Changing Accountant - Revenue Audit?

Hennybug

Anyone know if there is any truth to the rumour that changing your Accountant pretty much leads to an automatic Revenue Audit? My Accountant is a disaster and i really want to switch. While i don't have any concerns with an audit, i could do without the extra aggravation right now

So urban myth or any truth to it?

dbran

Hi

This is an urban myth. There are a number of reasons you might get a revenue audit, but simply changing your agent would not be one of them.

Kind regards


Dbran

royston_vasey

If you really have nothing to hide then just change.

I think the revenue are looking at absolutely everything at present regardless of whether you maintain your existing accountant or hire a new one, e.g. they have looked for my DCU receipt for last year - first time they have done this and I have been studying last seven years. I haven't changed accountant but I think they are trying to find some way to increase my tax due as I'm still a creditor after they fleeced me for preliminary tax a couple of years ago.

dormant_co_acc

If your accountant is a disaster, this implies that returns get filed late and often incorrectly - which in turn leads to amendments being filed.

A history of this type of activity would do more to trigger a Revenue audit than simply changing your accountant. In fact, I've never heard that mentioned as even being a considering factor in how people are selected for audit.

kitesurfingbum

there is no problem if you change, but i would do so sooner than later. I am finishing my accounts now for 2009.
best way to stay under the radar is file early.

By the way an audit is not too bad, have been audited once and found it beneficial, after the audit I got a rebate (change accountant after that!)

Only problem was the accountants fee's for it €7,000 Painful but a tax deductible

Hennybug

Thanks for the replies. My Accountant is fine in terms of filing returns and reports on time - although he usually has to be pushed to make sure he makes the deadlines. He has been no help at all while i'm trying to sort out the business and knowing the state of the books - he did the accounts for 2009 in June - sent me a bill the end of June and has phoned/emailed every week since complaining about the bill being out there "a long time". I was trying to get a loan sorted and he refused to do a one page synopsis of the 2010 business till he got paid :mad:

I've been with him for 6 years. have always paid on time and have just had enough. I honestly don't think i have anything to worry about in an audit but can't afford extra costs and the hassle involved right now while i try and get things back on track.

KindOfIrish

Hennybug wrote: »

Anyone know if there is any truth to the rumour that changing your Accountant pretty much leads to an automatic Revenue Audit?

it's a rumour spred by accountants. nothing else,

TracyR

I am a practicing accountant. Clients switch to me all the time without attracting a revenue audit.

angelfire9

Hennybug wrote: »

Thanks for the replies. My Accountant is fine in terms of filing returns and reports on time - although he usually has to be pushed to make sure he makes the deadlines. He has been no help at all while i'm trying to sort out the business and knowing the state of the books - he did the accounts for 2009 in June - sent me a bill the end of June and has phoned/emailed every week since complaining about the bill being out there "a long time". I was trying to get a loan sorted and he refused to do a one page synopsis of the 2010 business till he got paid :mad:

I've been with him for 6 years. have always paid on time and have just had enough. I honestly don't think i have anything to worry about in an audit but can't afford extra costs and the hassle involved right now while i try and get things back on track.

Some accountants don't actually charge for having to supervise a revenue audit and to be honest if I was you I'd switch ASAP
I can't believe he refused to do a 1 page document for you because of an overdue bill when you have been a client for 6 years :eek:


Like Tracy i'm a qualified accountant and have never heard of changing your accountant having any affect on the likelihood of an audit

Hennybug

Thanks guys, i'm meeting a new accountant in the morning with a view to changing asap.

J.Ryan

20 years in practice and I've never heard of a Revenue Audit for that reason.

Hennybug

New Accountant is fantastic, as soon as the bill is paid to the other lot i'm going to take great satisfaction in telling them to f**c off and where to send the file to