As part of new client's handover we received Sage Payroll backup. We use Brightpay bureau subs for our payrolls and ideally not looking to join sage. Previously there used to be a download link for trial version. Does anyone know any way of converting sage data to brigthpay or moneysoft. The backup is for 18/19 and it's needed for the YE only. Any ideas would be highly appreciated. We have tried asking the previous accountants for printed records, however they demanded £100admin fee for those. Many thanks
Replies (7)
Please login or register to join the discussion.
If I still used Sage payroll I might quote you £50+VAT. But it's a bit of a phaff so I can see why the other firm would charge £100+VAT.
I'm no expert but I don't think you can just convert a backup from Sage for BP or MS. Could you ask your client to give you the employees payroll details in CSV format? Most payroll providers allow for CSV imports.
Take a look at https://www.brightpay.co.uk/docs/19-20/moving-to-brightpay-from-another-...
That gives you instructions for how to import from csv files from Sage, but it will require the info to be exported in the first place - shouldn't be onerous for previous accountant, no printing involved.
If you do this for 18/19, you should have the info you need.
On the face of it, I don't think an admin fee is acceptable for producing a report of this nature in these circumstances. In my view a backup should not be considered a proper handover of useful information because it's only of use to someone with the same software - which you don't have. I'd go back and say the same to the previous accountant. If they're an ICAEW member, ICAEW has a helpsheet on this which states that such a fee should not normally be charged unless there is good reason to the contrary such as a significant amount of work. having said that, while it may be irritating, £100 may be worth paying to avoid further hassle on your part.
I dont feel that an admin fee is due but you need to get on so can I suggest you bite 1/2 of the cost. Also see my final paragraph
Go back to the previous accountant and say that you dont feel they should charge what is essentially handover information but you attach a cheque for £60 to cover 50% of their fee and tell them exactly what you want in details.
I have to say we advise clients that there will be a fee for information requests received 3 months after the disengagement letter date. The reason is because a request for info will often arrive late Jan or it is "urgent".