The problem with assuming that software is the magic solution is that there will also be an assumption that all of the users are IT literate. Unfortunately this is far from being the case. Even where the users are IT literate, they are not necessarily familiar with accounting terminology.
Our experience with moving clients onto accounting software is that many of them still rely on their accountant to give advice and support and to tidy-up where they have made simple mistakes.
It seems to me that all or most of the savings and benefits will be for HMRC and it will be the clients and agents who pick up the bill.
My answers
Will I need to upgrade my abacus ?
The problem with assuming that software is the magic solution is that there will also be an assumption that all of the users are IT literate. Unfortunately this is far from being the case. Even where the users are IT literate, they are not necessarily familiar with accounting terminology.
Our experience with moving clients onto accounting software is that many of them still rely on their accountant to give advice and support and to tidy-up where they have made simple mistakes.
It seems to me that all or most of the savings and benefits will be for HMRC and it will be the clients and agents who pick up the bill.