How to choose an accountant

[Wild Goose]

My first memory was the calculator AKA adding machine with the till roll and handle - I blame that adding machine for my right bicep

That and lifting pints

There's a good discourse on the pitfalls of offering free unlimited access to clients on the sister site at http://www.accountingweb.co.uk/anyanswers/sinking-without-trace/507587

 

[MikeH]

I would generally recommend that people use an accountant from a recognised institute. However, when I found the following site it occurred to me that many business owners may not know which ‘institution’ to trust.

An accountant contacted us recently claiming to be registered with CPA – Certified Public Accountants Association – www (dot) acpa (dot) org.uk

One of the criteria for membership is to
•Have been a principal, partner or director of a practice for not less than three years

So anyone claiming to have been involved in an accounting business can buy membership for 125 and stick letters on a website or business card.

Perhaps I am wrong but this is not one of the recognised accounting institutes that people would recommend.

Do any of the accountants on UKBF have any knowledge of this site/association?

 

[elaine@cheapaccounting]

The general public are not aware of the recognised accounting bodies and IMO it is up to the accounting bodies to remedy this.

I know of the CPA and they are other similar ones around.

Caveat Emptor

 

[MikeH]

Caveat Emptor

Indeed Elaine. The problem is the internet is the devils playground and also an opportunity for others to mislead the ill-informed. The site implies there are hundreds of members (many overseas of course). Before I studied accounting (no I am not an accountant, it formed part of my degree), I was not aware of any one institute in particular. We try to advise our customers on how to choose accountants without providing a ‘recommendation’ as this would be unfair to accounting customers. I just hope small businesses do some research first and read the numerous online guides.

 

[elaine@cheapaccounting]

Indeed Elaine. The problem is the internet is the devils playground and also an opportunity for others to mislead the ill-informed. The site implies there are hundreds of members (many overseas of course). Before I studied accounting (no I am not an accountant, it formed part of my degree), I was not aware of any one institute in particular. We try to advise our customers on how to choose accountants without providing a ‘recommendation’ as this would be unfair to accounting customers. I just hope small businesses do some research first and read the numerous online guides.

and add to the mix the accountants who have don't really have the experience to serve clients and use forums to answer questions that their clients ask them

It is scary out there

 

[Wild Goose]

An accountant contacted us recently claiming to be registered with CPA – Certified Public Accountants Association – www (dot) acpa (dot) org.uk

One of the criteria for membership is to
•Have been a principal, partner or director of a practice for not less than three years

So anyone claiming to have been involved in an accounting business can buy membership for 125 and stick letters on a website or business card.

Perhaps I am wrong but this is not one of the recognised accounting institutes that people would recommend.

Do any of the accountants on UKBF have any knowledge of this site/association?

It's akin to a Liberian flag. As you said, Caveat Emptor.

 

[MikeH]

and add to the mix the accountants who have don't really have the experience to serve clients and use forums to answer questions that their clients ask them

It is scary out there

But what would this forum and accounting web do if people only posted the more demanding questions?

 

[jon.jenkins@smartaccounta]

We have written a blog on this from a slightly different perspective which is what does an accountant do which you may also find useful as it details what you should expect from your accountant in terms of service. You should ask prospective accountants question based around these areas.

Take a look at Smart Accountancy Systems SAS Blog under the general section.

 

[ortonstarus]

Hello everyone....
I want to hire best accountant for my new business so can you suggest me which factors i have to consider for choosing any accountant.I also want some best and experience person which can handle my accounts.

 

[jon.jenkins@smartaccounta]

Hello everyone....
I want to hire best accountant for my new business so can you suggest me which factors i have to consider for choosing any accountant.I also want some best and experience person which can handle my accounts.

Hi,

Here is a blog which has my thoughts on what factors and what you should be looking for in an accountant. Not a complete list but things worth considering.

http://www.smartaccountancysystems.co.uk/general/accountants-what-should-they-do/

 

[ortonstarus]

Hi jon,
A lot of thanks for sharing this type of blog and give such a nice information.I read this blog but i think some information is also missing there is not giving me best information.If you find some best list so give me some suggestion.

 

[mygpcloud]

Before choosing an accountant, you should consider the size and complexity of your business - your business may be small, but if the systems and organization are complex then you will need an adviser who is able to assist with more than basic bookkeeping. Or you might need someone who understands a particular type of business. You should also consider what other services your business may need from an accountant. It is recommended that you look for someone who has professional accounting qualifications.

