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Business Misgivings Opinions Needed
NeedASecondOpinion
Posts: 2 Newbie
bbMy O/H has struggled to find work the last couple of years. Last PAYE job was for a Ltd Co that went bust (owed him wages). Story was, they'd bought out a couple of rivals, over-committed, were always chasing their tail cash-wise, and it went pear-shaped. The couple are heavily in debt as they financed the company expansion via personal loans/credit cards/personal HP agreements. The Ltd Co will probably be dealt with by hmrc.
O/H had no prospect of another job. The couple had only ever done this kind of work (seemed like ok desperate people). Me and O/H thought maybe the same type of business had a chance without the original heavy debts. So we set up a new company, each of the four having an equal shareholding. The other three worked full-time for the business, I put up some cash to get it going. Some of the cash went toward paying suppliers (old company) as we would need them plus the local goodwill, rest went as a float. Twelve months on apparently they've made a small profit.
My problem/concerns
- one of the individuals (from couple) now only works 50% for company but receives same money. She needed the alternative part-time job as broke and needed the regularity of the other income. She did the paperwork/monitored bank - this has slipped. If I kick off, they say they can't manage without the extra-they really are up to their neck in debt. I understand but it's not on. (the three get £800 pm from company as wage/dividend, I get nothing as don't work there)
-At beginning I noticed personal stuff from them going through business account (debit card). They showed it was temp & had been repaid. I told them to stop - business account is purely for business, they agreed. Just noticed more stuff this December & January. Haven't checked it's been repaid but whether it has or hasn't, they accepted they wouldn't do it.
- Business is 80% accounts & 20% cash. I don't think the cash stacks up but not 100% sure. I'm nervous about their opportunity to divert cash. I don't think they are dishonest but .....
- They have the debit card/cashpoint card. Ijust see loads of withdrawals but can't be sure without checking receipts.
- My O/H is crap with paperwork. He (and me) relies on them running things properly. If I ask O/H a question he gets defensive and shouts because a)I think he's worried to death it's going down the drain b) he doesn't know the answers and KNOWS he should. Hence defensive.
- I've had to bail them out three times with cash (all repaid).They are not on top of the cash/bank enough for my liking eg use the debit card which puts us overdrawn, post a cheque before the funds are there. Always it's ''it would have been alright if X had paid on time''. I'm just not like that, you don't spend what you don't have, a clash of outlooks if you like, I think you can't be cavalier with a business bank account - it's why I made the now repaid loans, to stop an unauthorised overdraft.
- i've just had to make another loan (funds weren't there to cover tax cheque) - worried I might not get this back.
I've just realised my devious plan is, sit tight, pray they get in enough/last long enough to repay me the latest loan. Then read them the riot act. I can't afford to upset the apple cart until I get that money back.
Tell me I'm not mad - this situation stinks ?
-
O/H had no prospect of another job. The couple had only ever done this kind of work (seemed like ok desperate people). Me and O/H thought maybe the same type of business had a chance without the original heavy debts. So we set up a new company, each of the four having an equal shareholding. The other three worked full-time for the business, I put up some cash to get it going. Some of the cash went toward paying suppliers (old company) as we would need them plus the local goodwill, rest went as a float. Twelve months on apparently they've made a small profit.
My problem/concerns
- one of the individuals (from couple) now only works 50% for company but receives same money. She needed the alternative part-time job as broke and needed the regularity of the other income. She did the paperwork/monitored bank - this has slipped. If I kick off, they say they can't manage without the extra-they really are up to their neck in debt. I understand but it's not on. (the three get £800 pm from company as wage/dividend, I get nothing as don't work there)
-At beginning I noticed personal stuff from them going through business account (debit card). They showed it was temp & had been repaid. I told them to stop - business account is purely for business, they agreed. Just noticed more stuff this December & January. Haven't checked it's been repaid but whether it has or hasn't, they accepted they wouldn't do it.
- Business is 80% accounts & 20% cash. I don't think the cash stacks up but not 100% sure. I'm nervous about their opportunity to divert cash. I don't think they are dishonest but .....
- They have the debit card/cashpoint card. Ijust see loads of withdrawals but can't be sure without checking receipts.
- My O/H is crap with paperwork. He (and me) relies on them running things properly. If I ask O/H a question he gets defensive and shouts because a)I think he's worried to death it's going down the drain b) he doesn't know the answers and KNOWS he should. Hence defensive.
- I've had to bail them out three times with cash (all repaid).They are not on top of the cash/bank enough for my liking eg use the debit card which puts us overdrawn, post a cheque before the funds are there. Always it's ''it would have been alright if X had paid on time''. I'm just not like that, you don't spend what you don't have, a clash of outlooks if you like, I think you can't be cavalier with a business bank account - it's why I made the now repaid loans, to stop an unauthorised overdraft.
- i've just had to make another loan (funds weren't there to cover tax cheque) - worried I might not get this back.
I've just realised my devious plan is, sit tight, pray they get in enough/last long enough to repay me the latest loan. Then read them the riot act. I can't afford to upset the apple cart until I get that money back.
Tell me I'm not mad - this situation stinks ?
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0
Comments
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I know the answer is either to run things myself or completely audit everything. I don't have the time. The deal was I took a back seat - precisely because I didn't/don't have the time to get involved.0
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This situation stinks. The answer is to run things yourself or completely audit everything, OR get someone you trust running or auditing everything. Do you have an accountant / bookkeeper?
However, what is unclear is whether this is another Ltd company, and what the exact set up is? Who's employed by the company? Who are directors? etcSignature removed for peace of mind0 -
Agree with Sue, impossible to suggest putting a structure in place until the legal status of the company is clear.0
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