Waltons Clark Whitehill, the Hartlepool-based chartered accountants and business advisers, has announced a free event with The Pensions Regulator (TPR) to help Tees Valley businesses plan for pensions auto-enrolment.
Every month throughout 2016 and 2017 thousands more small and medium-sized firms in the region are required by law to have a workplace pension scheme, with those that do not comply facing heavy fines.
Following a successful joint event earlier in the year, Waltons Clark Whitehill will again be hosting Stephen Rowntree from TPR who will be giving his expertise and answering any questions from local businesses.
Heather O’Driscoll, Managing Director of Waltons Clark Whitehill, said: “It is absolutely essential to remember that even if an organisation employs just one person, it may be required to provide a workplace pension.”
“While it is technically possible for SMEs to manage the set-up and ongoing compliance of their pension scheme, in most cases they will find it cheaper and more convenient to let their accountant or payroll provider handle it.
“It is important for organisations to remember they also have ongoing obligations after their pension schemes start. They must monitor the ages and earnings of staff to see if they qualify for auto-enrolment, facilitate employee requests to opt in and out of the company scheme, accurately record their compliance, and of course pay their employer’s contribution.”
The event is being held in Waltons Clark Whitehill’s offices at Maritime House, on Hartlepool’s historic marina, on Thursday 13th October. Registration and breakfast will take place from 8:45 am for a 9:15 am start. Booking is essential, and anyone interested should contact Shirley Blackwood on 01429 234414 or at shirley.blackwood@waltonscw.co.uk.