I need a new accountant!

[Barney2201]

Looking for recommendations for a new accountant...


We are an events company with an office in Milton Keynes and Cannes, France. We work across Europe and sometimes further afield. Our current accountant is an independent who does not seem to be able to cope with the amount of clients she has taken on (we have only just received our 2013/2014 accounts when our year end was October!).

What I am looking for is an accountant who takes an interest in what we do rather than just number crunching. We need someone with international experience so they can advise on VAT etc when working on international projects. We mainly work in GBP, Euro & USD so experience in multi-currency is essential.

All our accounts are presented in the finest detail as we have a fulltime part-qualified accountant (namely my wife) working for the company. What we need is someone who can be 'creative' when it comes to tax planning and can generally grow with our business.


We have gone through a succession of accountants over the years, most only seem interested in signing us up to receive the monthly payments then do the minimum required to service our business. I would rather pay more money if a good accountant can save me money!


If you have any suggestions it would be much appreciated.

 

[john1989]

By 'creative', do you mean you want an accountant that can help you engage in avoidance schemes?

 

[Barney2201]

As long as its legal I have no issues with avoidance, we all want to pay the least possible amount of tax. We need an accountant who can at least present all the options available.

 

[HazelC]

I would HIGHLY recommend Mark Laws of Prospect Accountancy in Peterborough, he's really good. I use him and lots of my clients in Peterborough seem to be using him too!

 

[Energise Accounting]

Before setting up my own practice I used to be the Financial Controller for a well known exhibition company so I feel I could add value to your business..

I cannot stress enough an accountant can only reduce the tax bill by legal means once they have been exhausted their is nowhere to go.

 

[Amir Shahzad]

You can do tax planning as long as the law permits but you can not avoid tax.

A knowledgeable and experience accountant can add up value into the business rather than normal book keeping accountant by giving you solid advise on how to run day to day business, so you can have your full energy on business rather than doing all the paperwork.

 

[MyAccountantOnline]

Looking for recommendations for a new accountant...


We are an events company with an office in Milton Keynes and Cannes, France. We work across Europe and sometimes further afield. Our current accountant is an independent who does not seem to be able to cope with the amount of clients she has taken on (we have only just received our 2013/2014 accounts when our year end was October!).

What I am looking for is an accountant who takes an interest in what we do rather than just number crunching. We need someone with international experience so they can advise on VAT etc when working on international projects. We mainly work in GBP, Euro & USD so experience in multi-currency is essential.

All our accounts are presented in the finest detail as we have a fulltime part-qualified accountant (namely my wife) working for the company. What we need is someone who can be 'creative' when it comes to tax planning and can generally grow with our business.


We have gone through a succession of accountants over the years, most only seem interested in signing us up to receive the monthly payments then do the minimum required to service our business. I would rather pay more money if a good accountant can save me money!


If you have any suggestions it would be much appreciated.

Hi Barney

It sounds like you'd benefit from a more traditional face to face relationship with an accountant, perhaps a slightly larger practice?

Where are you based?

I do know some very good accountants who I may be able to recommend to you.

 

[UK Contractor Accountant]

Judging from your previous posts on claiming back international VAT and the TOMS VAT scheme I have to agree with Nicola in that you probably need a slighter bigger Accountancy Practice.

If expanding it might be the case you will have to register for VAT in each country in which you hold and event etc. You will not get this advice and tax planning advice from a small/one man band Accountancy Practice.

 

[qul]

We might be able to help with a VAT strategy (for an example in a different sector take a look at: http://www.mah.uk.com/portfolio-items/vat-and-financial-services)

If you have operations in different countries it might be possible to use an intercompany fee structure to save tax.

What clients have often found useful is to talk to us about their plans before they take action, so that we can advise on tax and also to give our feedback on their plans.