 

[sstamp]

I dont see many recommendations here so I'd like to add one: we operate four Companies and use Chris Osmond at Stone Osmond Ltd - he's located in Chandlers Ford 30 miles from us but that doesn't really matter as we rarely need to get together. He's acted for us for some 18 years now and cannot fault his service.

 

[laurataylor786]

It's hard to find a good accountant—so hard, in fact, that it has become something of a running joke in the small business world. Thank you so much for the links here they are very informative.

 

[Christine Hough]

Having had a couple of rum ones... I have now found a good one in Hull. She is very thorough and reasonable prices. As well as friendly and helpful.

So I will add a recommendation to anyone up near Hull http://www.newshamandco.com/

 

[kennygrady]

There are some great suggestions for accountants. Thanks to all that posted.

 

[JDIZM]

Old thread but still useful

 

[Ishine window cleaning]

It's very simple, just ask any prospective accountant the following:

"What is 1+1?"

If they answer "2", run for the door.

If they answer "what do you want it to be?" you have found the right person.

Brilliant answer!

 

[sstamp]

I dont see many recommendations here so I'd like to add one: we operate four Companies and use Chris Osmond at Stone Osmond Ltd - he's located in Chandlers Ford 30 miles from us but that doesn't really matter as we rarely need to get together. He's acted for us for some 18 years now and cannot fault his service.

As far as I am concerned, strike this one off the list, he acted for me for my own business in addition to the companies which I ran. Since I was wrongfully dismissed from running the other companies, he is now completely ignoring me and will not even answer the question of how my severance holiday pay has been calculated. I've made three calls and two emails - nothing!! I had thought that he was almost a friend!!

Are accountants not bound to give this information if it is requested?

 

[cheltenham_villa]

any recommendations for the cheltenham area? Looking for something to support a small business with small revenues.

 

[Bob]

Small business - small revenues. Try one of the online accountants that frequent these forums. You could try Elaine who professes to be cheap , but her clients still seem to speak very highly of her services.

She even claimed to be "cheap" when she appeared as a tax expert on Money Box Live on Radio 4. When asked by Vincent Dugglebey if she were really cheap, she replied "Yes we are"

Seriously though, her firm is good and I would have called it inexpensive

 

[StevensOnln1]

any recommendations for the cheltenham area? Looking for something to support a small business with small revenues.

I can give you details of the firm I use, based in Gloucester. PM me if you would like them.

 

[elaine@cheapaccounting]

Small business - small revenues. Try one of the online accountants that frequent these forums. You could try Elaine who professes to be cheap , but her clients still seem to speak very highly of her services.

She even claimed to be "cheap" when she appeared as a tax expert on Money Box Live on Radio 4. When asked by Vincent Dugglebey if she were really cheap, she replied "Yes we are"

Seriously though, her firm is good and I would have called it inexpensive

Thank you Bob - glad you listened

 

[cheaper accountant]

any recommendations for the cheltenham area? Looking for something to support a small business with small revenues.

I agree with the previous comments and do think that small business owners can benefit from looking further afield than their local area. Online accountants are a good place to start your search for an accountant.

 

[Katy Radcliffe]

Oh, man. I am confused!

OK, we're going to need an accountant. My husband can do the bookkeeping and the payroll - he's done these for other jobs and small businesses he's owned. But, he says we need the advice that an accountant offers. And stuff about "tax allowances." I don't even know what that means. LOL

Anyway, we're a two-man cleaning company,(we're a Ltd company, and a brand-new start-up.) We can do our own basic books and keep our records just fine. It's the ... advice on things, I guess... that we need.

I welcome PM's from anybody who is an accountant and I welcome general advice from anyone in this thread.

Thank you!

 

[The Mutz Hut]

Katy, I'm in the same boat as you, just starting a new business, I've been self employed for the last few years but just about to start a limited company with my partner, I asked a friend of mine who has several businesses who her accountant was and how he had helped her. We arranged a meeting with him and he answered all our questions and gave us loads of advice and gave a price per month we would be paying. I would imagine most accountants would do this.

 

[cheaper accountant]

Hi Katy,

I must agree that the advice of a qualified accountant can be extremely valuable to all business owners. Yes I'm slightly biased since I'm an accountant but I do believe that you can only do so much on your own, especially when you operate a limited company.

