As some of you are no doubt aware, by shortening the accounting date by one day, you can get a 3 month extension on submitting Co House accounts.
I have already done this for one client, when it became obvious we were battling against the odds in December. The previous accounts, done in Xero by her former accountant, were a complete mess (not entirely their fault I don't think) and I've redone from April last year to date. Client is happy that the 17/18 accounts up to end of December are ok, and she was going to do the remaining 3 months herself. The new deadline is Saturday and I'm still waiting on the client for the remaining figures.
I'm toying with the idea of applying another 3 month extension (and also at the same time doing the Jan to March 2018 figures myself from the bank account, off my own back, which I would be much more happier with. However part of me thinks should I be bending over backwards to help the client, as she should take more responsibility in meeting deadlines.
I'm well on top of the 18/19 accounts, so I know this problem isn't going to crop up next year.
Thoughts?
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John
Any advice given is for general guidance and professional advice should be sought applicable to your circumstances.
Is the year end Dec? Has she given you authority to file these?
Sorry Im confused by the she is doing the 3 months, but was out late last night so perhaps mis-reading!
I would say - dont do anything without her authority. Also do not dig her out of another hole. You've dug her out once and she has jumped back in to the damned thing and thrown the spade out.
Only thing - have, when youve chased recently, mentioned that the deadline is looming and fines will be X if she does not comply?
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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
Financial year runs April to March. 2017/18 accounts should have been submitted to Co House in December, but Xero was such a mess these would need rebuilding. As I knew there wasn't a cat in hells chance of these being ready I delayed them to 30th March. I've since been told by the client that the previous records on Xero are fine to the end of December 17 but went pear shaped after that. She would supply the figures for Jan to March 2018 and I would do the 17/18 accounts on that basis. It goes without saying that her figures would be checked.
At present there are no accounts prepared as I don't have those figures so the deadline will be missed. I advised at the beginning of March that the deadline is Saturday and the penalties that will be incurred, and again on Monday this week.
I had in mind to delay again and do those figures myself for Jan - Mar 18 so I know for defo they would be right and that going forward we would be on top of things, but agree with you about digging her back out of the hole, as much as I want to.
Obviously I wouldn't submit any accounts without the client's authority.
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John
Any advice given is for general guidance and professional advice should be sought applicable to your circumstances.
Hi John
Sorry I WAS being an idiot when I first read your post because Dec - 9 months = March!!!!!!!
Is she just too busy to sort this out? Or afraid of Zeroooooo?
How about a call to her today offering to do the work, but charge extra for said work to be done in on a Saturday when it should be your day off x days/digging her out of the proverbial? On the understanding she is around Saturday for Qs and sign off.
If she doesnt answer the phone email her saying the fine of £x (£150 is it?) will kick in on Monday.
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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
Sorted: I hope. Got the info I needed this morning so thats my Friday afternoon/Saturday sorted lol. I've said she needs to be around tomorrow for any queries, copies of paperwork etc and for approval of accounts.
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John
Any advice given is for general guidance and professional advice should be sought applicable to your circumstances.
