Reliable Accountant which can use Sage One?

**eek** · 9 May 2022, 13:56

Originally posted by Campylobacterchicken View Post

Hello All,

I've been reading here for a while but decided to register for an account since I need the help of the community.

I'm contracting through a Ltd company, however I have been pretty unhappy with my current accountant, and even less so with the software they use (FreeAgent, which I really loathe). I found a solution for the software issue (I trialled QuickBooks, Xero and Sage, and decided for Sage One), however now I need an accountant who can work with Sage.

I did skim the accountant recommendations thread, and was considering to go with Gorilla but they don't do Sage (also my first contact has been less than stellar).

So what I am looking for are recommendation for a reliable accountant who can work with Sage One (I'm happy to pay for the Sage subscription separately, but I need someone who knows his way around Sage) and isn't ridiculous expensive. Bonus points for one who doesn't just focus on contractors and pushing their own umbrellas but also has experience with other SMBs.

Location doesn't matter.

Anyone got any recommendation?

Look for a local non specialist firm

However, the nature of the current market with inside and outside roles means that for many contractors it may make sense to use an accountancy firm that offers an umbrella that agencies are happy to work with.

**Lance** · 9 May 2022, 13:56

Originally posted by Campylobacterchicken View Post

Anyone got any recommendation?

Find a local accountant. The ones recommended on here are contractor specialists. Find a firm locally, who has at least 4 staff, that uses Sage One.
You might struggle though as small accountancy practices tend to use one piece of software they know well.

**Campylobacterchicken** · 9 May 2022, 14:33

Originally posted by eek View Post

Look for a local non specialist firm

I can't think of a good one near me, and frankly I don't really care where my accountant is located as I won't be visiting his office anyways (I prefer email and phone).

Hence asking for recommendations here.

However, the nature of the current market with inside and outside roles means that for many contractors it may make sense to use an accountancy firm that offers an umbrella that agencies are happy to work with.

As stated in my original post I'm not interested in umbrellas.

**Fred Bloggs** · 9 May 2022, 14:35

Hmmmm. Talk about limiting your options.........

On the brighter side - Given the emerging issues relating to MSCs and monthly subscriptions, getting away from the typical sausage machine accountant is probably a very good idea presently.

**Campylobacterchicken** · 9 May 2022, 14:38

Originally posted by Lance View Post

Find a local accountant. The ones recommended on here are contractor specialists. Find a firm locally, who has at least 4 staff, that uses Sage One.
You might struggle though as small accountancy practices tend to use one piece of software they know well.

Yes, I figured as much as most of the firms I found that target contractors seem to be fixated on FreeAgent, Xero or QuickBooks.

As I said location doesn't matter (there's nothing locally I know is good and I'm don't really care about location) but I'd like to avoid the bad ones so I was hoping that maybe someone in this forum might have a recommendation.

**courtg9000** · 9 May 2022, 15:00

I wouldn't normally commend BNI for anything but in this case they maybe worth a shot.
Contact your local chapter and see if they have anybody or know someone that knows someone. Each chapter usually has an accountant and they will usually be happy to refer you on.

**Lance** · 9 May 2022, 15:22

Originally posted by Campylobacterchicken View Post

Yes, I figured as much as most of the firms I found that target contractors seem to be fixated on FreeAgent, Xero or QuickBooks.

As I said location doesn't matter (there's nothing locally I know is good and I'm don't really care about location) but I'd like to avoid the bad ones so I was hoping that maybe someone in this forum might have a recommendation.

There are 3 types of accountants I'm aware of:
1) Big firms (PWC, KPMG, Grant Thornton etc)
2) contractor specialist firms
3) local firms

#1 won't touch you (or they might but for many thousands a year), #2 won't touch your software, and if location isn't important then there's no problem with #3 surely?

**Campylobacterchicken** · 13 May 2022, 15:55

First of all, thanks for all the advice. The recommendation to look outside the contractor-focused firms was really useful.

So I'm happy to report that I have now found a new accountant. I came across a (somewhat hidden) accountant search on the Sage website, picked out several which I liked and which had positive reviews on multiple review sites, contacted them, talked to them, and then picked one which gave the best impression and offering.

Of course it will take some time to see if my choice was the right one, but even in the short phone calls I had with them I got more valuable information than I ever got from my current accountant, so there's that.

What surprised me most however was that the charges these firms were asking for were actually notably lower than what my current contractor-focused accountant charges (and they just increased their prices even more).

I really wish I had made that step years ago.

Reliable Accountant which can use Sage One?