Advice on finding an accountant, please

[milkwasabadchoice]

I own half a flat that is let out to tenants. A friend owns the other half. Our financial circumstances are a bit different - she is self employed for a start, I am not.

I think I need an accountant to help/advise me on a) income tax/tax returns and b) capital gains tax issues related to when we come to sell the place.

But how do I find a reliable person, and what would I expect to pay them and what sort of things can thy do? I know it's a bit dim but I don't really understand what service they provide and how it works. Thanks!

make a list of questions, ask the same questions of a handful of local accountants, see which one then feels right for you

1. what services do they think you need (you can PM me after and I will tell you if they are trying to sell you stuff you do not need)
2. how much will it cost per year
3. what will they do and what will they expect you to do

tbh the more you can do the better, ie filing receipts and putting the figures on a bit of paper/spreadsheet/whatever works for you

the alternative is a reccomendation from a friend, ie someone who already has an accountant.... your friend who co owns the flat most likely has an accountant already for example

Most decent accountants will do a free first consultation so look out for those.

Go for somebody who is qualified. Not all accountants are (it should say in their name, letterhead, adverts etc) and although I expect they do a decent enough job most of the time they aren't knowledgeable enough if something unusual comes up.

My husband has his own practice (I work for him part time) and a simple tax return would be about £120 a year for a tax return. The advice on the capital gains implications of selling, when that happens would be included in that as it would be part of that year's tax return calculation but if there there complications there might be a little more to pay.

Google is your best bet, if you can't get a personal recommendation. As MissingMySleep says, have a list of questions, use your free consultation and see who you get along with best.

This is the best place I know for finding accountants ready to take on clients
www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/accounts-finance.55/

Great - thank you everyone