Following publication of The Tax Gap , I spoke this morning with author Richard Murphy. That conversation can be be accessed as a podcast here. Key points that came out are: * The way tax is managed and reported is creating risk because companies seem to be using a combination of favourable tax regimes and UK rules on interest as a component of managing dividend policy. Financial analysts are starting to look at taxation. * There is a need for a rethink around tax accounting in reported accounts. At present, it is all to easy to obfuscate what is really going on. * IFRS 17 needs work. Current interpretations are leading to nonsensical results - especially as regards the handling of permanent timing differences and the disclosure of known timing differences. * Companies are resisting disclosure on tax risk in reported accounts. * The oft-heard claim that the UK tax burden is too high (and stifles investment) is not reflected in large company accounts where the general rate of CT is falling. * Will government push back on the charge the UK is less than generous in tax relief?

Today’s show features a discussion with Larry Phillips and Philip Woodgate, partners at Goodman Jones . The firm has recently implemented Twinfield , a ’software as a service’ (SaaS) accounting application. This is compared to a desktop or client/server accounting packaged application. The partners discuss the difference they believe a SaaS choice makes to the business and that of its clients. How to listen to the show: You will need to download a copy of a software MP3 solution like iTunes or iPodder. These are both free. Click here for a 30 second guide about how podcasts work and how you can use them in a portable fashion. You can access the show by clicking here Show notes: 00:00-00:41 - City Slickrs intro 00:41-02:30 - Larry Phillips and Philip Woodgate introduce Goodman Jones 02:31-04:02 - Why Goodman Jones was looking for a service (SaaS) solution 04:03-05:20 - Limitations of VPN solutions 05:21-07:22 - Difference a SaaS solution makes to client work 07:23-09:08 - A cost effective solution for everyone 09:09-10:06 - Functional completeness 10:07- 11:37 - Security concerns addressed 11:38-12:58 - Goodman Jones ‘go to market’ with Twinfield 12:59-13:45 - Removing ‘friction’ in client interactions 13:46-15:56 - Training and adoption 15:57-16:25 - Final observations 16:26-17:19 - Close and outro I have previously reviewed this product. The product review can be found by clicking this link .