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Original poster

Accountant needed for reference form? Help someone please!

14 replies

FlameBatfink · 07/08/2007 10:30

Set up the business in Feb. So far tis just me and the numbers.

We have had a guarantor for our house for the last 3 years, and they have finally agreed to putting us through the credit and reference process again to see if we can stop the guarantor (it was down to DH's income in the first place, not bad credit).

I am officially registered as self employed with the tax office. What with stock etc I am not making money yet (although it looks like I should be by the end of the year).

The form says I need to provide details of my accountant/auditor if I am self employed.

I don't have one. I don't have the money to suddenly produce one now for this form (am working out the hows and whys when it gets to me needing to do the tax return).

What do I do?? If I tick the "unemployed" box, then it is lying and could go against me if found out. If I tick the self employed but not give an accountant for a reference, the same thing... I don't even have any accountant friends who could help as a one off.

I don't know what to do and am getting myself all worked up (as you can probably tell from this garbled essay!!)

OP posts:

CantSleepWontSleep · 07/08/2007 10:39

Bugger. You do know that I'm an accountant don't you?! But as I'm registered as not working it would prob look even more suss if they checked it out.

Why don't you give them a ring and say that the business is new, and that you haven't appointed an accountant yet? This must be a fairly common scenario.

(Are you going to do your own accounts/tax return btw, or will you actually need to find a real accountant anyway?)

Flibbertyjibbet · 07/08/2007 10:47

I am also self employed. Are you a sole trader? I am, we don't have a legal requirement for an accountant. You can do books etc and you can do your own tax return. If you have a basic understanding of numbers a tax return is easy.
HOWEVER I just charge for my own time as a freelancer. If you have stock etc and are re-selling things your business has a lot more numbers to crunch and you might need to get yourself an accountant.
I used to work for Business Link. Give them a ring 0845 600 9006 they will give you the number of your local one and they will be able to help you. If you do find an accountant its usually not money up front, they often bill you at the end of the year or after they've done your tax return.
What area are you in? Have you been to your local enterprise agency as a start up, they run free courses on tax, book keeping etc.
Don't worry about not making any money yet - I started in April but havent yet covered the cost of my website, leaflets, inemnity insurance etc! But I am getting there! Just got some cold calling to do now which I HATE.

Original poster

FlameBatfink · 07/08/2007 10:47

I had forgotten that completely!

I have no idea what I am going to do... I was going to look at the form and decide from there (You gotta love my business mind )

I think I'll just write on the form that I don't have one etc and see how it goes.

It seems less scary now I have written it all down

OP posts:

Original poster

FlameBatfink · 07/08/2007 10:51

Ooh - liking the no legal requirement, yes, I am a sole trader.

I really need to get to the local business link place - its been one of these things of not wanting to take small children with me. If I can wait until September I will be able to go when DS is in nursery/DD in school.

Cold calling doesn't sound fun Fibbertyjibbet I get worked up enough about doing demos, but at least then I know they have called me, so want to speak to me!!

OP posts:

Flibbertyjibbet · 07/08/2007 12:33

Flame is it you doing nappies?
Business Link advisers will come and see YOU, at your premises/home or anywhere that you want to meet them.
We had one client used to meet her adviser at a Brewsters, she would bung the kids in the play area then have a coffee and business meeting in the other bit!
Go, on ring that number, someone should come and see you or if as in some areas they deal more with expanding companies, they will put you on to whoever you need.
I have a directory of Enterprise Agencies so if you let me know what town/area I can let you know who to contact.
There is a ton of help out there, all funded by us the taxpayers, so get on to them and get something back!

Flibbertyjibbet · 07/08/2007 12:34

You can see that I am just faffing about on mumsnet avoiding the 10 cold calls that I have set as a target this afternoon...

Original poster

FlameBatfink · 07/08/2007 12:44

Oh thank you!! I am in Bournemouth

The other part of me putting off calling is the being scared stiff of speaking to rl people . Loving the Brewsters business meeting idea. We have a cafe place with soft play that would be ideal

OP posts:

Original poster

FlameBatfink · 07/08/2007 12:45

Oh, and yup it is me with the nappies

OP posts:

Flibbertyjibbet · 07/08/2007 15:18

will look up your ent agency later on - I always like to make a show of doing a 2nd 'shift' of work when dp home so he has to put the kids to bed ha ha.

Flibbertyjibbet · 07/08/2007 20:47

I couldn't see one for Bournemouth, unless I am looking in the wrong part of the South of England on the map - in fact I think I am as I recall from a cycling trip once that its nearer the isle of wight and I was looking South east in the Brighton direction.
Anyway have a look at www.nfea.com thats the website for the national federation of enterprise agencies, you click for your area on the map and it lists the towns.
The enterprise agencies are govt funded and have targets to meet for how many businesses they help, so don't be put off by thinking they won't want to bother with a nappy seller - every new business is just an acorn that can grow.

Original poster

FlameBatfink · 07/08/2007 21:02

Tyhank you - did you do your calls??

OP posts:

Flibbertyjibbet · 07/08/2007 21:21

Urgh yes, after faffing about hanging out washing, designing some compliment slips, emailing my old Business Link contacts to try and drum up some custom through them...

I got a couple that said yes they would like to see my leaflet but then I have to do a follow up call a couple of days after posting it and I dont' know which is worst, the cold or the follow up!

Then, I try twice yesterday and today to follow up a very warm lead from one of the Business Advisers but can't get past the bloody receptionist at the company concerned!!! I asked when would be a convenient time to ring back and was told 'well can you just leave it, if she wants to ring you back she will' and this is from a company that apparently the owner is desperate for my help!!

Arrghggghgh!!!

Original poster

FlameBatfink · 07/08/2007 22:27

I really wouldn't be cut out for that kind of work! I admire people like you who can do it

OP posts:

ChasingSquirrels · 07/08/2007 22:39

Flame - they should accept that you haven't got an accountant (it isn't a legal requirement as previously said) and that as you have only just started up you dont have any accounts yet - BUT if you are relying on your income aswell to stop the guarantee then they may not accept it without 'outside' verification.

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