Hi John there is no reason why you can't outsource -there has to be a contract between the 2 bookkeepers.
I do this for ltd companies as it us cheaper than paying for the software, if you are looking for someone to outsource I am happy to help

Regards

Sharon

Hi Sharon Thanks for the reply. I would like to offer a fixed fee service which will cover bookkeeping and year end. I would be interest in knowing how much you would charge for all year end work. Please email me at john@skaccountancyltd.co.uk.

I'm part qualified CIMA, and not a member of anything. I used to work with a friendly accountant, who would do just the bits that I couldn't. So for most clients, he was presented with a good audit trail, a full set of balance sheet reconciliations, the almost completed statutory accounts, and anything else I knew he needed or asked for. He trusted my work, but would still check whatever he thought necessary, and never let me get away with anything! I made all the changes he required, so they all went though the accounting system properly. The only thing he did completely was the tax.

The advantage of this was that my systems were pretty highly automated, with management and statutory accounts produced on spreadsheets linked into the system. So it was cheaper for the client, and we didn't have any of the problems associated with accountants changing the numbers, and me or the client having to sort out how to adjust the ledgers. And the monthly management accounts were pretty close to the accuracy of the year end accounts, so the client could rely on them.

My view on this is that I was only filling in the forms, and my level of knowledge was up to the job, even though I didn't have the bits of paper to say I could complete the work. The challenge is to find the right accountant to work with, and I was fortunate enough to find the right one through my very first client. Unfortunately he's long since retired, so I don't know if I'll be that lucky again now I'm restarting my business.

Just checking -You have to be a registered practice to offer any paid bookkeeping service covered for Money Laundering -are you both registered ?

As soon as you start advertising/put up a website your effectivly trading.

My web site makes it pretty clear I haven't started yet, as does the Facebook page and Twitter. If anyone wants me to do some work they'll have to wait, as I need to get my workshop sorted first, so I can build some shelves to store their files, and make room on my desk, as well as register to spy on them! It's 10 years since I last traded.