Hi, just found this website so I thought I would give it a go!
I do my husbands book-keeping and then a while ago I took on a client as a self-employed book-keeper. Its only now that I wonder if I should have got him to sign something to cover myself, as I can only enter information based on what he tells me - is there a legal requirement to have clients sign a disclaimer?
There is no legal requirement to have a client sign a disclaimer. It is worth providing them with a letter of engagement outlining what you will be responsible for and what you won't and the same for the client.
The letter that you thinking of is called the engagement letter.
the only legal requirement on you is that you are covered either through a practicing certificate of your supervisory body or via HMRC for money laundering regulations. (The penalty for not doing carries the possibility of a couple of years in jail plus unlimited fine).
It is good practice to have an engagement letter in place. Again your supervisory body will have example letters although these very much need to be moulded to your practice.
Unfortunately due to differences in how our practices operate combined with us not being solicitors that letters one of the few things that bookkeepers don't like to share with each other but for pointers have a read of this thread that includes some very useful papragraphs for your letter as well as lots of guidance as to what would be good to include.
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
Wow, amazing not only quick, but really helpful, thanks. Thats kinda answered my question - and opened me up to a whole lot more! Looks like I need to get a supervisory body, is HMRC the best one to register with? I have a number of questions now, but who do you turn to, accountants seem to be quite tight lipped (including my own) when it comes to this sort of thing!
Hi Kitty and welcome to the forum - glad you've already found it as helpful as I do.
Try scrolling to the top of site and have a look round the menus there, in particular 'Resources', 'Startup'. It looks like you ought to be registered as self-employed though I mention in passing that you might be eligible for exception from paying National Insurance and depending on your other earnings, may not be liable for Income Tax.
Even before that, you might try using the 'Search' facility above. There are several threads which discuss money laundering and some people prefer to be registered for this directly with the Revenue.
It's always a good idea to make yourself aware of developements in the sector and a great free resource for those embarking on their career is this magazine :-
