When going from manual bookkeeping to computerised part way through the year do enter the balances at the date you stopped entering manually or start from scratch and re-enter everything into the software from the start of the financial year.
Up to you. Depends on volume, vat return complications or not (and vat scheme, although think we know which one you mean!), how far into the year you are etc etc.
You could just do from last vat return. Usual way.
Care of changing vat scheme from cash to standard (if that's the case) as an adjustment will need globe done.
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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
Client is only five months into year and not a vast amount of transactions each month. I'm just thinking it would be tidier starting from the beginning of the financial year. But then I'm also wondering if I am opening up a can of worms.
Is this the one with the possible change in vat? That might drive it- can software cope with mid year change.
Depends on if the can of worms means you are eventually saving them from themselves ie better to right a wrong now rather than be found out in an inspection.
Also, will they pay you for such? How forthcoming is the departing professional with supply of info? Or do you not know this yet?
edited for typo
-- Edited by Cheshire on Wednesday 15th of March 2017 11:06:50 PM
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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
Vat cash accounting scheme stays the same. I haven't mentioned starting from scratch yet. Previous bookkeeper has handed over all of the paperwork including ledger. Vat returns are included so could start from ladt return. I'd really like to put everything on sage but am I creating an even bigger job.
I would absolutely nail that one before you start. Don't get why a cash based business would need to be on a cash accounting vat scheme. Makes no sense and makes for extra work (sometimes via the software)
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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
Given the previous bookkeeper has handed over everything so quickly (and it seems acted professionally at handover), why not ring her and have a chat too (I'm assuming you sent a prof etiquette letter). Might find out more that way and you have two bites of the cherry so to speak.
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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 have sent a letter to the previous bookkeeping asking if she could call me to discuss the handover the letter I should imagine would have been received by now but no call as of yet. Should i now approach with a call. Client has advised me the bookkeeper was very off with them when they wanted to give notice and didn't want to fulfil the notice. Basically refused to do any further bookkeeping.
I can't remember reading whether you are affiliated to a professional body, anyway :
Yes I'd attempt a call, if no joy I'd then send another professional clearance letter, via recorded post.
If you still have no joy you've-
1) Tried your best (as is reasonably practicable.
2) With using recorded delivery, have proof you've tried to gain clearance, should you be with the AAT or above.(assurance visits)
The only potential issue (minuscule hopefully) you could have is only knowing half the story behind the split, who got rid of who? Any payment issues etc etc.
Either the former bookkeeper has a major attitude or something isn't quite right. I've personally never had an issue with a change over, maybe I'm just lucky.
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Johnny - Owner of an overly-active keyboard.
A man who can read, yet doesn't, is in no way wiser than a man who can't.
I think i might send a letter recorded post then at least I have tried. I have to speak to somebody regarding opening balances. I currently have a ledger book showing sales/purchase invoices and vat payments and that is it.
I reckon she will be pee'd orf because it sounds like out of the blue they have taken part of her livelihood off her for no other reason other than cost. Happens to us all for some reason or other at some point in our career, but does mean we don't always feel like helping, although generally speaking the professional attitude and ethics would mean most of us would.
I though she had received your letter and that was why you received all the files. Was that not the case, or was it the customer who asked for and got the files back? Wonder if they paid the final bill?
Anyway, what you should have is a copy of the vat returns themselves, the full detailed returns, or the vat account from the ledgers and the vat return itself so you can see what has happened. So, make a list of evertpything you need and ring. Failing that, I would email her or as a last resort, as you say, put in a detailed list of specifically what you want in with your letter.
It may well be that she hasn't got opening balances as she may not have these from the Accountant.
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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
Client asked for all paperwork back when they apparently refused to do anymore bookkeeping. I think the accountant is my best bet for opening balances. I have vat returns but not detailed. Looks like the vat return has been submitted using HMRC website. They should reconcile with the ledgers so hopefully i can work with that.
Sounds like they didn't pay their bill!!!! Why else would they refuse o do any work?
Your client should have authorised the vat returns, whoever did the HMRC plug in, so they should have copies of what we submitted.
Get the prof clearance off and you can have a frank discussion with her, you might hear the truth of what's gone on. You also need clear working for the vat return given its on cash accounting. She is unlikely to provide more than is absolutely necessary, which by the way should at least have been a TB, without that letter. Make a list, you might only get one shot at a call.
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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
As yet there aren't any o/b for the start of the year. Also the company will be changing to a Limited Company in 2 months time. I have decided to scrap Sage for now and use excel to record the last 2 months before cessation of this company then start afresh in April.
