Violet Elizabeth Posted January 27, 2004 Share Posted January 27, 2004 Hi, seem to remember a few bean-counters lurk in the sheds. Looks like my company accountants are going down the tubes, or rather they have made all their IT staff redundant and now I have no online accounts access. Couple of questions ... My year end was December, so is it going to be easier for me to ditch them NOW, rather than waiting ? Seem to remember that it is easier to transfer accountants at year end ? If they really screw up big time with my year end, do I have any redress ? i.e. can I point Hector in their direction and say "sorry guv not my fault" ? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FH Posted January 27, 2004 Share Posted January 27, 2004 PP is one of "them" and I think NaPP is one too 😳 😬 I'm not Indeed, I can't even count proply FH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myles Posted January 27, 2004 Share Posted January 27, 2004 Erp Keep BC free and open for ALL. Membership No. 43xx Alcester Racing 7's Equipe - 🙆🏻™ Edited by - Myles on 27 Jan 2004 19:35:25 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Violet Elizabeth Posted January 27, 2004 Author Share Posted January 27, 2004 Think Meldrew is as well. Grrrr, this is the trouble with the interwebthingy, when it works it is great, and can get at my accounts from the whole wide world, but when it is broke ... Luckily I got my "Send this back to Companies House by 4th Jan or go to Jail" form sent back. Have to pay VAT man on the 31st, but have no idea how much, and they are quite scary. Hey ho. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rossybee Posted January 28, 2004 Share Posted January 28, 2004 I'm sure Pat will be along soon - a bit of a late night lurker, that one Rrrrrosssssss!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Brother Posted January 28, 2004 Share Posted January 28, 2004 Don't forget Eric Steve Se7en-Up! Not going to you know where with you know who in 2004 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Violet Elizabeth Posted January 28, 2004 Author Share Posted January 28, 2004 Don't forget Eric Impossible to do that Bean counters are now answering phone. VAT panic over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meldrew Posted January 28, 2004 Share Posted January 28, 2004 I presume these people write up your books on a regular basis, do your tax and prepare your statutory accounts, do they? Are they a firm, of Chartered/Certified Accountants or a bureau service? Partnership or limited company? It's almost certainly cleaner to ditch them at the start of a new accounting year, but you want to make sure that stuff like your VAT, stat accounts, audit (if any), tax payments on account and other compliance issues are tied up and dealt with so nothing falls between stools during the change process. If they do louse up your year end, the only real redress you have is: a) in court through the usual mechanisms of tort; b) if they are qualified, you can complain to their institute and get them disciplined, though this probably won't get you any money back. Hector may be sympathetic if you explain nicely, but it won't last for long and you'll be expected as a company director (I assume you are) to make alternative arrangements for the maintenance of adequate accounting records in line with the Companies Act. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Violet Elizabeth Posted January 28, 2004 Author Share Posted January 28, 2004 I presume these people write up your books on a regular basis, do your tax and prepare your statutory accounts, do they? Are they a firm, of Chartered/Certified Accountants or a bureau service? Partnership or limited company? Yes, Firm of Certified Tax Acountants, Limited Co. Limited Co been taken over by another Ltd Co, hence the ensuing chaos ☹️ Thanks for the help Meldrew, yes I am a Director, so seems like any leeway will only be limited if things get sticky. Cheers, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meldrew Posted January 28, 2004 Share Posted January 28, 2004 ??What's a certified tax accountant? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
not a Postman Pat Posted January 28, 2004 Share Posted January 28, 2004 Noger As they are also a Limited Company, they of course have their own equally onerous obligations, and obligations to you as a client, etc. If they are to preserve any reputation on transfer to the new company, they can't really afford to abandon you wholesale. Having said that, there is probably quite a small window of opportunity for you to get what you can from them (eg on disk/CD). Do you want someone (ie me) to chat to them on your behalf and see what can be recovered from them so that you can maintain your VAT records, etc? Let me know Pat and his not quite black and white cat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTD Posted January 28, 2004 Share Posted January 28, 2004 G 4 Geoff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric McLoughlin Posted January 28, 2004 Share Posted January 28, 2004 The term "Certified Tax Accountant" is pretty meaningless. The two institutes which normally provide accountants for public practice are: The Institute of Chartered Accountants (England and Wales or Scotland) The Chartered Association of Certified Accountants