Accountants and tax reminders

[pmeswani]

Why don't you have the statements?

Then send the accountant copies or a download from online banking if you need it?

I only send my accountant copies in the post as I don't trust RM 100% not to lose things.

The only thing I can download from the bank is a CSV version of the transactions that have taken place. I can send them the data...that's not the problem, but it would be nice to have copies. I get the original statements after year end, which isn't a problem. But it would be nice to know that they have received it in the first place.

My Bank Statements go to my Accountant so that they can do my VAT calculations (mainly) as well as update my Management Statement.

[Wanderer]

Then send the accountant copies or a download from online banking if you need it?

I bank with Cater Allen and they only let me download 93 days for each request and then it only goes back 13 months. How crap is that, I can't get my bank statements for the company's trading year.

Can anyone suggest an alternative bank with a decent online banking system?

[SueEllen]

I see your point. However, I would prefer to be one step ahead of my accountants if I can. I had to send a stroppy email to my accountant about them not sending me copies of my Bank Statements.

Why don't you have the statements?

Then send the accountant copies or a download from online banking if you need it?

I only send my accountant copies in the post as I don't trust RM 100% not to lose things.

[Danielsjdaccountancy]

Why not ask your accountant for a tax calendar? They're simple to work out and that way you can add all important dates to your diary. You could also then set the reminders well in advance

[pmeswani]

The first year or two is when you need an accountant the most.

SJD do the returns within a week or so of the year end, tell you how much is due, then 9 months later send a text and email reminding you to pay and how much. They do the same with VAT, and recently have been nagging me about not doing my annual return in time (which they will also do for you). Some people object to paying for that sort of service though.

The accountant isn't there to take responsibility, because it's your responsibility, but they should be helping you with the things you're responsible for.

I see your point. However, I would prefer to be one step ahead of my accountants if I can. I had to send a stroppy email to my accountant about them not sending me copies of my Bank Statements.

[VectraMan]

I agree that they should find another Accountant, but, and this is dependant on how long a contractor has been in business, they should know when their obligations should be due. (If the contractor is in their first year or two of business, I may be a bit more sympathetic).

The first year or two is when you need an accountant the most.

SJD do the returns within a week or so of the year end, tell you how much is due, then 9 months later send a text and email reminding you to pay and how much. They do the same with VAT, and recently have been nagging me about not doing my annual return in time (which they will also do for you). Some people object to paying for that sort of service though.

The accountant isn't there to take responsibility, because it's your responsibility, but they should be helping you with the things you're responsible for.

[pmeswani]

While it is a legal requirement on the director to make sure returns etc are filed at the correct times, it's not unreasonable that the director delegates the accountancy stuff to, ummm, an accountant.

If the accountant is engaged on a monthly fee and they fail to remind the director when their returns are due then the accountant isn't doing their job properly and it's time to look for another accountant.

I agree that they should find another Accountant, but, and this is dependant on how long a contractor has been in business, they should know when their obligations should be due. (If the contractor is in their first year or two of business, I may be a bit more sympathetic).

[Wanderer]

Without appearing to be too rude, even though you are paying your Accountant a fee to provide you with a service, it's your responsibility to make sure that you get your CT done, and not your accountant's. Some accountants do provide value add, but not all of them do.

While it is a legal requirement on the director to make sure returns etc are filed at the correct times, it's not unreasonable that the director delegates the accountancy stuff to, ummm, an accountant.

If the accountant is engaged on a monthly fee and they fail to remind the director when their returns are due then the accountant isn't doing their job properly and it's time to look for another accountant.

[ardelian]

Without appearing to be too rude, even though you are paying your Accountant a fee to provide you with a service, it's your responsibility to make sure that you get your CT done, and not your accountant's. Some accountants do provide value add, but not all of them do.

I agree it's my responsibility. I believed an accountant takes this responsibility as well when providing a service.

I believe there are two points of view on the role of accountants. First one - they are your little helpers assisting in whatever tax question or task you have.
Second one - you buy their service and concentrate on other aspects of running your business and they tell you what to do to keep books in order and HMRC happy.

The problem in my case is nobody clarified the accountant role from the beginning. It's partly my fault. I assumed they are providing the service and I don't need to remember all filing deadlines and tax obligations. I should have clarified their role at the outset.

[pmeswani]

Every year my accountants never tell me when my CT is due. When I write to them 4 weeks before the CT is due they tell me I need to act immediately and send all the docs urgently as they have long turnaround times.

Is it expected that I need to remember all tax due dates? Guys, what is your experience - do your accountants remind you about taxes due in advance?

Without appearing to be too rude, even though you are paying your Accountant a fee to provide you with a service, it's your responsibility to make sure that you get your CT done, and not your accountant's. Some accountants do provide value add, but not all of them do.

[DeludedAussie]

Every year my accountants never tell me when my CT is due. When I write to them 4 weeks before the CT is due they tell me I need to act immediately and send all the docs urgently as they have long turnaround times.

Is it expected that I need to remember all tax due dates? Guys, what is your experience - do your accountants remind you about taxes due in advance?

Which accountant is this?

[MonzaMike]

My accountant reminds me well in advance by letter.

I then get emails and/or phone calls nearer the time.

[Alan @ BroomeAffinity]

Thats not great service on the accountant's part but you have to take some responsibility for the financial affairs of your company: You should be in a position fairly soon after your year end to provide the accountant all the paperwork and this is when yuo should be contacting them - not nine months later. I can't speak for other firms but we would have sent at least six chaser emails looking for your information before it gets to the urgent stage. So there's fault on both sides, I'd say.

[ardelian]

Every year my accountants never tell me when my CT is due. When I write to them 4 weeks before the CT is due they tell me I need to act immediately and send all the docs urgently as they have long turnaround times.

Is it expected that I need to remember all tax due dates? Guys, what is your experience - do your accountants remind you about taxes due in advance?