We always ask newbies to do a brief introduction. Eg how long a bookkeeper/do you work for an Accountants or have your own clients/what is your background pre bookkeeping/what prof body are you with/exams passed to date/which exams you are studying/where based - that sort of thing.
What software are you using to produce the accounts for this individual and also, if different, what software for the self assessment?
__________________
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
Hi, thanks for the response, and apologies!
I finished studying level 4 with the AAT in July and in the process of researching starting up by myself/looking for part time work. Still working in a non-accounting profession, so experience is limited.
I haven't got as far as chosing a software yet, but I hear taxfiler is a good one.
It was a hyperthetical question having never done a SA, I was wondering what would happen if you had a client miles away and you were doing their SA online, how does it get signed by the client and the process etc?
Are you going for MAAT MIP? Maybe problematic without experience so consider how you will get round that.
Dont forget your MLR and PII cover before you take your first client on.
For SA - different products have different ways of getting the required signatures - not sure about Tax filer - do a trail download and have a play, look in their help files.
Some provider portals for all documents to be reviewed and signed digitally, but some of these can be expensive.
Some can ask for standard pdf digital signatures, some just email (or post) the accounts and tax documentation and request either full print off, signature and return of all, or just a signature on one page plus return, again either by email or in the post. A lot depends on your client - some are still old school and want to see a bit of paper.
Short response as busy with January madness as are most of the other contributors on here!!!
__________________
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 use taxfiler and you can download a pdf which has a space for signature, which you can then email to client. They would then wither have to sign and email back to you or you can use an online signature such as hellosign.
You don't need agent acceptance to submit the tax return via taxfiler, I did a couple last year without it.
Joanne has mentioned MLR & PII, it is absolutely essential you have MLR in place before completing a tax return for someone else. (PII, although not essential, is also strongly recommended)
__________________
John
Any advice given is for general guidance and professional advice should be sought applicable to your circumstances.
Thank you for the replies, you have already been a major help. I have MLR in place and also PII in place as of this morning. I wanted everything lined up before I started finding clients, even if it does take time.
I am aiming for MAAT MIP, but like you say without the experience it's a no go at the moment, so I'm putting myself in at the deep end to get that experience. I have spoken with the AAT about this and I just can't mention the AAT at all so I'm literally all by myself!
