Accountant Dissatisfaction

[kaiser78]

I think I am at the point of having to ditch my accountant.

Reason being with my company accounts due to be submitted to Companies House at the end of December I gave him all the papers in early August in order to get this out the way and not be dragging into NOv/Dev. Now at the end of Nov and him promising to have everything finalised 2 weeks ago when I spoke to him then, I have heard nothing, he has not returned my emails of phone calls requesting update on progress.

I have not been overly happy with his service until now, more just satisfied, but he is convenient seeing me out of hours as and when required. This though is not needed so much now as the company is up and running now and I just need returns done.

Is this the norm in terms of service, ie should I stick with him given the bulk of the work for the financial year should be done soon or look at alternatives ?

[Clare@InTouch]

I'd be concerned that he's not returning your calls or emails - is he a local accountant or one of the specialists?

If you gave him the documents over 3 months ago then that should be enough time to prepare some draft figures for you as you're so close to the deadline, unless there's something oddly complicated about your company!

[kaiser78]

I'd be concerned that he's not returning your calls or emails - is he a local accountant or one of the specialists?

If you gave him the documents over 3 months ago then that should be enough time to prepare some draft figures for you as you're so close to the deadline, unless there's something oddly complicated about your company!

Thanks - yes I have seen some draft figures which need updating and were going to be finalised 2 weeks ago.

[stillooking]

I think I am at the point of having to ditch my accountant.

Reason being with my company accounts due to be submitted to Companies House at the end of December I gave him all the papers in early August in order to get this out the way and not be dragging into NOv/Dev. Now at the end of Nov and him promising to have everything finalised 2 weeks ago when I spoke to him then, I have heard nothing, he has not returned my emails of phone calls requesting update on progress.

I have not been overly happy with his service until now, more just satisfied, but he is convenient seeing me out of hours as and when required. This though is not needed so much now as the company is up and running now and I just need returns done.

Is this the norm in terms of service, ie should I stick with him given the bulk of the work for the financial year should be done soon or look at alternatives ?

My experience of 12 years is that you do sometimes (not all the times) have to keep an eye on when they are going to do the key pieces of work for you. Although it's their speciality things can get lost in the pile of stuff people deliver to them, a lot of people's books are delivered in a right mess, it must be difficult at times keeping track of what's what.

Having said that my accountant sends out reminders for companies to deliver the books and the input so they can meet the deadlines.

Also, they send out by post a regular general budget/fiscal update in a newsletter, so I would say they're fairly good.

[richy]

My experience of 12 years is that you do sometimes (not all the times) have to keep an eye on when they are going to do the key pieces of work for you. Although it's their speciality things can get lost in the pile of stuff people deliver to them, a lot of people's books are delivered in a right mess, it must be difficult at times keeping track of what's what.

Having said that my accountant sends out reminders for companies to deliver the books and the input so they can meet the deadlines.

Also, they send out by post a regular general budget/fiscal update in a newsletter, so I would say they're fairly good.

Could you tell us which accountant you are using? they sound very good!

[TykeMerc]

Nixon Williams have been totally on the ball over when various returns were due with submissions prepared in good time, sorted out my Self Assessment and given sensible considered advice swiftly when asked questions. I haven't had to wait for more than an hour or two for am email response and phone calls have always resulted in immediate help.
They aren't the cheapest, but far from the most expensive and I've been happy with their service.

[kaiser78]

Nixon Williams have been totally on the ball over when various returns were due with submissions prepared in good time, sorted out my Self Assessment and given sensible considered advice swiftly when asked questions. I haven't had to wait for more than an hour or two for am email response and phone calls have always resulted in immediate help.
They aren't the cheapest, but far from the most expensive and I've been happy with their service.

Thanks - how much do you pay, if you don't mind me asking ?

[Nixon Williams]

Thanks - how much do you pay, if you don't mind me asking ?

Sorry to interupt but our fee is £75+VAT per month.

Alan

[KenSwain2]

You could also ...

Could you tell us which accountant you are using? they sound very good!

... check InTouch. They kick me when I need a reminder rather than me waiting for them. Same sort of price - lots included. Cheers !

[TykeMerc]

Sorry to interupt but our fee is £75+VAT per month.

Alan

What he said He should know it's his firm that invoices me. Fully justifiable business expense of course.