Reply to: SJD Accountancy - prompting aw change?

[Maslins]

It is less likely for larger contractor accountants to be registered with the accounting bodies because a certain number of stakeholders/principals need to hold the relevant qualification and they like cheaper staff to drive the prices down.

The likes of Maslins is where you need to be really. Sweet spot of good service, price and regulatory oversight. I am not paid by Chris to say this. I wish I was paid by Chris to say this.

Wow, thanks (brown enevelope of cash on its way)!

Each institute has different rules regarding what % of which key people need to have what qualification for the overall firm to be able to use that qualification. Can get a bit complex. Some big firms aren't owned by accountants (they're owned by VCs, or a few wealthy bankers/lawyers/whatever), so typically they can't call their firm a qualified firm. They may however still have lots of qualified staff doing the actual work. Flip side is of course you can have a firm owned by one qualified accountant, but with hundreds of unqualified folk doing the actual work. Therefore you can't always read too much into it.

There's pros and cons of huge, mid size, and tiny firms. Huge firms will have lots of systems in place and probably clever marketing, including useful e-shots etc which clients often like. However, you may find "your accountant" changes regularly. At the tiny end, a one man band accountant where you deal with "the boss" all the time can work great. However, may be less than ideal if they want a long holiday/are seriously ill/whatever. Don't think there's necessarily a universal right/wrong, personal preference of the client should help decide whether you want to be with a big/medium/small sized firm.

[VelcroPower]

I wouldn't bother complaining to IPSE or FCSA - they are not regulatory accounting bodies. I am surprised if accountants are not members of one of the regulatory bodies such as ICAEW, ACCA etc

It is less likely for larger contractor accountants to be registered with the accounting bodies because a certain number of stakeholders/principals need to hold the relevant qualification and they like cheaper staff to drive the prices down.

The likes of Maslins is where you need to be really. Sweet spot of good service, price and regulatory oversight. I am not paid by Chris to say this. I wish I was paid by Chris to say this.

[saptastic]

It sounds like it's the professional clearance request that they haven't fulfilled in a timely fashion meaning the new accountants haven't got a full breakdown of the opening position meaning they couldn't prepare the OP's accounts within the timescales that they wanted. So I wouldn't say it's information the OP should have.

If accountants are late providing professional clearance then you can complain to their accounting body they are registered with. I can't see one of the major ones for SJD so it would have to be FCSA or IPSE which they are accredited by - per their About Us page.

So I would complain to them and forget the class action stuff. Nobody else will really be interested as there are already contractual and regulatory remedies for virtually all of the issues that people encounter with these companies.
.

I wouldn't bother complaining to IPSE or FCSA - they are not regulatory accounting bodies. I am surprised if accountants are not members of one of the regulatory bodies such as ICAEW, ACCA etc

[VelcroPower]

Reading the thread..... I have concluded that the OP has managed to have the equivalent of ‘standing in your face, whilst shouting, with lots of spit, going red in the face and fists clenched’ but written rather than vocalised. This is quite a feat.

The beef seems to be that SJD were late providing copies of information the OP already should have.

It sounds like it's the professional clearance request that they haven't fulfilled in a timely fashion meaning the new accountants haven't got a full breakdown of the opening position meaning they couldn't prepare the OP's accounts within the timescales that they wanted. So I wouldn't say it's information the OP should have.

If accountants are late providing professional clearance then you can complain to their accounting body they are registered with. I can't see one of the major ones for SJD so it would have to be FCSA or IPSE which they are accredited by - per their About Us page.

So I would complain to them and forget the class action stuff. Nobody else will really be interested as there are already contractual and regulatory remedies for virtually all of the issues that people encounter with these companies.
.

[ladymuck]

Reading the thread..... I have concluded that the OP has managed to have the equivalent of ‘standing in your face, whilst shouting, with lots of spit, going red in the face and fists clenched’ but written rather than vocalised. This is quite a feat.


The beef seems to be that SJD were late providing copies of information the OP already should have.
It also suggests that CT money is owed to HMRC end Feb 2020 and the OP doesn’t know how much. This is odd as a quick logon to the portal will reveal this information as well as the tax return that’s been submitted.

SJD have a poor reputation but this seems rather unlikely. And as the OP has now engaged with another accountancy I’m not surprised SJD aren’t being very helpful.

That being said, when I left SJD there were lots of inaccuracies and delays, but nothing worthy of considering seeking any reproach.

