Business Phone Account - did I do this right?

[heyya99]

I have bought a new phone that I paid for via my company. I also bought a Three sim 12-month conract. The contract is in my name, but using the business bank account. There is no mention of my business on my contract.

To allow me to expense the phone bill through my company, did I do this right?

[Pondlife]

I have to ask since you've been here so long. Why ask after the event?

As I understand it since the phone is in your name, you are now using your own phone for business purposes. Therefore you can claim for the business related calls only.

Why didn't you just get a business contract in the company name???

[JRCT]

What's the point, these days?

If you have a personal phone, then get a contract that has enough minutes etc to cover the business need.

Unless you're working in a call centre or on Babestation (whatever that is), then it's not really worth the effort, is it?

[heyya99]

Why didn't you just get a business contract in the company name???

I tried and Three told me that this is the way it's done. They didn't understand the concept of opening an account in a business name - they said they needed a persons name. I will go back to them.

[heyya99]

I bought my iPhone via the Apple website. I bought it in my name but used the business bank account. Does this mean I messed up that also? Can one buy a phone from Apple in a business name?

[Batcher]

I tried and Three told me that this is the way it's done. They didn't understand the concept of opening an account in a business name - they said they needed a persons name. I will go back to them.

I have a business account with Three and have done for about 5 years so they do understand the concept. Perhaps you asked the zero-hour contract staff in the shop instead of contacting the business department? Business mobiles - Three

[Pondlife]

I bought my iPhone via the Apple website. I bought it in my name but used the business bank account. Does this mean I messed up that also? Can one buy a phone from Apple in a business name?

All the invoices I have from ordering kit from the Apple website have my companies name on them.

[SueEllen]

To allow me to expense the phone bill through my company, did I do this right?

No.

Both the phone and the sim should be registered to the business.

BTW The only provider I've been with that have not screwed up in the shop with business accounts are T-Mobile now EE. That's because the guy running the shop was excellent.

[stek]

I'm with Three and they were happy to put:

Mr. Stek
StekContractCo Ltd
Blah
Blah
Blah

[heyya99]

Three have said their business division only deals with companies who want >=2 lines. They have offered to either cancel or add my business name to the first line of my address. My accountant said this 'should be fine'. She hasn't filled me with confidence.

I'm tempted to return the phone and re-buy the phone and contract personally - and not business.