What exactly am I paying my accountant for?

[Waldorf]

I am with Nixon Williams and am very happy with what I get in return.

As far as I can see, with a spreadsheet operation, you are doing all the work and I cannot see what your accountant can check, sure you enter the expenses etc, but if you have claimed for something that you shouldn't or not done it in the correct way, how will they know?

The answer is they won't and in a way they wash their hands of your affairs and let you take all the responsibility, I know it is our responsibility but I want to pay my accountant to ensure I stay on the straight and narrow.

So with all this, I feel I get a better service and I with the money I save, I get a few extra meals out each year!

[Owl]

Can you get one of these afroementioned spreadsheets from HMRC or does anyone have a spare to hand?

My confusion is im just starting out so relying on HMRC on when to pay myself a dividend and how much! And how does PAYE work in this case.

My accountant doesnt seem to want to know now ive said i want to pay monthly - he just ignores my mails when i want to check what has been done to date so im just going to go it alone

[Archangel]

Can you get one of these afroementioned spreadsheets from HMRC or does anyone have a spare to hand?

My confusion is im just starting out so relying on HMRC on when to pay myself a dividend and how much! And how does PAYE work in this case.

My accountant doesnt seem to want to know now ive said i want to pay monthly - he just ignores my mails when i want to check what has been done to date so im just going to go it alone

Please excuse me if I seem rude, but WTF????

You seem unable to grasp the simple concepts of running a business, never mind the complicated ones!

HMRC will not do your accounts for you.
HMRC will not tell you when to pay dividends (that's up to a board of directors after looking at the company's current status)
PAYE "is decided" by the Board of Directors and REPORTED to HMRC, not the other way round!

Please please please just get another accountant.

[chris79]

chris 79, I'm not saying it's rocket science, I guess when I was younger
with no plan B wife or kids and on lower contract rates I had that same approach, what i've found out is that my time now is better spent on focusing on higher quality things which will give me a better return.

Well ok I take your point, but from my own experience doing it for the last 18 or so months it really is just 10 mins a week.

It probably takes longer to mess about passing your accountant the stuff, or your umbrella company etc than it does to print your payslip, update your books, and transfer the money electronically. Saves you £x amount per year, puts you in FULL control, and gives you complete understanding of how your business is running.

Just my own perspective, I know everyone thinks differently on this one. Not trying to sell the concept to anyone here, it just surprises me that so many people don't consider the 'DIY' option either out of fear, ignorance, education, or get convinced by accountants that simple book keeping mistakes could result in bankruptcy, prison sentences, financial and professional ruin, etc.