Practitioner's Diary

Life is tough on the front line of accountancy. For more than five years, our intrepid correspondent has been bringing us news and views from a typical West Country practice.

Latest posts

May

A job too far!

Needing to fill a clerical vacancy, I thought why not advertise at the Job Centre and save the cost of newspaper advertising or agency commission?

I soon learned why not.

May

It's too quiet

A month into RTI and it seems far too quiet out there in client-land. I don't recall getting a single query about it either before or after 5 April, although I'm sure my tax team probably did a bit of hand holding.

Apr

How do you record work done - not just time?

Looking at my work in progress report the other day, I had one of those "there must be a better way" moments.

Apr

When First Class isn't good enough

Or rather, when isn't First Class good enough?

Apr

Am I interested?

They're all at it, and it's driven me mad.

Apr

Spring is sprung!

And suddenly loads of clients are either moving house or remortgaging. I can't remember the last time I received a request from a lender for an accountant's reference, but this month we seem to have received almost one a day.

Mar

Thanks George

Thanks for nothing - in a good way though! I can remember working the phone flat out for days after some Budgets, but not this year.

Mar

My Budget wish list

Another dose of George's marvellous medicine this week. I suspect I'll need more than a spoonful of sugar to digest it!

Mar

How much?

I thought that last daft PAYE code number was the winner. Until today!

Mar

Is it moral to accept free labour?

I suppose I should just keep my head down and not say anything, but I am sure this is an issue for firms across the country.