Recommend an accountant

**jamesbrown** · 10 October 2013, 23:30

I wouldn't be too quick to leave SJD. Perhaps you just need to have a conversation with them about your concerns? They're a large company and many people seem to be very happy with them. Ultimately, you may be able to switch accountants within SJD.

If you really can't resolve your issues with SJD (and I'm sure you can):

http://forums.contractoruk.com/accou...-requests.html

FYI, I'm with InTouch and very happy with them, but check out the thread; there are many good accountants to choose from.

**northernladuk** · 11 October 2013, 00:13

Good luck with the cheaper alternative. You might find some that is a couple of percent less from the competitors but if you are talking 20% or more you are going to get the same service.

Why not do it yourself for a year and see how easy it is? Lots of people recommending Freeagent and other offerings. Put your money where your mouth is and give it a go. SJD and others will work with FreeAgent so easy to pick up if you get stuck.

Just remember though £126 is about 2 hours a month at a contractor rate, dunno what accountants are on so could be less. That includes the soft stuff like him being there to chat to you if you need him etc. Not forgetting you get tax relief on that as well. It's hardly a lot really.

They have many accountants at SJD. If you are particularly unimpressed with one ask for another. I am on my 3rd or 4th for one reason or another (not my choice) but they have all been fine.

Have to say if I did have a problem with them I would be knocking on InTouch or NW's door.

**Old Greg** · 11 October 2013, 06:17

Originally posted by heyya99 View Post

I'm not happy with SJD Accounting. My personal accountant was always off sick, very slow to respond and made some administrative errors. I'm paying £126 per month and for what he does, I think that's a lot. I own a small Ltd company with only myself as employee. I've heard people say paying for a good accountant will save me money in the long term but what can a £126 accountant do that a cheaper one can't? He does very little as it is..

Can any recommend an alternative to SJD? Would I get a decent accountant for half the price?

They used to have a guarantee that if you didn't get a response to an email within 2 hrs you go t a month's accountancy free. But then I may have dreamt that as they've always responded within 24 hours. Contact Head Office.

**heyya99** · 11 October 2013, 06:56

I must add that my current accountant has left the company and I have a new one. I haven't had to deal with her yet. My big issue here is not quality of accountant - it's the paying of 126 for an accountant that doesn't do much for me. Is my new accountant in SJD going to be any different in approach to my old one? Surely they have the same company-wide policies.

I'm trying to cut costs across the board, from personal to business and an expensive accountant seemed to me a good area to cut. Even if my new accountant responds to mails in an hour, is she still worth that money, for a bit of paperwork basically? Not so sure. It's not as if I'm going to her with millions of pounds in turnover and she's actively trying to save me tax.

**northernladuk** · 11 October 2013, 07:24

Originally posted by heyya99 View Post

I must add that my current accountant has left the company and I have a new one. I haven't had to deal with her yet. My big issue here is not quality of accountant - it's the paying of 126 for an accountant that doesn't do much for me. Is my new accountant in SJD going to be any different in approach to my old one? Surely they have the same company-wide policies.

I'm trying to cut costs across the board, from personal to business and an expensive accountant seemed to me a good area to cut. Even if my new accountant responds to mails in an hour, is she still worth that money, for a bit of paperwork basically? Not so sure. It's not as if I'm going to her with millions of pounds in turnover and she's actively trying to save me tax.

Yep you are right. Sack them, do it yourself. Guess that is what you were after? If that is what you really thing you are beyond help so we will agree with you instead.

Go find how much a cheap accountant is and come back and report....

**heyya99** · 11 October 2013, 07:34

Originally posted by northernladuk View Post

Yep you are right. Sack them, do it yourself. Guess that is what you were after? If that is what you really thing you are beyond help so we will agree with you instead.

Go find how much a cheap accountant is and come back and report....

**DirtyDog** · 11 October 2013, 07:53

Originally posted by heyya99 View Post

I must add that my current accountant has left the company and I have a new one. I haven't had to deal with her yet. My big issue here is not quality of accountant - it's the paying of 126 for an accountant that doesn't do much for me. Is my new accountant in SJD going to be any different in approach to my old one? Surely they have the same company-wide policies.

I'm trying to cut costs across the board, from personal to business and an expensive accountant seemed to me a good area to cut. Even if my new accountant responds to mails in an hour, is she still worth that money, for a bit of paperwork basically? Not so sure. It's not as if I'm going to her with millions of pounds in turnover and she's actively trying to save me tax.

£126 a month isn't an expensive accountant. My previous one, before moving to InTouch, was charging somewhere in the region of £3k a year to do next to nothing - basically end of year accounts and my tax return. I told them I was leaving, and they came down to £2k, which was still way too much.

**malvolio** · 11 October 2013, 08:05

If you think a professional is expensive, wait until you hire an amateur...

**alluvial** · 11 October 2013, 08:22

Originally posted by malvolio View Post

If you think a professional is expensive, wait until you hire an amateur...

Or a professional that makes an amateur look good like I had.

A good accountant will save you money in the long run. My current one has saved me literally thousands after sorting out the mess my old one left me in.

Recommend an accountant