of their goody bags, each of the guests was gifted a copy of Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez, sparking insightful discussions on gender equality. ⚖️   Caroline shared: "It was a great day to celebrate and be surrounded by so many driven, like-minded women, all sharing their similar experiences in the workplace."   Here’s to celebrating the women who inspire us! ✨ #OneEQ #InvisibleWomen #SumerGroup #WomenInSeniorRoles

The next member of our professions team we would like to introduce you to is, Senior, Jack Campbell. Jack joined the firm (formerly DH&Co) in 2022 as a graduate apprentice and has since proven to be an invaluable member of the team. After earning his bachelor’s degree in accounting and passing his Chartered Accounting exams, Jack has gained a broad range of experience, working with clients of all sizes across various industries. Today, he specializes in the property sector within the professions team. Jack said: "I joined EQ (DHCO) as a Graduate Apprentice in 2022, following four years’ experience at a smaller firm. During the past year, I have graduated from university with a bachelor’s in accounting and passed my Chartered Accountant exams. I have experience working with clients of all sizes in a variety of industries but specialise in the property sector." To learn more about our Professions team, and how we can help you: https://lnkd.in/efhgSyVA #EQAccountants #OneEQ #ProfessionsAccountants #MeetTheTeam #SumerGoup

Saturday 8th March marked International Women's Day - a day to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. But honouring women’s achievements should extend beyond just one day. That’s why we’re launching a new series to recognise the strength, growth, and journeys of women in leadership at EQ. 💙   To kick off this series, we’re excited to share a letter from Michelle Murray to her younger self:   "I know you sometimes feel frustrated and overlooked, but that won’t always be the case. You will find your confidence in knowing your own worth, and with that, you will find your voice. You will learn to stand up for yourself, voice your frustrations, and have those difficult conversations.   You often feel like you're too emotional, as if it will hold you back. But that’s just who you are, and you'll learn to accept it. Your emotions won’t stop you from reaching your goals—they’ll help you make decisions with greater self-awareness. You’ll realise that having a caring and sensitive nature is a strength, not a weakness.   You can't expect others to have confidence in you if you don't have confidence in yourself. Stay true to your values and who you are—you don’t need to change. I wish I had known this sooner: You are capable of far more than you think!"   Through these reflections, we aim to inspire and empower the next generation of leaders with the lessons and strength they need to grow.   💪 Here’s to women finding their confidence, raising their voices, and achieving their dreams, every day!    #WomenInLeadership #Empowerment #OneEQ #SumerGroup

CA Member & Student Alumni Session with Helena Drylie and Max Kelly – University of Dundee Last Wednesday Helena Drylie and Max Kelly attended the CA Member & Student alumni session. Here’s what they had to say: “At the session, we shared what it’s like to work at EQ; the collaborative environment, and the support from experienced staff. Due to the non-departmentalised structure, there are a variety of experiences available. We also spoke about the importance of communication and organisational skills when in balancing work and studying for ICAS.” Helena said, "It was great to be back in Dundee to speak to Accountancy students (and lecturers alike) about my time working through the ICAS CA qualification and my time at EQ. It feels just like yesterday I was in their position, looking to obtain an internship and graduate position in an accountancy firm, and here I am just a couple of years later!" If you’re interested in becoming a Chartered Accountant and starting your career with us, get in touch today: https://lnkd.in/e2nv4enV #CharteredAccountant #ICAS #EQAccountants #CareerJourney #OneEQ #SumerGroup

Last Wednesday, Kirsty Sutherland, Chelsea Anton, Debbie Millar, and Barbara Shaw attended the first agriculture show of the year in the north-east — The Royal North Spring Show at Thainstone Mart in Inverurie.🌾 This fantastic event attracted hundreds of farmers from across Scotland and saw record entries in some of the showing classes. Our team had a great day representing EQ and connecting with farmers and industry professionals. 🤝 It was an excellent opportunity to engage with the agricultural community and stay ahead of industry trends. For more information on what services our agriculture team can offer you: https://lnkd.in/e_mfMS3V #RoyalNorthSpringShow #Agriculture #Farming #OneEQ #SumerGroup

Maximise Your ISA Allowance Before 5 April 2025 ⏳ As we approach the end of the 2024/25 financial year, now is the perfect time to make the most of your Individual Savings Account (ISA) allowance. If you haven’t used your £20,000 ISA allowance for this tax year, make sure to act before 5 April 2025 — after that, any unused allowance will be lost.   David Morrison, Partner and head of the Tax Team shares the main ISA options you should consider: 1. Cash ISA: A tax-free savings account where all interest received is exempt from tax, making it a great option for those with interest above their personal savings allowance or additional rate taxpayers. 2. Stocks & Shares ISA: This offers double the benefit. Not only is dividend income tax-free (helpful if you have dividends over the £1,000 allowance), but any growth within the ISA is exempt from Capital Gains Tax, leaving your full annual exemption available for other gains. 3. Innovative Finance ISA: Invest in peer-to-peer lending and earn tax-free returns. 4. Lifetime ISA: Designed for those under 50, this allows you to save towards a first home, with a £4,000 annual limit and a 25% bonus on contributions.   Don't miss the chance to maximise your savings and investment opportunities for the 2024/25 financial year. If you need help making the most of your ISA, get in touch with us:   #ISA #FinancialPlanning #OneEQ #SumerGroup

Last week, EQ proudly sponsored The Scottish Farmer’s ‘Big Farm Debate’. 🗣️ Partner Robert Young attended, and here's his reflection on the experience: "Last week, I had the honour of sitting on the professionals panel for all three of the 'Scottish Farmers' Big Farm Debate'. The events in Stirling, Ayr and Huntly were packed with forward thinking farmers, there to hear about the impact of Labours October budget and the importance of a robust succession plan as a result. My key takeaway from all three events is that while the road ahead may be challenging for many farm businesses, there are opportunities to strategically plan for the future. Farmers are and will remain to be the most resilient of business owners and with the necessary professional assistance your businesses can navigate these changes and thrive." If you’re looking for help to strategically plan your future in the agriculture sector, get in touch with us: https://lnkd.in/g_h-xaV #TheBigFarmDebate #OneEQ #Agriculture #Farming #SumerGroup

Geoff Campbell – 10 years at EQ! 🎉 Today we are celebrating a huge milestone for our Payroll Manager, Geoff Campbell. He said: "When I joined EQ (DHCO), the Kelso office had fewer than 40 staff. Fast forward a year and two mergers later, and we’ve grown to over 200 colleagues across Scotland and the North of England. My role as Payroll Manager evolved too, growing from managing a team of one to five in a short time. After nearly 20 years in payroll, I’ve now transitioned into a new role within the Advisory team. It’s certainly been a wild ride—but a very enjoyable one. I’ve never worked anywhere with such a great team atmosphere." Geoff’s journey is a perfect example of our “With You” approach – growing together, every step of the way. We are proud to have you as part of the team Geoff and very grateful for your hard work at EQ. Here is to many more years of growth and success together 💙 #OneEQ #SummerGroup #Celebrating #WorkAnniversary