Yorkshire firms urged to prepare for wave of accounting, tax and reporting reforms

Businesses across Yorkshire are facing one of the most wide-ranging periods of regulatory change in recent years, with a new accounting standard, Companies House reforms and evolving tax rules all coming into effect during 2026.

To address the changes, chartered accounting and business advisory firm Saffery is hosting a finance leaders’ briefing on Tuesday 27 January in Leeds to help finance directors and senior leaders navigate the practical implications of the changes and avoid costly missteps.

Rick Dunkley, audit partner at Saffery, said: “Finance leaders are being asked to manage multiple reforms at once, often with limited internal resources. The risk is that businesses treat these changes in isolation, rather than understanding how accounting, tax and reporting reforms interact in practice.

“What we are seeing is a real need for practical, real-world examples that go beyond the theory and help finance teams plan the transition, communicate with stakeholders and make informed decisions.”

From 1 January 2026, FRS 102 will see significant changes, including the introduction of a new five-step model for recognising revenue and the adoption of a right-of-use approach for leases. At the same time, small entities applying Section 1A will need to comply with updated disclosure requirements, and companies that have not yet considered these changes should prioritise planning for how these amendments may impact their profits, covenants, and communication with stakeholders.

Overlaying these accounting changes are the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA) and a programme of Companies House reforms designed to increase transparency and tighten compliance. For many businesses, this means new reporting obligations and greater scrutiny of corporate information.
Tax complexity is also increasing. Rick added: “Corporate tax teams are still digesting measures announced in the Chancellor’s Budget, alongside changes to the UK transfer pricing regime and the Government’s wider Corporate Tax Roadmap. Further challenges arise from the interaction between tax and accounting, particularly the tax implications of the revised FRS 102 standards.”

VAT remains another pressure point, with HMRC’s Guidelines for Compliance 13, evolving case law and renewed focus on what constitutes an “establishment” for VAT purposes. Changes to inheritance tax rules are also creating knock-on VAT considerations, while technology continues to reshape how tax functions operate.

The in-person briefing will also address operational issues such as payrolling benefits in kind, including registration, employee communications and common pitfalls, as well as the role of cloud accounting and automation in building a fit-for-purpose finance function.

The event takes place from 8am to 11am on Tuesday 27 January 2026 at The Terrace, 3 Wellington Street, Leeds. The technical session will last around 90 minutes, with CPD attendance certificates provided.