Beginners guide on hiring an accountant

[BolshieBastard]

I am due to hire an accountant for my IT-contractor limited company to do all accounting work plus give good advice on all tax questions. Any clues on how to hire a good one for reasonable price and avoid a rubbish one? What are questions to ask? Any recommendations? Should accountant be available locally or would email and phone be enough? Or should I do everything on my own if it is straightforward? (then any links on DIY accounting welcome)

Dont fall for the shyte offered by the big internet based IT Contractor types. Spend a bit of time investigating your local accountants. Despite opinion to the contrary, some local small accountancy business do know and understand the contractors model.

You first need to ask do they charge for an initial 30 minute consultation? Dont be put off if they do as somethings that are free arent very good! Do they have other IT contractors on the book? Do they understand the IT contractor model? Do they know enough case law to fight any IR35 investigation? How would they structure your company, what strategies would they put in place to minimise any tax take?

At the end of the day, I think you need a one to one personal relationship rather than some distance voice on the end of a phone \ webchat.

[JRCT]

I'd recommend them anyway - if someone actually uses the referral (and I've only had two) then I can buy goodies. Last time, I bought two smoke detectors

Hey, there's no smoke without hire.


'cos he's wanting to hire an accountant and you..... oh, forget it.

[TheFaQQer]

Sheesh, you must be making a mint from this (I'd do the same, but I'm too lazy, and you're too fast anyway)

I'd recommend them anyway - if someone actually uses the referral (and I've only had two) then I can buy goodies. Last time, I bought two smoke detectors

[jamesbrown]

And if you go to InTouch - tell Louisa I sent you their way and we'll get some kind of goodie for the referral

Sheesh, you must be making a mint from this (I'd do the same, but I'm too lazy, and you're too fast anyway)

[Andrew@Wisteria]

Do you have any friends/family that you trust who are contractors? Ask them who they use and whether they think they're good...or possibly just stick with them as they can't be bothered to change.

Face to face vs phone/email tends to be personal preference.

This. Personal recommendation always preferred to yellow pages/google search! Get a few and see which one you click with best. Test them out on a couple of questions and suss out their responses.

[Maslins]

Do you have any friends/family that you trust who are contractors? Ask them who they use and whether they think they're good...or possibly just stick with them as they can't be bothered to change.

Face to face vs phone/email tends to be personal preference.

[tractor]

...

Cheap does not always = rubbish. I have a local with a small, professional practice that charges £600 ish plus extras if they are needed (like registered office etc) I do all the accounts, VAT and operational accounting (easily accomplished in Xero or one of the other online offerings). If you are unable or unwilling to do the operational stuff, then anything up to the full service is undoubtedly going to cost you more. What is important is that whoever you choose, you develop a good working relationship with them so that they know how much dialog you expect and about what subjects. This is very important to avoid the situation where they 'thought' you were going to do something and vice versa, then you get fined or worse for being late.

As others have said, read the recommendations sticky and either make your choice from there or ask for recommendations in your local area, I am sure you will find someone acceptable.

[DannyF1966]

When I decided to go Limited I googled some local accountants and filled in the "contact us" form on their sites. Only one ever got back to me and that was several days later. I ended up using the accountant my recruitment agent put me in contact with because they were on the ball and contacted me promptly to discuss my requirements.

As it turned out it was convenient for me to go with a local accountant (well, city centre local, but local enough for me), because they set up the company address as their own office, and the bank sends all correspondence directly to them. I called in to their office to pick up stuff I'd need myself, such as cheque books and card readers for online banking, although they would have posted everything on to me.

[Forbes Young]

I am due to hire an accountant for my IT-contractor limited company to do all accounting work plus give good advice on all tax questions. Any clues on how to hire a good one for reasonable price and avoid a rubbish one? What are questions to ask? Any recommendations? Should accountant be available locally or would email and phone be enough? Or should I do everything on my own if it is straightforward? (then any links on DIY accounting welcome)

If you are operating outside of IR35, then you’re a contractor/ freelancer/company director running your own business– the way you receive remuneration is not run of the mill. Would you go to a cheap unqualified “solicitor” for legal advice? I would advise you to be prepared to pay to be looked after by a qualified Accountant who is experienced in the contractor accountancy sector. We have references on our website from clients - but would advise you to seek out other contractors for their recommendations before choosing an accountant to suit your needs.
We deal with our clients by mainly email and telephone and don't have a problem with this.
Graeme Bennett ACMA MBA

[TheFaQQer]

There are plenty of recommendations in http://forums.contractoruk.com/accou...-requests.html

If you're starting out, I wouldn't suggest a DIY approach.

Find one that you like the look of - speak to a few and see what you feel comfortable with. When I started, I looked at a few and then ended up with a local guy who was good, nice, and f***ing expensive. When the last bill came in at about £3k for the year (!!), I had a chat with InTouch, NW and SJD. I went with InTouch because I got the best feeling for them - there's nothing bad about the others, but I preferred InTouch.

Ask about what they can do for you, and why should you go with them - think of some scenarios and ask about them (eg. what salary to pay, share splits with spouse, etc.) Ask them how proactive they will be about giving advice - if you are new, then you'll need it (although that's what CUK is for!).

And if you go to InTouch - tell Louisa I sent you their way and we'll get some kind of goodie for the referral

[Ltd]

I am due to hire an accountant for my IT-contractor limited company to do all accounting work plus give good advice on all tax questions. Any clues on how to hire a good one for reasonable price and avoid a rubbish one? What are questions to ask? Any recommendations? Should accountant be available locally or would email and phone be enough? Or should I do everything on my own if it is straightforward? (then any links on DIY accounting welcome)