Sjd

[d000hg]

Having heard them recommended here, I've looked into SJD for my new life as a freelancer, and called them up. The website is slick and has useful information, they were helpful, and the package they offer is obviously tailored pretty much exactly to my needs, as a freelancer who doesn't want to think about accountancy!

The only thing is that they seem quite pricey... obviously I'm a newcomer to the field but I was under the impression that considerably under £100 a month was about the going rate? To put it in context, I have a friend who runs a business. He pays around £100 a month but for this they do all his business accounts, personal tax return for him and his wife, including as well as his main business everything to do with a number of houses they rent.

So, first question - how much of a premium do I pay SJD for providing a nice packaged product?
Second question - is it such a good service that it saves me in the long run?

I can definitely see the attraction of SJD's approach, but I'm just wondering if they are capitalising on the fact that most people going independent don't have a clue? I gather there are reps from SJD on this board, please don't in anyway take this as an attack, if anything it's an opportunity to convince me that you are worth the money!

[Denny]

Having heard them recommended here, I've looked into SJD for my new life as a freelancer, and called them up. The website is slick and has useful information, they were helpful, and the package they offer is obviously tailored pretty much exactly to my needs, as a freelancer who doesn't want to think about accountancy!

The only thing is that they seem quite pricey... obviously I'm a newcomer to the field but I was under the impression that considerably under £100 a month was about the going rate? To put it in context, I have a friend who runs a business. He pays around £100 a month but for this they do all his business accounts, personal tax return for him and his wife, including as well as his main business everything to do with a number of houses they rent.

So, first question - how much of a premium do I pay SJD for providing a nice packaged product?
Second question - is it such a good service that it saves me in the long run?

I can definitely see the attraction of SJD's approach, but I'm just wondering if they are capitalising on the fact that most people going independent don't have a clue? I gather there are reps from SJD on this board, please don't in anyway take this as an attack, if anything it's an opportunity to convince me that you are worth the money!

There are others in the market that offer just as good service for a lower monthly fee. Nixon Williams, Quay, Darren at Upton Accountancy are all highly recommended, by and large. In fact, I've never read any complaints about any of these services either, although I have of SJD (although much depends on who is actually managing your account).

In any event, whether SJD are good or not, why pay more when you can get the same service for less cost? It makes no business sense at all.

[Captain Kangaroo]

Advice?

I'm still waiting for them to provide advice regarding the Artic Systems case - I'm surprised they haven't provided an email commentary to their clients on such an important topic...

[d000hg]

I'm still waiting for them to provide advice regarding the Artic Systems case

Eh? Is this some news story I missed?

[SueEllen]

I'm still waiting for them to provide advice regarding the Artic Systems case - I'm surprised they haven't provided an email commentary to their clients on such an important topic...

Why should they? The law actually hasn't changed what HMRC are doing is putting in new legislation.
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/consul...e_shifting.cfm

Until the new legislation is in force then the accountants can't really give you advice, however you can ask them questions on what to do if the income shifting legislation was put in place.

[THEPUMA]

There are others in the market that offer just as good service for a lower monthly fee. Nixon Williams, Quay, Darren at Upton Accountancy are all highly recommended, by and large. In fact, I've never read any complaints about any of these services either, although I have of SJD (although much depends on who is actually managing your account).

In any event, whether SJD are good or not, why pay more when you can get the same service for less cost? It makes no business sense at all.

We charge more than any of these but I always reckon that if you add up our accountancy fee and the tax our clients pay, there are few out there who would come in below us.

Therefore, I think there is some value in shopping around and the fact that there are no complaints on these boards in respect of a particular accountant doesn't necessarily reflect the fact that the clients may not be getting the best possible advice.

It generally tends to mean that their correspondence is dealt with in a timely manner, no penalties have been incurred as a result of errors by the accountant and no major obvious howlers have been picked up by the client.

[SteveV]

I'm still waiting for them to provide advice regarding the Artic Systems case - I'm surprised they haven't provided an email commentary to their clients on such an important topic...

Chase them up, they sent advice to me in one of their regular circulars

[Captain Kangaroo]

circulars? wtf?

Chase them up, they sent advice to me in one of their regular circulars

I'm a fee paying customer and I have to remind them to send me circulars?

[oracleslave]

I'm a fee paying customer and I have to remind them to send me circulars?

I received information from them regarding Arctic on more than one occasion. Seems like the common denominator is you. HTH.

[Bluebird]

I received information from them regarding Arctic on more than one occasion. Seems like the common denominator is you. HTH.

Ditto