I don't tend to do much bookkeeping myself and usually it is clients that are new/ have decided they now want a bookkeeper rather than themselves.
However, we have recently taken on a couple of clients where we are taking over the bookkeeping.
I am after a template or an idea of what questions to ask/ information I should request from the previous bookkeeper and what they should provide me with.
Does anyone do this or can give some general guidance?
Replies (3)
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Get the records
We just send the normal clearance letter, and ask for the usual records, plus the bookkeeping, VAT & PAYE records for the current financial year.
The client may, or may not, know what software (if any) is used for the bookkeeping, so if not, I would either ask the previous bookkeeper/accountant to contact me, or give them a call myself when I am sure they have received the letter.
If VAT & PAYE are involved, it helps if you can agree a specific handover period with the previous accountant.
Normal professional clearance
Yep, as Shirley says, do what you'd do for an accountancy handover. You just want to ask for extra things that relate to bookkeeping to enable you to pick up where they left off. Usually a TB, nominal ledger, and debtors and creditors report will suffice, along with a bank rec.
Bookkeepers Professional Clearance
Obviously you will need the usual no "objection" clearance. Apart from that I think you will need :-
T.B
Reconciliation of all Bank Accounts/Credit Cards/Loan accounts together with copies of the Year End Statements.
List of Sale Ledger balances/Trade Debtors.
List of Purchase ledger balances/Trade Creditors
Breakdown of accruals.
Breakdown of prepayments.
Copy of latest VAT Return.