SJD fee rise. Is £1512 p/annum a reasonable fee?

**prozak** · 14 January 2011, 10:25

you pay £126 a month for what exactly?

How complex are your affairs?

You get money in - revenue.
You pay Money out - expenses.

Obviously that is the extremely simple version... but it aint hard... software puts it all in order...

Corp Tax online is deady easy to do. You can also now do a joint submission to Companies House and HMRC on the same form.

By all means use professionals for advice, but IMHO they add no value to the day to day year to year processes.

**Fred Bloggs** · 14 January 2011, 10:28

I pay £96 inc VAT a month and I think that is as much as I'd like to pay. My impression is that all the contractor focussed accountants are very similar. From what I've seen SJD have always been pretty expensive.

**Kanye** · 14 January 2011, 10:56

I have just started with InTouch who charge £75 / month.

Early days but they seem like a breath of fresh air compared to the 2 accountants I tried previously.

**sal626** · 14 January 2011, 11:06

I pay £75 a month (incl vat). Found my accountant on the high street, have used him for 5 years and he has been excellent. However, finding an accountant in the yellow pages can be a bit hit and miss. The last one I had was a right pain. If you are going to switch to a cheaper alternative, look for recommendations.

**kaiser78** · 14 January 2011, 11:14

£1500 is extreme based on 'standard' ltd company affairs.

I have just changed to a new accountant where I am paying £1000 pa (incl VAT) which covers all my ltd company accounts and also personal tax returns for myself and the wife.

These guys whilst being local (conscious decision) specialise in IT contractor / small ltd co set ups.

**MaryPoppins** · 14 January 2011, 11:34

Originally posted by babybel View Post

My accountants SJD have decided to raise their fee for all I guess from 100 to 126 per month which seems like a bit of an extortionate hike right now. I am mostly happy with them - not 100%, they do make mistakes, but they're not bad & for comparison I've never had another accountant. I understand they do lots of stuff I'm probably not aware of but at the same time, I take care of a lot myself, filling in their spreadsheet, VAT returns online etc.

Is £1512 p/annum a reasonable fee?
Is it a hassle to change accountant?
Can anyone else recommend another accountancy firm?

I've been paying £131.17 to SJD since I joined them over 12 months ago.

**VectraMan** · 14 January 2011, 11:40

Originally posted by babybel View Post

My accountants SJD have decided to raise their fee for all I guess from 100 to 126 per month which seems like a bit of an extortionate hike right now.

I don't think they've changed mine, and the website says £105 + VAT, which is up from the £95+VAT it's been for several years. So I've no idea where you're getting your figures from.

I've just had Brooksons on the phone trying to sell me their service, but in fact he might have succeeded in convincing me I don't need an accountant at all.

Can anyone recommend software to make things easier?

**prozak** · 14 January 2011, 11:52

Originally posted by VectraMan View Post

I don't think they've changed mine, and the website says £105 + VAT, which is up from the £95+VAT it's been for several years. So I've no idea where you're getting your figures from.

I've just had Brooksons on the phone trying to sell me their service, but in fact he might have succeeded in convincing me I don't need an accountant at all.

Can anyone recommend software to make things easier?

I currently use MYOB.... I knew it from my days in Australia.... Not sure they sell it anymore.... It makes sense to me.... not sure if it would make sense to someone who has no accounting experience at all.

Just get something without payroll. THe payroll updates are expensive and not required as there is free payroll services and software out there.... in fact I bet there is free accounting software somewhere as well...

**TestMangler** · 14 January 2011, 11:59

I've been using the same accountant for 15 years and have never been charged more than £500 (excl vat) per annum. He's not one of the big name 'contractor' accountants but the company has been going for donkeys years and used to specialise in one man Ltd companies in the Oil & Gas industry in the 70s.

I do my own VAT returns and he does everything else. Never had any problems in that time.

If anyone wants contact details, PM me.

SJD fee rise. Is £1512 p/annum a reasonable fee?