Software takes rap for late results

Watford Electronics is blaming the late filing of its accounts on teething problems with its recently installed computer system.

The Luton-based retailer's accounts for the year ended 30 June should have been filed by the last day of April, in accordance with the Companies Act.

According to a representative at Companies House, Watford Electronics will be fined #250, which will double to #500 if the figures are not submitted by 31 August.

Nazir Jessa, joint managing director of Watford Electronics, claimed the Masterpack software, which was installed last year, had caused havoc within the reseller and its accounts system.

He added: 'We've invested almost #500,000 in this system. But when software fails, God help a company.'

Watford Electronics' accounts were last filed on 30 June 1996 after a three-month extension, showing #28 million turnover and #458,000 profit.

However, the reseller failed to ask for an extension to this year's April deadline, despite receiving a three-month extension every year since 1994.

Companies House statistics for 1997 showed that, out of nearly 1,750,000 companies listed, 96 per cent filed accounts on time.

The representative added the compliance rate had improved considerably since the fining programme had been introduced.

Jessa insisted the late filing was not connected to financial troubles, citing a #3 million investment to turn its Luton outlet into a superstore by September and expand into the north of England next year with more sites.

He added the system was now running smoothly and he expected the accounts to be filed within the next four to six weeks.

See Dealer Profile, page 9.