Accountant recommendation threads inc local requests

[northernladuk]

It still says that SJD and NW might be worth a look, but judging by recent feedback that might need updating.

Possibly but there are 9 other options on there.

[RibZed]

Clever Accounts

I've used Clever Accounts for a few years now and have always found them responsive and very helpful.

£90 a month so I'm guessing that's just under 'mid-range' in terms of costs but includes a very easy to use portal, completing and submitting your VAT returns, unlimited advice etc.

Only criticism is that the portal doesn't get developed rapidly enough for changes....so, for example, dividend tax credits still appear on the dividend paper work that the portal outputs. Nothing major really but just a little indication that the portal isn't perhaps being enhanced quickly enough when things change. This is such a competitive market that I guess any savings, no matter how small, are taken up - but I'd feel more comfortable seeing the portal keep pace with these types of changes.

Aside from the portal, I've always found them (as a company) very customer focussed and responsive.

I was with a remote accounting firm for a year who had no concept of customer service - they were specialists in sending very 'we are cleverer than you', 'you don't know what you're talking about' types of e-mails and just used a free bit of software that required sending them a file every month so that they could tell you the maximum dividend that could be taken. Dreadful...haven't regretted leaving them for 1 second.

[Fred Bloggs]

IMO, portals are just SO "00's". FreeAgent has eaten their breakfast, lunch and dinner. I couldn't honestly recommend any accountant who isn't 100% FreeAgent now. Out of date software just doesn't happen on an FA account.

[Maslins]

Out of date software just doesn't happen on an FA account.

Agree with your sentiment, but think quite a few people would disagree with the above, as every year it takes them about 6 months following the personal tax year end before they update the SA section. We (and many other accountants) have moaned about this multiple times...they have their reasons, but still, not ideal.

[simondolan]

IMO, portals are just SO "00's". FreeAgent has eaten their breakfast, lunch and dinner. I couldn't honestly recommend any accountant who isn't 100% FreeAgent now. Out of date software just doesn't happen on an FA account.

Agreed. It is a ridiculous waste of money for an accountancy firm to develop (and have to continue to develop) their own version of a product which already exists and works so well.

[TheFaQQer]

Agree with your sentiment, but think quite a few people would disagree with the above, as every year it takes them about 6 months following the personal tax year end before they update the SA section. We (and many other accountants) have moaned about this multiple times...they have their reasons, but still, not ideal.

One of the reasons I moved to Dynamo was because I had more faith in FA getting MTD right (when that comes) than a third party portal provider would.

But I agree that there are some things that could do with updating quicker and a whole raft of features that I would like to see - full / better SA and generate remittance advice being two that I would have expected would be there as standard.

[Fred Bloggs]

Agreed, I think FA's biggest weakness is tardiness in updating and addressing shortcomings in the software. Having said that, I imagine, they still have limited resources and they are still miles ahead of the competition.

[BlueSharp]

Lowson Ward

Lowson Ward Birmingham based accountancy practice who specialise in contractors from a variety of industries. I have been with them for 5 years now complaints at all, highly recommended!

[duthieg]

Advice sought - firstfreelance.com

Amazing work done by northernladuk on his "Accountant recommendation" threads aggregation - incredibly helpful.

I'm enquiring about an accountant called "First Freelance", because they puzzle me.

On the positive side:

• They have 61 Google reviews - almost all glowing
• They're an FCSA accredited member (First Freelance - FCSA)
• They're an official REC Business Partner and have been awarded the Cabinet Office Award for Customer Service Excellence (2015 and 2016) (https://www.rec.uk.com/business-supp...-accreditation)

On the negative side

• There's no mention of them anywhere in contractoruk.com
• Some of the Google reviews look a bit dubious
• They were recommended to me by an agency

Does anyone here know anything about them?

[Darren at Fox-Bartfield]

Accountants

Were you quoted a cost for these guys?

FF tend to receive their new clients from recruiter referrals rather than here on the forums.

We know the FF guys quite well, nice chaps. Wouldn't be professional to say anything either way but would suggest you check out their fee structure.