Accountant or self submitting tax returns

longforgotten

Am I the unlucky one then.

The clients on a fixed fee or complain about the fee are also the one's who,,,,

A)Bring the info in in a carrier bag of receipts,bank statements all folded up, and dog-eared
Not all the info there so endless phone calls /letters chasing them
c) Expect their accounts/returns done by yesterday.

It's a joy when a client brings info in on time and in order, then they deserve a lower bill.

Quenastoise

For £800 I would expect your accountant to prepare a set of account and an income tax return.

I am not querying your abilities but tax has always been notoriously complex and it's easy to get something wrong/overlook something and pay too much tax as a result. For instance, areas like loss relief are best left to an accountant to make sure you get the most of any losses.

Is the fee the only reason why you are thinking of dropping your accountant ? How about the quality of advice, the prompt submission of the return, the feeling that they know what they are talking about, etc. ?

jcorbygas

I have found another local accountant who will do the same job for around £450 and they have the same qualifications as my existing accountant.

Previous poster - when I first started with my accountant over 12 years ago they were local and I dealt with one of the partners - they then moved a distance away and over the last couple of years the work has been given to a junior member of staff (supervised by a partner). They do not give any more service or make any suggestions so I feel £800 is too much - I agree that the accountant knows about writing down of value of equipment etc but as we only have a van, a computer, and no employees earning enought to pay tax and NI then it is quite an easy job for him.

So - I am still weighing up between myself doing it and paying this other accountant, but I am swayed towards myself doing it this year and seeing how I get on.

Quenastoise

There is no harm in going back to the initial accountant and expressing concern about the fee levels.

Be clear about who's doing what if you are renegotiating fee levels:

- you could be collating details of income and expenditure yourself, with the accountant reviewing your work

- he/they would still have to run and submit an electronic tax return with supporting calculations, advise you of the payments due (including payments on account), advise you of your tax liabilities and ensure that you are up-to-date with your payments

- ask for any separate work (eg tax advice) to be quoted separately

theesel1994

jcorbygas wrote: »

I am quite capable of doing this but am worried that maybe Inland Revenue would start wondering why we have suddenly changed and start looking into things

Maybe when they see £800 has disappeared from the "Accountancy, legal and other professional fees" box compared to the previous year they might find the answer.