Exciting news! On November 29th, we hosted a stellar launch for AP Automation to our esteemed Pegasus Opera 3 customers. The dynamic duo, yourself, and the incredible Steve Power from Pegasus, steered us through a journey of innovation and efficiency. 
Now, presenting the recording of this groundbreaking event, capturing insights, discussions, and the spirit of collaboration. Buckle up for a replay that's bound to redefine the future of our financial processes!

In 2019 HMRC introduced a permanent easement on reporting PAYE information in real time. We are aware some employers pay their employees earlier than usual over the Christmas period. This can be for a number of reasons, for example, during the Christmas period the business may close, meaning workers need to be paid earlier than normal.
  
If you do pay early over the Christmas period, please report your normal or contractual payday as the payment date on your Full Payment Submission (FPS) and ensure that the FPS is submitted on or before this date.
 
For example, if you pay on Friday 15‌‌‌ December‌‌‌ 2023 but the normal or contractual payment date is Friday 29‌‌‌ December‌‌‌ 2023, you will need to report the payment date on the FPS as 29‌‌‌ December‌‌‌ 2023 and ensure the submission is sent on or before 29‌‌‌ December‌‌‌ 2023.
 
This will help to protect any of your employees who are eligible for Universal Credit. Reporting the payday as the date payment is made may affect current and future entitlements to Universal Credit.

The overriding PAYE reporting obligation for employers is unaffected by this exception and remains that you must report payments, on or before the date the employee is paid.

Yours faithfully
HM Revenue and Customs

Dear customer,

Today, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP, made his Autumn Statement speech.

The Autumn Statement package sets out a number of tax measures designed to strengthen economic growth through supporting British businesses and increasing the number of people in work. The statement also announces a range of administrative changes which make the tax system simpler and more modern, ensuring businesses can interact with it more easily. Some of the key measures are detailed below, and information on all the measures announced today, including the annual uprating of duties and rates, can be found in the Autumn Statement 2023 and in other documents from the Office for Budget Responsibility.

An overview of all the tax legislation and rates announced today is also available. Tax Information and Impact Notes (TIINs) contain more detail on the impact of measures that are being legislated for.

National Insurance contributions (NICs) rates
The government has announced a cut to the main rate of Class 1 employee NICs from 12% to 10% from 6‌‌‌ January‌‌‌‌‌‌ 2024 and a cut to the main rate of Class 4 self-employed NICs from 9% to 8% from 6‌‌‌ April‌‌‌‌‌‌ 2024. It has also announced that no one will be required to pay Class 2 self-employed NICs from 6‌‌‌ April‌‌‌ 2024. Details of this change are:

• from 6‌‌‌ April‌‌‌ 2024, self-employed people with profits above £12,570 will no longer be required to pay Class 2 NICs but will continue to receive access to contributory benefits including the State Pension

• those with profits between £6,725 and £12,570 will continue to get access to contributory benefits including the State Pension through a National Insurance credit without paying NICs as they do currently

• those with profits under £6,725 and others who pay Class 2 NICs voluntarily to get access to contributory benefits including the State Pension, will continue to be able to do so

The government will set out next steps on Class 2 reform next year.

We will be publishing further guidance on these changes shortly, in the meantime we would ask that you take steps now to start work with your payroll software provider, and where applicable IT delivery partners, to get ready to implement the change to Class 1 employee NICs that comes into effect from 6‌‌‌ April‌‌‌ 2024. HMRC's Basic PAYE Tools product will be updated to reflect this change. 

Extending the National Insurance contributions (NICs) relief for hiring veterans
The government has extended the NICs relief for employers who hire former members of the UK regular armed forces until 5‌‌‌ April‌‌‌ 2025. This provides a relief to employers on the secondary Class 1 NICs due on the wages of veterans for the first 12 months of their first civilian employment. The relief applies to earnings up to the Veterans Upper Secondary threshold, which is £967 per week. 

