Nixon W or SJD or other accountant??

[Drewster]

what is the advantage of having local accountant? As currently all my communication is done via email/phone.

I like NW as its only £75+VAT.
SJD seem a bit pricey at £95+VAT although they have a local office to me and offer free phone supprt for IR35 contract review, But NW have a deal with Quodos consultants for just £40.....

again anyone having personal feedback with any of these firms welcome..

It doesn't cost £75+VAT. or £95+VAT

And you stand a chance of getting an Accountant to look at your stuff.... not a trainee.
And he/she can come and visit you at your convienience and answer your questions.... and clarify them if needed.
And they can often do stuff for your Plan B without doubling the bill...

I know people will argue that some of the mentioned companies are "Contracting Specialists" etc etc.... which may be true (and may be considered an advantage....... but that wasn't the question!

[ratewhore]

I know people will argue that some of the mentioned companies are "Contracting Specialists" etc etc.... which may be true (and may be considered an advantage....... but that wasn't the question!

I've never seen any added value in the 'contracting specialists'. They give you a spreadsheet and they give you the 'low salary, high divvy' tax advice and, er, that's about it.

Call a spade a spade...

[diesel]

Anything such as a form filled in, reference for rent/mortgage, headed letter confirming annual income and an SJD bill will be dropping through your letterbox. And I thought their attitude was arrogant.

That's just my experience, but I appreciate others have been happy with the level of service they have enjoyed from them.

Thanks for the tip on SJD! I thought the £95 pm fee was a "all in one" fee!

Drewster - are you indicating a local accountant is better service?

cheers for the replies and advice.

[jimjamuk]

Uptons here as well - 2.5 years without a problem

[Drewster]

Drewster - are you indicating a local accountant is better service?

My decision over many years of Contracting has been to go with a local Accountant - I have experienced almost faultless "service".
I don't mean to suggest that I have never had issues... but I find issues much easier to resolve/sort out if I can have a conversation almost "anytime" and a face-face within a few hours (if required).
On some occasions (where I have been a little tardy) my Accountant has "gently reminded" me.......
And despite several cock-ups ie me not telling him something, not completing the right forms and/or changing my mind... he has always "dug me out of the hole".
He has also been very helpful with various Plan B's, Mrs Drewsters Plan C-G's, etc

I have heard many tales of woe from associates who have used Online/Specialist services......
Mainly along the lines of.....
Never able to speak to anyone (when I want to)
Get the feeling the "Accountancy Service" is fill in this spreadsheet... and we will C&P as required.
Not being treated as an individual..... ie We are IT Contracting Specialists... which seems to translate to - "We have a one size fits all process".

I haven't personally experienced any of the Online/Big Boys so obviously my advice re them is "hearsay".

I always like to encourage and support local businesses - not just Accountants - having been involved various "Local Businesses" in different sectors (Shops/Retail etc)

[Drewster]

I've never seen any added value in the 'contracting specialists'. They give you a spreadsheet and they give you the 'low salary, high divvy' tax advice and, er, that's about it.

Call a spade a spade...

I cannot disagree - OMMV

[kaiser78]

My decision over many years of Contracting has been to go with a local Accountant - I have experienced almost faultless "service".
I don't mean to suggest that I have never had issues... but I find issues much easier to resolve/sort out if I can have a conversation almost "anytime" and a face-face within a few hours (if required).
On some occasions (where I have been a little tardy) my Accountant has "gently reminded" me.......
And despite several cock-ups ie me not telling him something, not completing the right forms and/or changing my mind... he has always "dug me out of the hole".
He has also been very helpful with various Plan B's, Mrs Drewsters Plan C-G's, etc

Totally WHS - the idea of being able to see my accountant as and when I need to (including weekends) and being able to speak directly whenever I need to makes it a no brainer for me. Having them just up the road is a nice comfort factor to have.

[sweetandsour]

Any recommendations, advice welcome....does it matter if company account is local or not?

If you are operating the standard IT contractor model - issuing a few invoices for your services per month, one fee earner, minimal expenses then I don't think that you can go wrong with any of the contractor specialists.

We all like to think that we are special but in terms of the accountancy we are not.

If your business is more complicated then I suggest you look for a different accountant.

There was an interview with Simon Dolan in Accountancy Age in which he explained his approach to the business. I can't imagine that the other contractor specialists are any different.

linky

EDIT The impression that I get from that article is that if you are going to be a needy client then you should look elsewhere.

[ratewhore]

EDIT The impression that I get from that article is that if you are going to be a needy client then you should look elsewhere.

I hardly think a mortgage reference is being a needy client. Some firms charge, some don't...

[crack_ho]

If you are operating the standard IT contractor model - issuing a few invoices for your services per month, one fee earner, minimal expenses then I don't think that you can go wrong with any of the contractor specialists.

If your business is more complicated then I suggest you look for a different accountant.

Agree. If you are a bog standard contractor where they can get some low paid, unqualified, school leaver to do some data entry then the usual suspects are fine.
If you want to ask about foreign tax or any other aspect of accountancy that a limited company may face, expect to be greeted by a gormless look.