Reply to: Accountant Recommendation

[Dan@OrangeGenie]

I have a dedicated personal accountant and still it takes a few days for her to reply.

Do you recommend FE over Xero?

Our clients love FreeAgent, it gives them exactly what they need.

No complaints here....

[Alan @ BroomeAffinity]

I'm new here so not sure what I can and can't do. A new post would be OK?

Take a bit of time, read through some the threads, see what yo think about the posting accountants. Then select a few, check their website, give them a call.

[Alan @ BroomeAffinity]

Just to throw my 2pence in, I've had clients who've used Freeagent and Xero and the majority I've found prefer Freeagent. Xero seems to work better for bigger Companies whereas for a contractor company Freeagent is very simple to use and provides all the information you should need pretty easily.

I think both offer a free trial so why not sign up to both, have a play around and see which you prefer?

Martin
Contratax Ltd

This ^

I'm a partner for both Xero and FA. Aside from the cost - Xero is about twice the price - FA is a little more contractor friendly.

[sdonk]

A good start would be the accountants who post on here and provide a lot of free insight and advice. Throw them a bone.

I'm new here so not sure what I can and can't do. A new post would be OK?

I think both offer a free trial so why not sign up to both, have a play around and see which you prefer?

I will, thanks!

[ContrataxLtd]

I have a dedicated personal accountant and still it takes a few days for her to reply.

Do you recommend FE over Xero?

Just to throw my 2pence in, I've had clients who've used Freeagent and Xero and the majority I've found prefer Freeagent. Xero seems to work better for bigger Companies whereas for a contractor company Freeagent is very simple to use and provides all the information you should need pretty easily.

I think both offer a free trial so why not sign up to both, have a play around and see which you prefer?

Martin
Contratax Ltd

[sdonk]

Go with an accountant that uses Free Agent and try to get one that offers a dedicated personal accountant who will answer emails within 1 day. There's no need to pay more than £120 including VAT. What's good about Free Agent is that you can transport it from accountant to accountant because they are all using it.

I have a dedicated personal accountant and still it takes a few days for her to reply.

Do you recommend FE over Xero?

[ContrataxLtd]

You find 2 days unacceptable for £150 a month? I'm paying £294 a month and they still dont reply same day!

Blimey, what does your company do to have to pay £294 p/m in accountancy fees? Can't be a standard contractor setup surely?

[Alan @ BroomeAffinity]

Hi,
I'm considering changing my accountant as well, despite the fact I've been with them for a few months only.
There have been a few things but what really annoys me is the time it takes them to reply to emails, it has never been less than 2 days and I find this unacceptable for £150/month.

I don't mind to use a software to enter timesheets and expenses, do I don't really need a keys in hand package but I'd like to have snapshots and overviews of my business (the fancy graphs).

Any recommendation?

A good start would be the accountants who post on here and provide a lot of free insight and advice. Throw them a bone.

[Debz]

Hi,
I'm considering changing my accountant as well, despite the fact I've been with them for a few months only.
There have been a few things but what really annoys me is the time it takes them to reply to emails, it has never been less than 2 days and I find this unacceptable for £150/month.

I don't mind to use a software to enter timesheets and expenses, do I don't really need a keys in hand package but I'd like to have snapshots and overviews of my business (the fancy graphs).

Any recommendation?

You find 2 days unacceptable for £150 a month? I'm paying £294 a month and they still dont reply same day!

[JB3000]

Hi,
I'm considering changing my accountant as well, despite the fact I've been with them for a few months only.
There have been a few things but what really annoys me is the time it takes them to reply to emails, it has never been less than 2 days and I find this unacceptable for £150/month.

I don't mind to use a software to enter timesheets and expenses, do I don't really need a keys in hand package but I'd like to have snapshots and overviews of my business (the fancy graphs).

Any recommendation?

Go with an accountant that uses Free Agent and try to get one that offers a dedicated personal accountant who will answer emails within 1 day. There's no need to pay more than £120 including VAT. What's good about Free Agent is that you can transport it from accountant to accountant because they are all using it.

[Kenny@MyAccountantFriend]

Hi,
I'm considering changing my accountant as well, despite the fact I've been with them for a few months only.
There have been a few things but what really annoys me is the time it takes them to reply to emails, it has never been less than 2 days and I find this unacceptable for £150/month.

I don't mind to use a software to enter timesheets and expenses, do I don't really need a keys in hand package but I'd like to have snapshots and overviews of my business (the fancy graphs).

Any recommendation?

I agree the above does not sound like very good service for the money being paid.

Any company using an online portal would be able to meet your requirements above. (including myself of course )

[sdonk]

Hi,
I'm considering changing my accountant as well, despite the fact I've been with them for a few months only.
There have been a few things but what really annoys me is the time it takes them to reply to emails, it has never been less than 2 days and I find this unacceptable for £150/month.

I don't mind to use a software to enter timesheets and expenses, do I don't really need a keys in hand package but I'd like to have snapshots and overviews of my business (the fancy graphs).

Any recommendation?

[unisign124]

New accountant sought near Sheffield

Hi,

I've been with SJD for around 8 yrs and when I first started I had a good relationship with my accountant who was actually called Lovely believe it or not.
Recently I have been passed from pillar to post with no notice and one of the girls I was given didn't seen able to answer my basic questions and has to
go and keep checking with someone.
The final straw for me was being asked to go on direct debit a few weeks ago (presumably because of the takeover I knew nothing about) and then just getting a letter
to say the fees are going up nearly 10% in the middle of an accounting year which really annoys me.
NW still are advertising £95 for the same service so why do SJD think they are worth £120?
When you feel more like a commodity than a person I think its time to move on.

Im currently on the bench but expect to start again for the autumn so I will need a new accountant.

[Bluenose]

Personal experience; yes there has been - but someone else may come along and so no all is still good for them......

Yes I have been with SJD for 4 years and had great service.

[Waldorf]

I note NW require copies of all sales invoices. Interesting. Current guys don't ask for that.

Not now, you can use their Vantage system, so it is all online.