ALMA: Access to Language Methods for Increasing Migrants' Abilities to Start Their Own Business

alma: Access to Language Methods

ALMA: Access to Language Methods for Increasing Migrants’ Abilities to Start Their Own Business is a European cooperation project aimed at stimulating migrants to begin a new business, to inspire and provide them with practical guidelines in order to start and run a successful company within a new cultural and linguistic context.

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UNIT 1: SHAPE YOUR IDEA
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START-UP A BUSINESS. MEETING WITH AN ACCOUNTANT

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Read the dialogue

Dialogue

Layla: Good morning, I’d like to start a business and I am not sure where to start please?

Accountant: Hello, I can definitely advise you on that. First you need to register your business. What kind of activity are you considering?

Layla: I would like to open a small ethnic food and gift shop.

Accountant: OK, for a food business you must also register with your local authority. It is free to register, but you must register at least 28 days before opening. Will you be renting some space?

Layla: Yes, I’ve already found a place in the centre of town to rent, and I am in contact with the owner to talk about the contract.

Accountant: Will you work by yourself?

Layla: I’m thinking of hiring someone.

Accountant: Then you should also consider a contract for them, think about their salary and national insurance.

Layla: Thank you very much, what else do I need to consider please?

Accountant: For food businesses you must consider all the food safety regulations in the UK. These are set by the Food Standards Agency. I suggest you contact them or visit their website, they have a lot of information about what to do.

Layla: Great! Can you tell me about taxation please?

Accountant: Yes, of course. It depends on what type of food business you will be running. We need to be clear if you offer let’s say catering services, or take away, or run as a cafe serving at your premises.

Layla: I understand, can you help me with all of this as I am not familiar with the taxation system at all.And how much will it cost me to get you as my accountant?

Accountant: Yes, I can do that for you. For small businesses like yours, I charge a monthly fee of £180 that will cover your book keeping and preparing your annual accounts.

Layla: I think I definitely need you to help me with the tax and bookkeeping. Can you also help me with the registration please?

Accountant: Sure, let’s start by getting the paperwork right. Here is a list of all the information I will need from you to set up your business.

Vocabulary

Find the right word that is described in the table below:

Employee
Business
Accountant
Insurance
Floorplan
National insurance number

 

An activity of making one’s living or making profit by producing or buying and selling goods or services.

 

The agreement that allows you to cover personal injury or property damage.

 

The image representing the structure of a building or room.

 

The code associated with a person for tax purposes.

 

The person who will help you with bookkeeping and taxation.

 

The person who works under an employment contract.

Multiple choice

Choose the right answer from the three options below:

1. To start a new food business, you need to...
2. To employ someone to work in your food store you need to...
3. The payment of tax depends on...
4. An accountant can help you...
5. The Food Standards Agency...
6. If you employ someone you must...

True or False?

Read the below phrases carefully and indicate if they are true or false.

a) Before starting a food business in the UK, you must register with the French Chamber of Commerce.

b) To start a business, it is necessary to contact a trade union.

c) Your VAT will depend on the type of food business you have.

d) The Food Standards Agency regulates food standards in the UK.

e) To start any type of business you must have relevant registration.

f) In order to employ someone you must offer them a contract and national insurance.

g) Your employee must be at least 25 years old.

h) An accountant can help you with taxation and bookkeeping.

i) The annual taxes correspond to 25% of the income for the first five years.

j) It is free to register a food business with the local authority in the UK.

k) To sell food you must register the business after you start your activity.

l) In order to start a business, it is compulsory to own premises.

m) Your accounting for a small business can cost up to £2,200 a year.

n) In order to receive help with documents, you need to pay a monthly fee.


Complete the text
Choose the right word to complete the phrases.

  • about
  • before
  • to
  • with
  • in
  • on
  • by
  • for
  • where
  • alongside
When you decide to start your own food business, you must register with your local authority (1)

at least 28 days (2)

opening. It is necessary to check (3)

the Food Standards Agency to ensure you comply with their standards.
To employ someone you need to think (4)

a salary and national insurance for them. You do not need to worry about (5)

they are going to live as this is their own responsibility.
An accountant can advise (6)

the type of VAT and taxation you will pay according to your activity. You will need to give them some information about your business (7)

ensure they can advise you correctly. An accountant will be able to do your annual accounts and your bookkeeping (8)

a monthly fee.
If you are not going to work from home, you should consider renting premises. A monthly rent can be included (9)

the annual accounts as part of your expenses (10)

other costs such as salaries and buying goods.