Is my accountant over-complicating matters?

Hi guys,

After sitting through a meeting with my accountant yesterday I’m really concerned that he is viewing my tiny, straightforward business as a major corporation!

He has talked me into buying QuickBooks, which meant buying a second computer (Mac doesn’t support QuickBooks so I needed to purchase a pc) plus the QB software, which was around $2000 all up.

I’ve now heard from friends that everything could have easily been done on a spreadsheet.

Then yesterday I was listening to my accountant and part-time assistant discussing my BAS statements, which used to take me around two hours and now sound as if they’re going to take a whole day!

I’m all for getting up to date but am really concerned that the time and money that is going into all this is becoming ludicrous.

I’m a couple of years behind on my tax because I was a full-time carer for my Mum and working from home and not receiving a pension.. and the last couple of years of her life were so demanding I barely had time to work let alone do my tax.

I’m now really keen to get up to date but listening to my part-time assistant say what a massive job it’s going to be is really disturbing me.

Incidentally, my assistant has only been with me for around three months.. Prior to that I sole trader, with no assistant.

Do you think I should be running this by another accountant?

Any advice would be most appreciated.

With thanks,
PJF