Crunch

[cojak]

Yep, I'm sure 'Mike' didn't mind me modding his post....

[Sockpuppet]

Their fees are very competitive £59.50 a month

Not if your paying £50 for a accountant I can walk down the road to see.

[Waldorf]

Has anybody had any experience with Crunch? Do you find them proactive, or is it really just free agent with an accountant on the phone when you need one?

Seems to be many staffed by techies rather than accountants? I would rather have an accountant do my accounts, or perhaps I am old fashioned?

[IR35 Avoider]

I used to use a small accountant who had lots of contractor clients and offered good service.

Now working part-time, want to keep costs down and keep my (new) company very simple - invoice money goes in, accounting costs, salary, pension contributions and possibly child care vouchers go out. (And taxes of course.) No other expenses claimed. No/negligible need for dividends because I treat all income as IR35-caught.

I now use Crunch. Their web-site based approach is excellent. Flat rate scheme is more than paying their fee, so much better off financially than using an umbrella, which I did briefly. (Umbrella was also unable to smoothe salary, so cost me unnecessary NI)

For someone who knows exactly what they're doing Crunch must be optimal. I don't know what it's like for anyone who wants advice, or to be able to speak to their accountant, as that isn't me. Essentially I can do my accounts by logging on to their web-site once a quarter for a few minutes, loading my previously downloaded bank statement, and generating any missing transactions. Once done, I tick a box somewhere to confirm my accounts are up-to-date and they can submit my VAT return electronically. Nothing needs to go through the post in either direction.