*** POSTING AN UPDATE ***
We have been trying to access the Gateways daily just to see if they have been released from the mystery suspension.
Today they have ALL reappeared. No correspondence or contact from HMRC.
You never know we may get a letter in a few weeks time but I am sure it will be as vague as the first.
I will of course update this thread.
Thank you everyone for your suggestions - appreciated at a time of great stress!
HMRC obviously have enjoyed their little power trip and and conceded that, as we advised them, we have done nothing wrong.
I can only assume, given the lack of information from HMRC, that no client accounts have been affected and that all is well.
We will be writing to the AGENTS department again (in a week or so) asking for an explanation - I will keep you all updated.
We now have 3 weeks of backlog to get though along with the mandatory end of year / new year updates and processes.
Wish us Luck!!
I understand why the previous accountant is withholding information due to non payment. No-one wants to work for nothing and everyone wants to be paid - my question is simply can they withhold information in relation to the accounts/financial statements?
I am not involving myself in the disagreement I am merely wanting the information so that I can start setting the client up on Agent Gateways and Accounting Software etc.
So for example.... refusal to send last submitted VAT return figures means that the return will be late (not filed) as we cannot get them authorised for submission and a penalty will then be applied by HMRC and so forth.
I also understand the concerns re payment to myself however I have asked the client to pay up front then on Standing Order so that arrears are impossible.
I am not seeking approval from the previous accountant to take over this client - that is simply the clients right to appoint us.
We use Sage and have also received a Post Graduate Loan non borrower Prompt 1 for an employee that has a standard SL Plan Type 1 - was told that these have been sent in error and we should disregard the notice.
So I have given them the riot act today - after phoning them 6 times on various numbers as advised by their operators. Lost my cool and told them that they are not fit for purpose and that if they were a business they would have been shut down by regulatory bodies! They have no idea how to get round the problem - all I wanted to do was check that no coding notices had been issued for a particular clients sizeable payroll!! Oh no it appears that no-one at HMRC can do this - they advised that I check each individual employees personal tax via their NINO! What the actual!!?? So payroll being processed without the usual checks as HMRC are complete lunatics that cannot handle any changes why - because the computer says no and no one has a brain! PS I have a case number and they are getting back to me..... (I won't hold my breath)
The company must have traded and the Sales receipts have gone somewhere ??- he says into his personal account. So you will need to work from there I would imagine. What is done is done you can only move forwards. If the company is to continue to trade then a company bank account is essential. OR as the company is only relatively small it could go back to operating as a partnership. Seems to me with those lovely round figures that something is amiss here. If the company is not trading then complete a DS01 and dissolve the company. Guestimate your time etc and ask for part payment up front. I sort of feel sorry for the guy. A bit of handholding may be required to get the information I think.
Without further information it is hard to help further.
My answers
*** POSTING AN UPDATE ***
We have been trying to access the Gateways daily just to see if they have been released from the mystery suspension.
Today they have ALL reappeared. No correspondence or contact from HMRC.
You never know we may get a letter in a few weeks time but I am sure it will be as vague as the first.
I will of course update this thread.
Thank you everyone for your suggestions - appreciated at a time of great stress!
HMRC obviously have enjoyed their little power trip and and conceded that, as we advised them, we have done nothing wrong.
I can only assume, given the lack of information from HMRC, that no client accounts have been affected and that all is well.
We will be writing to the AGENTS department again (in a week or so) asking for an explanation - I will keep you all updated.
We now have 3 weeks of backlog to get though along with the mandatory end of year / new year updates and processes.
Wish us Luck!!
Good Afternoon all.....
I understand why the previous accountant is withholding information due to non payment. No-one wants to work for nothing and everyone wants to be paid - my question is simply can they withhold information in relation to the accounts/financial statements?
I am not involving myself in the disagreement I am merely wanting the information so that I can start setting the client up on Agent Gateways and Accounting Software etc.
So for example.... refusal to send last submitted VAT return figures means that the return will be late (not filed) as we cannot get them authorised for submission and a penalty will then be applied by HMRC and so forth.
I also understand the concerns re payment to myself however I have asked the client to pay up front then on Standing Order so that arrears are impossible.
I am not seeking approval from the previous accountant to take over this client - that is simply the clients right to appoint us.
Thank you for all your thoughts.
We use Sage and have also received a Post Graduate Loan non borrower Prompt 1 for an employee that has a standard SL Plan Type 1 - was told that these have been sent in error and we should disregard the notice.
Re Missing PAYE Client information
So I have given them the riot act today - after phoning them 6 times on various numbers as advised by their operators. Lost my cool and told them that they are not fit for purpose and that if they were a business they would have been shut down by regulatory bodies! They have no idea how to get round the problem - all I wanted to do was check that no coding notices had been issued for a particular clients sizeable payroll!! Oh no it appears that no-one at HMRC can do this - they advised that I check each individual employees personal tax via their NINO! What the actual!!?? So payroll being processed without the usual checks as HMRC are complete lunatics that cannot handle any changes why - because the computer says no and no one has a brain! PS I have a case number and they are getting back to me..... (I won't hold my breath)
The company must have traded and the Sales receipts have gone somewhere ??- he says into his personal account. So you will need to work from there I would imagine. What is done is done you can only move forwards. If the company is to continue to trade then a company bank account is essential. OR as the company is only relatively small it could go back to operating as a partnership. Seems to me with those lovely round figures that something is amiss here. If the company is not trading then complete a DS01 and dissolve the company. Guestimate your time etc and ask for part payment up front. I sort of feel sorry for the guy. A bit of handholding may be required to get the information I think.
Without further information it is hard to help further.