Recommendations for A/ctants

[projectsdesignwear]

Basically my company accountants are due very soon. I studied basic accountancy at Uni and so do all my own VAT returns and have had a go at my company accounts. I've made a balance sheet and have a cashflow forecast for the 12mths period. I'm not an expert but feel it's a good foundation for a qualified accountant to look at and take forward. I was wondering if anyone could recommend someone in either Nottingham or East London that I could use. I'm on a budget and don't want to pay a shocking amount, but I'm aware that a good accountant is worth his weight in gold and could point out startegies that actually save money. Also the accountants I have done are basic and require things like depreciation adding, as well as other little things I may have missed.
Should I aim for a local accountant or should I look further afield and consider using someone I only communicate with over the phone and via email? what/who would you guys recommend? Thanks in advance

 

[taxattack]

I would say that most communication with your accountant will be via phone/email, wherever they are based.

However, it's useful to have the occasional face-to-face, as a minimum, say, an initial/early meeting, and an annual review/sign-off/forward-planning meeting.

Pls pm me if you wish to discuss further.

Chris

 

[elaine@cheapaccounting]

Have a look at the sticky on how to select an accountant

 

[Jenni384]

Hi

It's really up to your own preference whether or not you have a local accountant you can see face-to-face.
I am sure most of the accountants on here have a lot of local clients, but have others who are also further afield and are happy to communicate by email/phone.

The key thing is to find someone with whom you are happy to work.
Also, get a fixed fee agreed up front.

Best of luck, and feel free to PM if you wish.

Jenni

 

[deniser]

When we had to find an accountant we looked up a few in the yellow pages, then my husband went to have an initial free consultation with 3 that we selected making sure that they were accredited to the relevant governing body (forgotten what it is called - Association of Chartered Accountants maybe?) pretty randomly and out of those 3 there was one chap that he got on particularly well with. What we liked was his experience of real businesses - he was not just academic - with lots of anecdotes about things that past clients had done. We gave him a go and have been using him ever since. We based our decision on the fact that we liked the man rather than the price.

He helped us to set up basic book keeping and from there on we rarely communicate except at the time when we do the annual accounts but we do have a face to face meeting once a year - about 2 hrs - to go through the accounts and discuss anything we want to and get advice for the next year.

It works wonderfully for us.

 

[DuaneJackson]

We have a few good KashFlow accountants in East London. Joy at Joy and Co and Julie at Barry & Co (0208 534 6122) are both active members here on the forum. And Peter Bell in Nottingham comes highly recommended from those I know that use him.

 

[jholden]

Well I may as well add my two penny's worth.

Firstly, we are proof that the need for a local accountant is a thing of the past, we act nationally as we are 'online', and as previously stated you will deal via phone/email a lot anyway.

That said, as Elaine has said look at the sticky, selecting an accountant is not easy.

Things to remember, if you don't mind a few small pointers, ensure they are qualified, this gives some comfort to a minimum standard of education but more importantly means they will have to carry insurance and as a member of a professional body this gives you some comeback.

Next, as has already been mentioned, make sure you can get on with them, this is the most important part of the relationship IMO, after all, qualifications and ability are usually a given (rightly or wrongly) but getting along is something that is a must!

Then, what will he/she do to help you with your business, starting with now, ask them as you are a growing/new business, who is in a particular position at present, then ask them for a gesture of goodwill, a deal on the price now to help you and in return they gain a client!

And do not forget, FIXED FEES, always agree fees, saves troubles later on.

Finally, GOOD LUCK, because it is still a mine field, choose carefully and choose well.

Jason