My accountant is useless!
Discussion
I need a bit of a rant, and some advice.
My business (sole trader) has a turnover of about £350k. I use Quickbooks and do my own VAT returns and payroll. I pay my accountant £100 a month to produce my year end tax returns for the business and myself. In actual fact it's £1000 + vat but I prefer to pay it monthly.
I got married two years ago, I know I'm not claiming my married allowance. My wife doesn't work, but could be a partner in the business to alleviate tax or perhaps form a Ltd Company? Every time I speak to my accountant I feel like I'm back at school and in front of the Headmaster for some sort of misdemeanor. It's not a pleasurable experience at all. And it really shouldn't be like that, should it?
The final straw came today when, having heard nothing from them, I phoned concerned that the tax returns were due in a couple of weeks. "Your books are in with us, aren't they?" Err, no. Since using Quickbooks, I was told you would let me know what you need as bank accounts etc are linked to Quickbooks (in fact, looking at Qb, it seems it will submit my business tax return for me).Now I have to spend a couple of days trying to gather up all my bank statements and finance statements, etc in a hurry.
Anyway, advise me, I need a new accountant, someone who doesn't make me feel like I'm on trial, and competent don't I? I don't mind putting in the work to ensure that Qb is up to date and tidy (reconcile Bank feed, etc) I do this anyway. I like to keep on top of things. I feel I'm doing all the work here.
My business (sole trader) has a turnover of about £350k. I use Quickbooks and do my own VAT returns and payroll. I pay my accountant £100 a month to produce my year end tax returns for the business and myself. In actual fact it's £1000 + vat but I prefer to pay it monthly.
I got married two years ago, I know I'm not claiming my married allowance. My wife doesn't work, but could be a partner in the business to alleviate tax or perhaps form a Ltd Company? Every time I speak to my accountant I feel like I'm back at school and in front of the Headmaster for some sort of misdemeanor. It's not a pleasurable experience at all. And it really shouldn't be like that, should it?
The final straw came today when, having heard nothing from them, I phoned concerned that the tax returns were due in a couple of weeks. "Your books are in with us, aren't they?" Err, no. Since using Quickbooks, I was told you would let me know what you need as bank accounts etc are linked to Quickbooks (in fact, looking at Qb, it seems it will submit my business tax return for me).Now I have to spend a couple of days trying to gather up all my bank statements and finance statements, etc in a hurry.
Anyway, advise me, I need a new accountant, someone who doesn't make me feel like I'm on trial, and competent don't I? I don't mind putting in the work to ensure that Qb is up to date and tidy (reconcile Bank feed, etc) I do this anyway. I like to keep on top of things. I feel I'm doing all the work here.
Try the companies on ContractorUK:
https://www.contractoruk.com/directory/contractor_...
I use Langdowns who have offices in Southampton, Andover & Basingstoke:
https://www.langdownsdfk.com/
Not cheap though - more than you are paying at the moment.
https://www.contractoruk.com/directory/contractor_...
I use Langdowns who have offices in Southampton, Andover & Basingstoke:
https://www.langdownsdfk.com/
Not cheap though - more than you are paying at the moment.
Tyre Smoke said:
I need a bit of a rant, and some advice.
My business (sole trader) has a turnover of about £350k. I use Quickbooks and do my own VAT returns and payroll. I pay my accountant £100 a month to produce my year end tax returns for the business and myself. In actual fact it's £1000 + vat but I prefer to pay it monthly.
I got married two years ago, I know I'm not claiming my married allowance. My wife doesn't work, but could be a partner in the business to alleviate tax or perhaps form a Ltd Company? Every time I speak to my accountant I feel like I'm back at school and in front of the Headmaster for some sort of misdemeanor. It's not a pleasurable experience at all. And it really shouldn't be like that, should it?
The final straw came today when, having heard nothing from them, I phoned concerned that the tax returns were due in a couple of weeks. "Your books are in with us, aren't they?" Err, no. Since using Quickbooks, I was told you would let me know what you need as bank accounts etc are linked to Quickbooks (in fact, looking at Qb, it seems it will submit my business tax return for me).Now I have to spend a couple of days trying to gather up all my bank statements and finance statements, etc in a hurry.
Anyway, advise me, I need a new accountant, someone who doesn't make me feel like I'm on trial, and competent don't I? I don't mind putting in the work to ensure that Qb is up to date and tidy (reconcile Bank feed, etc) I do this anyway. I like to keep on top of things. I feel I'm doing all the work here.
I use to have an accountant like that, very old school and would talk as if he was all knowing and I was stupid. I moved after 2 years. I’m now with one of the Tax Assist franchises and very happy. I pay £900 for 2 x VAT registered businesses and a couple of BTL. Obviously each TA franchisee will have different ownership, but ours have been fantastic, very approachable, and VFM.My business (sole trader) has a turnover of about £350k. I use Quickbooks and do my own VAT returns and payroll. I pay my accountant £100 a month to produce my year end tax returns for the business and myself. In actual fact it's £1000 + vat but I prefer to pay it monthly.
I got married two years ago, I know I'm not claiming my married allowance. My wife doesn't work, but could be a partner in the business to alleviate tax or perhaps form a Ltd Company? Every time I speak to my accountant I feel like I'm back at school and in front of the Headmaster for some sort of misdemeanor. It's not a pleasurable experience at all. And it really shouldn't be like that, should it?
