Phuketshrew

Does this mean I'll have to increase my intake of Gin and tonic?

Thanks for the advice Opalhort.

However, the accounting company is now telling me that in addition to requiring an original printed receipt (and not a compter generated receipt) the said receipt must have a signature on it!

............Maybe time to look elsewhere for accounting services?

Much of the expenditure for our recently started business is made online (web hosting, airline ticket booking, conference booking etc.). As such transactions are paperless we usually receive receipts for expenditure electronically. However, I have been advised by a local (Phuket) accounting company that Thai auditors will only accept original printed and posted receipts for tax deduction. We have contacted several of our overseas suppliers and the responses are similar - an example being 'We are a paperless company however you can login to billing to view and PRINT any of the invoices you need for your tax purposes'.

My question is - Is the advice that I am getting from the account correct?

If so - This presents serious implications for a business wanting to conduct business (whther all or partial) online - So much for Phuket's movement towards being a 'Cyberisland'.

If not - Can anyone recommend a legitimate, competent accountancy company that doesn't cost 'an arm and a leg'?

#1 - Yes.

#2 - It depends how you set it up. Depending upon which operating system you're using the procedure will be a little different, but it's generally possible to restrict access only certain users and to require the user to know a password to gain access.

Assuming that you're using Windows, Google around a bit with keywords such as "Windows File Sharing" or "Windows Mapping Shared Drives" and you should find a wealth of information about how to proceed.

You couls also look at using Google Apps for file sharing and collaboration?

I would like to warn readers of the potential risk of buying car insurance through company agents.

When buying a new car last year comprehensive car insurance for one year was included. However, last month we decided to return to our original insurers, AIG, through the AIG agent that had previously handled our insurance. Unknown to us the agent decided to keep our money (apparently to fuel his gambling addiction) and we were left driving around with no insurance (we were led to believe that we were covered and that a policy would be issued).

On visiting the AIG office we were informed that AIG will not be held responsible for the actions of their agents. The AIG documentation that you and the AIG agent sign is an agreement between you and the agent and not AIG – If you buy your car insurance through an AIG Agent you do so at your own risk.

AIG acknowledged that the problem of rogue agents is widespread – We were shown a list of 11 such agents that had recently been 'terminated'. However, AIG have no procedures in place to inform their clients (either by directly contacting clients or by notification in the local press) so there is no way of knowing whether the agent that you are dealing with is genuine.

AIG also informed us that vetting and background checks were not conducted when they recruited AIG agents - Apparently all that is required is a guarantor. Unsurprising then that AIG are experiencing such problems with rogue agents – but that wouldn't be the responsibility of AIG would it?

I just learned last weekend that a friend and ex colleague has had the same thing happen to him.

Beware when dealing with agents for your insurance - I will always go directly to the compnay offices from now on.