This issue covers topics arising from the current economic environment – one which has thrown up new problems and challenges for everyone.

Fraud is on the rise, cash remains king (perhaps the only constant!), the regulators are under pressure to get their houses in order after a torrid year or so, and funding remains difficult but not impossible. The charitable sector, motor retail and travel all remain industries which, as one might expect, remain under pressure as consumer spending becomes tighter – and we address some of the challenges they are facing as well.

Overall, there are a wide range of subjects covered – demonstrating the breadth of expertise in our practice and amongst the strategic alliances we work with, such as The Quartz Partnership and Verto Management.

Geoff Carton-Kelly
Partner, Baker Tilly

In this issue

Fresh-air invoicing becoming endemic during recession
Frauds are, let’s face it, less likely to be discovered when there is lots of money flowing around the financial system, as it is simpler to move things around and ensure that tracks are covered. Bernie Madoff appears to have been a major exponent of this.

Why cash remains king
The current global financial crisis has put the focus firmly back on good working capital practices that often get forgotten in the heady days of plenty.

Tough times for borrowers but frozen markets are beginning to thaw
In the current climate and as frozen markets begin to thaw, it is likely that there will be a greater willingness to lend through asset-based solutions.

Will the City watchdog’s bite match its bark?
Hector Sants, head of the FSA, is talking tough. The plan is for the FSA to be stricter on those who fail to play by the rules and Mr Sants wants such people to be more afraid of the FSA and its powers.

Fraudsters target independent travel agents
When people talk about travel and fraud in the same sentence, it is easy to think of the instance where the baggage ends up sunning itself in another destination to the holidaymaker and then an insurance claim is put in for a vastly upgraded version of the camera the person originally owned.

Charity crunch – A threat or an opportunity?
Charities are being hit as hard as any other organisation by the credit crunch, but like any well-run business, there are still opportunities out there.

Driving towards recovery for the automotive parts industry
Getting to grips with the recovery of an automotive parts company can be akin to stepping into a boxing ring with all the parties involved and trying to make sure everyone gets out with smallest number of injuries, metaphorically speaking.