Useful Tool to Calculate Leave Entitlement

Trying to calculate the holiday leave of employees especially if they work in hours per week rather than the full five days per week can be a bit of  marathon calculation especially if have to factor in a mid-year start date.

Gov.uk is probably one of the most valuable resources around and is full of excellent and no-nonsense information covering a very wide range of topics.  Including I am pleased to add a very simple question and answer page that will when you have put in all the data - actually calculate the hours right up to the very minutes of allowable entitlement leave time for each individual employee.

This is definately going on favourites list.

Visit Calculate Holiday Entitlement at www.gov.uk to check out just how easy it is.

It's that time of year ....... for Budgeting

From the Desk of the Bookkeeper in Derby

Filling in Budgeting Forecast Spreadsheets:  A pain in the butt or one of the most important management decision making tools you can have at your finger tips?


When I get five minutes I am going to link in a 'Budget Forecast Spreadsheet'.  It's one of the best ones for monitoring performance actuals against planned activities that I have come across to date.  It's really simple to fill in and gives one a sense of direction and something to refer back to at various stages in the fiscal year.

I will confess that I do get a teensy bit of resistance from my new-to-me clients who have never had an opportunity to complete one before - and sometimes its only when we've reviewed a couple quarters that suddenly it becomes one of their most important management tools that helps them actually SEE what sort of health regards cash flow is within their business.

For instance, a Budget Sheet can be used to help decide whether there's enough money in the kitty to move into new premises, or buy new stock or machinery, or provide staff training or worse case - whether your incoming cash is a mere trickle or flowing nicely - thank you.

If you don't have one already have a look at the one that I will be posting - it really is very easy.  However, if you get stuck - send me an email and I'll do my best to help.

Have fun!


BKD

Yes it is totally official ... I am a Trekki nerd

From the Desk of the Bookkeeper in Derby
Well I guess the cat is well and truly out of the bag..... yes it is totally official ...  I am a Trekki nerd.  I immediately spotted a com badge that was on the wrong side of the uniform on a member of our party and I knew what a Klingon drinking vessel on sight.  On the (rather excited) side I DID catch a glimpse of the MAN HIMSELF* knees' - the rest of him was obscured by a lucky fan getting an autograph. 

In case you are wondering we've just come back from two days at Star Trek London and had a fabulous time.  We went with very few expectations - to see and be seen.  Especially since for my last wedding anniversary I rather ecstatically received a Major Kira ear ring complete with fake nose piece.  I do believe I was the only one sporting such a fabulous ear ring.  Was slightly disappointed that my nose kept falling off and ended up in the bottom of my bag.

We took no credit cards, no bank cards and with everything paid up in front including train fees, oyster card, hotel room and took a mere £200 cash with us which included £60 back up funds and divided between us for safety's sake.  Thought the women behind the desk at the hotel reception was going to faint when she demanded a swipe at our card on arrival.  Not carrying a credit card with you - how very provincial!

Megatrain did us proud - with two tickets to London all for the princely sum of £10.00 FOR TWO people plus a £0.50pence setting up fee.  Didn't think it would work and we'd be kicked off or made to pay more but no... the conductor just looked at our email print off, smiled and thank us.  There was a notice on the return that Megatrain customers needed to check in 15 minutes prior to departure.  But for the return leg we treated ourselves to two First Class tickets all for the princely sum of £31 each.  Brilliant deal from East Midlands Trains. 

The Oyster Card was awesome and saved HEAPS of money on tube/DLR fees.  For example on Saturday afternoon the group ventured out from Excel London to visit Greenwich the home of the Meridian Line.  It cost just £1.20 using the Oyster Card but for fellow ticket buyers the same journey was £3.60.  It was a bit scary at first but those of us using the little cards soon got the hang of pressing the cute little card onto the big yellow buttons that seem to be springing up all over London.  The group even managed a trip back to Excel on the water ferry and the cable car both with very pleasing discounts using the Card.  Have to say the cable car was the second highlight of my weekend - it was just like being launched into space to join the Enterprise in the night sky.  My very own little shuttle ride.

The first highlight, was of course, getting my photo taken with a Klingon for free.  So thank you to unknown Irish Klingon for making my whole weekend!  Not that either of these two magnificent specimens were my photo partner... it's just to show you what a Klingon looks like - just in case you were not familiar with the term.





SO then HOT MONEY SAVING TIPS for visiting the Big Smoke.... 

Search Megatrain or Megabus for cheap fares alternatively use the compare markets to search for the cheapest of train fares.

Get yourself a pre-paid Oyster Card - easy to top up at any news agents or stations - saves both money a time.

And finally - accost unsuspecting members of the public who dress up in wickedly awesome costumes and ask them very sweetly for their photograph..... 

Hope your weekend has been as great as mine!

And yes this post just wouldn't be the same with my total hero of all time.... the delicious Mr Spock....

 

BKD







* Obviously I refer to Kirk aka William Shatner.