Accountant asking for receipts

[gricerboy]

I'm with an accountant frequently recommended on these pages & am currently in the process of having my accounts done.
They are telling me they have to see all my receipts. This isn't something I've ever been requested to produce before & frankly can't see that it's any of their business. I won't mention the name of said accoutants (yet) but they sometimes seem to be behaving more like an umbrella than an accountant.

[Clare@InTouch]

They may just be checking as a form of due diligence. Have you provided spreadsheets to detail everything?

[gricerboy]

Yes, I have but they still want to see them

[Jeebo72]

Yes, I have but they still want to see them

So show them, what's to hide? Don't worry about the Spearmint Rhino receipts too much.

[Clare@InTouch]

Yes, I have but they still want to see them

I'm not sure why they would want to see absolutely everything - I can understand wanting to double check anything large or unusual such as new assets, training fees, subscriptions etc but not so much a £1.99 receipt for postage.

Have you asked why they need to see everything? Are they just being careful because you're a new client?

[Weltchy]

frankly can't see that it's any of their business.

Are you having a laugh?

[Stag Cozier]

Chuck them all in a massive envelope, send it to them with no stamp and ask for them to be sent back recorded (Oops, I didn't say that!)

Seriously, unless they are doing an audit, or they suspect something dodgy, just ask them for a reasonable explanation why they need every single receipt. As previous posters have mentions, I doubt they would be interested in postage receipts. Spearmint, I'm not so sure!

[Vallah]

At the end of the day, if they're sticking their name on the accounts, they're entitled to see proof of what they're compiling. I can't see why you wouldn't want to show your receipts to an accountant, you'd be best doing them yourself if that's how you feel.

[gricerboy]

Well I'll be getting my money's worth because it'll be them reconciling every single bus ticket from the last year with what I put on the spreadsheet. Making a rod for their own backs IMO.

[Sally BFCA]

When you claim an expense you are required to keep the receipt as proof for 6 years as required by HMRC. It may be that your accountants are being diligent; although if they are satisfied with the information that they have prepared the accounts from, then you are signing them off as the director and have liability for them.