1stOnline - Gone Out of Business?

[RustyWire]

I had the full package with them (VAT, PAYE etc) and so they registered me for the various taxes when I first incorporated. However, it was made clear that it didn't include responsibility for running payroll and submitting VAT tax returns, so i have been doing those myself through Freeagent.

On the topic of annual accounts, after a very annoyed phone call from myself on the last working day before deadline, they did actually prepare the accounts and email me them. But after that I got no further communication on submission and began to really panic. The night before deadline, I thought i'd check my contract with them to see if a failed submission would be a breach of contract. Lo and behold, it read that filings were responsibility of the client and not them. I ended up using their figures to submit the accounts myself with an hour to spare.

Despite the contract saying otherwise, I was led through phone calls to believe that they would prepare AND submit my accounts and infact 3 days later, I got an email from them apologizing for not submitting my accounts and that they would write a letter to rectify.

The whole thing was a shambles which is why I cancelled with them. It's just such a shame because during incorporation they were pretty quick to respond to my queries.

I had a very similar experience earlier this year when needing to file my company accounts. I've just been trying to file my Self Assessment tax and kept getting that rejected by HMRC's system. Emails bouncing back and calls unanswered so closure explains a lot.

All data and attachments now exported from Freeagent so more of an irritation than a disaster.

[yasnas]

If they didn’t file your accountants, I would ask them for a refund, did you receive any other services from them such as payroll, personal tax return?

I had the full package with them (VAT, PAYE etc) and so they registered me for the various taxes when I first incorporated. However, it was made clear that it didn't include responsibility for running payroll and submitting VAT tax returns, so i have been doing those myself through Freeagent.

On the topic of annual accounts, after a very annoyed phone call from myself on the last working day before deadline, they did actually prepare the accounts and email me them. But after that I got no further communication on submission and began to really panic. The night before deadline, I thought i'd check my contract with them to see if a failed submission would be a breach of contract. Lo and behold, it read that filings were responsibility of the client and not them. I ended up using their figures to submit the accounts myself with an hour to spare.

Despite the contract saying otherwise, I was led through phone calls to believe that they would prepare AND submit my accounts and infact 3 days later, I got an email from them apologizing for not submitting my accounts and that they would write a letter to rectify.

The whole thing was a shambles which is why I cancelled with them. It's just such a shame because during incorporation they were pretty quick to respond to my queries.

[Chart Accountancy]

I've been wondering the same thing as you ninjamouse, since September actually when 1st Online failed to submit my annual accounts on time, despite me calling to remind them many times up till the deadline. After they missed the deadline, all phone calls started going to voicemail and so I cancelled with them via email the very next day and got a response after a week asking me if my cancellation was "effective immediate". Obviously I replied yes and have never heard from them since.

However, they are still taking monthly payments from my account (the cheek?!) which I have now taken up with my bank as fraudulent.

If they didn’t file your accountants, I would ask them for a refund, did you receive any other services from them such as payroll, personal tax return?

[yasnas]

1stOnline appear to have gone out of business which I'm not particularly happy about. My calls go straight to voicemail. Emails weren't responding to and are now being bounced back. Does anyone know any details of what has happened? Their website is still up 1st Online | Contractor Accountants. They were so slow doing anything and now appear to be doing nothing even though I've paid for their services.

I've been wondering the same thing as you ninjamouse, since September actually when 1st Online failed to submit my annual accounts on time, despite me calling to remind them many times up till the deadline. After they missed the deadline, all phone calls started going to voicemail and so I cancelled with them via email the very next day and got a response after a week asking me if my cancellation was "effective immediate". Obviously I replied yes and have never heard from them since.

However, they are still taking monthly payments from my account (the cheek?!) which I have now taken up with my bank as fraudulent.

[northernladuk]

I've finally spoken to an Accountant at Brooksons. Sounds like there have been major process and tech issues. He said that 1stOption had emailed me about this a couple of months back, but I've not received any emails. Emails are still bouncing from their support address after the accountant said they should now be working.

I've extracted all my data from FreeAgent and getting a new accountant now. Thanks for the assistance.

That might be my fault. If it's FreeAgent you don't need to extract it. Your account will just go over to the new accountant so should be absolutely seemless for you. I'd have taken a backup extract personally but you don't need to if you go to another FA accountant.

[ninjamouse]

The changes happened on March 2017 so that seems strange.

Anyhow, as NLUK say, time to move I'd say. 1st Online are freeagent accountants so any transfer should be easy enough.

I've finally spoken to an Accountant at Brooksons. Sounds like there have been major process and tech issues. He said that 1stOption had emailed me about this a couple of months back, but I've not received any emails. Emails are still bouncing from their support address after the accountant said they should now be working.

I've extracted all my data from FreeAgent and getting a new accountant now. Thanks for the assistance.

[Alan @ BroomeAffinity]

Strange. There has been no communications from them on this. I've phoned them but they appear pretty clueless about the change. Hmm.

The changes happened on March 2017 so that seems strange.

Anyhow, as NLUK say, time to move I'd say. 1st Online are freeagent accountants so any transfer should be easy enough.

[northernladuk]

Strange. There has been no communications from them on this. I've phoned them but they appear pretty clueless about the change. Hmm.

But did you get anywhere? Below is a list of all the directors. Ask to be put through to one of them. They've got to have a clue if they are directors of both.

MR MARTIN JOHN SCOTT
MR THOMAS JEREMY SEDDON
MR ANDREW CHARLES MCGREGOR
MR MARTIN JOHN HESKETH
MR MARTIN JOHN SCOTT
MRS CAROLYN NEVINSON
MR MARTIN JOHN SCOTT

Time to get your data and get out IMO.

[ninjamouse]

Indeed. If you look at the address at the bottom of the webpage

1st Online Limited,
Registered Office: Brunel House, 340 Firecrest Court,
Warrington, WA1 1RG.

and compare it to Brookson

Brookson
Brunel House
340 Firecrest Court
Centre Park
Warrington
WA1 1RG

Same directors if you compare the two companies on Company Check as well.

Brooksons number is 0800 230 0213. Try them.

Strange. There has been no communications from them on this. I've phoned them but they appear pretty clueless about the change. Hmm.

[northernladuk]

Aren't they part of Brookson now?

Indeed. If you look at the address at the bottom of the webpage

1st Online Limited,
Registered Office: Brunel House, 340 Firecrest Court,
Warrington, WA1 1RG.

and compare it to Brookson

Brookson
Brunel House
340 Firecrest Court
Centre Park
Warrington
WA1 1RG

Same directors if you compare the two companies on Company Check as well.

Brooksons number is 0800 230 0213. Try them.

[Alan @ BroomeAffinity]

1stOnline appear to have gone out of business which I'm not particularly happy about. My calls go straight to voicemail. Emails weren't responding to and are now being bounced back. Does anyone know any details of what has happened? Their website is still up 1st Online | Contractor Accountants. They were so slow doing anything and now appear to be doing nothing even though I've paid for their services.

Aren't they part of Brookson now?

[ninjamouse]

1stOnline appear to have gone out of business which I'm not particularly happy about. My calls go straight to voicemail. Emails weren't responding to and are now being bounced back. Does anyone know any details of what has happened? Their website is still up 1st Online | Contractor Accountants. They were so slow doing anything and now appear to be doing nothing even though I've paid for their services.