The final straw came today when, having heard nothing from them, I phoned concerned that the tax returns were due in a couple of weeks. "Your books are in with us, aren't they?" Err, no. Since using Quickbooks, I was told you would let me know what you need as bank accounts etc are linked to Quickbooks (in fact, looking at Qb, it seems it will submit my business tax return for me).Now I have to spend a couple of days trying to gather up all my bank statements and finance statements, etc in a hurry.
Anyway, advise me, I need a new accountant, someone who doesn't make me feel like I'm on trial, and competent don't I? I don't mind putting in the work to ensure that Qb is up to date and tidy (reconcile Bank feed, etc) I do this anyway. I like to keep on top of things. I feel I'm doing all the work here.
With regard payinging your accountant, whilst it suits you to pay monthly, I feel it is much easier to track where you are if you just pay for their services annually on invoice. I presume you’re paying in advance so can only really move at year end to ensure you get full value from your payments?
I also use QB, albeit the desktop version. You can easily reconcile and get your books saved and the files either emailed or allow them access to your online account. They should file them not you.
Your bank account statements can be downloaded for the full year and saved as a single PDF. Just email them the file.
Honestly if you’re fairly up to date with you bookkeeping (which you should be at year end), it won’t more than a couple of hours to reconcile to give everything electronically to them.
My partner works in our business so our accountant formed a partnership, and all our income is shared 50/50, so we use both our tax allowances. I suggest you ask your new accountant about this, or whether a ltd company may suit you better.
Next year, move! A few years ago I made a list of all the people I didn’t like to deal with and spend a weeks changjng them. Best thing I did. Remember you have a choice. Good Luck.
You're a sole trader so you don't actually need a full-blown accountant. If your affairs are simple and you're tidy with the admin you could use a competent book-keeper to do the HMRC end for you, and it would cost less.
Your accountant may think you're too small and just a nuisance. A book-keeper however would take £350K seriously.
Your accountant may think you're too small and just a nuisance. A book-keeper however would take £350K seriously.
Eric Mc said:
As a sole trader, you are actually trading at a relatively high level. Is there any reason why you haven't thought of operating through a limited company?
My accountant said I was fine as I was. I have mentioned it a few times. This is why I need some good advice and an accountant who is interested in my business. Tyre Smoke said:
I need a bit of a rant, and some advice.
My business (sole trader) has a turnover of about £350k. I use Quickbooks and do my own VAT returns and payroll. I pay my accountant £100 a month to produce my year end tax returns for the business and myself. In actual fact it's £1000 + vat but I prefer to pay it monthly.
I got married two years ago, I know I'm not claiming my married allowance. My wife doesn't work, but could be a partner in the business to alleviate tax or perhaps form a Ltd Company? Every time I speak to my accountant I feel like I'm back at school and in front of the Headmaster for some sort of misdemeanor. It's not a pleasurable experience at all. And it really shouldn't be like that, should it?
The final straw came today when, having heard nothing from them, I phoned concerned that the tax returns were due in a couple of weeks. "Your books are in with us, aren't they?" Err, no. Since using Quickbooks, I was told you would let me know what you need as bank accounts etc are linked to Quickbooks (in fact, looking at Qb, it seems it will submit my business tax return for me).Now I have to spend a couple of days trying to gather up all my bank statements and finance statements, etc in a hurry.
Anyway, advise me, I need a new accountant, someone who doesn't make me feel like I'm on trial, and competent don't I? I don't mind putting in the work to ensure that Qb is up to date and tidy (reconcile Bank feed, etc) I do this anyway. I like to keep on top of things. I feel I'm doing all the work here.
Apologies if stupid question - if you're a Sole Trader why do you have separate tax returns for the business and yourself?My business (sole trader) has a turnover of about £350k. I use Quickbooks and do my own VAT returns and payroll. I pay my accountant £100 a month to produce my year end tax returns for the business and myself. In actual fact it's £1000 + vat but I prefer to pay it monthly.
I got married two years ago, I know I'm not claiming my married allowance. My wife doesn't work, but could be a partner in the business to alleviate tax or perhaps form a Ltd Company? Every time I speak to my accountant I feel like I'm back at school and in front of the Headmaster for some sort of misdemeanor. It's not a pleasurable experience at all. And it really shouldn't be like that, should it?
The final straw came today when, having heard nothing from them, I phoned concerned that the tax returns were due in a couple of weeks. "Your books are in with us, aren't they?" Err, no. Since using Quickbooks, I was told you would let me know what you need as bank accounts etc are linked to Quickbooks (in fact, looking at Qb, it seems it will submit my business tax return for me).Now I have to spend a couple of days trying to gather up all my bank statements and finance statements, etc in a hurry.
Anyway, advise me, I need a new accountant, someone who doesn't make me feel like I'm on trial, and competent don't I? I don't mind putting in the work to ensure that Qb is up to date and tidy (reconcile Bank feed, etc) I do this anyway. I like to keep on top of things. I feel I'm doing all the work here.
Tyre Smoke said:
Eric Mc said:
As a sole trader, you are actually trading at a relatively high level. Is there any reason why you haven't thought of operating through a limited company?
My accountant said I was fine as I was. I have mentioned it a few times. This is why I need some good advice and an accountant who is interested in my business. Gassing Station | Business | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff