Accountancy recommendation

[Ken Dodd]

Can anyone recommend a good accountant for me? I seem to be making too many 'allowances' for mine and I don't feel like I am getting the customer service I deserve or am paying for. I have been with these a while and it is just inertia that keeps me with them.

I see the comments about how much time it takes, but I am lazy and don't want to do anything for myself. What I want is: 1. A breakdown of each invoice when the money is paid in to MyCo account, so that I have a view of what is mine etc. 2. Informing of 3rd party payments. 3. Just looking after basically.

Any suggestions anyone?

Also, has anyone changed accountants recently? If so, how much of a pain in the 'arris is it?

I thank you....

[aceboy]

I use Stilwell Gray, I have found them very good....

http://www.stilwellgray.co.uk/

Stilwell Gray
14/30 City Business Centre
Hyde Street
Winchester
Hampshire
SO23 7TA

Tel/Fax: +44 (0)1962 867 550
Email: [email protected]

[BrilloPad]

Where are you based?

Personally I use a local firm as I think HMRC see the accountants with loads of contractors and immediately scent blood! maybe this is unfair......

[dang65]

Out of interest, is it normal for an accountant to not offer any advice unless it is in response to a direct question?

Obviously I don't expect my accountant to phone me up once a week with a list of the latest options for maximising my income, but at the same time I find it's like getting blood from a stone getting advice. He's very efficient and responds quickly to queries, but he never says, "There are a couple of things you could do here[list of options], and the best one in my opinion would be [best option and why]..."

Instead, I have to come up with suggestions myself, perhaps found on forums like this, and he tells me if they are ok. I always feel like there's probably some far better way to do things which he simply doesn't tell me about.

Is this standard practise with accountants? Covering their own asses?

[BrilloPad]

Out of interest, is it normal for an accountant to not offer any advice unless it is in response to a direct question?

Obviously I don't expect my accountant to phone me up once a week with a list of the latest options for maximising my income, but at the same time I find it's like getting blood from a stone getting advice. He's very efficient and responds quickly to queries, but he never says, "There are a couple of things you could do here[list of options], and the best one in my opinion would be [best option and why]..."

Instead, I have to come up with suggestions myself, perhaps found on forums like this, and he tells me if they are ok. I always feel like there's probably some far better way to do things which he simply doesn't tell me about.

Is this standard practise with accountants? Covering their own asses?

I get the list of options from my accountant - he is a member of an accountant practicioner body or something like that. He always has some great ideas. Doesn't everyone get this?

To be fair I do pay over the odds for him - but I still reckon it is great value for money.

[Ken Dodd]

Out of interest, is it normal for an accountant to not offer any advice unless it is in response to a direct question?

Obviously I don't expect my accountant to phone me up once a week with a list of the latest options for maximising my income, but at the same time I find it's like getting blood from a stone getting advice. He's very efficient and responds quickly to queries, but he never says, "There are a couple of things you could do here[list of options], and the best one in my opinion would be [best option and why]..."

Instead, I have to come up with suggestions myself, perhaps found on forums like this, and he tells me if they are ok. I always feel like there's probably some far better way to do things which he simply doesn't tell me about.

Is this standard practise with accountants? Covering their own asses?

This is exactly how I feel! I feel like I have been passed over to the 'Contractor Invoice Section' run by young girls who learned to spell and type at the keyboard of a mobile 'phone, rather than being someone who is paying for professional services on a regular basis.

[Ken Dodd]

Costs....

This was the supplemantary question I did not ask.....

How much do you pay?

And then:

Is the service provision comparable?

Is it value for money?

Doddy.

[Alan @ BroomeAffinity]

Is it OK for me to throw my hat into the ring here?

As an accountant who runs a general practice but with a dedicated contractor division, I think our clients get the best of both worlds:You get the necessary expertise when it comes to contractor issues and also benefit from a pro-active advisory service which comes from being a general practice as opposed to some of the bogger contractor specialists who palm you off with school-leavers.

Value for money is also pretty good at £80 plus VAT per month.

[Pete Cullen]

I have just switched from a local firm charging £140pm to Nixon Williams who I think are £90pm and so far the service has been faultless.

The local firm took on so much work I was constantly chasing them for paperwork all the time, NW have made it a lot simpler.
I know a lot of folks go with SJD who offer a similar service. But I'd definitely say NW are worth a look at.

[Gonzo]

I have just switched from a local firm charging £140pm to Nixon Williams who I think are £90pm and so far the service has been faultless.

The local firm took on so much work I was constantly chasing them for paperwork all the time, NW have made it a lot simpler.
I know a lot of folks go with SJD who offer a similar service. But I'd definitely say NW are worth a look at.

C'mon Alan, you can do better than that