Recommended accountants : in/around Watford

[carpediem247]

Hi All,

I am a permie, planning to move to contracting soon. Would appreciate any recommendations for a professional and efficient accountant, bearing in mind:

(a) ideally, I would like to offload as much of the paper work, as far as practically possible
(b) I agree with the principle "you get what you pay for" i.e. I am willing to pay an amount commensurate with these expectations
(c) I understand the accountant does not have to physically located near me, it is just that it is so much comfortable for me to deal with someone you have met in person (and can easily meet again, if needed) rather than a voice on the phone
(d) In particular, I have been considering getting in touch with SJD, partly because they are just a couple of miles from where I am based - any feedback on them?

Thanks for reading this,
CD

[SackmanandCo]

what makes a great accountant in your eyes?

[carpediem247]

knowledgeable, efficient, courteous - don't think I can be any more specific than that.

[SackmanandCo]

would a money back guarantee be a significan factor?

[carpediem247]

Sounds like an interesting proposition, but I am afraid I do not understand under what circumstances I would get my money back (presumably, the fees I pay for the services rendered by the accountant) - would you be kind enough to elaborate further ?

[SackmanandCo]

there are a minority of accountants that are willing to give a money back guarantee on everything they do. that way they take on the commercial risk, rather than the client. I know it sounds highly unusual but i've always taken the view that you have to be totally confident in business to deliver what you say you will. in 4 years only one person has called in ours.

[mudskipper]

Hi All,

I am a permie, planning to move to contracting soon. Would appreciate any recommendations for a professional and efficient accountant, bearing in mind:

(a) ideally, I would like to offload as much of the paper work, as far as practically possible
(b) I agree with the principle "you get what you pay for" i.e. I am willing to pay an amount commensurate with these expectations
(c) I understand the accountant does not have to physically located near me, it is just that it is so much comfortable for me to deal with someone you have met in person (and can easily meet again, if needed) rather than a voice on the phone
(d) In particular, I have been considering getting in touch with SJD, partly because they are just a couple of miles from where I am based - any feedback on them?

Thanks for reading this,
CD

I went with SJD as they have an office local to me. But I was allocated an accountant miles away, whom I've never met and spoke to on the phone for the first time last week. Having said that, they have done everything that's needed, responded quickly to queries and generally kept things hassle free and I'm happy enough. What they haven't done (for me - I believe others have different experiences) is provide proactive personal advice - an initial call to discuss my situation and setup would have been nice.

[SackmanandCo]

personal service does count- after all, people buy from people not from organisations.

we meet all our clients at least once a year and get to know them as people. for me- this is actually the fun part of my job!!

[carpediem247]

Thanks for your comments and feedback, guys.

Regds,
CD

[THEPUMA]

My response offering our services appears to have been deleted. Is that because it had my phone number in or am I not allowed to tell the OP I am an accountant in Watford (Joel Harding of Hillier Hopkins BTW)?