Facing financial difficulties is never easy, but our support is focused on finding the best solution for you. The sooner you talk to us, the better the chances of turning things around; you’ll find us empathetic, supportive and determined to maximise the outcome for all stakeholders.
Not all our work involves distressed situations; we have extensive experience of Members Voluntary Liquidations (MVL) and strike offs and will work with our corporate and personal tax teams, to advise on the most tax efficient route for the beneficiaries.
We also assist creditors with debt recovery and will strive to achieve the best results for them. We’ll minimise the technical jargon, keep you updated and help you feel more confident about the processes and your options.
When shareholders or directors are looking to cease to trade or close down a solvent company, there are two options: MVL or Strike Off.
Strike off may be appropriate for companies that have less than £25K remaining in hand, little or no creditors, and minimal tax matters to be resolved. Strike off is a quick process, and if there are no objections, the company will be dissolved two months from the date of application.
MVL is the solvent winding up of a company in order to distribute the company’s assets to the shareholders. An MVL may be appropriate for companies with more than £25K cash to distribute or have physical assets to be distributed directly to the shareholders. It also offers tax efficiencies for the shareholders. The Liquidator will deal with all matters related to the MVL, including any creditors, and the company will receive HMRC clearance giving the directors and shareholders peace of mind. There is no limit on distributions, and we are focused on distributing the assets to the shareholders as quickly as possible.
If your company is facing financial distress, the earlier we get involved, the more options for rescue and recovery will be available to you. Depending on circumstances, options may include:
We will work with the directors, shareholders, and all other stakeholders to come up with the best solution that maximises the outcome for all parties.
If you know your business is struggling or you’re a creditor or stakeholder worried you’ll lose your money, talk to us now. By getting to grips with the issues early on, we’re better placed to find a solution.
COMPANIES
Our experience means we can advise on a wide range of possible solutions, such as restructuring the business, refinancing, recapitalising or accelerated M&A. It may be that simpler options – reviewing your systems and improving cashflow, instigating cost-savings to increase profitability or just communicating more closely with customers and creditors – will get you on a secure footing once again.
DIRECTORS
We can advise you on your duties as a director of an insolvent company or distressed business to ensure you are acting in the best interests of the creditors and to avoid any potential personal liability or action against you.
CREDITORS & STAKEHOLDERS
We assist creditors with debt recovery and advise on an appropriate strategy and action in order to achieve the best recoveries possible.
For lenders and floating charge holders, we can undertake Independent Business Reviews which will give a clear view of whether a company is already insolvent, close to insolvency, or still viable.
MORE DETAILS
A company is insolvent when its liabilities are greater than its assets or it’s unable to pay its debts when they are due. If you’re a director and believe your business is (or is about to be) insolvent, your obligations change from the shareholders to your creditors.
Administration
Administration is a formal insolvency process. The first objective is to rescue the company as a going concern. The Administrator can trade the company on whilst marketing the business and assets for sale. If a going concern sale cannot be achieved, then the Administrator realises the company’s assets for the benefit of the creditors.
Liquidations
If there is no real possibility of a successful turnaround, then the usual result is the winding up of the company via liquidation. There are two types of liquidation process, Court Liquidations and Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidations (CVL’s). In both processes, the Liquidator’s main duties are to realise the assets, liaise with and assist creditors, assist employees, wind up the company’s tax affairs, undertake statutory investigations and all statutory work, adjudicate creditor claims and distribute funds.
Personal Insolvency
If you are facing personal debt and money worries, there are many options available to you. Talk to us as soon as you can; we understand uncertainty is often the most worrying aspect. Our licensed Insolvency Practitioners and our dedicated business recovery team will explain everything clearly.
The knowledge and expertise within AAB's Taxation Department ensure that my company benefits to the full from available allowances. I would encourage likeminded companies to employ professional services such as those offered by AAB's tax team.
Brian Gribble, Online Electronics Limited
The team have a commercial approach that adds value beyond the standard scope of services, we also benefited greatly from being able to draw on the technical knowledge and industry expertise within the wider AAB Group.
Ben Leslie, Puma Private Equity
As a smaller sized business, it is a comfort to know that our payroll is being taken care of by the experts and we can concentrate on supporting other areas of our business.
Barry R Moir, Superior-Wild Well Energy Services Limited
On announcement from the Government that IR35 changes were to be postponed, AAB were in touch instantly to discuss the best way forward and to assist with the Company’s communication to contractors surrounding this.
Finance Director, Leading Oil & Gas Engineering Company
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