Recommend an accountant?

[silverfirefly]

Hi,

I am a sole director of a newly formed limited company with no intention of employing anyone in the foreseeable future.

At the moment, I'll be doing about 30 hours of freelancing a week, and whilst doing that I will be building side projects for extra income streams, such as online store, blogging, information products, etc, and being entrepreneurial, I'll likely have my fingers in other pies soon enough!

I was looking at Crunch and Forbes Young as they are both contractor accountancy services, but with Crunch, they don't support online stores, etc for some odd reason. So that's kind of ruled them out for the future. I haven't yet spoken to Forbes Young for a quote, etc.

I wondered if any of you contractors or freelancers can recommend a good accountant you've worked with (or are still working with if you're happy with them!).

Please note, I'm not asking for the accountants on here to come and PM me or promote themselves in this thread.

For now I'm only interested in recommendations from freelancers/contractors/consultants.

Thanks in advance.

 

[astutiumRob]

Where are you based ? We've worked with a really good Accountant nr Peterborough ...

 

[maxine]

^ Op's location says Cornwall

I cannot recommend but I do provide a (free) service that helps (link in my sig)

 

[silverfirefly]

Thanks for the responses and the link.

Yes I'm based in Cornwall but I prefer to communicate mainly by email or instant messaging rather than keep making repeated trips to the accountant if at all possible. I wouldn't mind making a trip now and again, but if there are good accountants in other counties willing to work with me remotely then that's a bonus.

Forgot to mention, I need the usual stuff covered such as corporation tax, annual returns, self-assessment, PAYE and some tax planning. I'm thinking about registering for VAT voluntarily too so I will need to discuss that. I'm new to running a business so definitely will need some hand-holding, even though I'm training myself to research things before asking questions.

I'm also looking at Xero, Freshbooks and Kashflow for bookkeeping (haven't decided which of these I'll be going with) so it's a huge plus if he or she can work with these as I can't stand using bloated desktop software.

 

[chrisdavidson]

Hi,

Yes I use Alita Beard in Bournemouth. I have used her for 4 years and been really impressed with her. She explains everything in layman terms and has helped me keep on top of the cashflow and plan well.

http://www.alitabeard.com/

All the best,
Chris

 

[Stationery-Direct]

Although not based close to you I would still recommend Tony from http://www.crundellandco.co.uk (a member on here)

 

[Blackberry]

Thanks DT!

 

[Magicbeard]

[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']Steer well clear of the accountants CW Fellows in Fareham, Hampshire. They are shocking! I sacked them as our accountants last year after 15years. They made so many mistakes and made a huge mess of our accounts. I ended up getting fined by HMRC for their mistakes! In the end I had to get the ICAEW involved to help me out . [/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif'][/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']I can highly recommend HJ Associates in Cheltenham.[/FONT]

 

[Retired_Accountant]

Hi,

I was looking at Crunch and Forbes Young as they are both contractor accountancy services, .

On your head be it ......... and it probably will be.

Do yourself a huge favour, do NOT go to an online cheap and cheerful outfit.

Search out your local area. Find a local accountant who will sit down face to face with you, discuss your plans and needs, and come up with a tailored support package.

Saving a few pounds now is short sighted. What if something goes wrong? What if you're subjected to a tax or VAT investigation? Do you think some "stack em high and do em cheap" online outfit will be of help to you then?

Will an online outfit know your local bank manager, or solicitor?

Be sensible - go local.

 

[Eagle]

Try http://raystewart.biz/ or http://www.cheaperaccountant.co.uk/

 

[JamesP_]

If you can use a website that is about as complex as this one, then I'd recommend Crunch.

(can't post the URL because I'm new, but Google "Crunch Accounting"

They respond to emails, in business hours, in minutes and make it as simple as possible to keep your accounts up to date.

They even let you take pictures of receipts on your phone with an app, and they enter it in to your books.

Cannot recommend them highly enough.

 

[Retired_Accountant]

If you can use a website that is about as complex as this one, then I'd recommend Crunch.

(can't post the URL because I'm new, but Google "Crunch Accounting"

They respond to emails, in business hours, in minutes and make it as simple as possible to keep your accounts up to date.

They even let you take pictures of receipts on your phone with an app, and they enter it in to your books.

Cannot recommend them highly enough.

How long have you been working for them

 

[JamesP_]

I don't... but they have been my accountant for over 2 years.

Easy to be sceptical I guess, but in the mean time I've got an awesome accountant.. and you've got sarcastic forum replies... sounds like I win

 

[Muffiee]

On your head be it ......... and it probably will be.

