Just been notified by a client that there is a VAT inspection on 18th January and he wants me there. Are HMRC having a laugh? Smack bang in the middle of bloody silly season - FFS!
Sorry - felt the need for a rant!!!
Also it just made me wonder what you guys do in such situations.
I attended his first one - well it was probably only fair given he had newly set up the company and it was a VAT reclaim and he had no experience at all. Nice clean bill of health.
But I have heard of bookkeepers and indeed Accountants who refuse to go - let them have the reports and let the VAT man get on with it. Does seem a bit odd to me that view, its like letting children loose with knives, but wondered what you guys do.
Also - what reaction do you think there would be to me saying sod orf Im not free until 8 February (after the panic of the first VAT return period for other clients!)??
I was in such a good mood 10 minutes ago.
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Joanne
Winner of Bookkeeper of the Year 2015, 2016 & 2017
Thoughts are my own/not to be regarded as official advice,which should be sought from a suitably qualified Accountant.
You should check out answers with reference to the legal position
I would try to defer the meeting until February. If the Client is keen for you to attend, then he must appreciate your silly season, and be willing to move the meeting accordingly.
Thanks Les. I told my client I have no capacity until at least 8 Feb. Turns out then he has two big trade shows so is suggesting March, not sure how that will go down with the 'authorities'- I told him to very much play it by war in the conversation with HMRC so he doesn't look like he is being awkward.
I've also suggested the appointment should be at his house as he has no offices and uses a storage company for his stock. He has no laptop he can take to the storage unit and they have no wifi access, but he is getting hung up on them wanting to see his stock. I've told him they are primarily looking at his paperwork and if they also want to see his stock then that could be arranged.
Worst thing is, I was actively going to manage out this client once te November vat and year end were done at the end of this month! Aggghhhh.
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Joanne
Winner of Bookkeeper of the Year 2015, 2016 & 2017
Thoughts are my own/not to be regarded as official advice,which should be sought from a suitably qualified Accountant.
You should check out answers with reference to the legal position
Sounds like something from the Art of War by Sun Tzu... No, didn't look it up. I have a copy of the art of War for executives which is filed on the Project Management shelf. Must say, comes accross as a bit confusing as at various points it tells you to both burn the bridges behind you (so that you're men cant retreat) and also not to burn the bridges (so the enemy has somewhere to run to rather than have to fight you).
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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.
