Is this online-accountant credible?

[potat0wn3d]

I can't post links yet, but if you google 'theaccountancy' you'll get to the online accountant that I mean. They offer very low prices and half price on your first years accounts.

However they have really generic testimonials which doesnt state an actual business name. They claim this is to keep clients confidential.

On the other hand they list:

ICPA membership number 1805
VAT Registration No. 106 6800 33
Data Protection Registration No. Z2264995

I'm not entirely sure how to check these numbers out though. I'm not looking for a sales pitch by other accountants but you'll have a better idea on how to check their credibility than I would.

Thanks very much for any help given.

 

[elaine@cheapaccounting]

You can call the ICO to check the Data Protection.

http://www.ico.gov.uk/

ICPA is here

http://www.icpa.org.uk/

call them too - note I am not sure what it takes to be a member of this body.

And finally call the VAT helpline to check the vat reg number ...

http://search2.hmrc.gov.uk/kb5/hmrc/contactus/view.page?record=dMVkEC6liWE

good luck

 

[potat0wn3d]

Thank you i'll check up later and report my findings, i'll keep it open to anyone that has any feedback on this business

 

[David O'Keeffe]

Looking online, the number you quoted appears to be registered to "THEACCOUNTANCYPARTNERSHIP.COM LTD !! THE ACCOUNTANCY PARTNERSHIP"

David

 

[potat0wn3d]

Looking online, the number you quoted appears to be registered to "THEACCOUNTANCYPARTNERSHIP.COM LTD !! THE ACCOUNTANCY PARTNERSHIP"

David

Interesting but could that not just be an Limited Liability Partnership? Seems weird though.

 

[Anna Chandley]

Interesting but could that not just be an Limited Liability Partnership? Seems weird though.

They are a Ltd company - the company number is shown at the bottom of their homepage.

Anna

 

[Wild Goose]

We're starting to check out our competitors, having recently lost a client to a cheap fees practice which described itself as "qualified accountants" by virtue of its ICPA (Institute of Certified Practising Accountants) membership.

According to Wikipedia, the ICPA "is a professional organisation representing practising accountants." In short, a trade association!

According to the ICPA's website, the criteria for membership is to have worked as or for an accountant for five years. Just send £80, and you're in! No exams necessary; instant qualified accountant, complete with a "practising certificate"! Bezinga!

http://www.icpa.org.uk/membership-pr..._to_join_.html

On what planet does belonging to a trade association for unqualified accountants entitle you to describe your firm as qualified accountants?

Late Edit: I haven't checked out the website of the particular ICPA firm the OP referred to, so I don't know whether they too style themselves as qualified accountants or professional accountants or any variation thereof.

 

[Yorkshire&Online]

Make sure you know what to expect for your money.

Some accountants will do nothing but prepare your accounts and tax return each year, in return for a cheap fee. Whereas some accountants will do much more than that and will go the extra mile to offer a more personal service, be available to chat whenever you want to without running up your bill, and help you identify tax and cost saving opportunities for both your business and personal circumstances.

Besides offering advice when you need it and ensuring your accounts and tax calculations are prepared correctly, a more involved accountant can offer a fresh pair of subjective eyes on your business and potentially recommend cost and tax saving opportunities that you might never have thought of, and help grow your business, more than covering the cost of their services.

 

[MyAccountantOnline]

I can't post links yet, but if you google 'theaccountancy' you'll get to the online accountant that I mean. They offer very low prices and half price on your first years accounts.

However they have really generic testimonials which doesnt state an actual business name. They claim this is to keep clients confidential.

On the other hand they list:

ICPA membership number 1805
VAT Registration No. 106 6800 33
Data Protection Registration No. Z2264995

I'm not entirely sure how to check these numbers out though. I'm not looking for a sales pitch by other accountants but you'll have a better idea on how to check their credibility than I would.

Thanks very much for any help given.

I understand and appreciate peoples concern at contacting an online firm.

My personal preference (and it is bias) would be to only use professionally qualified accountants, and by that I generally mean firms who are members of one of the chartered bodies or AAT but that's going a little off what you asked.

What we've done at my firm for a few clients is to give them contact details of existing clients who they can contact direct for a reference. We do of course ask the clients permission first. This can give some assurance. Why not ask if they are happy to do that for you?

 

[Anonymouse72]

i'd definitely check the info on duedil, the Director seemed to be into the sandwich business not so long ago...

don't be put off by an online accountant though, they are not all equal! we use one who posts regularly on here, very happy with the service for the 18 months or so that we've been with them.

 

[MyAccountantOnline]

You could also obtain copies of accounts and annual returns etc from Companies House. That gives you some background information but no assurance that you will receive a good service.

 

[Wild Goose]

You could also obtain copies of accounts and annual returns etc from Companies House. That gives you some background information but no assurance that you will receive a good service.

http://bizzy.co.uk/uk/07083629/theaccountancypartnership-com

Click Director tab for details of other companies - and Company Secretary details.

The ICPA appears to be a trade association for people who want to practise as accountants without going to the bother of sitting exams. It is not a recognised accountancy body. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_qualified_accountants

 

[David Griffiths]

Just a personal view, but I always think that people who put ICO registration numbers and the like on their websites are grasping at credibility by association

There was a poster on here in the last month or so who wanted to put the Companies House logo on his site, as he thought that would make him "more trustworthy" in the eyes of potential customers. Perhaps for some people that's true

 

[Tom McClelland]

Just a personal view, but I always think that people who put ICO registration numbers and the like on their websites are grasping at credibility by association

There was a poster on here in the last month or so who wanted to put the Companies House logo on his site, as he thought that would make him "more trustworthy" in the eyes of potential customers. Perhaps for some people that's true

HMRC used to permit the Crown Mark to be shown on the website of payroll software companies that had achieved HMRC Accreditation. We felt that this was beneficial and aided our credibility, particularly when we were just starting out and had very few clients. Unfortunately HMRC has withdrawn the accreditation scheme (from everyone, they've closed it down) so the Crown Mark can no longer be used.

 

[daveymck]

The ICPA appears to be a trade association for people who want to practise as accountants without going to the bother of sitting exams. It is not a recognised accountancy body. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_qualified_accountants

Its not that hard every debit equals a credit, know that and good to go.

 

[Yorkshire&Online]

After reading all these posts, my answer would be that if you just have a gut feeling that you don't trust them, don't bother wasting your time and effort looking into them, and just don't use them, no matter how cheap they are.

Find an accountant who you feel you have faith in and can work with long term. Then it all should be pay dividends in the long run.

And, no that is not a plug for me!

 

[David Griffiths]

HMRC used to permit the Crown Mark to be shown on the website of payroll software companies that had achieved HMRC Accreditation. We felt that this was beneficial and aided our credibility, particularly when we were just starting out and had very few clients. Unfortunately HMRC has withdrawn the accreditation scheme (from everyone, they've closed it down) so the Crown Mark can no longer be used.

Yes, I can see the value of that. It was an earned accreditation and relevant to what you do. Showing data protection numbers and Companies House logos is not relevant

 

[potat0wn3d]

Busy day working, havent decided what i'm going to do yet. I did a kind of google search to try and find some reviews on independent sites and just couldnt find any - good or bad. The price they're offering just seems from a very much accounting novice to be too good. I'll continue digging when I have a bit more time tommorow. Thanks to all the help thus far from you all.