Capital Allowances – permanent full expensing
At Spring Budget 2023, the government introduced two new temporary first-year allowances. For qualifying expenditure on the provision of plant or machinery incurred on or after 1 April 2023 but before 1‌‌‌ April‌‌‌ 2026, companies can claim a 100% first-year allowance for main rate expenditure – known as full expensing – and a 50% first-year allowance for special rate expenditure

Today’s announcement makes full expensing and the 50% first-year allowance permanent by removing the expiry date of March‌‌‌ 2026.

Tax reliefs
A range of measures on tax reliefs have been announced, including enhanced support for Research and Development (R&D) intensive small and medium-sized enterprises, an extension to the 'sunset date' for freeport tax reliefs and administrative changes to the creative industry tax reliefs. 

Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax Self Assessment (ITSA) design changes
The government will make design changes to MTD for ITSA, simplifying and improving the system for taxpayers and their representatives. The requirement to provide an End of Period Statement will be removed and some taxpayers, including those without a National Insurance number, will be exempted from MTD. Taxpayers who are using MTD will be able to be represented by more than one tax agent. Draft regulations will be published for technical consultation later in 2023.

National Minimum and Living Wage Uprating 2024 to 2025
From 1‌‌‌ April‌‌‌ 2024, the National Living Wage will increase by 9.8% to £11.44 an hour for eligible workers across the UK aged 21 and over. Young people and apprentices on the National Minimum Wage will also see a boost to their wages, which will increase to £6.40 an hour.

Off-Payroll Working (IR35) – calculation of PAYE liability in cases of non-compliance
The government will legislate in Finance Bill 2023 to enable organisations to reduce their additional PAYE liability under the off-payroll working rules, to account for Income Tax and Corporation Tax already paid by a worker and their intermediary where a client organisation has been found to be non-compliant with the rules. The changes will take effect from 6‌‌‌ April‌‌‌ 2024. A summary of responses to the consultation launched in April 2023 has also been published.


Yours faithfully
HM Revenue and Customs

​We are delighted to present to you a valuable resource for financial management and business optimisation.

Join us as we dive into the world of Fixed Assets with our Sales & Marketing Director, Bruce, who hosted a live webinar on Opera 3 Fixed Assets. This exclusive session, held on October 26, 2023, is now available for your viewing pleasure. In this recording, Bruce shares his insights and expertise, offering a unique perspective that reflects his wealth of knowledge and experience. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, seasoned professional, or simply curious about the intricacies of financial management, this webinar provides valuable insights that are sure to enrich your understanding. We invite you to explore this recording and gain a deeper insight into the world of Opera 3 Fixed Assets.

I am delighted to extend a warm invitation to the recording of our previous webinar on the topic of "Opera 3 Importing" that took place on September 28th at 10 AM. This session promised an in-depth exploration of the Opera 3 Import wizard, uncovering its diverse applications, functionalities, and an array of indispensable tools for seamless data importation.

Regardless of whether you are well-versed in the intricacies of Opera 3 or are embarking on a journey of discovery, this webinar is tailored to enrich your grasp and proficiency. Our presenter will furnish you with practical insights and strategies to refine your importing procedures, affording you the luxury of both time and efficiency.
Key Highlights of the Webinar:

• A comprehensive dive into the Opera 3 Import module
• Hands-on demonstrations showcasing its functionalities
• Discourse on supplementary utilities for importing

These monthly webinars are a complimentary offering from o-a-sys, open to all Opera 3 users. It presents an invaluable chance to elevate your Opera 3 experience. 
Register for future monthly webinars in the Customer Zone of our website.

In the ever-evolving landscape of business operations, staying on top of your invoices is paramount. Accounts payable departments have long grappled with the challenges of managing a mountain of invoices, risking late payments, and even fraudulent activities. But fret not, for the future of financial management is here – AP Automation for Pegasus Opera 3 SQL SE!

