Reply to: SJD Contact number

[Fred Bloggs]

With some good fortune, a colleague convinced me to move my accounts into Xero back in 2020. So at least I still have access to the necessary details.

Still pissed that I've paid a years accountancy fees and have nothing to show for it.

Hopefully, my new accountant won't charge me too heavily for having to do the entire previous years accounts.

What an arse, I should have jumped ship sooner. Not like I've been having good service from SJD for a number of years. I just got stuck with a "better the devil you know" attitude.

If Xero is fully up to date you should able to produce almost everything you need yourself from it. I closed down a Ltd Co last year and did the corporation tax, company house stuff etc.... myself on line without and accountant. I kept everything very simple though to facilitate that.

[Cr1spy]

With some good fortune, a colleague convinced me to move my accounts into Xero back in 2020. So at least I still have access to the necessary details.

Still pissed that I've paid nearly two years accountancy fees and have nothing to show for it.

Hopefully, my new accountant won't charge me too heavily for having to do the entire previous years accounts.

What an arse, I should have jumped ship sooner. Not like I've been having good service from SJD for a number of years. I just got stuck with a "better the devil you know" attitude.

[Lance]

Massive vote here in favour of FreeAgent and my own off line doomsday records if all else fails.

If the accountants get hacked and ransomed, hopefully, the completely segregated FreeAgent system would remain intact.

If not, then it's back to the off line doomsday records.

This has made look in more detail at what FA offers.
I was hoping for ISO 27001 but that appears not to exist.
They do have Cyber Essentials Plus, which to my mind is the absolute minimum for a company who I am relying on to protect my data.

To be honest I'm less bothered about confidentiality that I am availability and integrity for LTD company books cos I don't really care if they get leaked on the dark web. I do care that they don't get lost.

[Fred Bloggs]

worst case I think is immaterial as to whether they go into administration.

It is when you as a customer have no financial data as it's all been munched by whatever attack hit them. And you have no copies of your invoices or receipts. and deadline for company filing is Feb 28. Having to use bank statements to build the books and get an accountant to work it out in 3 weeks. Good luck.

But you're right. Act immediately as there's no guarantee they haven't lost all your data.

Massive vote here in favour of FreeAgent and my own off line doomsday records if all else fails.

If the accountants get hacked and ransomed, hopefully, the completely segregated FreeAgent system would remain intact.

If not, then it's back to the off line doomsday records.

[seezlar]

The portal appears to be partially back online - after their latest email today, I changed my password as soon as I noticed it was back.

[Lance]

I would have moved away ages ago. But if I hadn't and was in this situation, I would act immediately. For all we know the entire SJD, NW et al empire could be in administration any day now. It would be a brave person who said that's not a possible outcome.

worst case I think is immaterial as to whether they go into administration.

It is when you as a customer have no financial data as it's all been munched by whatever attack hit them. And you have no copies of your invoices or receipts. and deadline for company filing is Feb 28. Having to use bank statements to build the books and get an accountant to work it out in 3 weeks. Good luck.

But you're right. Act immediately as there's no guarantee they haven't lost all your data.

[Fred Bloggs]

Agreed. Give the new guys all the data you have (including the SJD spreadsheet) and let them work from there; it's all SJD would have given them anyway. They will no doubt complain about SJD themselves, since passing on data at changeover is not optional.

I would have moved away ages ago. But if I hadn't and was in this situation, I would act immediately. For all we know the entire SJD, NW et al empire could be in administration any day now. It would be a brave person who said that's not a possible outcome.

[malvolio]

Isn't one of the reasons they replaced the spreadsheet with their bespoke online system to prevent people just leaving with all the information?
Anyone on the new system is going to have some bother if that's down. The spreadsheet did have its advantages.

Could be. I gave up with them years ago, so no real idea where they are up to with the technology these days.

[eek]

Isn't one of the reasons they replaced the spreadsheet with their bespoke online system to prevent people just leaving with all the information?
Anyone on the new system is going to have some bother if that's down. The spreadsheet did have its advantages.

One problem with running your own portal is that when you introduce Bank Feeds you enter a whole different world of pain as Offpayroll mentioned yesterday Post | Feed | LinkedIn

That's actually a big issue because virtually none of the payroll firms seem to be regulated...

[Lance]

Agreed. Give the new guys all the data you have (including the SJD spreadsheet) and let them work from there; it's all SJD would have given them anyway. They will no doubt complain about SJD themselves, since passing on data at changeover is not optional.

Isn't one of the reasons they replaced the spreadsheet with their bespoke online system to prevent people just leaving with all the information?
Anyone on the new system is going to have some bother if that's down. The spreadsheet did have its advantages.

[malvolio]

Time to stop paying these charlatans and engage with your new accountant to finish off the year's work before you run into penalties. I would be assuming you get no further support from SJD and look for a way forward that doesn't involve them.

Agreed. Give the new guys all the data you have (including the SJD spreadsheet) and let them work from there; it's all SJD would have given them anyway. They will no doubt complain about SJD themselves, since passing on data at changeover is not optional.

[Fred Bloggs]

I've been chasing SJD for months in an attempt to get them to finish my EOY books. It's now 8 months since I submitted my completed accounts.

Served them official end of service notice last month to come into force on the 1st of February but only had a cursory "My manager will contact you" email. Still waiting on that call several weeks later.

Have approached a new accountant and have them all ready to go, but SJD won't answer the phone and just give empty promises in emails.

Any suggestions on how to escalate the issue and get them to talk to me? Is it time to contact a solicitor?

Time to stop paying these charlatans and engage with your new accountant to finish off the year's work before you run into penalties. I would be assuming you get no further support from SJD and look for a way forward that doesn't involve them.

[Cr1spy]

I've been chasing SJD for months in an attempt to get them to finish my EOY books. It's now 8 months since I submitted my completed accounts.

Served them official end of service notice last month to come into force on the 1st of February but only had a cursory "My manager will contact you" email. Still waiting on that call several weeks later.

Have approached a new accountant and have them all ready to go, but SJD won't answer the phone and just give empty promises in emails.

Any suggestions on how to escalate the issue and get them to talk to me? Is it time to contact a solicitor?

[ProjectPimp]

you need to pay some tax. And let HMRC know what is going on.
If you pay up more than you owe, before the return is submitted you'll get an easier ride when they inevitably come knocking.
And it's a SELF assessment. No excuse here. It's your responsibility. You have been let down, but surely last week you should have realised they have f***ed you?

a) I have paid some tax. Not convinced it's the right amount - yes it's my responsibility, that's why I PAY an accountant
b) I have spoken to HMRC and they've extended the deadline for me and other SJD victims
c) Other than my decision to use SJD, I am not an idiot, so please don't speak to me like one

SJD finally responded to me. They said they don't know the figures but 'their tax team is working hard to get as many done as possible' - needless to say my confidence is low... and it appears quite a few people are in this position.

Gorilla is calling.

[Lance]

OP... did you manage to get hold of anyone?

I haven't had a response since last Tuesday and they haven't submitted by Self Assessment! I contacted someone via Facebook last night as a last resort and got an almost instant reply saying someone would call me, but they haven't.

Definitely time to switch, however for now I just need this sorting out and there seems to be no way to speak to any of them at the moment.

you need to pay some tax. And let HMRC know what is going on.
If you pay up more than you owe, before the return is submitted you'll get an easier ride when they inevitably come knocking.
And it's a SELF assessment. No excuse here. It's your responsibility. You have been let down, but surely last week you should have realised they have f***ed you?