Most CFOs of larger companies have already installed the specialist software to do the job while many smaller firms have outsourced the iXBRL tagging of their accounts data to their auditors. But given HMRC's penchant for IT foul-ups, there is no guarantee that everything will run smoothly when the system goes live. And the date HMRC has chosen for the first day of mandatory iXBRL submissions is not encouraging: 1 April.

7. Handling high pay troubles

Who'd have thought being paid a huge salary could be a source of trouble? The High Pay Commission is due to report in November 2011 -- and it's bound to stoke up calls for rules constraining boardroom pay in large companies. They are calls that a coalition government already making big cuts affecting people on low pay may find hard to resist.

A recent survey by Income Data Services found that 61 percent believe a CEO shouldn't receive more than £500,000 a year. Which could leave many from the FTSE 100 (and elsewhere) facing a metaphorical ride in the tumbrils.

8. Finding there is (unfortunately) an alternative