Existing Optionis customers - Are you staying or going?

[pkm]

Poll for existing Optionis customers (NW, SJD, Parasol etc). Just wanted to see what other contractors are doing

[northernladuk]

If you spend a few minuntes search around and reading the other threads you'd see we've been telling people to leave for years. Search each of the names using the google method <keyword> site:forums.contractoruk.com and you'll find people that have been complaining about customer services for a long time now.

You shouldn't still be with them and should have left a long time ago let alone this. Bearing in mind the exodus that will start which is highly likely lead to further problems and even going bust down the line you'd be mad to even consider staying.

Didn't need a poll to get your answer to this one.

[cojak]

He needs a bit of reassurance that he's done the right thing by staying.

[eek]

He needs a bit of reassurance that he's done the right thing by staying.

Given that most of Optionis (at some management levels) seem to have either already left or are attempting to don't think anyone can offer that reassurance.

On the upside if his accounts are in free agent then he has nothing to worry about beyond the damage that has already occurred because moving accountant later should be easy.

But he's also discovered the reason why you should keep things that should really be separate (insurances and accountancy) separate.

[northernladuk]

He needs a bit of reassurance that he's done the right thing by staying.

Ah.. right. Well then. OP you did the right thing by staying. HTH

[Fred Bloggs]

Ah.. right. Well then. OP you did the right thing by staying. HTH

[Maslins]

On the upside if his accounts are in free agent then he has nothing to worry about beyond the damage that has already occurred because moving accountant later should be easy.

I gather most SJD/NW et al clients have either recently had their data moved over to FreeAgent or it's being promised to happen imminently. From the client's perspective I can only see this as a good thing, even if they do stay with their current accountant for now. Of course it makes life far easier for other accountants who these clients might move to...but surely that's not a motivator for Optionis?!

The thought crossed my mind over why the powers that be at Optionis would agree to do this though. They must know it makes things vastly easier for their clients to leave (as opposed to all bookkeeping data being on their in house system..."Vantage" I think?). Does it mean their in house system has been permanently destroyed beyond all repair? Or perhaps they know they're going down, so out of some kind of moral duty by staff who feel the need to help clients get out whilst they can?

[eek]

I gather most SJD/NW et al clients have either recently had their data moved over to FreeAgent or it's being promised to happen imminently. From the client's perspective I can only see this as a good thing, even if they do stay with their current accountant for now. Of course it makes life far easier for other accountants who these clients might move to...but surely that's not a motivator for Optionis?!

The thought crossed my mind over why the powers that be at Optionis would agree to do this though. They must know it makes things vastly easier for their clients to leave (as opposed to all bookkeeping data being on their in house system..."Vantage" I think?). Does it mean their in house system has been permanently destroyed beyond all repair? Or perhaps they know they're going down, so out of some kind of moral duty by staff who feel the need to help clients get out whilst they can?

I have been informed by multiple people that there were plans to move limited companies (to freeagent) and umbrella workers (to a different provider) in place for a while.

So I suspect all that's happened is that plans were brought forward...

I've probably broken an NDA by saying that but it seems harmless given the current situation and this thread.

[Fred Bloggs]

I would imagine that the overhead and commitment required (clearly absent anyway it seems) to run a custom in house system properly are not justifiable when you have an almost industry standard solution like FA available at very low cost. I doubt there is any hint of philanthropy.

[Maslins]

I would imagine that the overhead and commitment required (clearly absent anyway it seems) to run a custom in house system properly are not justifiable when you have an almost industry standard solution like FA available at very low cost. I doubt there is any hint of philanthropy.

I'd agree...but with the timing it almost seems to be too good to be true for other firms.
Contractor "Hi, I'd like to move to you from [Optionis firm]"
Accountant "Great...but I'm guessing you're on Vantage so between us we'll have lots of work replicating data/unpicking things to get you on FreeAgent?"
C "[Optionis firm] are doing that for us now"
A "Happy days!"

Anyway, no complaints from us, nor I imagine the other "contractor/FreeAgent friendly" accountants out there! Good for clients too, and FreeAgent. The only people it superficially seems bad for is Optionis themselves...!