Matt Flanagan’s Top Predictions For A Post-MTD World
Wondering what a post-MTD world will look like? Here are Matt Flanagan’s predictions for the accounting industry after April 2019.
Making Tax Digital (MTD) has either been talked about too much or not enough. HMRC have been blamed of not talking about it enough with accountants or business owners - instead, leaving it to accountants to make clients aware of the legislative change. On the other hand, every other word in the industry seems to circle back to MTD or Brexit. The one thing the two have in common?
Arguably, it's uncertainty.
FINDING CERTAINTY IN THE AGE OF UNCERTAINTY
Many businesses remain in the dark about their obligations under the new legislation. ICAEW’s survey found that only half (51%) of all UK VAT-registered businesses had heard of MTD for VAT, with 46% not using accounting software. And according to the House of Lords report published in November, around 400,000 companies (around a third of those affected) are still not aware they will have to file digitally.
According to Matt Flanagan, cloud conversion expert and director of BlueHub, after MTD’s introduction we will see a lot of confusion regarding filing VAT.
“We’ll see a lot of businesses filing VAT using the wrong platform, but only finding out after they’ve filed it. It’s like using an old computer to send your file. Many will realise they are affected by MTD only after the event.”
Matt points to the end of May or early June 2019 to start seeing the results of HMRC’s new legislation.
“Awareness will be heightened by subtle subliminal messages. ICAEW research points to only 20% VAT returns being filed through software, which leaves 800,000 VAT returns that are currently being filed manually."
Yet, Matt believes that once we find a solution to Brexit, MTD will also become clearer.
“Brexit is taking up a lot of headspace and right now, particularly for businesses that engage with the EU for product or services, that’s a much bigger and pertinent thing to worry about. Once there’s a solution in place, MTD will once more become more important.”
So, how can firms prepare for the changes, and a post-MTD world where we have (hopefully) a clearer end of the tunnel?
IT’S MAKE OR BREAK
For Matt, this is a make or break moment in the industry.
“For the last few years, we’ve heard a lot of talk about issues such as value-based pricing and an increase in advisory services. This year, I believe we’ll see some of this come into effect. It’s a great opportunity to start investing in creating a scalable on-boarding process for new clients, to make sure it’s slick and streamlined.”
“If you want to grow by 100 clients in the next 3 months, it’ll be tough doing this on an ad-hoc basis. So, I recommend firms to streamline their engagement and make life easier for themselves by standardising solutions.”
The uncertainty of Brexit and MTD will almost certainly be mirrored in the lives of business-owners, navigating unknown waters. While yes, filing an incorrect tax return under MTD’s phased roll-out may not come top of concerns, it will almost certainly be one of them.
The demands of MTD for a digital approach to record-keeping and data transfer also provides an opportunity. In uncertain times, this is one way businesses can have real visibility into their organisation and make better data-informed decisions.
Matt sees 2019 as the year SMEs realise the benefit of regular, good-quality data for their business.
"If you have up-to-date data, you can make better informed decisions on everything from recruiting talent to securing funding. It’s about being mindful of the present while also understanding the past. This is an opportunity for accountants to play a part in those decisions.”
“This is not just for businesses who have set high-growth on the agenda. Rather, if your client owns a lifestyle business and works 4 days a week, it’s about reducing those 4 days to just 3 while keeping the same revenue. If not for profit, how can you make your clients’ lives easier, and their businesses more affordable?”
WHICH CAMP DO YOU FALL INTO?
This ‘make or break’ is not black and white. Rather, Matt sees two main routes accountants can take in the post-MTD world, and believes MTD will consolidate this split.
1 - TRADITIONAL ANNUAL ENGAGEMENTS
“Some firms are seeking once-a-year engagements, for instance for compliance. You can work with a high number of clients, with a low margin. Chances are if you as a business-owner or accountant do not enjoy the advisory work, this is the route for you," says Matt.
2 - ADVISORY FIRMS
“On the other hand, more modern-style firms will be looking to build more meaningful conversations into the agenda, get monthly recurring revenue and offer more: answer the questions we’ve talked about above.”
Whichever route you choose, Matt recommends making the decision. Build it within your mission statement, company vision and values, then attract talent who will help you achieve it. If you have a combination of operations and an unclear message, it may be a challenge to keep your team and clients onboard.”
Ultimately, a post-MTD world is an opportunity to decide on your firm’s future. Which route will you follow, and how can you take the future into your own hands?
