Originally posted by WHA
View Post
The last couple of times I've wanted some decoration done, the 2/3 decorators I've asked to quote have given approx times to start of between 4-8 weeks. Wanted the boiler replacing last November and had to wait 6 weeks before any heating engineers could schedule it in. Same with a new gas fire/surround - both local shops were looking at 4 weeks before they could fit it. You have to accept that no service business has staff just sat there waiting to do work the moment the client needs it. Workload has to be planned at least a couple of weeks in advance which inevitably increases at busy times of the year when demand is higher. I am sure that your accountant would have done your accounts within 3 weeks had they a suitable clerk sat waiting doing nothing who could start on yours straight away, but it is far more likely they were all in the middle of other work that week, with the following week or two (at least) already pencilled in with promises made for other clients with deadlines etc - remember it's not just annual accounts/tax returns, there are also VAT returns every quarter, payrolls every month, etc. By taking a clerk off other planned work to do yours, the firm could well have ended up making other clients late and them incurring late filing penalties or at the very least annoying clients by breaking promises. It is likely that when your books arrived, the manager/partner realised that however quickly they allocated it to the next available clerk, it wouldn't get finalised and submitted by the deadline (bearing in mind review staff availability, time to clear queries, postage times for approval & submission, etc, so there was no point in accelerating it as being a day late is as bad as being 4 weeks late. Your only course of complaint would be had they promised to meet the deadline but failed to meet their promise. Otherwise it's not a disciplinary or complaining matter - expecting 3 week turnaround is simply not realistic for any service provider where a timetable has not been agreed/promised in advance. Put it down to experience and make a mental note to do your bit quicker next year - after all, you have 9 months from the year end, so leaving it to 8 months and 1 week and expected your accountant to jump through hoops in the last 3 weeks is a tad unrealistic.
Comment