Accountant recommendation

[jellylegs7]

Hi

I currently operate a very small limited company and am about to part ways with my current accountant due to poor advice being offered. My accountants are very simple - limited company, single contracts running at any one time, one employee who is about to take maternity within the company.

Would anyone have any good recommendations on an accountant who can help me with my accounts - VAT returns, maternity payments, year end accounts etc?

TIA

[kateemo]

I was just coming on here to ask for an accountant recommendation . . . Good luck and here's a bump for your thread!

[jellylegs7]

Thanks. Its also prompted me to realise that I shouls have said that my accounts are very simple. Not my accountants!

[kateemo]

I've gone and submitted a request for a call back from these people: www.allaboutaccountants.com . They were recommended on another thread, below.

I'm thinking of switching from limited company to sole trader. I'm now not sure why I was advised to start a limited company. I have a small business, I'm the only employee. And I need a good accountant.

We could just keep bumping this thread until the accountant of our dreams pops on.

[jellylegs7]

I'm in exactly the same boat. Currently VAT registered to. I just need someone to explain my options to me in plain English and check my accounts really. Luckily my OH loves a good spreadsheet and does most of it for me. I'd be interested in the rate you get quoted. I was paying £260 a quarter but then he missed a lot of stuff and has ended up costing me money (hence the current search). I found some others online that ranged from £90-120 a month, which seemed a lot for the amount of work involved. I'd have thought we might be the ideal clients for a part-time/home based/returning to work gradually mum?

[Badbadbunny]

Be aware that literally anyone can call themselves an accountant and start an accountancy business. It's not a protected term unlike other professions such as solicitors, dentists, architects, etc. A lot of the internet based "specialist" firms of accountants aren't actually qualified or regulated.

Unless you get a personal recommendation from an existing happy customer, you should aim to ensure that anyone you're thinking of using is properly qualified and regulated. That means that they'd have insurance in case of mistakes, a regulator to complain to about poor service, and certainty that they're up to date with the ever changing legislation. A good starting point is to look for the word "chartered" in the business name or on their website or letterhead.

The "non" qualifieds aren't necessarily cheaper either.

Best to contact a few prospective firms and talk to them and choose one that you can relate to properly, not just the cheapest or nearest or the one with the shiniest website!

[Badbadbunny]

I'd have thought we might be the ideal clients for a part-time/home based/returning to work gradually mum?

Nice idea in theory, but with tax and company accounting laws/regulations/exemptions changing constantly, you soon become out of date if you're not doing it day in, day out. Also, accounts preparation software and tax return software can be quite expensive so is often cost prohibitive for someone doing just a few accounts/returns each year. You'd easily find someone to do the basic book-keeping on a part time/return to work basis as book-keeping never changes, but you really need an up to date accountant to prepare & submit company accounts and returns.

[kateemo]

Thanks badbunny. Appreciate the advice. This seems a bit of a minefield.

[kateemo]

Hey Jellylegs--I've PMed you with some info

[jellylegs7]

That's all really helpful and insightful. Thanks BadBadBunny.

[Hoppinggreen]

I have just done a Customer Retention project for a firm of Accountants.
I don't use them myself so cant comment as a client but I can tell you that their clients absolutely love them - I didn't come across one negative comment at all.
If anyone wants their details PM me