Rectifying earlier mistakes about selection of Accountant

[rd409]

Hi all,
This is my first post to the board, and I am not ashamed of accepting my mistake. I did a very hasty decision and went with the agent's choice of accountant. This has now turned out to be a massive mistake, as he is very expensive, and the amount of service I have received in last few months is nearly zero.
I keep on calling them when I need help, and they are always busy on other line, and promise to get back to me, which never happens. I drop email and they are always unanswered. I have threatened them of leaving twice in as much months, and that is when the manager calls me and says, my email went to junk folder. I pay them a fortune (£150 PM) and I atleast hope they add my email to their safe list, so they can read my email asap. But this never happens.
Now I have finally made up my mind to leave them, and after doing a bit of research found NW and SJD are the most recommended choice. Do you think there might be some problem with my agent as I am leaving their choice of accountants? I am not sure if they are making a cut out of it, but my relation with my agent has so far been excellent, and I dont want to ruin that.
Any other suggestions for accountants are welcome.

[northernladuk]

Am with SJD after leaving a small one man band in a situation like yours and it is like a breath of fresh air. Detailed stuff to fill in, never had a mail not answered or phone call missed, regular bulletins about scams, claimable expenses and so on. I can't fault them as they are 1000% better than my last guy but can't compare them to the other big players I am afraid.

[badger7579]

As above for NW. Been with them for 3 years and 100% happy with the service.

[RichardCranium]

Do you think there might be some problem with my agent as I am leaving their choice of accountants? I am not sure if they are making a cut out of it, but my relation with my agent has so far been excellent, and I don't want to ruin that.

Don't worry about the agent. They forgot your name the day you started the contract.

And if the agent recommended an expensive but crap accountant to you because they get a cut (very likely) then the relationship isn't excellent, is it? They've shafted you, twice over.

[MarillionFan]

Its got f - all to do with the agent.

If you're not happy move.

[sy8111]

As above for NW. Been with them for 3 years and 100% happy with the service.

I am impressed with NW's fast response to my initial service query, and is going to hire them, also because of their relatively low fee. Hope this is good decision. Even if it is not there is no minimum binding terms, right?

[Vallah]

A good accountant should be with you for all of your business life, whereas agencies come and go all the time. I've heard nothing but good reports about NW, so I'm sure they'll be a good choice. The agent probably gets a kick back for referring clients, but that's no reason whatsoever to use them.

[TykeMerc]

I am impressed with NW's fast response to my initial service query, and is going to hire them, also because of their relatively low fee. Hope this is good decision. Even if it is not there is no minimum binding terms, right?

I'm happy with Nixon Williams so far, I've asked a fair few questions, often things I could probably have answered with some research and always had straight answers with a quick response.

I feel I'm getting decent value for money, good advice and service, no complaints from me.

[rd409]

Don't worry about the agent. They forgot your name the day you started the contract.

And if the agent recommended an expensive but crap accountant to you because they get a cut (very likely) then the relationship isn't excellent, is it? They've shafted you, twice over.

Well actually not. The agent has been very helpful since the outset of this gig. May be my expectations has been too low to meet, but still, reading the general rant about the agents, I believe this one is way better. Anyways, that is not the issue. The reason I want to make sure this relation stays, is because this agency is one of the biggest player in my field, and I believe they hold a massive portion of contracts as on now (looking at the way the jobs being advertised by them!)

There is not much difference between NW and SJD quote actually, £15 pm! In this case which is better overall. Is there someone on board, who has actually been with both?

[Old Greg]

Well actually not. The agent has been very helpful since the outset of this gig. May be my expectations has been too low to meet, but still, reading the general rant about the agents, I believe this one is way better. Anyways, that is not the issue. The reason I want to make sure this relation stays, is because this agency is one of the biggest player in my field, and I believe they hold a massive portion of contracts as on now (looking at the way the jobs being advertised by them!)

There is not much difference between NW and SJD quote actually, £15 pm! In this case which is better overall. Is there someone on board, who has actually been with both?

You may find someone who has been with both, but you will find most people stick with whichever one they choose because they are both good. I am very happy with SJD and get great value because they don't just keep my books in order but pro-actively give good tax advice, so make me money (net) rather than costing me. But to be fair, that may be the same for NW, as OPs say, we never hear anything bad about them.