NewsCase StudiesEvents

Government extends accounting rules making it easier for American and Japanese companies to call the UK home

Also in the news...

Strategic Locations For Business Travellers In London

London, a bustling hub of commerce and culture, is an essential destination for business travellers. Whether attending meetings, conferences, or networking events, the city's diverse neighbourhoods offer various amenities to suit the needs of the professional on the move. From convenient transport links to luxurious accommodations, knowing where to base yourself can significantly enhance your business trip experience.

Business Expansion in the UAE: Mastering the Free Zone Advantage

The UAE has become the number one destination for international business activity. More precisely, free zones have been wooing investors from every nook and corner of the globe by offering unbeatable incentives, most notably complete foreign ownership and tax exemption.

Ukraine business guide: helping UK businesses trade with Ukraine

This guide provides UK businesses the core information necessary to understand the challenges and opportunities of trading in Ukraine.

Trade with Canada Guidance

How you import from and export to Canada.

Guidance Living in France

Information for British citizens moving to or living in France, including guidance on residency, healthcare and driving.

Government extends accounting rules making it easier for American and Japanese companies to call the UK home

Back to News

The government has announced its intention to enhance existing accounting rules for US and Japanese companies moving to the UK.

The government has today (20 July 2015) announced its intention to remake and enhance existing rules giving US and Japanese companies moving to the UK up to 4 years to adopt British accounting principles, for their group accounts. The measures will reduce the cost of settling in the UK for eligible companies and will allow Britain to become an even more attractive base for international businesses.

The measures were originally introduced on a temporary basis in 2012 and allowed companies listed on the US or Japanese stock exchange 3 years to transition accounting practices when moving to Britain. Under the new rules the transition period has been increased to 4 years to provide further flexibility.

Business Minister Baroness Neville-Rolfe said:

These rules make it simpler and more cost effective for companies to bring business and jobs to the UK, without undermining the value we place on consistency and transparency in company accounts.

Before the rules were first introduced in 2012, companies that chose to relocate their headquarters to the UK were required to switch accounting principles in the first 18 months. This led to substantial costs for large and complex companies, in particular for parent companies that are responsible for the accounts of a number of subsidiaries.

The government is today publishing a review of the 2012 rules that evaluates the effectiveness of the measures and concludes that a transition period should be permanently offered to companies listed on US or Japanese stock exchanges. The new rules will reduce the burden on businesses looking to relocate to the UK while maintaining the integrity of the UK’s accounting regime. In introducing changes the government’s priority is always to maintain the integrity of, and confidence in, the UK’s accounting and financial reporting framework.


You are not logged in!

Please login or register to ask our experts a question.

Login now or register.