I wait with bated breath for the next thrilling instalment when the ban hammer is lifted.

Thank you for the translation from pure rage into something resembling coherence.

[Lance]

So, you think you've been shafted by SJD because they failed to provide a reference?

What material loss did you incur as a result?

Reading the thread..... I have concluded that the OP has managed to have the equivalent of ‘standing in your face, whilst shouting, with lots of spit, going red in the face and fists clenched’ but written rather than vocalised. This is quite a feat.


The beef seems to be that SJD were late providing copies of information the OP already should have.
It also suggests that CT money is owed to HMRC end Feb 2020 and the OP doesn’t know how much. This is odd as a quick logon to the portal will reveal this information as well as the tax return that’s been submitted.

SJD have a poor reputation but this seems rather unlikely. And as the OP has now engaged with another accountancy I’m not surprised SJD aren’t being very helpful.

That being said, when I left SJD there were lots of inaccuracies and delays, but nothing worthy of considering seeking any reproach.

I wait with bated breath for the next thrilling instalment when the ban hammer is lifted.

[ladymuck]

well, if you cannot understand the 'professional reference' then you obviously have nothing to do with contracting.

The problem is the same...Former accountancy asked for pro references (as in - explanation for the trolls - sending through paperwork and company (and personal) accounts submitted to HMRC) in September 2019, still nothing received...Companies taxes are due by the end of Feb 2020. 6 months of emailing and chasing - from the current accountant, and myself -brought one response: "This should have been received, I will chase up our support team and complete ASAP." Again, if you have nothing to say - don't respond. I'm asking for opinions and views of people who've experienced a rubbish service overall, and not necessarily from this one company.

So, you think you've been shafted by SJD because they failed to provide a reference?

What material loss did you incur as a result?

[cojak]

well, if you cannot understand the 'professional reference' then you obviously have nothing to do with contracting.

Let me show you what I have to do with contracting (and by extension, this forum).

One day ban.

A one day ban to give people time to read and (possibly) answer your question without being insulted, and for you to learn to be more polite in your response.

[northernladuk]

What is your problem with SJD?

[newbea]

You need to seek the advice of your solicitor and perhaps an anger management counsellor. You will not receive the advice you need on these fora. I'm JtB BTW.

lol..thanks JtB. I've noticed!

[newbea]

If you want your accountant to be regulated, pick one that is ICAS/ICAEW or ACCA. Then they are regulated.

Job done.

No company is regulated by them - unless they sign up for. Individual accountants may/will. Did my checks, been in touch. SJD is not...ANd checked them with any existing bodies.

[newbea]

newbea. You have been asked more than once what your problem is with SJD.

What is your problem with SJD? I don’t understand your professional references statement, although doing your accounts late is certainly unforgivable for an accountant (provided you gave them all the necessary information in good time).

People will want to know if your problem is similar to theirs before they contact you.

(I am keeping an eye on this thread.)

well, if you cannot understand the 'professional reference' then you obviously have nothing to do with contracting.

The problem is the same...Former accountancy asked for pro references (as in - explanation for the trolls - sending through paperwork and company (and personal) accounts submitted to HMRC) in September 2019, still nothing received...Companies taxes are due by the end of Feb 2020. 6 months of emailing and chasing - from the current accountant, and myself -brought one response: "This should have been received, I will chase up our support team and complete ASAP." Again, if you have nothing to say - don't respond. I'm asking for opinions and views of people who've experienced a rubbish service overall, and not necessarily from this one company.

[craigy1874]

If you want your accountant to be regulated, pick one that is ICAS/ICAEW or ACCA. Then they are regulated.

Job done.

[wattaj]

Ok, so I feel drawn to ask: what is your issue with SJD?

You say that you have been a contractor since 2008 and, one assumes, with SJD for all of that time... why are you still with them if they have not provided you with a service with which you are happy?

You're obviously an idiot if this is the case.

Good luck like, but I doubt that you'll find much, if any, sympathy around here.

[saptastic]

forgive ignorance..who/what is is JTB?

And to stress it - I'm serious.
Spent a year trying to find someone/ establish a body that would keep company like that accountable - to no avail.

I don't believe to be right for any company undertaking taxation services, or any other financial ones, NOT to be regulated.

And the drop that tipped the chalice for me - 5+ months waiting for professional reference. And accounts.

I''d appreciate if you had something more useful to say. Otherwise...you know what.

You seriously need to articulate yourself clearer. That would ensure more productive feedback.