Certifying Earning Proof

[gurinderc]

I work as a contractor through a limited company and manage my accounts myself.

I'm going to apply for my VISA which require I have to provide the proof of last 12 months income. The abstract from the VISA document is like:

Self-employed applicants only - Letter from the applicant's managing agent/accountant (confirming that the applicant received the exact amount they are claiming, or the net profit to which they are entitled)

This is a letter from the applicant's Managing Agent/Accountant on headed paper confirming the gross and net pay for the period claimed. The letter should provide a breakdown of salary, dividends, profits, tax credits and give dates of net payments earned. If the applicant's earnings form a share of the net profit of the company, this should also be explained in the letter.

In an all, I need to submit these documents:

If an applicant has worked in a self-employed capacity through their own business/company structure and has chosen to retain their earnings within the business/company, they could provide:
• Business/Company Accounts - prepared in accordance with statutory requirements and showing the net profit generated for the earnings period claimed; and
• A letter from their accountant confirming the details contained within those accounts.

I have all the documents in required format, I'm looking for a certified accountant for the signatory purpose for the second letter. If you think you can help me in this, please send me a message with reasonable quotation.

Gurinder

 

[miketombs]

I doubt that any member of the main accounting bodies would sell their signature in the way you suggest. When the finance companies ask for certification, they presume that the accountants have at least some knowledge of the accounts they are certifying. It seems like you just want to provide a set of accounts and get someone to certify them with no knowledge at all. The ethical issues would preclude most accountants from helping you.

It is a problem for businesses who don't use accountants, and I can't think of a way around it. I would have thought something like a bank reference would suffice?

 

[accountancyextra]

I agree completely with Mike. There is no way I would put my signature to a set of accounts not prepared by my firm.

 

[CertaxBexley]

A copy of the accounts together with the HMRC Corp Tax demand, might suffice.

 

[elaine@cheapaccounting]

I have been in this situation before - building society asked me for a letter from my accountant. The person I spoke to find it hard to understand that I was the accountant even though that was my occupation on the form.

Anyway after eventually asking to speak to someone 'sensible' (sorry of that sounds harsh but you know what I mean ) I was advised that certain forms from HMRC would suffice for their needs.

 

[David Griffiths]

Same here - but they asked for the "Inland Revenue Assessment" - so I explained that it was self assessment these days. Oh, they said.

Then they asked for the Inland Revenue calculation of the tax - so I said that I did the calculation myself, so there wasn't one. Oh, they said.

We eventually got around it by me giving them a letter from my firm to them setting out the income that had been returned to the Revenue!


It's just not covered in the "Big Boys and Girls Book of how to Process Mortgage Applications!"

 

[dp0848]

I've had that one as well. I was told by the Building Society that they needed a letter from my accountant to certify the income declared on my mortgage application. Told them I was an accountant and that I did my own books. Oh, but we need it signed by a qualified accountant ...... I AM qualified (starting to get a bit p****d off now!). Oh, I don't know what to do now said the mortgage bod, I don't think we have every leant money to an accountant before! So, according to the mortgage person at Cheltenham & Gloucester in Putney, C&G don't lend to accountants!! Eventually spoke to someone sensible and got the cash to purchase my flat!!

To answer the OP's question there is no way I'd put my signature on a set of accounts that I had not drafted.

 

[gurinderc]

Thankyou everyone for taking my query on, but can some one show me the light, what can be done in the case.

 

[primeaccounts]

Like has been pointed out by a few others, it may be possible that they accept an HMRC assessment as being proof enough.

ailing that, you could give an accountant the accounts that you have prepared along with all supporting records (bank statements, invoices etc) and they could do an independant examination of the accounts.

Obviously this may prove to be as expensive as having the accounts prepared by an accountant in the first place, but then again it is also probable that they could add value to your business also by giving other advice (tax or otherwise).

 

[elaine@cheapaccounting]

As explained (with several examples given) tell them you prepare the accounts yourself and ask what else they will take as proof of earnings. They are working to a set of standard rules which 90% of cases will fit.

Common sense just needs to be applied

Oh please just bring back common sense - whatever happened to it

 

[gurinderc]

Actually I already ask them about my case, the answer I got is - "They can't do a pre-assessment of application" and told me follow the guidelines;which I already put in my first post. Quite a bizarre case for me really; Its well known about Home Office inefficiency which is hitting me now.

 

[Jenni384]

Actually I already ask them about my case, the answer I got is - "They can't do a pre-assessment of application" and told me follow the guidelines;which I already put in my first post. Quite a bizarre case for me really; Its well known about Home Office inefficiency which is hitting me now.

It sounds like if they insist on approval from an accountant, then you'll have to pay an accountant to go through the accounts to be sure they are happy to sign them off for you. As has already been said, this may amount to a similar fee to having had the accounts prepared professionally in the first place.

Best of luck

Jenni