Book Keeper keeping all files

[outbackjack]

Hi all,

If there is not the right place please move.

I have a a book keeper who did my all my books and also admin etc.

However they got very behind and I am nearly 12mth behind with BAS, many other payments etc got missed.

I sacked them, they have all company files and myob files etc. They now have given me a bill of 12k for there services. Although some of this was admin, because at times apart from myself they where the only ones invloved in the bussiness. I have now negoiated to settle for 8K. 6k up front and 2k in installments. But I wanted the release of all files and paper work etc.
They wont budge and insist I pay or go to court.
The company turned over about 200k. They have held these files for over 3 months and I have no idea who or what I owe, I cannot get BAS statements up to date etc.

Any way enough of the ramble.

Are they entitled to keep the files until full payment?

[jag71]

Hi Outbackjack, were the bookkeepers members of professional associations, did you sign any contracts at start of work? Normally professionals are restricted to withhold a clients source documents for non payment of an account, they can with hold only records they created, eg MYOB Data files and any other working papers, also if you have agreed to final payment terms and a legal document has been signed I do not see why they would not at least release your source documents and data file, in any case should you fail to pay they will have legal grounds to recover the balance of fees. If they are not willing to meet you half way given they feel behind 12 months, then you may need advise them that any penalties your incur from ATO you will put in as a counter claim. Hope this helps,

[andrewhudson]

Bookkeeping is basically, the process of keeping full, accurate, up-to-date business records. Proper bookkeeping can help businesses in effectively managing cash flow, staying well-informed about profits and losses, and making plans for the future. Normally, business bookkeeping is used for immediate recording of financial transactions in a cash journal.

[Bizgro]

[Please delete my posts and account]

[bookkeepingtoindia]

Bookkeeping is basically, the process of keeping full, accurate, up-to-date business records. Proper bookkeeping can help businesses in effectively managing cash flow, staying well-informed about profits and losses, and making plans for the future. Normally, business bookkeeping is used for immediate recording of financial transactions in a cash journal.

Yeah it's absolutely true bookkeeper is dedicated to handling all kind of outsourced bookkeeping, accounting, financial and taxation services.

[ramirezhenry55]

I hope its not yet too late to review the contract you had with them. Although legally they are not authorized to hold you documents, you may also need to study the contracts again. There may be stipulations there that says they can.

[Shane.Holbeck]

Any bookkeeper or accountant with morals wouldn't retain your files, regardless of the terms set out in an engagement letter.

If they are not a member of a professional body, may I suggest that you contact the office of fair trading in your state.

Shane Holbeck - Accountix

[ramirezhenry55]

Learning bookkeeping is vital especially now that people tend to start small businesses and learning the numbers or books of accounts is very important.