Choosing the right accountant

[tay]

I havent noticed any add ons from SJD. But my wife does all my book keeping. I am vaguely aware of some lever arch files that she potters about with, but thats about it. She is an accountant so scrutinises the work more than SJD prob expect, and she seems happy with it so far.. she should probably do it all herself, but she cannot be bothered with the hassle... and I would rather she spent her time ironing my shirts and cooking my dinner.

[lenbod]

Are there any accountancies providing free company formation if I join them? I don't think SJD would do it.

[sidknows]

I think you'll find that quite a few accountants offer a freee company plus formation as long as you serve the minimum contract period whcih could be abything between 3 months and a year

[SueEllen]

If you don't phone up and ask you don't get. So try:

http://www.uptonaccountants.com/

http://www.taxreturnstore.com/index.htm (Nixon Williams)

[lenbod]

Thanks SueEllen,

is Nixon William better SJD in terms of quality service? SJD is a bit expensive though if both of them provide similar services. Any comments?

[r0bly0ns]

Are there any accountancies providing free company formation if I join them? I don't think SJD would do it.

If you don't phone up and ask you don't get. So try:

http://www.uptonaccountants.com/

http://www.taxreturnstore.com/index.htm (Nixon Williams)

Upton do free company formations.

[Sausage Surprise]

Thanks SueEllen,

is Nixon William better SJD in terms of quality service? SJD is a bit expensive though if both of them provide similar services. Any comments?

My colleague to my left is currently ditching SJD for NW. I'm with NW also.

[sidknows]

Given that fact the Simon from SJD is always willing to offer free advice here , I'm not sure people moving to NW for cost is a good move

[Bright Spark]

I'm with NW, they are pretty good and do everything, i think with sjd
you have to fill in spreadsheets, also with NW if you get anything from
HMRC / companies house you just forward it to them, and they fill in
all the forms and send it back to you to sign, my last accountant
who was a local one never did this, and had to end up reading all
forms and filling them in myself.

[williamdavis]

Cost of service

I notice you keep referring to cost of service.

Looking at fees they are all within a £1 per day of each other, my best advice would be to consider what’s most important to you from your accountant. Call the usual suspects: Danbro, Upton (used to be 1st Accountancy I think), Nixon Williams, SJD and evaluate them against your criteria.

Ignore the £1 (that is unless you’re being paid minimum wage in which case the £1 is very important indeed), it’s irrelevant, instead focus on what’s important. For me it was a friendly competent service and an office near me, for some location is much less of an issue. Only you know what's important to you.