How long should accountants take?

Bili

My husband used to do all our family and farm accounts but after he died I signed up to a large accountancy firm. I'm no longer VAT registered and the accounts are pretty easy (I've done all the book keeping exactly the way my husband did so I can keep an eye on our expenses).

The first year I left all the documents into them at the end of August and I got a late fee from Revenue. This year I left them in around mid March but still haven't heard anything back. How long does it take an accountant to do accounts? And for €1,500 what else can I expect - I assumed the two meetings I had would be included but they were billed separately.

Thanks, B.

TitianGerm

Bili wrote: »

My husband used to do all our family and farm accounts but after he died I signed up to a large accountancy firm. I'm no longer VAT registered and the accounts are pretty easy (I've done all the book keeping exactly the way my husband did so I can keep an eye on our expenses).

The first year I left all the documents into them at the end of August and I got a late fee from Revenue. This year I left them in around mid March but still haven't heard anything back. How long does it take an accountant to do accounts? And for €1,500 what else can I expect - I assumed the two meetings I had would be included but they were billed separately.

Thanks, B.

Do you know who deals with your accounts in the office? I'd ring and ask to speak to them, just say you want an update and would like to call in and sign the accounts and income tax return in the next week or so, as you do not want your return late again this year. Follow this up with an email as well.

CiarraiAbu2

Move, no need for a large firm for farm accounts. A small local firm will do the same job and cheaper.

TitianGerm

CiarraiAbu2 wrote: »

Move, no need for a large firm for farm accounts. A small local firm will do the same job and cheaper.

I took that as a large firm in her area not a Top 20 firm?

Jim2007

Bili wrote: »

My husband used to do all our family and farm accounts but after he died I signed up to a large accountancy firm.

In the large firms, small business work is a filler for when their staff are not occupied otherwise. Find a small firm you'll get more attention.

CiarraiAbu2

TitianGerm wrote: »

I took that as a large firm in her area not a Top 20 firm?

Yes, agreed, but even the large local firms know how to charge.

TitianGerm

CiarraiAbu2 wrote: »

Yes, agreed, but even the large local firms know how to charge.

A large local firm where I'm based is about 15 staff. It really depends on context and where your based. Where I work a set of farm accounts range from €900-€1200 depending on the level of work involved.

Bili

Thanks for the advice. I'll give them another week and then ring and start to become a nuisance ringing every week until they have them done. The reason I went with a big firm was because they have so many level of checks that revenue rarely audit their clients. I've enough sleepless nights worrying about Dept of Agriculture checks without any extra headaches!
I might stay with them for another year and then move to a local accountant.
Thanks again

BowSideChamp

Bili wrote: »

Thanks for the advice. I'll give them another week and then ring and start to become a nuisance ringing every week until they have them done. The reason I went with a big firm was because they have so many level of checks that revenue rarely audit their clients. I've enough sleepless nights worrying about Dept of Agriculture checks without any extra headaches!
I might stay with them for another year and then move to a local accountant.
Thanks again

Move. They filed your tax return late which is a red flag for a Revenue audit.

thegolfer

BowSideChamp wrote: »

Move. They filed your tax return late which is a red flag for a Revenue audit.

Not VAT registered, and a farmer, unlikely for a Revenue Audit.

I'd agree with a number of posters here. Get the accounts for 2017 addressed in the next few weeks.

Additionally I'd be deducting an amount for them filing late last year. They had the figures on time and they filed late.

BowSideChamp

thegolfer wrote: »

Not VAT registered, and a farmer, unlikely for a Revenue Audit.

You joking? Check out Revenue list of tax defaulters published each year. Top profession is probably farming.

thegolfer

BowSideChamp wrote: »

You joking? Check out Revenue list of tax defaulters published each year. Top profession is probably farming.

Read the first post, and do your own interpretation.

CiarraiAbu2

TitianGerm wrote: »

A large local firm where I'm based is about 15 staff. It really depends on context and where your based. Where I work a set of farm accounts range from €900-€1200 depending on the level of work involved.

We would be about the same