Reply to: SJD accountancy

[malvolio]

No it isn't.

[scooterscot]

I see you're someone who simply enjoys antagonising.

If I'm guilty of anything, it's being naive enough to give you the argument you want. I'll not waste anymore time - and will let you have the last word, for which no doubt you will have saved the most offensive remarks.

Marcos

This is not an argument its a contradiction.

[malvolio]

You have no idea, do you...

Whatever, best of luck anyway. Things is going to get harder in the next year or so.

[marcosscriven]

Gosh - you mean we were right all along...?

I see you're someone who simply enjoys antagonising.

If I'm guilty of anything, it's being naive enough to give you the argument you want. I'll not waste anymore time - and will let you have the last word, for which no doubt you will have saved the most offensive remarks.

Marcos

[malvolio]

Gosh - you mean we were right all along...?

[marcosscriven]

I can happily report that an SJD accountant got back to me, and was extremely helpful.

[Burdock]

And whilst you're having a read on matters various, go look up Malvolio, both the name and the character, and see if that gives you a clue.

I saw an excellent production of 12th Night by the Birmingham Rep.
Malvolio was played by the bloke who played the pilot in a Christmas special of Father Ted (sorry, bit irrelevant).

And the stockings were fantastic too

[malvolio]

Exactly the sort of response I would have expected.

As for the whole MSC thing - I was not in such a scheme, as I stated. I left an entirely different scheme, by choice, that is continuing this year, and is still legal.

And you continue to ignore the original questions I posted, whilst ranting and spewing all manner of unwarranted insults. Insults, I might add, which have not been returned.

At no point did I 'demand' anything. Feel free to ignore me - I would much prefer that to your vitriol.

As to Denny and Anderson - thanks for the responses. MUCH appreciated
Marcos

I did answer, you just didn't notice, or didn't like the answer (which was "who knows, it's your decision") nor like the tone. Tough, I could care less, but do not accuse me of not answering the question accurately and honestly.

[marcosscriven]

I wasn't having a go at you or saying your questions were unreasonable - just pointing out that some people are fed up with anybody who comes on these boards and starts a post "I'm new to contracting but..."

There are lots of threads on this site where accountants such as SJD are recommended time and time again - so that should answer one of your questions about the service they provide.

You must also be aware that these guys are used to having a couple of new clients a week not the thosands that are now jumping MSC ship and going PSC.

You ask for tolerance perhaps you should practice a bit of what you preach in dealing with the guys who can help you.

Sorry Bluebird

I did not think you were having a go, and I did not mean to sound like a was having a go.

It was more a defensive message, as I felt rather in the corner here!

[marcosscriven]

Oh do give over, both of you.

If the OP cares to read a bit more widely, as has been suggested, he would find the questions were answered very early on in the thread. Shame if he didn't understand them.

Also shame if I trod on his sensitivities doing so, but take the wider view. The whole reason we have the attack on the MSCs - and by inference the lumping of all contractors as tax-avoiding dodgers which will lead to further attacks on our income - is because for the last 8 years or so there have been some 150,000 soi-disant contractors pretending to have a company structure in place so they can avoid paying taxes that they have little or no right avoiding, since they put no effort into the vehicle through which they work. Now they've been rumbled, they're out shivering in the real world and demanding us experienced guys hold their hands and tell them all the answers. Sorry, but (a) we did and (b) we have no rule that says we have to be polite to amateurs asking dumb questions.

And whilst you're having a read on matters various, go look up Malvolio, both the name and the character, and see if that gives you a clue.

Exactly the sort of response I would have expected.

As for the whole MSC thing - I was not in such a scheme, as I stated. I left an entirely different scheme, by choice, that is continuing this year, and is still legal.

And you continue to ignore the original questions I posted, whilst ranting and spewing all manner of unwarranted insults. Insults, I might add, which have not been returned.

At no point did I 'demand' anything. Feel free to ignore me - I would much prefer that to your vitriol.

As to Denny and Anderson - thanks for the responses. MUCH appreciated
Marcos

[Bluebird]

Bluebird

Whilst I appreciate the frustration some people may feel by repeated questions, I still do not think it warrants such responses (which both Mal and Scooter seem to claim are reasonable).

