Want to go limited but not pay acct. fees when I'm not billing...

[Gym beast]

You don't have to retain an accountant on a monthly basis. You can do your own books and pay one to do your end of year accounts and corporation tax return. This has cost me between £500-600 in the past. I've done both; both have their pros and cons. If you don't feel you need monthly access to an accountant and are confident doing your own books then it's a reasonable and slightly cheaper option.

Well all I'm after is incorporation, open bank A/c, EoY/Tax Return and tax-efficient payroll. I myself can do the first two if need be. I can understand it all costing a grand but at the mo I'm being quoted 3k....taking consideration of the fact I might only invoice+pay myself 6-9 months I'd like that figure reduced a bit, to say the least.


Could also do without some ominously unquantified 'quote' for shutting down the company if I stop contracting!!

[cojak]

£3k?? Rip off. Contact any of the accountants on here and the most expensive will be half that. Look up 'MVL' for when you want to shut the company down (but it will probably cost a bit if you're contract for less than 18 months)

[kal]

£3k?? Rip off. Contact any of the accountants on here and the most expensive will be half that. Look up 'MVL' for when you want to shut the company down (but it will probably cost a bit if you're contract for less than 18 months)

3 grand!!! I'm paying 1200 quid a yr for a first rate service.

[Wanderer]

I can understand it all costing a grand but at the mo I'm being quoted 3k....taking consideration of the fact I might only invoice+pay myself 6-9 months I'd like that figure reduced a bit, to say the least.

Most of the accountants who advertise and post on this forum would do a year's accountancy service for ~£1000-£1500 so just go with one of them.

If it really bugs you about paying monthly when you have no work then just pay them for the year up front in a lump sum. Job done and you can stop worrying.

[northernladuk]

Try ringing a few and ask them. I seem to remember one contractor that mentioned SJD reduced the fee when he was benched for a long period. I don't know if it was reduced or just deferred though. Pick up the phone and see if you can negotiate something.

[TykeMerc]

3 grand!!! I'm paying 1200 quid a yr for a first rate service.

Much the same here and I'm fairly sure all the main accountancy firms that post here charge around the same for the service.

[psychocandy]

Do it yourself, **** it up. Then it'll cost a fortune.

FTFY

[psychocandy]

Well all I'm after is incorporation, open bank A/c, EoY/Tax Return and tax-efficient payroll. I myself can do the first two if need be. I can understand it all costing a grand but at the mo I'm being quoted 3k....taking consideration of the fact I might only invoice+pay myself 6-9 months I'd like that figure reduced a bit, to say the least.


Could also do without some ominously unquantified 'quote' for shutting down the company if I stop contracting!!

£3K !!!! I take it this is from a 'local' accountant? Beware of them I had this once. Eyes will light when they think how much they can screw from you and then you realise they aint actually got a clue about contractors.

I'd recommend Nixon Williams. £95+vat per month and they are excellent.

[psychocandy]

Are you trolling or just a bit slow?

Accountants charge one amount for doing your accounts and then allow you to pay in 12 installments.

Dont think OP gets it.

OP - yes if all accountant did was do payslip, maybe few emails etc then £100 a month is a bit much. But, theres all the end of year stuff which takes time etc. So even if you only work for 6 months, accountant still has to do this work.

[northernladuk]

Dont think OP gets it.

OP - yes if all accountant did was do payslip, maybe few emails etc then £100 a month is a bit much. But, theres all the end of year stuff which takes time etc. So even if you only work for 6 months, accountant still has to do this work.

In the land of the blind the one eyed man is king hey.

You are forgetting about the intangibles as well like keeping up to date with all legislation and changes as well as him being available to speak to for as long as you want at anytime.