Help! accountants sending multiple invoices , over 6K!

[Annakarenana]

Hello

Looking for some help and perspective here. I got some services from an accounts firm for company set up services. I’m a contractor. I paid those fees and they offered me annual accountancy package for 200 transactions at 3K per year, as described on the price list. I paid that in November last year. In the meantime I asked about payroll services and wanted to check what the services include so there has been some back and forth. They changed their prices during these discussions which I had to point out. It’s been difficult to get clarity as to what the service includes. That fee is approx 1800. The hourly rate was clearly changed during discussions, initially it was 150 per hours for 12 work. Later it was 1800 (180 per hour x 10 hours). Once I pointed out a price change they said it’s 150 per hour x 10 hours but they’ve charged two hours answering my questions regarding the fee estimate and services included. I was not told about this as being a cost I was to incur. They ignored / sidestepped the fact they changed price

To add to it they’ve sent me another 3K invoice for ‘annual accountancy package 2025’ per the invoice description. Note the price list says Annual accountacy package 3K per year.

Any help how to manage this? 3K for one month of accountancy is unbelievable but perhaps they are not suggesting that and just asking for 2025 payment early? This is the main point I’m concerned about. AIBU to think they expect me to pay 3K for one month?

I don’t want any huge escalations with the firm here. I’m keen to just get the year accounts done and find another firm.

I’m tempted to leave the payroll for now.

Guidance much appreciated.

1. Ask them for an itemized breakdown of tasks and associated costs for all work to date. Create a spreadsheet with a row for each item

1. Cross check this with the contract and correspondence with them and work out what is valid, what you think is invalid and any queries you have. Add in a column for a response

1. Send this to your accountants, requesting them to respond.

Thank you. Should I respond asking them to clarify what the 2025 invoice includes? At the moment the price list says accounting per year. I’m concerned that they will say 3k for 2024 was just November to December 2024 and now I have to pay again for 2025.

Bumping! Any comments or suggestions would be really appreciated. Thank you in advance!

hi im an accountant and these fees are ridiculous, 3k for 200 transactions a year? that is a v odd quote. I would quote for book keeping if required and the accounts at year end. Pls message me if you need more help x

Thanks so much for your reply @Beebeedoo PMs are disabled at the moment by MN so messaging you here. Yes it’s pricey I agree. It’s actually for the Swiss market so while on the higher end, it was in range with other quotes. I’m worried this new 2025 invoice is them trying to get extra fees and claim the invoice I paid in November 2024 was just for that year. So basically just one month. Perhaps I’m reading too much into it. There is no written contract just online terms that the contract will automatically renew unless terminated with notice as set out in the agreed signed contract but there is no contract. As mentioned the price list says Anuual accountancy package, up 200 transactions. 3k per year. I’m planning to go back and say I’ve already paid the invoice for annual services for a year in November 2024?

It seems a very odd way of charging you and pretty steep as well.

I would contact them and ask them to explain exactly what you have paid for so far and what the current invoice is for. They should be able to clearly explain that and if not I would move elsewhere.

I did ask the head of firm to explain but got no response. When asked about payroll and what would be included I got charged for those questions being answered but in short the answer was it will be per hour and we cannot estimate that. I suspect it’s either they want to say it’s a calendar year set up so only got one month last year or it’s an automatic renewal. If I move on I might lose the 3k paid. Thanks for your reply. Really appreciated.