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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To expect my accountant to send my paperwork by post?

22 replies

Etah · 31/05/2014 22:17

I used an accountant to deal with my mess and I took a lot of paperwork to his office. Now that everything is sorted, he wants me to go and collect it, it is not too far away, but if he were to send it to me it would be less than £5. I paid him £500 for his services.
AIBU?
I am prepared to be told yes, BTW, never used accountancy services before, but just thinking, why he would't go this extra mile for a client?
If he says he can't send it, I don't think I will be willing to use his services again..

OP posts:

JeanSeberg · 31/05/2014 22:18

Is it in case it gets lost in the post so would rather hand it back in person?

Janethegirl · 31/05/2014 22:19

Maybe he doesn't trust the postal system. I would definitely go collect any papers from the accountant and only use the post for non essential stuff.

Smilesandpiles · 31/05/2014 22:19

If you took it to his office in the first place, then surely, seeing as it's not too far, you can pick it back up again.

Also..think about it..do you really want your accounts in the hands of Royal Mail where it can get lost? It's safer for you to pick it all up.

I wouldn't be happy about sending it by post to be honest.

Hoppinggreen · 31/05/2014 22:20

Up to you but I always drop important paperwork off at my accountant and collect any.
It's too important to risk it going missing

Parietal · 31/05/2014 22:20

mine emails me everything as a pdf. I occasionally have to post back with a signature, but almost everything can be done online.

Original poster

Etah · 31/05/2014 22:24

My paperwork couldn't be done online because I would have to use a scanner and it was a lot of faff. I had to go there anyway so he would photocopy my ID which he wanted to see in person so I took everything with me. Other two pages that I left at home I sent by Royal Mail.
Also he could use a courier?
I have asked him by email but still waiting for his reply.

OP posts:

Smilesandpiles · 31/05/2014 22:25

Just pick it up.

Original poster

Etah · 31/05/2014 22:29

Ok I will just pick up then.
Does the price I paid sound alright?

OP posts:

Janethegirl · 31/05/2014 22:30

I wouldn't use a courier for that sort of stuff, they are not 100% reliable. I think you must collect it yourself or pay for the accountant to return it to you in person.

Smilesandpiles · 31/05/2014 22:30

Didn't you get quotes from several people before you hired him?

Yes, it is about right though from what I've seen. Especially if they have to sort it all out physically (bunching up recepits in order etc)

Smilesandpiles · 31/05/2014 22:35

You'd be hard pressed to find a decent accountant that'll send anything to you by post or courier.

It's not worth the breach of Data Protection should something happen.

If he sent your stuff off, and something happened and as a result of that, you lost everything - his insurance wouldn't pay out. It's not worth that risk for him and he'd end up in a lot more trouble than you think. Not just a fine either.

In accounts there's no such thing as going that extra mile. This is money we are talking about and seriously private business. It's not worth the risk. It's never worth the risk.

Original poster

Etah · 31/05/2014 22:38

Thanks smilies as I said I have never used an accountant before so had no idea about all the insurance and etc.
I emailed him to say the time / day I will pick the papers up.

OP posts:

ShakesBootyFlabWobbles · 31/05/2014 22:41

Price sounds really reasonable especially if you records were a mess.

The accountant will be very used to clients collecting documents for the reasons offered above, you wouldn't want to lose them in the post, so don't take it personally that they haven't been automatically posted.

If you want them posted then tell the accountant to send them by post and bill you for the expenses (these terms should be in your engagement letter).

Smilesandpiles · 31/05/2014 22:41

You know now so it doesn't matter. At least you asked.

ShakesBootyFlabWobbles · 31/05/2014 22:42

Cross post for that last sentence, I type far too slowly!

fairyfuckwings · 01/06/2014 01:07

Good luck finding another competent accountant willing to do it for £500. Why wouldn't you just pick it up? Of course he can't be arsed to send it to you on that. kind of money.

ThingsThatShine · 01/06/2014 04:59

at suggestion accountants can't send things by post/courier because of data protection. Surely total nonsense. Lawyers send things by post/courier/DX all the time and I can't see why it would be any different for accountants.

Wabbitty · 01/06/2014 05:34

I post things to my accountant and they post things back to me. The first year I used them stuff did get lost in the post so now I keep the originals and photocopy everything! Don't know why your accountant won't post stuff out but it can be done.

ClashCityRocker · 01/06/2014 08:32

We do post at the client's request. We prefer them to pick it up for the reasons stated - it would be sent recorded delivery and you'd be surprised at how many people get a card from the post office saying that they need to collect something, and then ignore it.

A lot of the time, the clients are closer to our office than they are to the Royal Mail depo, so it's easier to collect direct from us. We can also get them to sign to say they have received the papers, so we don't get 'have you got xyz from two years ago?' 'Oh, we sent those back to you last year'.....'did you?'.

ilovesooty · 01/06/2014 09:42

My accountant must be a bargain as he charges less than that. I do go and collect my paperwork though - or rather this year I didn't as my supervisor has the same accountant and kindly collected it along with his stuff.

Joysmum · 01/06/2014 09:55

So he hasn't said he won't send it, just assumed that since you'd dropped it off you'll pick it up so you've only just asked him to send it and not had a response back?

I can't help wondering what the issue is if I've read that right?

Original poster

Etah · 04/06/2014 09:52

A bit of update.

I called him on Monday and said would be coming to collect the paperwork. Agreed the time. Fine.

Arrived and accountant was not there but his colleague was. Paperwork wasn't all ready for me to collect and colleague had to look for it. The papers were separated in two different places/files.
Colleague wasn't sure if everything was there, good I knew what was there.

I asked a question to colleague, since the accountant haven't replied to my email. Colleague couldn't answer of course because he was not the one dealing with my case. He said he would pass the message on.

I emailed the accountant again this morning as I still need an answer to my question regarding the services he provided. Hopes he replies this time.

OP posts:

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