Tax Assist Accountants

[TaxAssist]

Surely you have something in your franchise agreement to cover behaviour of franchisees?

Yes it's about bringing the brand in to disrepute but we haven't had the need to use that. What's in your associate agreement?

 

[elaine@cheapaccounting]

Yes it's about bringing the brand in to disrepute but we haven't had the need to use that. What's in your associate agreement?

ha ha ha I'm hardly likely to tell you that!


Suffice it to say this is well covered PLUS I only take on qualifieds so do not have the issue of them being unregulated as you do. Hence I would this as more of a need for coverage in your agreement.

I wrote about it on my blog only last night in fact...

Just how do you get the E in QBE?

http://www.cheapaccounting.co.uk/blog/index.php/just-how-do-you-get-the-e-in-qbe/

 

[CSBob]

Yes it's about bringing the brand in to disrepute but we haven't had the need to use that.

That's all? Whatever happened to the most basic principal in business of "putting the customer first"? Can I (representing that customer) only expect this from smaller operations now?

Perhaps more to the point, when did "brand protection" supersede "customer protection" in your business ethos, or has that always been the case?

I'm not just taking potshots - I'm genuinely interested why I, as a potential client, should consider a Tax Assist franchisee over a non-franchisee, specifically concerning the points I've raised above.

 

[elaine@cheapaccounting]

'm genuinely interested why I, as a potential client, should consider a Tax Assist franchisee over a non-franchisee, specifically concerning the points I've raised above.

Bob -With respect should your comment read "consider a Tax Assist franchisee over another accountant?"

 

[TaxAssist]

That's all? Whatever happened to the most basic principal in business of "putting the customer first"? Can I (representing that customer) only expect this from smaller operations now?

Perhaps more to the point, when did "brand protection" supersede "customer protection" in your business ethos, or has that always been the case?

I'm not just taking potshots - I'm genuinely interested why I, as a potential client, should consider a Tax Assist franchisee over a non-franchisee, specifically concerning the points I've raised above.

Sorry CSBob, just for clarities sake, I was talking about the contents of a franchise agreement and not how well we train our network in customer service and just how few complaints we ever receive because our network are trained very well in listening to the client, understanding their needs and addressing them accordingly. I was answering generally not a direct quote from our franchise agreement.

We constantly train and update our network on the need to be pro-active in order to impress clients and be there for them when they need accounting and tax support. We also look for this before taking a new accountant on within our network.

In 1995 our founder realised that small business owners were not receiving the right level of service as they should be and with 200 offices and 36,000 clients across the UK, he was right! We opened the same concept in Ireland through a master franchise over 18 months ago and they have found that there is also a need for a local accountancy practice which looks at what the client wants and needs.

Our entire business model was created from understanding what the client wants and needs from a local accountancy service and everything we do to continually improve our service is starts with the client in mind.

If we didn't look for what the client wants and if other accountants were looking after small businesses well 16 years ago then our founder would have struggled to grow the network and we wouldn't be the size we are today.

Elaine - We also take on qualified accountants but the ones without are only taken on with the agreement that they employ qualified accountants.

 

[elaine@cheapaccounting]

Elaine - We also take on qualified accountants but the ones without are only taken on with the agreement that they employ qualified accountants.

Oh I didn't know that - so a non qualified buys the franchise but has to have qualified staff working for them. So effectively regulated in that way then.



Great stuff.



That is really good to know.


I'm not sure that is understood in the wider accoutring community. So that could be a good opportunity for a wee bit of PR work for you.

 

[MyAccountantOnline]

Oh I didn't know that - so a non qualified buys the franchise but has to have qualified staff working for them. So effectively regulated in that way then.

Yes indeed that is reassuring - I didnt realise that franchisees have to employ a qualified accountant if they arent qualified accountants themselves. I did wonder how they managed to operate as accountants

 

[TaxAssist]

Yes and also we don't just take anyone, they have to have a financial background like a bank manager or an auditor.

I think we do need to work on our PR for the franchise a bit more to help people understand us better. Thanks Elaine.

 

[CSBob]

Sorry CSBob, just for clarities sake (snip to save space)

Good answer, and thanks for taking the time to address this. I'm happy to say that my concerns have been allayed.

It would be unfair to tar all franchises with the same brush and in hindsight I may have been doing so here - for which you have my sincere apologies.

 

[CSBob]

Bob -With respect should your comment read "consider a Tax Assist franchisee over another accountant?"

Indeed it should. Seems to be my day for apologising.

 

[andrew.watkins]

The TaxAssist branches in my area are typical of the franchise. One is reasonable and run by a Chartered Accountant the other is run by the equivalent of a used car salesman. As previously mentioned, you really need to know the individual's qualification and experience.

TaxAssist's target market is 'white van man' which is why they are so cheap. If your business is very simple and you value cheapness more than good advice then TaxAssist may be just the thing!

Sorry if that sounds a bit harsh but I think it is pretty fair.

Good luck!

Andrew

Since when CMA are considered as Qualified accountants?

 

[Anna Chandley]

Since when CMA are considered as Qualified accountants?

CIMA members are not only qualified accountants they are members of a chartered accountancy body.

 

[Abacus Accountants]

CIMA members are not only qualified accountants they are members of a chartered accountancy body.

Thank you for that Anna. I guess that someone is on a bit a of wind-up in their lunchtime so it's not worth rising to the bait.