Good accountants for 60 a month?

[theroyale]

I've read several threads with some experienced posters saying they get good accounting services for 60 a month. Wondering which firms these are..? No need to pay more if these guys are doing the job is there

[kaiser78]

I've read several threads with some experienced posters saying they get good accounting services for 60 a month. Wondering which firms these are..? No need to pay more if these guys are doing the job is there

Suggest looking for one in your local area.

[h8mmer]

I've read several threads with some experienced posters saying they get good accounting services for 60 a month. Wondering which firms these are..? No need to pay more if these guys are doing the job is there

It depends if you know what you need to do for yourself and how much of a managed service you want.
My accountant offers tiers of services - I pay about twice what you want to but then he does everything for that.

[kontracta Matt]

You can get some good deals but check first ....

I'd always double check if they are recognised/registered with any of the major accounting bodies in the UK. Apologies if you already know but anyone can set up and call themselves an 'accountant' in the UK. With members of recognised bodies there is an insurance requirement and a large set of rules (and qualifications) to abide by. I'd also ask what qualifications/experience that the people doing your work have.

For the ICAEW check against ICAEW Directory of Firms - From the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales
For the ACCA try https://www.acca-business.org/pls/ec...01.p_find_firm

Sorry I can't help you with CIMA.

Best of luck!

[LisaContractorUmbrella]

It depends if you know what you need to do for yourself and how much of a managed service you want.
My accountant offers tiers of services - I pay about twice what you want to but then he does everything for that.

I feel that I must point out that, since the Managed Service Company Legislation was introduced, accountancy firms cannot 'manage' your business affairs and certainly cannot do everything for you without contravening the legislation.

[xchaotic]

Mine insists on getting paid for the actual work - ie end of the tax year, etc and on average this works out to be a bit less than £60pcm. On the other hand he doesn't speak English too well (he can read it quite well, fortunately)...

[SackmanandCo]

Like anything in life, you get what you pay for. In my experience, the accountancy frims who charge lower have a large number of clients- what we call in the profession the "sausage factory" approach. Then again just because you pay more, doesnt always mean you get more.

These days geography is not that relevant. Go for a firm that specialises or at least understands contracting and read their testimonials on their website. They need to be actual testimonials that fully name the client.

[Drewster]

Like anything in life, you get what you pay for. In my experience, the accountancy frims who charge lower have a large number of clients- what we call in the profession the "sausage factory" approach. Then again just because you pay more, doesnt always mean you get more.

These days geography is not that relevant. Go for a firm that specialises or at least understands contracting and read their testimonials on their website. They need to be actual testimonials that fully name the client.

I have to disagree with a lot of this.....
I use a local accountant - who charges "lower" but doesn't have a large number of clients
Geography is relevant (to me) - I like to be able to meet face to face with people I deal with - particularly people I am trusting with intimate financial details.
I am not obsessed with "websites" - my accountant does numbers and forms and stuff having a website is of no interest (because I have his mobile number and I can also see him when I want).

Real recommendations from real people - I agree with (hard to get and validate with a website?)
and paying more doesn't mean you get more - I also agree with!

I also avoid "sausage factories"

Many of "us" prefer local accountants we can meet... thats our choice and IME local guys tend to be cheaper for a better service. YMMV as in all things

[h8mmer]

I feel that I must point out that, since the Managed Service Company Legislation was introduced, accountancy firms cannot 'manage' your business affairs and certainly cannot do everything for you without contravening the legislation.

Bit pedantic but perhaps 'managed' was the wrong term to use....how about 'dumbed down enough so even I can keep on top of things with minimal effort'

[SackmanandCo]

an accountant can do everything a contractor with a limited company needs without breaching MSC legislation.

if you ask an accountant to show him the testimonials, there is no reason why he shouldn't- we are happy to show all of ours.