Reply to: What's an accountant's reference?

[MasterBait]

I don't think your accountant is a reliable reference for the dates you worked on a contract. How would they know? And can they prove it?

Accountant states that I am a director of a limited company from the date of incorporation, no need to give contract dates and explain gaps. Worked for my last two contracts. Admittedly they weren't banks, but both were in highly regulated industries.

[GhostofTarbera]

I don't think your accountant is a reliable reference for the dates you worked on a contract. How would they know? And can they prove it?

Indeed, bank drone vetting would ignore


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[northernladuk]

Not sure what the OP's problem is. In stead of giving all my contract clients or agencies for the past few years I always just give my accountant as reference, much faster and more reliable

I don't think your accountant is a reliable reference for the dates you worked on a contract. How would they know? And can they prove it?

[MasterBait]

Not sure what the OP's problem is. In stead of giving all my contract clients or agencies for the past few years I always just give my accountant as reference, much faster and more reliable

[sal]

But I don't have an accountant!

And still managed to get clients in banks and pass all the security clearance

Not having an accountant and truthfully stating that you don't have an accountant is fine. But by the sounds of it OP has an accountant, so stating "I don't have an accountant" to avoid providing reference is not the wisest choice/advise.

[CryingSheep]

Or it can backfire spectacularly, given that's it's a bad idea to lie on a SC application form...

But I don't have an accountant!

And still managed to get clients in banks and pass all the security clearance

[sal]

This should definitely work.

Or it can backfire spectacularly, given that's it's a bad idea to lie on a SC application form...

[cloudcontractor]

I can offer some insight here, since my gf was my accountant the last time this was asked.

They literally just asked her to confirm I was director of said company, and that I'd been operating since my incorporation date. Nothing else.

Particularly pointless since this information would have been publicly verifiable on companies house. It might be an incitement for your accountant to volunteer something if you're a particularly bad risk, but doesn't seem to be asked explicitly.

[ladymuck]

Say you don’t have an accountant - job done

Drone box ticking exercise by agent doing checks never asked for by end client


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Definitely needed one to get my airside pass last year. Not sure what they would have done if I said I didn't have an accountant.

[CryingSheep]

Say you don’t have an accountant - job done

Drone box ticking exercise by agent doing checks never asked for by end client

This should definitely work.

[Hobosapien]

If the check is related to finance then the reference may be to confirm your income claims as a look into any debt or solvency issues.

I just let my accountant know they may be asked for a reference (the paperwork I've filled in in the past asks for my accountant contact details rather than trusting me to provide a non-forged reference) and they are well used to giving such so no probs.

[BlueSharp]

I was asked for this for my new gig. So I asked my accountant and he said OK, give them my details. What did your accountant say?

[FIERCE TANK BATTLE]

Nah this is for security clearance so needed

Will ask accountant for the above, a letter confirming dates worked

[GhostofTarbera]

Say you don’t have an accountant - job done

Drone box ticking exercise by agent doing checks never asked for by end client


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[ladymuck]

Ask your accountant

Generally, they confirm how long you have been trading, how long they have been your accountant for, and your last year or two's turnover (that bit varies).

All I do when asked for one of them is email my accountant and cc whoever is asking and instruct my accountant to provide the asker with whatever information they need. Saves me then getting the request wrong and having to / fro with clarification questions.