Do yourself a huge favour, do NOT go to an online cheap and cheerful outfit.

Search out your local area. Find a local accountant who will sit down face to face with you, discuss your plans and needs, and come up with a tailored support package.

Saving a few pounds now is short sighted. What if something goes wrong? What if you're subjected to a tax or VAT investigation? Do you think some "stack em high and do em cheap" online outfit will be of help to you then?

Will an online outfit know your local bank manager, or solicitor?

Be sensible - go local.

So you wouldn't reccomend online accountants? Is there any particualr reason why an online accountant has a higher risk of leaving you in the lurch if your inspected rather than a local one? can they not both have the same chance of being bad?

 

[JamesP_]

Definitely check out the company (local or online) before signing up.

I don't see any disadvantage to an online accountant, but I'm a web developer and it's no special effort to go online and update my accounts.

If your more of a pen an paper person, maybe find a good local accountant.

 

[Magicbeard]

On your head be it ......... and it probably will be.

Do yourself a huge favour, do NOT go to an online cheap and cheerful outfit.

Search out your local area. Find a local accountant who will sit down face to face with you, discuss your plans and needs, and come up with a tailored support package.

Saving a few pounds now is short sighted. What if something goes wrong? What if you're subjected to a tax or VAT investigation? Do you think some "stack em high and do em cheap" online outfit will be of help to you then?

Will an online outfit know your local bank manager, or solicitor?

Be sensible - go local.

That is sound advice meeting face to face.
Have you ever considered going to your local Business Networking chapter ? they usually have an accountant and you would get the chance to meet as well as find out about thier credentials from the other members of the chapter. Find your local chapter at bni.com or if you are in the Cheltenham / Gloucester area send me a message and I will gladly take you along as a visitor.

 

[Muffiee]

That is sound advice meeting face to face.
Have you ever considered going to your local Business Networking chapter ? they usually have an accountant and you would get the chance to meet as well as find out about thier credentials from the other members of the chapter. Find your local chapter at bni.com or if you are in the Cheltenham / Gloucester area send me a message and I will gladly take you along as a visitor.

Am i missing something, what can be done face2face that cant be done via telephone, video conferencing, email?
What information can you not provide via these methods that you can face2face?

 

[Retired_Accountant]

I don't... but they have been my accountant for over 2 years.

Easy to be sceptical I guess, but in the mean time I've got an awesome accountant.. and you've got sarcastic forum replies... sounds like I win

40 year with my own practice, which 2 of my daughters now run (the other 4 decided on different carreers), has given me lots of experience. You get to know reputations, and other people's experiences, and for anything but the simplest little business, remote professional advice simply doesnt provide the best service. Plus of course, certain practices do get "reputations", and I'm afraid the one you use does not have a reputation I would want.

As in every field there are some rubbish accountants, but there are also some very good ones, probably local to you.

Your accountant should be a trusted partner, someone you confide in, after all he is responsible for caring for your financial health, just like your doctor is responsible for caring for your physical health. Would you consult a doctor online, or would you go to his surgery?

Accountants, good ones, should be doing a lot more than just knocking together your annual acounts and filing your tax return. They should be helping you plan your business, monitor your performance, and be suggesting ways to maximise your profits. To do that he has to know YOU as a person, know your personal strengths and weaknesses - and he njeeds to assess that for himself, not take your word for it. He needs to understand your business, understand the personal financial pressures and responsibilities that drive you, and tailor his advice to your particular circumstances.

If you think you can get that online - good luck.

 

[JamesP_]

40 year with my own practice, which 2 of my daughters now run (the other 4 decided on different carreers), has given me lots of experience. You get to know reputations, and other people's experiences, and for anything but the simplest little business, remote professional advice simply doesnt provide the best service. Plus of course, certain practices do get "reputations", and I'm afraid the one you use does not have a reputation I would want.

Accountants, good ones, should be doing a lot more than just knocking together your annual acounts and filing your tax return. They should be helping you plan your business, monitor your performance, and be suggesting ways to maximise your profits. To do that he has to know YOU as a person, know your personal strengths and weaknesses - and he njeeds to assess that for himself, not take your word for it. He needs to understand your business, understand the personal financial pressures and responsibilities that drive you, and tailor his advice to your particular circumstances.

If you think you can get that online - good luck.

Some good points, however could your clients:

File tax returns at the click of a button?
See interim accounts at any time of day or night?
Send you receipts for you to add as expenses for them?
Get a reply within minutes (via email) during business hours?
Ask questions, and get rapid responses via twitter?

