HMRC login and Company registered address

[mgarg]

I am contracting thru my limited company from last 2 yrs and using a local accountant. He does everything for the company including payroll, VAT and year-end accounts. I am now having lot of problems with that accountant and want to change to another accountant.

1. Accountant's address is my company's registered address. He has never forwarded any letter or notice from HMRC to me, which he received on his address. Not even corporation tax notice. To avoid same issues with new accountant, I want to use a different address then accountant's address, to make sure that I know about all communications from HMRC. Is it recommended to use a different address then accountant’s address? What all letters HMRC sends to registered address?

2. He has miscalculated VAT twice in past, I think accountant should prepare the stuff and I should check and then submit to HMRC but that's not the case here. I do not know how he submit everything to HMRC like VAT, payroll P35 and Annual accounts, does he use his own login and submit on behalf of me as client, or he has registered for online services the company. Do you register separately for each service? Or all service can be managed using same login? How should I re-register for HMRC?

3. To changes the registered address, one of my friend said I need the Company Authentication Code, which I am not able to find where I kept it or it is with the accountant. How can I get another company authentication code?

Please help me on these points.

I have tried searching the forum for these points but didn’t find anything related to that. May be I didn’t search properly. If you know posts about these points then please share the URL.

[Clare@InTouch]

HMRC should be writing to your trade address as well as your accountant. Just call them to check why they are not doing so, and ask them to update their records. You could also register for an account on the Government Gateway, that way you can keep an eye on things online.

An agent can use their own credentials for filing online, but you should review and approve everything before submission. If you've not done so, then you need to ask what's been filed without your approval - as director you're legally responsible.

If you call Companies House they will send you a copy of the Company Authentication Code - you'll then be able to change the Registered Office Address yourself.