An accountant will be valuable when it comes down to tax advice and preparing your annual business accounts and corporation tax return. An accountant will also be able to take care of your capital allowances which you seem to be referring to?

What you're doing so far is a great start and you will find that your accountancy fees should be less because you are managing your bookkeeping yourself and making your accountants life easier by doing this. Accurate bookkeeping makes an accountants work a lot easier.

 

[internetspaceships]

Cheap versus Cheaper- wonderful.

There's an awful lot more to choosing and accountant than price. But it's incredible to watch people who base their whole marketing pitch on being "cheap" then switching to quality of service to justify people using them.

Especially when someone stands up and says "I'm cheaper."

Cheap doesn't portray quality of service it implies cheap. Yeah there's a market for that, but stick to the original pitch.

 

[cheaper accountant]

I completely agree that price isn't the only factor to consider when choosing an accountant.

However, from my point of view if a small business owner can receive the services of a professionally qualified accountant at an affordable price then the business owner wins all the way.

 

[elaine@cheapaccounting]

Cheap versus Cheaper- wonderful.

There's an awful lot more to choosing and accountant than price. But it's incredible to watch people who base their whole marketing pitch on being "cheap" then switching to quality of service to justify people using them.

Especially when someone stands up and says "I'm cheaper."

Cheap doesn't portray quality of service it implies cheap. Yeah there's a market for that, but stick to the original pitch.

Well having been around on this earth for some time now I know you can't please all if the people all of the time.

However CheapAccounting is in its sixth year now and the fact that so many emulate our model means that we are doing a lot right for a lot of clients.

But as always do follow due process when selecting your accountant as highlighted in the early posts on this thread.

Make sure you know who you are dealing with as anyone can call themselves an accountant.

Credential checking is a must.

Quality and price can work well together as we show - I can't speak for others in this. I guess time will tell with their models

 

[internetspaceships]

Well written as ever Elaine. I just have a bug with the whole cheap and cheaper thing. It's never personal as you know. Merely a pet thing which Ive always been up front about.

 

[elaine@cheapaccounting]

Well written as ever Elaine. I just have a bug with the whole cheap and cheaper thing. It's never personal as you know. Merely a pet thing which Ive always been up front about.

I think we have developed a mutual respect for each other over the years

 

[cheaper accountant]

Take a look at this link: http://www.businesszone.co.uk/blogs...ed-company/can-you-tell-accountant-accountant gives you all the info you need on spotting an accountant from an accountant!

 

[Spongebob]

Well written as ever Elaine. I just have a bug with the whole cheap and cheaper thing. It's never personal as you know. Merely a pet thing which Ive always been up front about.

I know where you're coming from. In my world 'cheap' means 'crap'. I find it difficult to understand how any business that markets itself solely on the basis that they are cheap - even to the point of putting the word in their name - can succeed long term.

It certainly does not convey the impression that a good service is on offer.

 

[cheaper accountant]

I have to say that those small business clients who have received the services of a cheap accountant would say otherwise. Our customer satisfaction rates are very high!

 

[internetspaceships]

I have to say that those small business clients who have received the services of a cheap accountant would say otherwise. Our customer satisfaction rates are very high!

Yeah it's harder to complain when you're getting something done cheap

 

[elaine@cheapaccounting]

Yeah it's harder to complain when you're getting something done cheap

Why?

You still have the same rights.

As I've said on many occasions quality is the same.

Let's not send this brilliant thread off topic - hopefully we can all be professional and agree to disagree whilst respecting the opinions of others and the hard work that they put into this forum and their businesses (where applicable).

 

[Spongebob]

I have to say that those small business clients who have received the services of a cheap accountant would say otherwise. Our customer satisfaction rates are very high!

I've just had a look at the price list on your website. Your fees don't look that cheap to me.

My accountant charges similar prices to you, but would be mortified to be described as 'cheap'!

 

[cheaper accountant]

Elaine is right in her comments and clients have the same rights regardless of how much they pay. We're all bound to the regulations of our accountancy bodies too.

I'm extremely proud to be viewed as offering a "better deal" to small businesses across the UK, no shame in that!

I also agree that we shouldn't take this off topic.

 

[elaine@cheapaccounting]

Elaine is right in her comments and clients have the same rights regardless of how much they pay. We're all bound to the regulations of our accountancy bodies too.

.

Hi Emma

Someone has asked me what professional body you are a member of - can you reply with the details please. Thank you