My first accountant wasn't online, and I had to chase him constantly. And responses to even simple questions would take days. I got mine based on the recommendation of a friend, but he still wasn't good enough.

 

[faradaykeynes]

I would strongly recommend a local accountant for one very important reason and that is local business networking and recommendations, it is very important for business growth. Your are more likely to get more business from local accountant then remote one. If being local is not so much important for your business then its a different story.

 

[Retired_Accountant]

Some good points, however could your clients:

.

File tax returns at the click of a button? - The accountant should be filing them, not you.

See interim accounts at any time of day or night? - Based on bookkeeping entries without stock adjustments, accruals

Send you receipts for you to add as expenses for them? - For what purpose?

Get a reply within minutes (via email) during business hours? - or by phone or in person.

Ask questions, and get rapid responses via twitter? - Who in their right mind would discuss confidential information on such a site?

Las year before I handed control to my daughters, my practice turned over £6million, so I reckon I did something right. Mind you, with a wife and 6 daughter to feed, I had to make it succeed

 

[Muffiee]

What benefit could a local accountant bring to an online business selling worldwide that an online one couldn't?
I understand maybe in certain business models they would benefit from networking but surely networking isnt as important to ecommerce businesses? As your customers/suppliers/fulfillers aren't/dont need to be local

 

[Cream2cream]

Where are you based ? We've worked with a really good Accountant nr Peterborough ...

hello, do you details of a accountant for a new small business near this area mentioned?


thanks

 

[Retired_Accountant]

What benefit could a local accountant bring to an online business selling worldwide that an online one couldn't?
I understand maybe in certain business models they would benefit from networking but surely networking isnt as important to ecommerce businesses? As your customers/suppliers/fulfillers aren't/dont need to be local

It's YOU your accountant deals with, not your customers.

It's your organisation that he is concerned with, how you maximise profits, how you minimise costs and risks, ensuring that you comply with legislation. He should be advising you on matters such as the money laundering regulations, or, ensuring that you receive the advice from others.

As your business expands, you will need premises, employees, equipment. This is where your local acountants network of contacts is useful. He know the area in which you are based, he knows the local problems, wat grants may be available, etc etc.

 

[Cream2cream]

yeah accountants defo essential to keep on top of all the regulations/ rules and especially money laundering

 

[ILilja]

I don't have any personal recommendations to share with you, but I work at the online accounting company E-conomic, and we keep this list of Accountants and Bookkeepers in the UK. You can sort by type, service or location (sounds like services are more important for you than physical location, so you should probably start with "Tax & Accounting").

We have actually just opened a review option on these accountants and bookkeepers, so when their customers have come into the habit of using this option, you will find user recommendations - or the contrary - on these pages. This might be useful for you in making that important decision of finding the right accountant for you.

Good luck!

 

[Faevilangel]

PAH accounting, in wiltshire. Run by Phil Hendy who has clients in the area and is down there on a regular basis. Really nice guy too.

 

[Tin]

I can recommend Jenni, at Farrant Frost, very highly, member profile here: http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/member.php?u=17314.

We've recently taken the plunge and changed from a local, bricks and mortar accountant to Farrant Frost and wish we'd done it ages ago.

Like many, we've stuck with local, face to face accountants believing that was the best way to go but can honestly say that in the few months we've been with Jenni, we've learned loads and saved loads in the process.

Ray

 

[QuickHomeBuyers]

I can recommend Jenni, at Farrant Frost, very highly, member profile here: http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/member.php?u=17314.

We've recently taken the plunge and changed from a local, bricks and mortar accountant to Farrant Frost and wish we'd done it ages ago.

Like many, we've stuck with local, face to face accountants believing that was the best way to go but can honestly say that in the few months we've been with Jenni, we've learned loads and saved loads in the process.

Ray

Is it just the costs that have improved?

 

[Tin]

Is it just the costs that have improved?

No, it is great to find an accountant that understands our business completely. Although we've probably halved our accountancy bill the real benefit is feeling that we can understand what our accountant is saying to us and, more importantly, they understand what we are about and how best to help us.

Ray

Ps, when I say we've saved loads I didn't necessarily mean just how much we pay in accountancy fees.

 

[3 MORE YEARS]

I can recommend my accountant. If you are interested pm me and I will send you his details. There is nothing in it for me.

 

[Andrew at Boox]

Definitely check out the company (local or online) before signing up.

I don't see any disadvantage to an online accountant, but I'm a web developer and it's no special effort to go online and update my accounts.

If your more of a pen an paper person, maybe find a good local accountant.

