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AccountingWEB

9am Lowdown: 2SV causes further agent frustration

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19th Oct 2016
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Good morning and welcome to this morning’s 9am Lowdown. In today’s headlines, HMRC accidentally added to agents’ frustrations after a software glitch introduced a mandatory two-step verification, and a foul mouthed new accounting VR game has been released.

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2SV causes further agent frustration

AccountingWEB readers are well aware of the struggles presented by the freshly implemented two step verification. Now, the Tax Faculty has reported how an accidental mandatory introduction of 2SV added to agents’ frustration.

According to The tax faculty, HMRC introduced 2SV on agent accounts yesterday lunchtime but they subsequently reversed the change “within a matter of hours”.

However, this 2SV glitch caused a number of agents being locked out of their agent accounts. AccountingWEB readers reported 2SV malfunction  yesterday on Any Answers. “ We logged on to HMRC absolutely fine first thing this morning and now it is asking for the two step log on by sending a code to my mobile!” South west beancounter exclaimed. “We can’t work like this as agents!”

After an enlightening HMRC online chat, Southwestbeancounter reported back: “[T]hey have been notified of an issue with agents and have had loads of calls in the last half hour or so and they are hopeful to have it resolved very soon - phew!!

Commenting on 2SV, the tax faulty said: “It was always obvious that codes being sent by text to a mobile phone or landline would be impractical for any firm larger than a sole practitioner.”

The faculty denounced HMRC’s 2SV communication as being “very poor” and will be pursuing it further with HMRC.

Speaking to AccountingWEB last month, BTCSoftware chief exec Rob Ellis said: “Tax agents are busy people and if things like this aren’t quick, clear and easy to use they simply won’t bother trying to fathom it out. HMRC need to provide the agents with clear advice and instructions to get them on board with the changes and that simply isn’t happening.”

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Rick and Morty creator releases accounting VR game 

If being an accountant in the real world wasn’t enough, Justin Roilan, the creator of adult animation Rick and Morty, has released a game where you be one in the virtual world, too.

The VR game, named Accounting, challenges the player with the daily tasks associated with being an accountant. In a video teaser introduces a voice yelling: “When was the last time you crunched numbers? What’s that, you get someone else to do it for you?” But quickly, the trailer turns into something very surreal – and very foul mouthed.

“Who gives you the right to be in my place!” the neurotic voice shout, while “commit tax fraud” flashes on the screen and the cursor character, strangely, pours acid.

You can watch the video below. But be warned, the video is not suitable for the office. 

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Adopt a marketing mindset

The Profitable Firm’s Karen Reyburn has released a video to preview her upcoming Practice Excellence Live session.

Reyburn  shares the story of Paul Barnes from My Accountancy Place and delves into how he applied the marketing mindset in his firm to great success. Barnes will be joining Reyburn during the Practice Excellence session on Tuesday 25 October.  

Be sure to register to attend Reyburn's Practice Excellence Live webinar on 25 October. She will explore how you can cultivate the habits of a marketing professional to equip you with the ability to make positive marketing decisions. It’s one not to be missed! 

Join Karen at Practice Excellence Live: The marketing mindset and how it works for My Accountancy Place from The Profitable Firm on Vimeo.

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