Accountant recommendaions

Mishomeister

I am openning up a business with very straight forward circumstances. I currently have a simillar business that I will be closing.

There are two people on payroll including myself.

Literally all I need is Payroll once a month, Accounts at the end of the year and being able to call the accountant once in blue moon if I have any queries.

For this arrantgement for my existing business I am currently paying £60 pm. All would be good but my current accountant keeps making some nasty errors so would rather get some one else for my new business.

Anyone that you would recommend? Don't need to be local just to be able to operate in England.

Grumpy_chap

In my experience, the best way to find an Accountant is by personal recommendation, especially for a small business.  Are the businesses you are closing and opening both Ltd Co's?

Your current Accountant seem to be exceptional value for money, £60 per month is £720 per year and that seems to include the monthly payroll for two individuals plus the annual company accounts plus ad-hoc advice. 
Do you pay extra for your personal tax return?
Presumably, this year, your fees for the year will be higher as there will be two sets of company accounts required plus the additional activities associated with closing and starting the respective businesses.

What are the nature of the "nasty errors" that your current Accountant is making?  Could these in any way relate to the accuracy of information provided to the Accountant?

Mishomeister

Grumpy_chap said:

In my experience, the best way to find an Accountant is by personal recommendation, especially for a small business.  Are the businesses you are closing and opening both Ltd Co's?

Your current Accountant seem to be exceptional value for money, £60 per month is £720 per year and that seems to include the monthly payroll for two individuals plus the annual company accounts plus ad-hoc advice. 
Do you pay extra for your personal tax return?
Presumably, this year, your fees for the year will be higher as there will be two sets of company accounts required plus the additional activities associated with closing and starting the respective businesses.

What are the nature of the "nasty errors" that your current Accountant is making?  Could these in any way relate to the accuracy of information provided to the Accountant?

I have noone to recommend an accountant to me hence I am here.
Nasty errors arecontinuous duplicated income reporting to HMRC, which makes HMRC to believe I earn more than I do.which causes huge headache and she is unwilling to deal with HMRC.
I am capable to do personal tax returns so don't need accountants envolvement.

Savvy_Sue

One suggestion, if the current accountant doesn't want to deal with HMRC, is that you should leave them to do the sums, and take on the notification yourself. 

But that's only appropriate if there are no serious problems elsewhere with their work. 

DullGreyGuy

It's always best to pick an accountant that works with clients in your trade. As with many professions all accountants will have similar base knowledge but realistically become specialised over time. 

My accountant specialises in contractors outside of the building trade, they've in-depth knowledge of IR35 and given the nature of contractors, the best routes when it comes to VAT Flat Rate or phoenix companies etc and dealing with banks etc when it comes to mortgages. 

I'm sure they probably can remember the rules around stock, wastage, excise duty etc if you're running a pub or a wine shop but they dont deal with it day in day out and so unlikely to be as up to date on recent changes or outcomes of challenges from HMRC on similar businesses. 

Mishomeister

Savvy_Sue said:

One suggestion, if the current accountant doesn't want to deal with HMRC, is that you should leave them to do the sums, and take on the notification yourself. 

But that's only appropriate if there are no serious problems elsewhere with their work. 

This issue now occured a number of times and she is unwilling to do anything either to get it recrified or more importantly do something for it to not reaccure in the future.