I agree with JamesP. While some people like the re-assurance of face 2 face, using an online accountant is becoming increasingly popular.

Do your due diligence though!
- Check they are on Companies House as a registered business
- Make sure they're not hiding any offshore services like EBTs'!
- Ask them for their HMRC Agent tax code so you know they're registered
- Check the security standards behind their online portal

Ask to have your initial meeting with them face to face if it makes you feel better - most will be willing to meet with you. We've met contractors all over the UK face to face.

Andrew from Boox

 

[mj62mj62]

Hello,

I've only been in business a short time, but my experience so far has been this:

- My Accountant Friend - too busy to care, but amazing website. Rarely did they seem to genuinely care about my finances or ensuring I was optimising my taxes. However, their online system is amazing and the iphone app is fantastic for scanning receipts as they happen. They also have a direct feed from my business bank, so I have a 100% view of my business on their website.

Unfortunately, their online wizardry is let down by their in-person service. Lots of bitty advice without really explaining things.

A few things I could have been claiming as part of my business were missed, (although apparently that's my fault for not reading some of their literature), so it's time for me to switch to someone who will check my accounts in more detail.

If you're new to running your own company and go the online route, I highly recommend doing lots of research yourself and asking your accountant many questions because you only get the level of service you demand and otherwise things may not get spotted. Many of these accountants don't understand what it's like to be new to all of this...


- Crunch - I've just started researching alternative accountants and Crunch were recommended repeatedly by other people. They also have an online system and a phone app.

To me, their online system looks almost as good as My Accountant Friend but most importantly, an Accountant of theirs phoned me today and sounded infinitely more knowledgeable and helpful than MAF.

It appears that you can pay a bit more and get more hand-holding, but if I've learned anything, it's that you really need to look out for yourself and don't count on the guarantees made by these online websites.


Online Systems:
For me an online system is a big advantage because it reduces paperwork significantly and you can see absolutely everything in one place. You can review your tax forms online and just click 'submit to hmrc'. That is amazing! I can't imagine doing all this stuff by hand...

Personal Service:
The best tax advice and the best service is truly down to the accountant themselves and whether they have the energy and caring to really look at your books and tell you what you've missed or could be doing better.


I haven't decided who to switch to myself, but I hope this helps others.

Any advice is greatly appreciated
MJ

 

[MG Plastering Leeds]

my accountant is brilliant.
shes comes out to your house goes through everything with you instead of just a email containing loads of information. she actually tells you whats going on and so you understand

she is based in bradford but covers leeds aswel.
anyone wanting her details ill glady pm them over to you

 

[silverfirefly]

On your head be it ......... and it probably will be.

Do yourself a huge favour, do NOT go to an online cheap and cheerful outfit.

Search out your local area. Find a local accountant who will sit down face to face with you, discuss your plans and needs, and come up with a tailored support package.

Saving a few pounds now is short sighted. What if something goes wrong? What if you're subjected to a tax or VAT investigation? Do you think some "stack em high and do em cheap" online outfit will be of help to you then?

Will an online outfit know your local bank manager, or solicitor?

Be sensible - go local.

Maybe, but around here they're 10 years behind the rest of the country. so I don't have much faith in local businesses in Cornwall.

 

[silverfirefly]

Thanks for the replies.

I spoke to Crunch and they don't mind e-commerce after all, as long as it's not for physical stock. So I could use their service if I need to for the time being.

I'm going to chat to them as their online software is pretty much the best I've tried. If I'm happy with the answers they provide to my questions then I'll go with them. I have a fair bit of confidence because a) they've received a lot of praise from existing customers and b) one of them used to work for HMRC.

I'm going to talk to Forbes Young too, to see what they have to say because they put a lot of emphasis on customer relationships.

If I get nowhere after speaking to them then I'll keep looking.

 

[S&Sltd]

I changed from a cumbersome spreadsheet accountant, who I was with for 5 years to an online accountant and it was the best decision I ever made.
From experience and colleagues advice there are two main online accountants- crunch and My Accountant Friend.
I had a very short spell with crunch, however had issues with collaborating my HSBC account so changed to My Accountant Friend.
I cannot recommend them highly enough, they submit all my year end submission smoothly and my accountant answers all my questions very quickly and accurately. Excellent service and they even take you out for the occasional jolly!!

 

[Cream2cream]

how much should u be paying for the accountancy service?

 

[RichardLewis2535]

I would always aim to pay less than my colleagues but to still get the same services

 

[RichardLewis2535]

how much should u be paying for the accountancy service?

I would always aim to pay less than my colleagues but to still get the same services