This was big organisation for which I also fell into the trap!
I was under the impression I was buying advertising space and effectively reselling at a profit. It was not an 'investment' as such (a totally different debate).
My intention when getting into it was to put it through a limited company; however I soon realised it was a scam. As I made no earnings from and merely paid in around £750 I did not declare this in my accounts and wrote the payment off to directors loan.
I doubt you'll find a calculator, because it's so bloomin complicated. CT savings, class 1A, extra personal tax (depending upon individual's other income of course), is fuel paid for by Ltd Co, is VAT reclaimed on it, fuel scale charge etc etc etc.
Wouldn't surprise me if 5 accountants creating their own calculator could come out with 5 different "savings" figures!
If in doubt, company car = bad, claiming mileage = good. More often than not it's correct.
I usually go with that view; however, this particular client had an interesting point in that it is on a lease. They were quoted one monthly price to put it through the company and another, more expensive one, to have it privately!
I know my old firm used to have a spreadsheet so know it can be done, just didn't have time to knock one up!
I dont like the way GBooks licence works but is it really going to help telling them what others do?
Isn't the response just going to be ''you should have read our terms'' ?
Bit like a client moaning to you they dont want to pay you in the way you charge but want to pay you like they used to pay a former accountant.
That is a mildly valid point in that I should have read clearer the invoice details BUT if the way a client paid a former accountant was fairer I would definitely consider it. I certainly would not charge for half a year where someone else had done the work. Also just saying 'you should have read our terms' is not the best method of customer service - I certainly would not be that blunt to a client.
Incidentally with GBooks you make a purchase prior to being sent the invoice, there were no t's and c's sent.
And in fairness to them they have understood the situation and have revised their terms for my licence (after a telcon and some email tennis)
The point of my posts on a forum such as this is that I am trying to establish is the norm so that I can make a buying decision in the future and know that this is the kind of question that I need to ask.
Has anyone else been stung by the licencing model within GBooks?
I just had a bit of shock in that I wanted to do a set of May 2013 accounts and cannot because I now need a 2013/14 licence in order to do this.
I purchase the software in February with 2012/13 licence not realising that this does not cover me. The majority of companies were processed using my old software so I have effectively double paid accounting software.
Just something to be aware of.
Historically with IRIS and Absolute my licence covered the tax year for self assessments but Companies (regardless of year end) were also part of the licence for the year that I had the software.
They have promised me trial balance entry will be here by August.
It does add extra time to compile accounts though. I produce a TB on excel or do adjustments direct to software if online. It can be a pain just trying to reconcile profit.
My answers
Online filing
I would also question why these were not filed using the online software? Usually would clear up any of these minor but annoying issues.
Banners Broker
This was big organisation for which I also fell into the trap!
I was under the impression I was buying advertising space and effectively reselling at a profit. It was not an 'investment' as such (a totally different debate).
My intention when getting into it was to put it through a limited company; however I soon realised it was a scam. As I made no earnings from and merely paid in around £750 I did not declare this in my accounts and wrote the payment off to directors loan.
12%
My thoughts were the 12% too. I will contact the VAT office also.
Thank you
Bust
Unfortunately they seem to have gone bust!
PTP car planner looks quite useful and what I need. Will probably purchase that!
Anyone know if other software companies have a similar/ cheaper offering just to compare the market?
usually agree
I usually go with that view; however, this particular client had an interesting point in that it is on a lease. They were quoted one monthly price to put it through the company and another, more expensive one, to have it privately!
I know my old firm used to have a spreadsheet so know it can be done, just didn't have time to knock one up!
Ta chatman
Chatman has hit the nail on the proverbial.
The request was to find out what is the norm for accounts production software licences
The story was to explain why I was asking and to confirm context.
What about customer service?
That is a mildly valid point in that I should have read clearer the invoice details BUT if the way a client paid a former accountant was fairer I would definitely consider it. I certainly would not charge for half a year where someone else had done the work. Also just saying 'you should have read our terms' is not the best method of customer service - I certainly would not be that blunt to a client.
Incidentally with GBooks you make a purchase prior to being sent the invoice, there were no t's and c's sent.
And in fairness to them they have understood the situation and have revised their terms for my licence (after a telcon and some email tennis)
The point of my posts on a forum such as this is that I am trying to establish is the norm so that I can make a buying decision in the future and know that this is the kind of question that I need to ask.
Licencing model flawed
Has anyone else been stung by the licencing model within GBooks?
I just had a bit of shock in that I wanted to do a set of May 2013 accounts and cannot because I now need a 2013/14 licence in order to do this.
I purchase the software in February with 2012/13 licence not realising that this does not cover me. The majority of companies were processed using my old software so I have effectively double paid accounting software.
Just something to be aware of.
Historically with IRIS and Absolute my licence covered the tax year for self assessments but Companies (regardless of year end) were also part of the licence for the year that I had the software.
TB coming
They have promised me trial balance entry will be here by August.
It does add extra time to compile accounts though. I produce a TB on excel or do adjustments direct to software if online. It can be a pain just trying to reconcile profit.