Accountant Fees DIY or shop around?

[ahdguy]

Currently paying an accountant and bookeeper to do my accounts, however I used to just send the accountant the rceipts and exspenses to sort out, and thought I could save money by having a book-keeper do it for me, however this years bill for the accountant is now more than when I started without a book-keeper.

Just wondering if anyone out there does their own accounts and how difficult do they find it/pit falls? Or is best practice to shop around for a new accountant for lower fees?

Thanks in advance.

[bigandclever]

Your accountant should be saving you more than they cost

[Badgerboy]

I do my own books, but I don't have much to do. I spend about 30 mins on it a month, The accountant does everything else, and as they are tax deductible, I'm not too bothered by the cost. (I have very little outgoings on my self employed stuff, so the tax man grabs great handfuls of cash off me.)

[jeff m]

Quick Books

Adaptable to any type of business and cash or accrual accounting.

I still use an accountant though, but QB makes it easy for me and them.

[Eric Mc]

Book-keeping work carried out in advance by the proprietor or a book-keeper hardly ever makes a big difference to what the accountant finally charges. Even if he has less "assembly" work to do, thre are usually more checks and verifications to be made - and probably more corrections as well. The advantage of using a book-keeper is not in saving accounting fees - but having figures ready to hand throughout the year.