Housing Benefit wont take software accounts

Elixir

Hello, I have 2 questions:

1) Iv been self employed for 2 years approx,altho last august I changed the nature of my business. The first year Housing Benefits were happy with my software spreadsheet that I emailed in to them. This year they say its not good enough. They want it on paper, why is this?

2) They also keep asking for audited accounts, and Im thinking if I could afford an accountant then maybe I would be earning enough not to even have to bother with the housing benefit people, and also, there is no reason why I HAVE to hire an account, Im a really small business so why do they keep asking me for audited accounts?

It feels unfair that nothing I send in this year makes them happy!

[Deleted User]

I can only assume that unless your accounts are prepared by and signed off by an accountant that they dont believe what they say(not that i`m accusing you of being untruthfull),from experience the services of an accountant on an annual basis arent that expensive and they usually save you in tax what they charge you(if not more)

Elixir

Whats the average charge? I heard about £300 a year for a small biz accountat?

shjo558

The DWP security manual explains about the verification requirement - have a look at # 7.500 onwards.

Print out the relevant pages and take it along to you LA..........

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/publications/dwp/2004/hbct/security_manual.pdf

Elixir

Oh wow!!! Thanks!!!!