Reply to: Tax Advisor/Consultant North West?

[JonNorris@Crunch]

I'm with Crunch, and do like the online system, but just don't feel I get the right advice from them. I want someone who can ask "Are you claiming this?", "You can do this or that..." ... Crunch don't do this, they just answer my questions. But if I don't know the questions to ask...!?

As NLUK said, this is more-or-less the standard setup for contractor accountancy firms. That said, we did recently add a new package that includes the "pro-active" (quotes because this means different things to different people) bit, meaning one of our senior accountants will go through your accounts and identify areas that could use some improvement. Shoot your Account Manager an email about it and they can explain.

[Dan@OrangeGenie]

Hi All

Any recommendations for someone up north (Liverpool ideally...) who I can speak to with regards to tax etc?

Basically, I want to make sure that I'm kind of claiming for everything that I possibly can. I know you can put lump sums into pensions to save corp tax etc but don't know anything about that...

So just generally someone to go over my last few years accounts to find out where I can save money!

Peter

I can arrange for one of our accountants to come and see you and discuss over a coffee? Alternately PM me your details and I'll send over one of our expenses guides.

[BolshieBastard]

Try Jones Harris, Fleetwood, Lancashire. Far better than these SJD types.

[Alan @ BroomeAffinity]

Pm me your email address and I'll drop you a line with what I need.

[peterc2609]

I'm happy to take a look. No cost. No commitment.

That would be helpful... what would you need from me?

Peter

[PerfectStorm]

I could write a book NLUK. One that springs to mind is the guy who claimed for a 3 pack of pants because he had forgot to pack any for a business trip.

A wholly and necessarily justified business expense required so as not to soil the uniform.

[TheFaQQer]

I could write a book NLUK. One that springs to mind is the guy who claimed for a 3 pack of pants because he had forgot to pack any for a business trip.

He was going away for a month?

[Alan @ BroomeAffinity]

I'm happy to take a look. No cost. No commitment.

[peterc2609]

I know a guy who put a 'racehorse' through the books... or at least the amount it cost him to join the small syndicate.

Corporate Hospitality he said it was... we bet on the horse twice. And twice it came last. Then was made into dog food.

I don't wanna go that extreme... just the normal stuff!

[Alan @ BroomeAffinity]

I could write a book NLUK. One that springs to mind is the guy who claimed for a 3 pack of pants because he had forgot to pack any for a business trip.

[northernladuk]

That's part of our service. We obviously can't tell whether you've incurred expenses or not but we have a pre- and post-year end review of expenditure ratios and practices against known averages. If it's wildly out we'd aim for a conversation with the contractor. But that's leading them to water. We can't make them drink.

At least people that come here ask about their daft ideas. I would love to hear some stories about those that just went ahead and did it. You must have seen some claims in your time Alan. Am guessing you can't share any with us?

[Alan @ BroomeAffinity]

That's part of our service. We obviously can't tell whether you've incurred expenses or not but we have a pre- and post-year end review of expenditure ratios and practices against known averages. If it's wildly out we'd aim for a conversation with the contractor. But that's leading them to water. We can't make them drink.

[northernladuk]

You won't get an accountant that will do that. You have to do a bit of your own legwork and proactively find out. There are reams of information so it's not hard to do. Any bits that may not be covered or a bit grey will have been covered on here or you can ask you accountant about specific stuff.

You need an accountant who will provide a service for you, not someone to run your business for you.

SJD have an office in Liverpool

http://www.sjdaccountancy.com/office...tant-liverpool

[peterc2609]

I guess so yeah...

I'm with Crunch, and do like the online system, but just don't feel I get the right advice from them. I want someone who can ask "Are you claiming this?", "You can do this or that..." ... Crunch don't do this, they just answer my questions. But if I don't know the questions to ask...!?

[Alan @ BroomeAffinity]

Its a contractor specialist accountant you're after surely?