How should I view this client? [Archive]

SHEELAGH

18-05-05, 00:00

I am a bookkeeper - I do the keep the accounts records for clients to TB ready for their accountant to produce statutory accounts. I have a client for whom I do books for his Sole Trader business. This client is also a director (say director A) of a limited company. His co-director (say Director B) operates from another location about 30 miles away. Director B keeps all the accounting documents (invoices,bank statements etc) in his office, but is not keeping books. Director A has persuaded Director B that I should do the bookkeeping (on Sage, on-site at the office of Director A). Director B has relinquished all the relevant documents to Director A for this purpose, but insists he wants them back. There is a serious backlog of work to cover. I don't mind the backlog. Most of the work I do for clients is on-site (ie at their premises) and so I always have all the original documents to hand. Should I keep any documentary evidence to support the Sage accounts records before I return the papers to Director B? If so, what? Thank you

Michael56J

22-05-05, 00:00

Hi mary. I don't know if it helps, but, if I've read the AAT guidelines properly, just about every section of the criteria says words to the effect of "according to the company requirements." I take that to mean that, if the company does things slightly differently from the way we are taught, then, as long as it's not illegal, that's the system we use. Also, the accountant may decide that he/she wants certain things done that we can't quite understand. I think I would be inclinded to make sure I keep a copy of everything on-site. If the company wants to keep originals off-site, then that's their decision. But you need documentation, as you say. Keep copies. Eventually, they may decide that it's too expensive and let you keep originals. If not, maybe there's a reason not to work there! Hope this helps. Mike