Clearsky accounting (formerly Quay) - price hike

[Sally BFCA]

is it just me but is the PCG a fraction of what it ought to be

I think we need to bear in mind that the PCG formulated back in 1999 very soon after the intro of IR35 in the budget small print. They initially started as a lobby group purely for IR35. With this in mind, they have expanded somewhat even though IR35 is always the forefront of their activity.

[MarillionFan]

If you're local to the RG or GU postcodes. Maybe a personal touch would be better.

My accountant is very good and means you can actually meet somebody personally. They do it for £75 per month + VAT.

PM me if you want details.

MF

[monkeychops]

Alliance Accountants

Has anyone heard of Alliance Accountants, or use them? Recommended?

[mines a pint of mild]

Clearsky

I was with Clearsky for three years and left them about 18 months ago. They were pretty good at the basics and not too expensive ( this was pre the price hike) but I felt they wanted me to conform to their 'conveyor belt' approach rather than treating me as a bona fide client. Maybe their price hike it so that they can provide a more personalised service. I signed up with another firm who are much smaller, do the same job if not better, for less money and they actually talk plain english. Happy to post their details if anyone wants it.

[d000hg]

Well I won't be switching to NW. They'll charge me full-rate for every month that's already passed since my company year began. £300 as a joining fee is hardly a great incentive.

[Robot]

What a way to conduct business

Well I won't be switching to NW. They'll charge me full-rate for every month that's already passed since my company year began. £300 as a joining fee is hardly a great incentive.

Why don't you just post up exactly what you require and how much you are prepared to pay for it, look I will help you.

I want (and I want doesn't always get )

Payroll (for two employees)
P11D
Annual return
As much advice whatever I want it.
Mortgage Reference in fact any and every reference
Personal tax return
Accounts + Company Tax return + Capital Allowances statements.
Also want
VAT returns completed
Bookkeeping
Company Secretary Services
Face to face meetings once maybe twice a year.

This is obviously not an exhaustive list.

Now all you have to do is put in a price £XX (including VAT) per month.

Now sit back, relax and wait for an accountant to contact you.

Good luck.

Robot

[Waldorf]

Well I won't be switching to NW. They'll charge me full-rate for every month that's already passed since my company year began. £300 as a joining fee is hardly a great incentive.

As NixonWilliams charge £75/month, i guess you have 8 months to go, so if you stay with ClearSky you will pay another £960 (8 months x 120), whereas make the break and go with NW, you pay £300 plus £600 (8 months x 75) so a total of £900.

A £60 saving in year 1 plus £55/month saving from year two.

Paying twice does p1ss us off but nixons don't benefit from what you have paid to clearsky.

[malvolio]

is it just me but is the PCG a fraction of what it ought to be

More than possible. What do you want it to be? Always looking for good ideas!

As a starter for ten my list of additions to the current portfolio of services and general support would include better lobbying involvement in Europe, better advice on cross-border working, more direct representation with bodies such as UKBA, the planned OTS and other relevant places, some kind of recognition that a PCG member is primarily a serious freelance business and a members-only jobs board that got the jobs posted ahead of the general herd. Although, to be fair, they are only missing one of them...

[Robot]

Paying twice does p1ss us off but nixons don't benefit from what you have paid to clearsky.

Not quite, if service is for 12 months then you would have to believe the Annual return, 2009/10 P11d and P35, have been completed so new accountant wouldn't have to carry out these tasks, until the next twelve months service has started.

[d000hg]

Why don't you just post up exactly what you require and how much you are prepared to pay for it, look I will help you

I don't have a problem with fees of different levels... I'll look at different places, see how much of the boring admin they do, how personal they sound in their response to my emails, and take that into account.
It's specifically that they want me to pay to join them. I can see that the bulk of work happens once a year and on that basis, charging me is how the numbers play out. But it's not a great way to make me want to join them. On paper, NW and one or two others recommended here provide very similar service and price without much to choose between them... but if one welcomes me to switch to them saying "just leave it to us to sort out" and the other wants £300, why would I? It just smells of putting profit over my happiness as a customer.