I am on level 3 ICB so not yet able to have my own practice. My accountant would like a part-time bookkeeper but does not want to employ me, or anyone else, as a staff member but would like to put together a contract. This contract would state that the ad hoc work is to give me "supervised work" to help towards my qualification and the accountant would be responsible for all my work and hence under her PII. Does this tick the regulatory boxes? If not would it make a difference if I was not paid as the experience is very worthwhile and I would really like to do it.
Many thanks Joanne, I have contacted an ICB technician who was very helpful and yes I can do this as above and as long as the relevant accountant's clients are informed that I am still in training.
sounds as though you are caught between a rock and a hard place.
If you are working only for that accountant then you may find that HMRC regard you as a deemed employee if you are paid for your services. Combined with not being able to set up in practice to protect the accountant by working with several clients you r best option may be for now to work for free in exchange for supervision.
On the informing clients line, I am taking it that what the ICB mean is that you need to inform the person that you are working for (the accountant) not the business owners who should not know that you exist.
I assume that the arrangement is that the accountant gives you everything and then you field questions to the accountant who gets in touch with the client and then back to you. From the accountants clients perspective they should not know of your existence.
If an accountant was to need to tell their clients that they had given their books and recordss to a trainee to do then they would risk losing the clients so I can guarantee that the accountants clients will never be informed that you are still in training.
The above aside, it sounds like a great opportunity that you have been given to learn the ropes from within an extended practice environment.
Wishing you the best of luck with your trainning and continued studies,
kind regards,
Shaun.
__________________
Shaun
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.
