Reply to: Would anyone recommend their accountant?

[kaiser78]

Looking in the wrong place then. We were on track to raise our fees about a year ago but got in tow with Freeagent and we able to resist the increase. That's a reduction, kinda :-)

Yes, so my initial statement is still valid then...

[dagenheis]

I'm in the same boat, come to think of it, I should have moved years ago. I certainly will not be recommending my current accountant. Take a look around here and IMO, preferably choose a FreeAgent accountant. That's what I'm doing if I land a new contract.

+1

IMO, using FA (or any other software in the cloud) accountant makes perfect sense for contractors - proven software for bookkeeping and staying on top of the finances, and using qualified accountant for expert advice/quarterly/six month review in addition to usual Ltd obligations (PAYE, year-end etc). Not impressed with account/client managers where the quality of service varies even within a practice. Spreadsheet and requesting management accounts seem outdated.

I would just make sure that I own the FA access/data (which is the case anyway?) so switching to a different accountant is seemless with cost impact as the sole consideration.

From the accountant standpoint, it probably makes sense not to reinvent the wheel and integrate FA or similar application into their backoffice processes.

By the way, I plan to work through the accredited accountants list on the FA website and shortlist a few around the London area. It would be a plus to find someone in the area I can go for a quick meetinging if needed. However, i feel there are not many who are both FA and IPSE accredited.

[Alan @ BroomeAffinity]

In the x many years I have been contracting I have never come across the notion of reduced fees, more like the latter...

Looking in the wrong place then. We were on track to raise our fees about a year ago but got in tow with Freeagent and we able to resist the increase. That's a reduction, kinda :-)

[kaiser78]

This^

Freeagent is only going to get better with integrations planned. Admittedly, it's the accountants that will feel the benefit of these but one would like to think these benefits can be passed on in the form of either reduced fees, or a more value-added, rather than a transactional, service. Either that or well scoff it all up in extra profits. :-)

In the x many years I have been contracting I have never come across the notion of reduced fees, more like the latter...

[Alan @ BroomeAffinity]

I tend to agree that the gorilla website is a bit disingenuous but, having met the ops manager at a Freeagent event I wouldn't be too concerned about experience. They do know their onions.

[Waldorf]

Evidence?

Mine @ Gorilla is ACCA qualified and the service I get is second to none.

Well you don't mention who you use but take a look at 'Meet the team' on their website.

They list lots of people who look highly qualified but most of them are from the private equity backers, Seneca Partners, and have no hands on involvement with the operations. The only one of the accounting staff who does seem to work in the business is Jamie Leigh-Burton, looking at her LinkedIn profile she only worked at SJD for a couple of years and yet in now the Operations Director!

My view is that this is not enough time to get a full grip of how this market works and follows a trend of PE backed companies appointing managers with no experience of the market they operate in, hence the decline in service and quality we will see.

[Fred Bloggs]

This^

Freeagent is only going to get better with integrations planned. Admittedly, it's the accountants that will feel the benefit of these but one would like to think these benefits can be passed on in the form of either reduced fees, or a more value-added, rather than a transactional, service. Either that or well scoff it all up in extra profits. :-)

And it is exactly that latter approach that my very soon to be ex-accountant has opted for.

[Alan @ BroomeAffinity]

For me (having used several spreadie-based accountants in the past) one using FreeAgent is a must.

This^

Freeagent is only going to get better with integrations planned. Admittedly, it's the accountants that will feel the benefit of these but one would like to think these benefits can be passed on in the form of either reduced fees, or a more value-added, rather than a transactional, service. Either that or well scoff it all up in extra profits. :-)

[Lockhouse]

Happy with Nixon Williams £95+vat

Me too.

[Johndc30]

I'm with Nixon Williams and I'm very happy with them.

[Mojito]

Freeagent

For me (having used several spreadie-based accountants in the past) one using FreeAgent is a must.

I use Maslins (as NLUK knows) and am very happy with the service I get.

[Intel]

With regards to Gorilla, the ex SJD staff do not appear very experienced.

Evidence?

Mine @ Gorilla is ACCA qualified and the service I get is second to none.

[Troll]

I'm using CKS accounting in Essex

Chartered status, £108 per month inc & recommended - wanted to avoid the big firms as too impersonal

[dx4100]

Happy with Nixon Williams £95+vat

[Waldorf]

Other recommendations you'll get are InTouch, possibly SJD and I believe there are still some happy Nixon Williams people around but the latter two appear to be getting a bit expensive.

SJD charge £120 per month, InTouch £98 per month and Nixon Williams £95 per month, so it is the former two who are more expensive.

With regards to Gorilla, the ex SJD staff do not appear very experienced.