Accountant recommendation threads inc local requests

[abu1]

Whatever accountant you decide to go with, make sure it’s a FreeAgent partner. If you decide to move accountants again in the future then there’s no data to transfer as it’s all within FreeAgent.

In my experience moving to FreeAgent is dependant on how well you know your business invoicing and expenses. I had to import bank transactions via CSV for my Current FY, explain each one and my accountant did the rest. Bank feeds are supported for a few banks directly and others require a 3rd party. I wasn’t comfortable with giving a 3rd party details to my Metro Bank internet login so takes few minutes every month doing a manual CSV import.

Do speak to Craig in the New Business team at Gorilla accounting, he is ex-NXW too :-)

What is their fees?

[abu1]

I can recommend Hewitt Accountancy.

Immediate response to everything. A cracking knowledge of ways to save that had not been hitherto recommended or even made known to me by my previous Contractor Callcentre Email Dropbox Accountancy.

Indeed, as part of the handover, he performed a complete, top to bottom audit and correction of all that went before at aforementioned accountants. A process that unearthed all sorts of problems.

Many thanks were forwarded...

Do you have their contact details and fees?

[pmjones]

Power Accountax

I've been with Power Accountax for three years now and everything has been fine until four months ago.
Since then I've had almost no communications from them and I've had to remind them that I need the monthly payroll and that VAT is due.
They announced that they were converting everyone to FreeAgent but I've heard nothing more about that.
On the plus side, I haven't had an invoice from them either!

Has anyone else experienced problems with them?

[simes]

I can recommend Hewitt Accountancy.

Immediate response to everything. A cracking knowledge of ways to save that had not been hitherto recommended or even made known to me by my previous Contractor Callcentre Email Dropbox Accountancy.

Indeed, as part of the handover, he performed a complete, top to bottom audit and correction of all that went before at aforementioned accountants. A process that unearthed all sorts of problems.

Many thanks were forwarded...

[Chart Accountancy]

As a complete novice I've decided to go with Aardvark as the top package appears good value with the relevant insurances I required included. Didn't really do too much shopping around as I figure it should be straight forward to change accountants as the use FreeAgent.

Too early to tell yet but will feedback with my thoughts further down the track.

Most contractor accountants would offer a discount on obtaining an insurance from a specialist contractor insurance company. It makes sense for the insurance to be separate from the accounting package as you can decide to change the insurance provider on the renewal so not sure how this would work if it is part of the accounting package.

[Chart Accountancy]

It all depends on whether you want the detailed transaction history or opening balances for the current FY in FreeAgent. You lose access to the previous accountants portal when you leave so I chose to import a few months of transactions. I did request an export from NXW but was told their vintage portal wasn’t able to.

If it is only a couple of months, you can choose to import, I would understand this. However, if you are able to extract a CSV download with all transactions, it would be sufficient to keep this as a back up to support the figures from the management accounts and just enter opening balances.

I am surprised that NXW would not provide you with a download from their portal as it is your data, so if they can not provide you with an export, they should then give you 'read only' access to be able to access the data after you end your engagement with them. At least FreeAgent would offer both, a CSV download and also read only access even after you closed your company.

[glenmore3685]

Thanks for that - have emailled Maslins and Aardvark so waiting for response - will see what their response times are like :-)

Gorilla had a web chat which was good

As a complete novice I've decided to go with Aardvark as the top package appears good value with the relevant insurances I required included. Didn't really do too much shopping around as I figure it should be straight forward to change accountants as the use FreeAgent.

Too early to tell yet but will feedback with my thoughts further down the track.

[rocketjet]

If you transfer mid-year, you can enter opening balances at the last completed month from your Intouch management accounts. There will be no need to CSV upload banks and enter mileages as a post above suggested, you would have already done the bookkeeping to the date you transfer, so no need to double your efforts. If you speak to an experienced FreeAgent accountant, your transition should be a smooth as possible.

It all depends on whether you want the detailed transaction history or opening balances for the current FY in FreeAgent. You lose access to the previous accountants portal when you leave so I chose to import a few months of transactions. I did request an export from NXW but was told their vintage portal wasn’t able to.

[Chart Accountancy]

Is tempting - but had very bad experience transferring to InTouch accounting - mishandled the whole procedure and I ended up with significant fines - very poor company - so would need gaurantees about the transfer process

If you transfer mid-year, you can enter opening balances at the last completed month from your Intouch management accounts. There will be no need to CSV upload banks and enter mileages as a post above suggested, you would have already done the bookkeeping to the date you transfer, so no need to double your efforts. If you speak to an experienced FreeAgent accountant, your transition should be a smooth as possible.

[rocketjet]

Whatever accountant you decide to go with, make sure it’s a FreeAgent partner. If you decide to move accountants again in the future then there’s no data to transfer as it’s all within FreeAgent.

In my experience moving to FreeAgent is dependant on how well you know your business invoicing and expenses. I had to import bank transactions via CSV for my Current FY, explain each one and my accountant did the rest. Bank feeds are supported for a few banks directly and others require a 3rd party. I wasn’t comfortable with giving a 3rd party details to my Metro Bank internet login so takes few minutes every month doing a manual CSV import.

Do speak to Craig in the New Business team at Gorilla accounting, he is ex-NXW too :-)