32 finance
New app puts secure IT solutions at your fingertips
HWB has launched a free mobile app for iPhone and Android smartphones that provides a range of useful information and other valuable features
The app is designed to be a simple-to-use, helpful way to get handy information whenever and wherever needed. It also makes it easy for clients to log in to HWB’s client portal for personalised, on-the-go access to documents and financial details.
James Alesbury, HWB’s associate director, said: “As a proactive, forward-thinking firm of accountants we want to provide solutions to our clients.
“The app is another way in which we can help them gain access to their securely-held information using technology that is fast, easy to use and convenient.“
The HWB app portal facility is hosted by HWBIT, and is one of a range of IT services and solutions on offer.
Another popular HWBIT product is the Cloud Dashboard which can help reduce costs and avoid the headache of having to manage an IT infrastructure.
Prospects reach 29-month high
Short-term business prospects continued their sharp improvement last month and reached the highest level since March 2011, according to the latest Business Trends report by accountants and business advisers BDO LLP Southampton.
BDO’s Output Index, which predicts short-run turnover expectations and reflects the current experience of businesses, climbed to a 29-month high of 98.3, up from 96.8 in July. The figure is close to the 100.0 mark that indicates long- run, average trend growth, and suggests the economy is poised to experience robust growth in the next quarter.
Output in the services sector, which makes up roughly three quarters of the UK economy, rose from 96.5 in July to 97.7 in August, while the manufacturing sector rose above 100.0 to 100.7 in August from 98.3 in July.
Business confidence also continued to rise. BDO’s Optimism Index, which predicts business performance in two quarters’ time, increased for the seventh consecutive month – from 95.6 in July to 98.0 in August – its highest level since May 2011 and closer to the important 100.0 mark. The services sector recorded a healthy Optimism score of 97.7, while manufacturing confidence, buoyed by improving conditions in the eurozone, leapt up from 91.4 in July to 99.6 in August.
Improving business conditions and confidence are not being matched by a corresponding pick
www.businessmag.co.uk
up in companies’ hiring intentions however. BDO’s Employment Index remained at the same 97.0 level as in July and the Index has only moved up by 0.6 points in the past five months. The relative stasis is consistent with official figures which show that between April and June 2013, the unemployment rate was 7.8%, barely down on the same period one year earlier.
Malcolm Thixton, lead partner and head of BDO LLP in Southampton, commented: “We’re encouraged to see that business conditions and confidence are continuing to improve, and that the economy is set for relatively robust expansion for the remainder of 2013.
“However the sting in the tail is that the improvement is not being reflected in businesses’ hiring intentions. This is particularly pertinent given the Bank of England governor Mark Carney’s decision to peg interest rates to unemployment levels. Our data suggests that Carney’s target may remain elusive and interest rates will remain at their record low for some time. We’re likely to see more public sector job cuts in the next 12 months and, as Carney recently pointed out, productivity in 2013 remains stuck at the same level it was in 2005. This means that the pick-up in business output may at least be partially absorbed by higher levels of output per worker.“
Finance deal sets firm on the growth path
High precision machining company Weymouth Precision Engineers is set for growth after a £61,000 asset finance deal from Santander Corporate & Commercial enabled it to purchase two state-of-the-art computer numeric controls (CNC) machines.
Originally founded in 1964, Weymouth Precision Engineers was acquired by first-time owner-managers David and Richard Wilson in February. The company produces large, small and prototype work for the manufacturing industry. Its key strength is the ability to turn work around quickly, with some items being completed within a couple of hours of receiving the order.
The Wilsons plan to grow the business by focusing on increasing the customer base and expanding into as many sectors and industries as possible. They have taken on four more engineers and the new CNC machines will allow them to increase productivity and tender for larger contracts.
David Wilson, managing director, said: “Santander has helped us to not only realise the dream of owning our own business, but also provided the funding to support a long- established, local business. I am confident that with this funding we will be able to grow the business and reach a wider customer base.“
THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – SOLENT & SOUTH CENTRAL – OCTOBER 2013
It enables users to have desktop software and functionality stored in the cloud which is easily accessible from any Internet-enabled device, giving the freedom and power to work remotely with ease. The system can also help reduce costs as you only pay for what you need, when you need it. Almost any software titles can be configured on the system.
HWBIT also provide an online accounting solution to the company’s catalogue of business solutions. This system automatically imports codes and transactions enabling users to create and send invoices from anywhere in the world.
Other services include a virtual IT manager, capable of dealing with and managing a client’s entire IT function and assisting with IT management tasks such as IT planning, strategy and auditing.
Details: James Alesbury 023-8046-1200
James.Alesbury@
hwb-accountants.com www.hwb-accountants.com
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