Why is AP Automation an absolute must-have in 2023? Let's dive into the reasons:

1. Efficiency Redefined: Say goodbye to manual invoice processing. AP Automation streamlines your accounts payable, enabling quick and error-free invoice handling. This means faster approvals and payments, ultimately enhancing your supplier relationships.
2. Unparalleled Visibility: With this cutting-edge solution, you gain complete visibility into your financial position. Real-time data insights empower you to make informed budgeting decisions, ensuring your financial health remains robust.
3. Risk Mitigation: Eliminate the risk of late payments and fraudulent activities. AP Automation enforces defined processes, reducing human errors and safeguarding your finances.
4. Future-Proof Your Business: In a world where digital transformation is key, embracing AP Automation positions your business for long-term success and competitiveness.

Don't miss the opportunity to revolutionize your accounts payable processes. The Pegasus Opera 3 SQL SE AP Automation is your gateway to efficiency, visibility, and security in 2023 and beyond. Join us in this exciting journey towards financial excellence!

Mark your calendars for an exceptional event as o-a-sys cordially invites you to an upcoming milestone – the recording of our highly anticipated monthly webinar. On Thursday, August 31, 2023, we're thrilled to bring you an in-depth exploration of the remarkable capabilities within Opera 3 Stock Control and Opera 3 Bill of Materials.

This webinar promised a profound revelation into the potential that Opera 3 holds in revolutionising your stock management. Prepare to embark on a journey where seamless stock control operations and unprecedented insights into supply chain management will unfold before you. Our experts will deftly guide you through the intricacies of the Opera 3 Bill of Materials module, presenting an invaluable opportunity to refine production processes, manage assemblies with precision, oversee components, and establish meticulous costings.

This is your chance to seize a transformative understanding of Opera 3 and unearth its unparalleled advantages for your organization.

Should you wish to tailor these sessions to your queries or specific interests, we welcome you to reach out to us at [email protected]. We're committed to ensuring your questions find their answers amidst the insightful discourse. 

Operational Accounting Systems Limited trading as o-a-sys partners with Pegasus Software as their AP automation partner.

​Ashford, Kent, UK: o-a-sys today announced an ongoing partnership with Pegasus Software. This new partnership will give o-a-sys’s customers access to best-in-class supplier invoice automation.

“We are very excited to carry on with our Pegasus partnership, says Bruce Kidd, Sales & Marketing Director at o-a-sys. “AP Automation will save time, money and eliminate needless errors in processing Purchase Invoices.”

“I am proud to witness the transformational power of AP Automation within Pegasus. With streamlined processes and cutting-edge technology, we are soaring to new heights of efficiency and accuracy. Embracing AP Automation has not only elevated our financial operations but has also unlocked the potential of our talented team, allowing them to focus on strategic initiatives and driving innovation. Together, we're riding the winds of progress, propelling Pegasus Software towards a future of unparalleled success.” says Julian Cassell, Business Development Manager at Pegasus Software. “

What will be achieved?

Invoice capture and Accounts Payable Automation for Opera 3 SQL SE provides the simplest way of capturing and processing invoices and gives AP teams complete visibility to process invoices quickly and make smart budgeting decisions.

About o-a-sys:  (o-a-sys) is renowned for is setting up, developing and supporting specialist software solutions for small to medium sized businesses in the UK with a focus on Payroll, Pensions, Accounting, Reverse VAT, ECVAT, MTD, Inventory Optimisation, Business Intelligence, Construction Industry Solutions and Integrated Systems. we take great pride in the way that we take care of our customers, whether it is through our dedicated support, specialist development, informative marketing or exclusive events. We are a business that truly puts the customer first with an underlining ethos of integrity and honesty that has seen us through many years of trading and resulted in a number of accolades and loyal customers. 

About Pegasus Software: Pegasus is an award-winning provider of accounting, payroll and business software, with 40 years’ experience. The aim is simple: to build the finest business tools that will enable tens of thousands of companies like yours to run their operations every day effortlessly and profitably.

Welcome to the recording for the Opera 3 Reporter module! This module has been thoughtfully crafted to empower users like you in generating quick and easy reports. It not only allows you to save these reports for printing at any time but also serves as an expert tool to seamlessly transfer data to third-party products.

