What do you look for in an accountant?

What do you look for in an accountant?

Author
Discussion

uknick

Original Poster:

884 posts

185 months

Friday 17th March 2017
quotequote all
The other day a friend said I ought to look for a new accountant. I've been with my current one for a couple of years since I started.

The reason he thought I ought to change was purely based on price.

Whilst I've no real complaints about my accountant, it did get me thinking about what I should be looking for if I were to change.

So, what do you look for in your accountant, and why might you change?

Eric Mc

122,094 posts

266 months

Friday 17th March 2017
quotequote all
I think the first question is, what service are you getting from your current one?

uknick

Original Poster:

884 posts

185 months

Friday 17th March 2017
quotequote all
Currently I'm getting VAT and Corporation Tax returns, payroll and Ltd company accounts completion.

Eric Mc

122,094 posts

266 months

Friday 17th March 2017
quotequote all
And are they being completed competently and on time?

Are you getting any business advice? In other words, is the accountant doing more than just providing the bare minimum compliance requirements?

If not, would you be willing to pay extra to get it?

If you think the accountant isn't providing everything you would like, have you spoken to them about whether they could provide you with more?

DSLiverpool

14,769 posts

203 months

Saturday 18th March 2017
quotequote all
I've always used a big accountant who looked after me but always on the meter at about £1k a quarter, our new one is too far the other way at £250 a quarter and passive they only do more than the basics if I ask twice.

Would love a happy medium

Monkeylegend

26,476 posts

232 months

Monday 20th March 2017
quotequote all
DSLiverpool said:
I've always used a big accountant who looked after me but always on the meter at about £1k a quarter, our new one is too far the other way at £250 a quarter and passive they only do more than the basics if I ask twice.

Would love a happy medium
Have you tried Derek McGillivray?

DSLiverpool

14,769 posts

203 months

Monday 20th March 2017
quotequote all
Monkeylegend said:
Have you tried Derek McGillivray?
I`ll google it but he / they are not on my radar

EViS

393 posts

164 months

Tuesday 21st March 2017
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DSLiverpool said:
Monkeylegend said:
DSLiverpool said:
Would love a happy medium
Have you tried Derek McGillivray?
I`ll google it but he / they are not on my radar
claprofl

DSLiverpool

14,769 posts

203 months

Tuesday 21st March 2017
quotequote all
Googled and contacted, he is crap with money but got in touch with my dad who said there was £20 behind the couch

WEHGuy

1,347 posts

174 months

Wednesday 22nd March 2017
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DSLiverpool said:
Googled and contacted, he is crap with money but got in touch with my dad who said there was £20 behind the couch
biggrin