Awful accountants have screwd up my VAT return and I now owe a lot more

[Swifey]

I also seem to owe an awful lot of company tax, even after hardly owing anything. I am vat registered, but don't know if it's worthwhile, and wonder what to do. I am a ltd company. My accountants are terrible, and have accepted that they got the vat wrong, and not me, but I am still accountable for it. I really need an accountant who will help and explain to me which is the best way around, what I can claim for, etc. My accountants refuse to do this, and I feel I am practically paying out more than I get!! Please help, and if anyone knows of any good accountants in Wiltshire, south glos, or west Berkshire that would be great. I would also like to know how you find good and friendly accountants. Any help gratefully received.

At least with a properly qualified you are guaranteed they have the training and ongoing supervision.
Um no.
You are assuming that they had it at some time in the past

and hoping that the person actually doing your work is the person at the firm who shakes your hand : rarely the case.

Umm yes. They have definitely had the training. They declare each year that they have done the required CPD so unless they are lying then they should have the relevant CPD and be up to date.

I agree totally about who is actually doing the work, and would generally advise a smaller firm for the reason that the qualified person is more likely to actually be doing the work. As a sole practitioner I have definitely used this as a selling point over larger firms.

NeuNew
The reason I chanced bodies was because my former one did not recognise my niche as a valid cause for CPD
then suggested I attended courses by the leading trainer in the area (me)
so I parted company and switched to one who understand what I do.

But yes, staying up to date on issues
or being willing to say no to work that is outside your field is an important part of being a sole practitioner

I think you guys are putting far too much reliance on CPD. Don't tell ACCA but I don't know anyone who does it fully and the requirements are minimal- with the firm usually sending everyone on a day or two refresher course. They're also objectives centred around what you want for your career, not the best way to serve your client

They're also objectives centred around what you want for your career, not the best way to serve your client
Too right.
THey got well hacked that my "development matrix" involved taking August off to be with my kids every year

You can ask to see anyone's PI insurance certificate if that matters to you.

Yonic
Actually, that is a really good point.

If the person you are talking to cannot show that they - personally, or their Ltd Co - has PII
walk away
as without our PII we are just pissing in the wind.

I have ??400,000 and an 18 year no claims record.
I'm happy for any client to check with my current or former body and insurer to prove those facts.

If the accountant you approach is not willing to do the same, walk on.

As a licenced member in practice with AAT you have to renew your licence every year. you have to prove that you have PII and that your CPD is up to date.

I only undertake work that I am licenced for, I don't do IHT or CGT. I don't do Limited Companies final accounts. If people approach me for those services I point them in the direction of my former employers with whom I have a good working relationship.

My business is called "???? Bookkeeping" so i dont advertise as an accountant, but I do do accounts and tax returns, along with VAT and payroll. All of my work is now from word of mouth, I don't advertise any more. i have 20 years experience which is worth a lot.

I am not saying that AAT is equal to ACCA or ACA but it does need to be recognised as a decent qualification, too many people put it down.

we make very good money out of sorting out the messes left by a particular top 20 accountancy firm. Thankfully we also have a pool of accountancy firms who refer their specialist work to us as they know it's outwith their expertise/comfort zone.

OP (and anyone else) - go with qualified, registered and insured, but ALSO personal recommendation. And remember you usually get what you pay for - it's cheap for a reason. Although very expensive isn't always best either (see above).

Skyeskyeskye - I'm sorry you thought I was putting you and your qualification down. That was not the intention. I did purposefully state that is as a "good valid qualification" but I do also stick to the fact that it is a lower qualification than ACA or ACCA.

thelushinthepub - I do place great emphasis on CPD and do keep up with it (FCA). Perhaps it is because I am a sole practitioner and so feel I do really need to keep up with what is going on. I would estimate that between webinars and face to face training I do 5-8 days a year of training in addition to lots of reading up on issues when they come out (new dividend tax anyone?!)

ta1kinpeace - it's a shame your institute did not recognise your niche. I am a general practitioner so aware I have to keep up to date with most things that are going on, I am however not afraid to turn down work outside of my comfort zone and have done previously. I work on my own as a lifestyle choice and want to sleep at night knowing I have done a good job, not being stressed as I wasn't sure what I was doing.

no it's ok, I agree it is a lower qualification, but this is why I only get myself licenced for the work that I am qualified/experienced in and always tell people if I can't help them. :)