Can anyone recommend an accountant in or near redhill, surrey?

Seaxwyn

Can anyone recommend a good accountant in (or near) Redhill in Surrey?

I'm looking for someone who can advise me on how to reorganise my business affairs to be more tax efficient. I am a freelance writer and PR, working as a sole trader, and earn about 30k/year. I pay more tax than anyone I know. I know there are legal ways I can restructure my business and would like to know about them.

So if you know an accountant who is helpful on this front, please do recommend them!

Seaxwyn

Hi Merlin

Thanks for posting. I'm well aware of the potential of communications technology - I work for clients right across the world - but I particularly want an accountant I can meet in the flesh. I've had a few recommendations, which I'm looking into.

Thanks again

Seaxwyn

Thank you DFL. I would very much like to know more about the factors to consider in switching from being a sole trader to a ltd company. I've been reading about this today and am unsure which way to go.

I've been a sole trader for 12 years and it works fine for me - except for the fact I pay such huge tax bills. I'm not keen to gain a lot of bureaucracy. I don't envisage needing to borrow any money for the business, and I don't have any problem attracting clients. So the tax aspects are the only thing that interest me really. But they are important as we are pretty hard up, so if there's any way to avoid handing such enormous sums to the HMRC I'd like to know.

If anyone has any advice on this, or suggestions where to read up on it, I'd be really grateful.

DFL_1

My post has gone! Not sure why - did I break any rules here? Im new so want to respect them.

Could a mod please let me know what was wrong so that I can avoid a repeat please?

Seaxwyn - there is a section on the advantages / disadvantages on our website though obviously this is generic and you would need advice tailored to your own situation.

For tax purposes, a limited company can be more tax efficient due to you extracting money by a salary / dividend mix therefore avoiding National Insurance Contributions. Note that dividends can only be paid from profit though. Also, as mentioned no payment on account. A limited company is also a seperare entity from you which may be an advantage.

The flipside is increased accountancy fees, possible IR35 implications, administration, possible future changes in legislation, loss relief implications, critical illness cover.

Lots to consider and an important decision.

Seaxwyn

Thanks DFL. Someone else posted and had their post removed too, so I think maybe there is a ban on advertising your own services. Thanks for your useful information, I do need to think it over and am drawn towards staying as a sole trader, I do like having a simple life!

DFL_1

Oh, OK thanks for that.

I thought that maybe that was the case but noted that the first response to your question is on similar lines and still there!

If you want a similar life then maybe stay put as a sole trader as less things to think / worry about.

johnllew

Seaxwyn wrote: »

If anyone has any advice on this, or suggestions where to read up on it, I'd be really grateful.

I set up a limited company and found it very advantageous tax-wise, certainly very flexible. There is a book on using a company to save tax; I haven't got it but understand it's very good: http://www.taxcafe.co.uk/incorporate.html

It can be very cheap to set up a new company; I used: http://www.companiesmadesimple.com/index.html

They charge £24.95 + VAT to register a new company and give you a free £30 Google Adwords voucher as part of the package. They also offer £20 cashback if you open a bank account via their links (I have no association with them other than as a satisfied customer).

johnllew

bewaver wrote: »

Talking about companies made simple (made simple group, please find a list of their websites at the bottom) and saying they provide bad customer experience is an understatement.....

I registered my company via companiesmadesimple in Oct 2004. They were very efficient though I had very little cause to contact them subsequently and I certainly haven't had any spam from them. As the previous poster has just made 5 posts, all copies of the one above, they look more like a spammer - possibly a competitor?