Iryne Shmulenko is a qualified accountant and auditor with extensive experience in finance, internal audit, and the development of accounting systems within international organisations.
Throughout her career, she has led large-scale financial transformations — including the creation of a full accounting system and internal control processes for Nova Post Group, one of Europe’s leading logistics companies.
As the Founder and Director of Audit Consulting Group (UK), Iryna has built a professional accounting and tax advisory practice that delivers comprehensive services to limited companies, self-employed professionals, and international businesses. Her firm provides high-quality bookkeeping, tax compliance, VAT, CIS, payroll, and internal audit solutions — ensuring clients remain fully compliant while optimising their financial performance.
Iryna combines global audit standards with modern UK accounting practices to create efficient, transparent, and reliable systems that support business growth. Her professional philosophy centres on accuracy, integrity, and long-term value for clients.
Professional Background
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Audit Consulting Group (UK) – Founder & Director
Leads a team delivering expert accounting, tax, and audit services across multiple industries. -
Nova Post Europe – Accountant
Responsible for full-cycle accounting, budgeting, forecasting, and management reporting. -
Verve Personnel Limited – Finance Assistant
Oversaw accounts payable/receivable, reconciliations, and financial reporting. -
National Bank of Ukraine – Internal Auditor
Conducted audits of financial institutions, developed internal standards, and implemented ISA-based audit procedures. -
NovaPay & Ukrgasbank – Internal Auditor
Enhanced internal control systems, assessed compliance, and developed recommendations to improve efficiency and risk management.
Qualifications
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ACCA – Partly Qualified Chartered Accountant
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Level 3 Certificate in Bookkeeping and Accounting, Institute of Accountants and Bookkeepers
Core Expertise
Accounting • Financial Audit • Internal Controls • Tax Advisory • Financial Consulting • Bookkeeping • VAT & Payroll • Business Process Optimisation
Articles written by the Audit Consulting Group team:
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Restaurant and Pub Industry Revenue in the United Kingdom (2023–2024): Analysis, Regional Trends, and Outlook to 2026
The article examines the UK restaurants and pubs sector over 2023-2024, exploring revenue performance, regional variations and projecting forward to 2026. It highlights how the industry is recovering, adjusting to cost pressures and changing consumer behaviours.
Key Findings (2023-2024)
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Industry revenues are growing, though modestly, amid significant cost pressures (labour, energy, supply-chain).
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Regional divergence: major urban areas (especially London) show stronger recovery compared with more rural or peripheral regions. For example, London’s hospitality revenue reportedly rose by ~£3 billion to about £46 billion, outpacing national averages.
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Like-for-like sales growth among managed restaurant & pub groups achieved ~2.9% year-on-year to June 2024, ahead of inflation.
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Despite revenue growth, structural challenges remain: staffing shortages, rising costs, and consumer caution.
Outlook (to 2026)
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The outlook is cautiously optimistic: revenues are expected to continue increasing, but growth will likely remain moderate given headwinds.
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Operators focusing on experience, premium offerings, digital & operational efficiency are positioned to perform better.
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Regional differentiation will persist: strong performance expected in high-demand zones, with more modest growth in weaker regions.
Overall Insight
The UK restaurants and pubs sector is in a phase of steady adaptation. While the recovery from lockdowns and pandemic disruptions is underway, the scale of future growth will depend on how businesses manage cost pressures, innovate and tailor to regional and consumer trends. Success will favour those with strategic agility rather than simply relying on volume rebound.
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United Kingdom Taxation Trends 2000–2024 & Outlook to 2030 – Short Summary
Over 25 years, the UK’s public revenue system has shown strong resilience and stability, adapting to crises while maintaining fiscal balance. Total public sector receipts rose from £388 bn in FY2000 to £1.08 tn in FY2024, with the tax-to-GDP ratio remaining steady around 35–38%.
Key Findings (2000–2024):
- PAYE Income Tax nearly tripled to £255 bn — driven by wage and employment growth.
- Self-Assessed Tax rose ~200%, reflecting capital gains and entrepreneurial income.
- Corporation Tax fluctuated with profit cycles but hit a record £87 bn in 2024.
- VAT tripled to ~£196 bn, supported by consumption and a stable 20% rate.
- NICs climbed to £173 bn, mirroring labour market expansion.
- The system proved elastic: downturns (2008, 2020) caused short-term dips but quick rebounds followed.
Outlook 2025–2030:
- Total receipts projected to reach £1.4 tn by FY2030 (~38% of GDP).
- Growth led by PAYE, NICs, and VAT, while corporate tax share slightly declines
- Fiscal policy expected to stay rules-based and stable, underpinned by digitalisation, compliance reforms, and modest GDP growth (~3.5–4% nominal).
Overall Insight:
The UK’s taxation system remains diversified, predictable, and adaptive — capable of sustaining public finances through structural change, moderate inflation, and ongoing digital transformation.
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Making Tax Digital & VAT Thresholds in 2025–2026
Article Review: “Making Tax Digital & VAT Thresholds in 2025–2026 — What It Means for Small Businesses and How to Prepare”
Overview
This in-depth article by Audit Consulting Group provides a practical and data-driven guide to the upcoming changes in the UK’s Making Tax Digital (MTD) regime and revised VAT thresholds. It explains how these reforms will reshape compliance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from 2025–2026, and what proactive steps businesses should take to stay ahead.
Key Themes
The piece outlines the growing significance of VAT in the UK’s fiscal landscape — with receipts projected to exceed £180 billion by 2026 — and highlights why HMRC is expanding digital reporting through MTD for both VAT and Income Tax.
It clearly distinguishes who will be affected under the new thresholds and timelines, offering a structured readiness roadmap that covers software selection, staff training, internal controls, and digital record-keeping.
Why It Matters
Rather than viewing MTD as a mere compliance hurdle, the article positions it as an opportunity for efficiency, accuracy and better cashflow management. It demonstrates how adopting MTD-compliant systems can deliver real-time financial visibility, fewer errors, and measurable ROI.
Practical Value
Readers are guided through detailed examples, including case studies of a small retailer and a sole trader, realistic cost–benefit models, and key performance indicators for ongoing compliance monitoring. The report concludes with a concise FAQ and references to HMRC, OBR, and ICAEW resources, underscoring its professional rigour and reliability.
In Summary
This is an essential read for UK small business owners, accountants, and finance managers preparing for MTD’s next phase. It combines regulatory clarity with actionable advice — equipping readers to turn digital compliance into a strategic advantage.