However, there is no legal requirement that Ltd Company accounts have to be prepared by members of the above institutes. In fact, ANYBODY can prepare and submit company accounts to either the Inland Revenue or Companies House. The only statutory obligation to use members of the above bodies is when a company needs to have its accounts audited under the terms of the Companies Acts. Registered Auditors can only be members of these institutes. There are lots of "accountants" out there who are either, qualified with lesser bodies, part qualified in that they never finished their training or are not qualified with ANY institute at all. With a year end of 31 December, you would need to be mindfull of the following deadlines: 30 September 2004 - payment of Corporation Tax due in respect of the year ended 31 December 2003). 31 October 2004 - filing of accounts at Companies House 31 December 2004 - submission of accounts for the year ended 31 December 2003 and the related Corporation Tax return to the Inland Revenue. I am assuming that your company is not a PLC. Edited by - Eric McLoughlin on 28 Jan 2004 14:00:01 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meldrew Posted January 28, 2004 Share Posted January 28, 2004 Haven't you ever heard of Noger plc, Eric? 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Violet Elizabeth Posted January 28, 2004 Author Share Posted January 28, 2004 Noger plc ... almost as popular as Enron Thanks for all the advice, have now spoken to accountants (actualy think ther are Chartered Tax Accountants) ... and they assure me the are not going out of business. Hmmm, when a companies web site disappears for 4 days and you are told to speak to someone you have never heard of ... my thoughts turn immediately to "the administrators". Still smells a bit funny (but that could be my kipper tie) , but will see how it goes, may have a sniff around Companies House interwebsite. Phew, my thumb and eyes now ache from phone posting. I need a GnT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric McLoughlin Posted January 28, 2004 Share Posted January 28, 2004 "Chartered Tax Accountants"? . Sounds like they might be members of the Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT) which is a taxation qualification, not an accounting qualification. Could it be that the old practise has merged or been taken over? Ensure that there will be no hiccup in getting your annual accounts done and that the fee levels are remaining within your expectations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve-B Posted January 28, 2004 Share Posted January 28, 2004 accountants don't they taste like chicken 😬 😳 Steve B Big Black Beast^3 SV VHPD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meldrew Posted January 29, 2004 Share Posted January 29, 2004 No, we're much more distasteful than that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scooby dooby doo Posted January 29, 2004 Share Posted January 29, 2004 dunno - I always put on loads of BBQ sauce to drown out the taste.... 😬 HOOPY R706KGU Hoopylight R Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric McLoughlin Posted January 29, 2004 Share Posted January 29, 2004 GRRRRRR. You won't like me when I'm angry! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meldrew Posted January 29, 2004 Share Posted January 29, 2004 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scooby dooby doo Posted January 29, 2004 Share Posted January 29, 2004 The accountants said I'd have 1500 quid cash left over. Then realised they'd forgotten a load of stuff and it'll have to get paid to the tax man. Being 1500 quid down from where I thought I was is not very pleasing ☹️ HOOPY R706KGU Hoopylight R Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric McLoughlin Posted January 29, 2004 Share Posted January 29, 2004 The accountant's chief role in life is to prevent his clients from receiving nasty surprises. If an accountant has to pass on bad news to a client, then it is best if he does it as early as possible in the year. At leat then the client can plan how he is going to deal with it. The worst scenario is receiving a nasty surprise, late. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scooby dooby doo Posted January 29, 2004 Share Posted January 29, 2004 not quite the situation Eric - the accountant said "you'll have the investments we agreed you'd keep and the remainder after selling some, consolidating others, paying tax, paying my fees etc will be 1500 quid". A while later I got "oops. I forgot a few things - you'll have approx zero cash left over". So yes, I agree I'd rathe the accountant told me the problem rather than the IR - but he shouldn't tell me its done and give me the final accounts when they're not final, full of errors. HOOPY R706KGU Hoopylight R Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meldrew Posted January 29, 2004 Share Posted January 29, 2004 Well, he's clearly an incompetent, then. You should tell him so and ask him what he's going to do about it. If you relied on his advice you should pursue him hard. I would also find another, more competent, accountant. Also be grateful that this chap was not a doctor, a civil engineer or a pilot.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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