Chartered vs common or garden accountants

[ashleymoran]

Hi

I'm just starting to look for an accountant (BTW - recommendations in the Stoke-on-Trent or North West areas still gratefully received) and have a question...

Should I go for a chartered certified accountant, or is it worth considering non-chartered accountants? What difference will it make to the service and/or cost?

I notice one of the requirements for the PCG Quality Accountant scheme is that they must be chartered, which makes me think it is a sign they generally practice higher standards. My family has had a terrible experience of solicitors - most of them downright incompetent - so my number 1 priority is finding someone I have confidence in, even if it costs a bit more.

Thanks
Ashley

PS - Recommendations in the Stoke-on-Trent or North West areas still being accepted. Did I say that already?

[Lewis]

Hi

I'm just starting to look for an accountant (BTW - recommendations in the Stoke-on-Trent or North West areas still gratefully received) and have a question...

Should I go for a chartered certified accountant, or is it worth considering non-chartered accountants? What difference will it make to the service and/or cost?

I notice one of the requirements for the PCG Quality Accountant scheme is that they must be chartered, which makes me think it is a sign they generally practice higher standards. My family has had a terrible experience of solicitors - most of them downright incompetent - so my number 1 priority is finding someone I have confidence in, even if it costs a bit more.

Thanks
Ashley

PS - Recommendations in the Stoke-on-Trent or North West areas still being accepted. Did I say that already?

You don't necessarily need an accountant that's local to you. Mine are 100s of miles away and all communication goes by post/email/phone. Ones that are recommended on here are Nixon Williams, SJD and a few others purple accountants/1st accountancy or something. Anyhow they get good ratings by most and they know all the contractor issues which is an important thing. Do a few searches here on accountants are read people's recommendations.

[ashleymoran]

You don't necessarily need an accountant that's local to you. Mine are 100s of miles away and all communication goes by post/email/phone. Ones that are recommended on here are Nixon Williams, SJD and a few others purple accountants/1st accountancy or something. Anyhow they get good ratings by most and they know all the contractor issues which is an important thing. Do a few searches here on accountants are read people's recommendations.

Ok, that seems reasonable, but I still wouldn't hire one I never met. Did you visit yours before you took them on? What made you choose them?

[SueEllen]

Ok, that seems reasonable, but I still wouldn't hire one I never met. Did you visit yours before you took them on? What made you choose them?

I have used solicitors and now an accountant I've never met in person. I got personal recommendations through friends' who to use.

People can be crooked whether you meet them or not. In fact I find professionals who refuse to put things down in writing (letters or email) with their name to it sneaky.

[ashleymoran]

Ok, I've changed my mind about getting someone local (that doesn't mean I won't, but I won't consider it necessarily an advantage). Either of you two care to recommend your accountant?

Still have to decide though - and this was more on my mind - should I restrict my search to ACCA accountants?

[castoff101]

I use Darren at www.uptonaccountants.com. He is around on this board at times. Never met him but have spoken on the telephone. He knows how contracting works and I have been with his firm for over a year now without any problems. He is based in Wakefield.

He may pop up now.

[ratewhore]

I use Darren at www.uptonaccountants.com. He is around on this board at times. Never met him but have spoken on the telephone. He knows how contracting works and I have been with his firm for over a year now without any problems. He is based in Wakefield.

He may pop up now.

I concur. I used to be with SJD but found them too expensive and, from what I hear from others who are still with them, their service level is dropping through the floor.

[ashleymoran]

I'll bear Upton in mind. They look like a big company. Anyone got any opinions on whether it's better to go with a large or small firm?

Also, I'm still wondering about my original question, which is whether an accountant being chartered is an indication that they are more competent and efficient? I have noticed in other fields that qualifications are not always an indicator that someone can do their job, but I know next to nothing about accountancy.

[malvolio]

I'll bear Upton in mind. They look like a big company. Anyone got any opinions on whether it's better to go with a large or small firm?

Also, I'm still wondering about my original question, which is whether an accountant being chartered is an indication that they are more competent and efficient? I have noticed in other fields that qualifications are not always an indicator that someone can do their job, but I know next to nothing about accountancy.

Charterered usualy means they are better qualified and more expert, it doesn't necessarily mean they are better at the peculiarities of Contractors' requirements. A better kite mark for that is the PCG's QA scheme, which means they've done in depth training on the subject - take a look at the list on their website http://www.pcg.org.uk/cms/index.php?...363&Itemid=487

[ashleymoran]

Charterered usualy means they are better qualified and more expert, it doesn't necessarily mean they are better at the peculiarities of Contractors' requirements. A better kite mark for that is the PCG's QA scheme, which means they've done in depth training on the subject - take a look at the list on their website http://www.pcg.org.uk/cms/index.php?...363&Itemid=487

Well, all PCG Quality Accountants are chartered anyway, it's a requirement of the scheme. So I guess that's the best of both worlds...