​If you've been curious about the module's functionalities and want to harness its full potential, we have an exciting opportunity for you to watch the recording of the Reporter webinar from Thursday, July 27th, 2023, at 10 am. In this webinar we explored how to create reports that can be seamlessly run to Excel or appended to the menu for all users. It's a must-attend event for all Opera 3 Reporter users, whether you're already using it, a new user, or considering its implementation.
​
Best of all, these webinars are completely FREE, so don't miss this chance to enhance your expertise within Opera 3  on the last Thursday of every month! See a full schedule in the Customer Zone.

This session has been designed to introduce you to and to give you a brief overview of what the Sales Pipeline management application is all about. 

SPM is a contact management tool which allows you to effectively handle relationships with your existing customers, suppliers, but more importantly, your prospects. By prospects I mean those companies that you haven't yet sold to, however, you still need somewhere central to store all communication and to track correspondence with your prospects to make sure that you do not lose sight of any opportunities in order to help you drive forward your sales. 

This recording is taken from a FREE webinar open to any Opera 3 Sales Ledger users, new users and potential users. 

For a full schedule of events visit our Customer Zone.

You may have read in the latest Employer’s Bulletin that HMRC has announced that from 6th April 2023, it will no longer accept paper P11D and P11D(b) forms. An extract of the article is below:

From 6 April 2023 all P11D and P11D(b) must be reported online
For the 2022 to 2023 reporting year we will no longer accept paper P11D and P11D(b) forms, this includes lists. We recommend you file using one of the following methods:

• HMRC’s PAYE Online service
• Commercial payroll software

If you make a mistake and need to submit an amendment
From 6 April 2023 we will no longer accept any paper amendments. Instead, we will launch a new online submission link to submit your amended P11D and P11D(b). More information on how to use this will be available in the April edition of the Employer Bulletin.

The P11D Organiser and Electronic Submissions
A majority of our payroll customers already take advantage of the P11D Organiser’s ability to submit P11D information to HMRC using the in-built tools of the software – the P11D Organiser has a Government Gateway client integrated into the standard software that will securely send P11D and P11D(b) information to HMRC at the click of a button.

P11D and P11D(b) Amendments
HMRC has now told us that they will “publish and mandate an electronic version of the P11D and P11D(b) form accessible via GOV.UK, which will enable employers to submit amended forms electronically from 06 April 2023.
Employers will be able to access a new electronic form within GOV.UK to submit any amended P11D and P11D(b) forms. The electronic form is not linked into the online submission route via either 3rd party or HMRC software, so no changes are required to facilitate its use.

Summary
HMRC removing the ability to submit paper P11D and P11D(b) forms is a good thing – anytime manual intervention is required to process data there is a chance of errors creeping in, but printed documentation also opens a security hole related to personal information. This change, in line with many of the Making Tax Digital initiatives, will speed up processes, enhance accuracy, and improve security, which are all beneficial to employees and employers. The P11D Organiser is perfectly positioned to ensure that data you have entered is sent to HMRC in the fastest and most secure method available. The P11D Organiser software seamlessly link to your Opera 3, Opera 3 SQL and Opera 3 SQL SE Payroll & HR software. 

If you want to discuss any of these points with o-a-sys, please drop us an email to [email protected], or give us a call on 01233 812050. Also contact Bruce to discuss pricing and threshold on email to [email protected]. 

As we speed through 2023 we continued with monthly o-a-sys Webinars to look at specific areas in Opera 3.  In this webinar we investigated the Sales Ledger Maintenance and Utilities areas, discover Processing and Reporting. We also discovered how the Credit Management Centre can add value to your Opera 3 system.
 
This recording is taken from a FREE webinar open to any Opera 3 Sales Ledger users, new users and potential users. 

For a full schedule of events visit our Customer Zone.

