Getting clients books off previous accountant

applehunter

Doing some work for a guy but I need to get records from his previous accountant.

What is the procedure for getting trial balance, debtors/creditors breakdowns from previous accountant.

Is there a formal letter I should write?

J.Ryan

Did you get professional clearance from the previous accountant, normally all that stuff comes with the professional clearance letter (if you asked for it).

viztopia

applehunter wrote: »

Doing some work for a guy but I need to get records from his previous accountant.

What is the procedure for getting trial balance, debtors/creditors breakdowns from previous accountant.

Is there a formal letter I should write?

If you don't know how to do this then you are not qualified to do what your doing. And I don't mean been a qualified accountant.

applehunter

viztopia wrote: »

If you don't know how to do this then you are not qualified to do what your doing. And I don't mean been a qualified accountant.

I don't understand what you mean if you can understand.

tony81

viztopia wrote: »

If you don't know how to do this then you are not qualified to do what your doing. And I don't mean been a qualified accountant.

*being

And nonsense...

Op is obviously performing bookkeeping duties and asked a simple question.

J.Ryan

J.Ryan wrote: »

Did you get professional clearance from the previous accountant, normally all that stuff comes with the professional clearance letter (if you asked for it).

tony81 wrote: »

......

Op is obviously performing bookkeeping duties and asked a simple question.

Still doesn't remove the need for professional clearance.

dbran

Hi

Professional clearance strictly speaking is only required in the case of taking on an audit assignment but would be considered good practice for other engagements.

OP, the client should inform the previous accountant that they are changing accountant and give permission for them to provide the relevant information to you. You then need to write to the existing accountant and ask for all the relevant information to be forwarded to you.

Kind Regards

dbran

applehunter

A poster kindly PM'd me a template so problem sorted.

Situation is I'm doing a guy a favour as he isn't in a position anymore to go to a firm unfortunately.

Thanks for your replies anyway.

J.Ryan

applehunter wrote: »

...Situation is I'm doing a guy a favour as he isn't in a position anymore to go to a firm unfortunately.....

I'm sure you already know this, but, regardless of the fact that you are doing this as a favour, you still have to comply with all professional standards, make sure your files are complete.

dbran

Are you sure that you dont need a practicing cert?

neverwasser

If you are not a qualified accountant then you not need a practicing cert to do non audit work. If you are qualified then you require a practicing cert. There are ways around it but due to legal issues I will not disclose them.

If its being done as a favour then approaching the current accountant and explaining the situation (i.e your friend can't afford to pay fees) might be the best option.

tony81

neverwasser wrote: »

If you are not a qualified accountant then you not need a practicing cert to do non audit work. If you are qualified then you require a practicing cert. There are ways around it but due to legal issues I will not disclose them.

If its being done as a favour then approaching the current accountant and explaining the situation (i.e your friend can't afford to pay fees) might be the best option.

Books to trial balance stage don't require a practising cert.
also there can be exemptions in certain circumstances, if op is a qualified accountant he/she can look it up. If not, no need to worry