Changing accountants
Discussion
I'm a contractor and use SJD. Their services has become dire of late. I would say boarder line incompetent. They send me emails and bills (sometimes taking money from me) which are meant for other customers.
It's now time to move on as I'm paying top money for a shoddy service.
When is it best to move accountants? Should it be done after my next company accounts are done or is it fine to do it mid-year? If I do it mid-year is another accountant likely to was a full years fees for the next company accounts?
It's now time to move on as I'm paying top money for a shoddy service.
When is it best to move accountants? Should it be done after my next company accounts are done or is it fine to do it mid-year? If I do it mid-year is another accountant likely to was a full years fees for the next company accounts?
I too am with SJD.
Their performance has nosedived in the past two years, mistakes in my annual accounts, email ping pong to get the most basic of answers, emails not responded to in business hours etc.
Curious to know what aspect you are suffering with and following this topic as interested to hear how easy it is to move.
Their performance has nosedived in the past two years, mistakes in my annual accounts, email ping pong to get the most basic of answers, emails not responded to in business hours etc.
Curious to know what aspect you are suffering with and following this topic as interested to hear how easy it is to move.
sparks85 said:
I too am with SJD.
Their performance has nosedived in the past two years, mistakes in my annual accounts, email ping pong to get the most basic of answers, emails not responded to in business hours etc.
Curious to know what aspect you are suffering with and following this topic as interested to hear how easy it is to move.
Issues I've had...Their performance has nosedived in the past two years, mistakes in my annual accounts, email ping pong to get the most basic of answers, emails not responded to in business hours etc.
Curious to know what aspect you are suffering with and following this topic as interested to hear how easy it is to move.
Send someone else's books/accounts to approve
Emails sent to me warning me to stop taking dividends monthly (I don't)
Their calculations for PAYE don't match HMRC bills, so I''ve ended up paying extra bills which SJD just shrug off.
Poor responding to emails
Issues taking months to resolve with no updates until I chase.
Incorrect extra bill for submitting my selection assessment late (I didn't).
Just got a bill for filling in the property page on my Self Assessment, which has never been extra before (the straw that broke the camel's back)
I need to trust my accountant to be professional and to make sure my dealings with HMRC are above board and legitimate. At the moment I don't trust them to get the basics right.
red_slr said:
Are you just one person? VAT and PAYE are easy and DIY imho.
Are you doing anything else complex? Co car or directors loans? Do you use any kind of s/w?
I pay a bookkeeper a small amount to do the paperwork. I do have a director's loan. I don't use any software.Are you doing anything else complex? Co car or directors loans? Do you use any kind of s/w?
I want to keep things simple and legitimate so am happy to pay an accountant, if only for the peace of mind alone.
You haven't answered about the year end yet. The handover can be a bit awkward if your company year end is not close to or the same as your personal income tax year.
In April the whole VAT system is change to a digital only submission system. If you do intend to complete your own VAT returns, you will need to ensure you have the correct software up and running by then.
In April the whole VAT system is change to a digital only submission system. If you do intend to complete your own VAT returns, you will need to ensure you have the correct software up and running by then.
Eric Mc said:
You haven't answered about the year end yet. The handover can be a bit awkward if your company year end is not close to or the same as your personal income tax year.
In April the whole VAT system is change to a digital only submission system. If you do intend to complete your own VAT returns, you will need to ensure you have the correct software up and running by then.
Apologies, the year end is January.In April the whole VAT system is change to a digital only submission system. If you do intend to complete your own VAT returns, you will need to ensure you have the correct software up and running by then.
I want to transfer to a local accountant, someone I can meet and discuss my whole financial situation rather then just focus on the Ltd company in isolation.
red_slr said:
I would do your PAYE and VAT yourself.
Pay an accountant to do your year end.
HTH!
Re: the DIY approach to PAYE and VAT, i think it depends to a large degree on the size and complexity of the OP's business. he would need to take into account factors such asPay an accountant to do your year end.
HTH!
- number of employees
- turnover
- number of customers, volume of transactions,
Like a lot of jobs, with a bit of time and effort it IS possible to DIY, especially if it's a One man band type of business. However sometimes it makes more sense to employ a professional.
ETA if a person can do PAYE and VAT there's no reason why they couldn't do a self assessment return. Again, it depends on how complex their arrangements are.
jammy-git said:
Just to jump on this, does anyone have any experience of The Wow Company? They specialise in accountancy for digital services.
I've got no experience of Wow but from prior experiences would be careful with any practice that claims to focus on both SMEs and industry sectors. I got through a fair share of them as we grew our business and while they could do the simple stuff well, at the slightest hint of complexity (e.g. EMI scheme for staff share options) then things went rapidly south.I'm sure there are practices that can and will scale with you but I would focus on damn good accountants first and then look at shiny website and or industry specialisation.
bga said:
jammy-git said:
Just to jump on this, does anyone have any experience of The Wow Company? They specialise in accountancy for digital services.
I've got no experience of Wow but from prior experiences would be careful with any practice that claims to focus on both SMEs and industry sectors. I got through a fair share of them as we grew our business and while they could do the simple stuff well, at the slightest hint of complexity (e.g. EMI scheme for staff share options) then things went rapidly south.I'm sure there are practices that can and will scale with you but I would focus on damn good accountants first and then look at shiny website and or industry specialisation.
zubzob said:
The M.D. won’t be doing your books though. His job is mostly sales. The actual ongoing work may be completed by a trainee with no qualifications, then signed off by a slightly more experienced trainee with no qualifications.
It’s the Director who signs off (their own) company accounts, not the Accountant.zubzob said:
+1 that VAT and PAYE is very easy to DIY.
But if ltd accounts are involved, I'd get the new accountant to do them year 1 to ensure smooth transition, or at least get them to check your work first time.
I would rather get an accountant to do it all, if anything I want them more involved. I don't just have income from my Ltd co, so I want advice based on my entire income.But if ltd accounts are involved, I'd get the new accountant to do them year 1 to ensure smooth transition, or at least get them to check your work first time.
Edited by zubzob on Monday 30th July 13:43
I also expect to retire in the next few years, and possibly be moving abroad. At the same time I'll be selling investment property. My finances could get very complicated, so I need to make sure everything is square with HMRC.
As an accountant we find that dealing with every aspect of the company makes things a whole lot smoother. Instead of asking for you to provide the information or as you say constantly emailing back and forth having all the information in house is much more efficient. Also as accountants we can make sure everything is getting done correctly as the tax system is forever evolving and keeping up with all of that can be quite the task as an individual. With regards to moving accountants I would say the only real concern would be giving ample time to get the exchange done before any submission dates to get 64-8's, professional clearance, money laundering checks can all done.
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