With 2023 now in full swing we continued with the planned monthly webinars to look at individual modules and applications for Opera 3 (all variants). In this webinar we investigated the Personnel Maintenance and Utilities areas, discover Processing and Reporting. We will discuss add-ons, new developments and Tips to make using Opera 3 Personnel more efficient.  
​
This recording is taken from a FREE webinar open to any Opera 3 Payroll & HR users, new users and potential users. 

For a full schedule of events visit our Customer Zone. 

The construction industry is well known for tight margins meaning that businesses within this sector must work extra hard at monitoring spend to ensure they make a profit. In fact, research has revealed that 69% of projects go over budget by at least 10% and only 31% come within 10% of their original plan. 

Why do construction projects go over budget?
The construction industry is notorious for overspending, and typically, the main reasons a construction project goes over budget is lack of planning and budget control, but communication breakdowns and unforeseen circumstances, such as weather, can also play a part.

7 tips for keeping your construction projects on budget
It can be challenging to keep your construction projects running on budget, but not impossible. With good cost control measures in place, you can ensure your projects are more profitable and efficient. Let’s look at our 7 tips for managing your construction costs:

Thorough estimates
You can have all the best cost control techniques in place, but if you don’t take your time to produce thorough estimates then it’s likely they will fail. Putting together thorough estimates is something that cannot be rushed and it’s important you examine all areas of the project such as overheads, permits, labour, equipment, and materials, and draw up a list of miscellaneous costs you may potentially encounter. Don’t forget to use experience from similar jobs and compare their costs to make your estimates more accurate and get inputs from various job functions to support the process.

Daily reports
Conducting reports daily will highlight any areas that may be going array and will help you identify if costs begin to creep up, so you can put measures in place sooner rather than later, before you run into disruptions.

Communication
In much the same way as regular reporting is beneficial, so is strong communication, as you are more likely to stay on budget if your team understands what they need to do, and when. Open lines of communication can also help you deal with costly issues as soon as they arise, rather than risk going over budget while it takes time to resolve them.

Limited change orders
Changes mid-project are one of the highest areas of expenditure, as contracts managers make changes requested by the customer. By changing your agreement to making changes only in emergencies or rectifying your own errors, you will limit the damage to your bottom line.

Back-up
You should have back-up plans in place in case something happens which threatens your budget like the breakdown of machinery or loss of a crucial contractor. Consider all potential risks, like the ones mentioned, and consider a back-up plan which could help mitigate unexpected additional costs.

Trusted subcontractors
Subcontractors are not employees and therefore they can become an unpredictable source of extra income and delays, and you could experience quality control issues too. It pays to put together a list of trusted subcontractors you have previously had a good experience with, so you don’t need to take the risk in finding new ones, or encounter costs mid-job while you source additional contractors.

Construction Management Software
Ultimately the most efficient way of keeping your costs under control is with robust construction management software to give you complete visibility, reporting and clear lines of communication. A good construction solution will give you control over all aspects of your construction projects so you can reduce costs, stay within your timeframes, and maximise profitability.

Final thoughts…The construction industry is a fast-paced environment, and it can be particularly challenging to stay on budget and within your set timeframe as the industry is well known for overspending and over-running due to the unpredictability of the environment. However, by implementing some clear cost control methods such as regular reporting, clear lines of communication, only employing trusted subcontractors and providing thorough estimates you can begin to regain control of your costs and protect your bottom line. Investing in a robust construction management solution is one sure fire way to help you manage all areas of your construction projects and stay on time and budget more efficiently.

To learn more about our construction solution Pegasus CIS 5, please contact us today, and arrange a free demo to see it in action.

NEW! Document Management
Document Management is now available in CIS 5 which allows you to electronically store documents against individual contracts. This useful tool improves security, reduces admin costs, saves time and improves your environmental credentials by limiting the number of paper files you hold.

NEW! Dashboards
The popular Dashboards feature is now available in CIS 5 which gives you data at the click of a button to help make smarter and faster business decisions. There are 5 predefined dashboards available plus an exciting Dashboard Designer which allows you to amend dashboards and create new ones to suit your business.

CIS 5 also includes over 100 NEW enhancements! Full details of these can be found in the enhancement guide below.