Almost didn’t get to write anything today – website tried to lock me out of the blog – what a silly blogger…

And the problem? I hear you cry.

Well that’s very nice I have to say!

Enough of my paranoia for one day.

For reasons I may allude to next week (or the week after – we’re away on hols) it’s been a very admin-y type of week so far.

And since tomorrow is the mythical monthly day off it’s not getting better for the rest of this week.

In fact – luckily – something tentatively pencilled (UK spelling) in the diary got postponed otherwise I’d have been pulling late nighters even more than I have…

Either that or the day off might not have been so sacrosanct as it should be.

Sad face.

So feeling of relief as it’s just about going to fit (Dandini).

So on with the blogging.

Some thoughts.

I’m definitely walking to a different drummer from my trade association on this but

• all proprietary documentation is designed to cover as many options as possible, so
• if all you do are straightforward cases you either complete forms which are 90% blank, or
• you complete them either
  • when you have to, or
  • when there’s an unusual item which is out of the ordinary, so
• designing the documentation (like my accounts checklists have so 10 out of 10 there) where you get to turn whole sections off if they’re not relevant and
• starting small first and adding if additional areas apply is soooooooooooooooo much more logical.

Just a shame it seldom happens like that.

The Companies Act is supposed to be like that but it’s only halfway there.

So maybe 5 out of 10 for trying, but

the accounting standard FRS102 is total and utter cack.

Says you’ve got around a million companies filing accounts – it’s almost certainly more but it’ll do for the illustration.

999,000 or thereabouts are pretty straightforward and the rest are not.

So, do you build the standard for the vast majority and add “stuff” for the rest?

No. You do it completely arse about face.

And everyone keeps quiet about it!

Maybe it’s some sort of macho thing or it could be that – as our trade organisation also supervises us – there’s no one fighting for the “little guy/gal” and the bl00dy end user.

Makes me angry.

Maybe you’ve guessed.

It’s one of the major drivers behind my diversification to FDing, mentoring and coaching. And why I’m blogging about it.

I’ve been preparing statutory accounts for over 40 years now.

Yes – it is my own fault and I have very little sympathy for ME so I don’t expect any from you – but I think I’m on the fifth or sixth way of doing said accounts.

All of which purport to show a true and fair view despite the formats (and maybe half the numbers) being totally different.

How can that be?

I’m assuming there’s no one out there saying we all got it wrong in the past?

And it doesn’t seem to have improved the standards of preparation in any meaningful way.

And sodding major businesses are still going bust and we the accountants still aren’t spotting it.

Which means more people out of a job for no fault of their own and the architects of the downfall frequently get to walk into another high flying role…

Makes my blood boil.

A rant a day helps you work, rest and play.

You have to be of a certain age to get this.

I’d like to say that getting this lot off my chest has made me feel better.

But I’d be lying and it has not.

On a more positive note, got to stand in a green screen studio and spout off to camera with Die Tochter this afternoon.

Many thanks Andy – much appreciated.

I look forward to seeing the finished product.

That’s enough blogging for this week.

And Andy’s is even bigger than this…