Starting a "Proper" Business - accountant advice needed

[Andrew@Wisteria]

Whilst I work mainly in the contractors team at Hillier Hopkins, we deal with a variety of businesses and individuals (including some consultants who built medium sized businesses). Happy to have a chat or coffee if it helps? We're in Herts and London coincidentally.

[GillsMan]

I use KPMG Small Business Accounting. Their payroll services are new and aren't perfect, but the rest of their service is excellent, and they use Xero too which is a bonus as it's an excellent system.

I've got a number of full time permie employees working for me, and KPMG SBA cost is pretty reasonable considering the service.

[No2politics]

Its outside their usual thing - 1 man limited companies. They must get economies of scale from dealing with the same type of client. Its a shame because I have been very happy with the service, but its probably shifting outside their expertise level. E.g. there are tax breaks open to certain companies doing R and D, which an accountant used to dealing with software firms would be aware of but possibly not if you just deal with one man bands...

[VectraMan]

In what way are NW unable to offer accountancy services?

It's still a Ltd. company.

[No2politics]

There are a number of people on this forum that have left the contracting model to start a "proper" business - one that produces a product and hires employees. I'm about to do the same - and i'm looking for advice on accountants. My business partner and I have started company that has two goals a) to create a software product b) to provide consultancy services. My existing accountant Nixon Williams is unable to offer accountancy services for this new business - hence I'm looking for alternatives.

Are there any accountants out there that you would recommend? I live in Hertfordshire - not that I ever met my last two accountants