Bookkeeping tasks

sheelagh

I have always had a policy of not having access to client bank accounts. I prefer clients to do their own banking - write cheques, complete paying in book slips, make online payments, download statements etc. My main reason being that if I don't have access to their money, I can't be accused of abusing the privelege and I will hopefully be well clear of the line of fire if they think something is amiss with their bank balance.
I've recently had a few enquiries from prospective new clients who say that their previous bookkeeper was happy to carry out these tasks.
What do other bookkeepers do?

Bluewednesday

We often have the same thing but do the same as you, we won't touch anyone's online bank.

I have filled in cheques for client's but always take a copy of what we've sent to protect ourselves.

mc25

When I have always done book keeping for clients I make sure they are there when I am accessing the bank account and also I dont take the logging details. Hope this helps.

JodieR

I've always been happy to do banking duties for clients. They usually keep their login details secret for a while and then get bored/frustrated with logging in themselves and tell me what they are. Most banks now have the fobs/password generators so I only have access to the accounts while I'm at the client's premises (ie if suspicious looking payments went out of the account on a day I wasn't in then it couldn't have been me). I've never ever had a problem with this. Obviously I never pay any suppliers/wages without asking the client first.
The only time that I did get in the firing line was when a client accused me of not posting his cheques received from customers (and consequently the cheques sent to suppliers started bouncing), but then a few weeks later he found the cheques in question in his van!

deanshepherd

It's not something I offer as a service but I know a lot of clients that would want me to do it. I do not see a problem with offering the service, per se, it is just that if something goes wrong I would be the first person under suspicion, particularly if other staff members may also have access to the logins/passwords.

Tricky one to get the right systems in place.