Secondly, please don't forget that my questions were about SJD - I didn't just come on here and say, "What's a limited company?", "What is a dividend?". I had seen some search results about SJD, but not regarding their varying net/gross calculations, nor their 'time to sign' up. So I don't believe my questions were repeated - do correct me if I'm wrong.

I did try my best to read through forums, contact the tax office and so forth. The problem arose with those confusing figures from SJD, which I tried to clarify, along with some annecdotal evidence regarding their quality of service. From the figures I had found, I coulnd't find any way to get anywhere neart 80%. The best I could do was around 67% with a 10k salary, and the rest dividends.

I wasn't having a go at you or saying your questions were unreasonable - just pointing out that some people are fed up with anybody who comes on these boards and starts a post "I'm new to contracting but..."

There are lots of threads on this site where accountants such as SJD are recommended time and time again - so that should answer one of your questions about the service they provide.

You must also be aware that these guys are used to having a couple of new clients a week not the thosands that are now jumping MSC ship and going PSC.

You ask for tolerance perhaps you should practice a bit of what you preach in dealing with the guys who can help you.

[malvolio]

Oh do give over, both of you.

If the OP cares to read a bit more widely, as has been suggested, he would find the questions were answered very early on in the thread. Shame if he didn't understand them.

Also shame if I trod on his sensitivities doing so, but take the wider view. The whole reason we have the attack on the MSCs - and by inference the lumping of all contractors as tax-avoiding dodgers which will lead to further attacks on our income - is because for the last 8 years or so there have been some 150,000 soi-disant contractors pretending to have a company structure in place so they can avoid paying taxes that they have little or no right avoiding, since they put no effort into the vehicle through which they work. Now they've been rumbled, they're out shivering in the real world and demanding us experienced guys hold their hands and tell them all the answers. Sorry, but (a) we did and (b) we have no rule that says we have to be polite to amateurs asking dumb questions.

And whilst you're having a read on matters various, go look up Malvolio, both the name and the character, and see if that gives you a clue.

[Anderson]

I think SJD, like many other accountants are suffering from the large amount of previously-MSC based people who are running around like headless chickens trying to sort their new limited companies out.

I was with a MSC provider (Brookson... ) out of pure laziness to be honest and can appreciate some of the comments from people on this forum who have been running their companies for a good while. They must feel like somebody's opened the doors of the lunatic asylum!

Based on reading a lot of the posts on here I eventually decided to use SJD (Manchester). It did take a couple of days for the communication lines to fully open, but once I was fully signed up I haven't had a problem and they have kept to their promise of answering emails/calls the same day, and have offered good advice. I'm happy with them.

However, if you're looking for SJD (or any professional accounting firm) to hold your hand and do everything for you, then you need to look elsewhere.

Brookson, Paystream, et al are still trying to offer schemes like this, but I'd stay well clear in my opinion.

Starting up a new limited company is both a challenging and rewarding experience. But I guess it isn't for everyone.

[scooterscot]

So you don't believe aggression can be verbal?

And I am quite able to find resources on my own accord of course. You merely confirmed what I wrote - that a further insult would result, rather than any attempt whatsoever to be kind, helpful, or in any other way constructive.

I am still not quite sure why you deemed it acceptable to be so unpleasant, the more so when I tried to defend myself.

It would appear from your attitude you are virtually perfect and beyond reproach.

I grew up in Glasgow; up there ‘verbal’ aggression is next door to a compliment.

Not perfect, I still fart on occasion, but have some contracting experience in this dog eat dog world.

Have you determined the reason for the difference yet?

[marcosscriven]

I think the problem is a lot of "new" contractors are asking the same questions over and over again.

The new guys have to bear in mind that the collapse of the MSCs means there are loads of you about - your expeirences are not new or are your questions - therefore you are likely to be met with different responses depending on who gives you the advice.

There is a lot of info out there - make sure you read it first before posting - otherwise be prepared for the "rude" response you may get...

Bluebird

Whilst I appreciate the frustration some people may feel by repeated questions, I still do not think it warrants such responses (which both Mal and Scooter seem to claim are reasonable).

Secondly, please don't forget that my questions were about SJD - I didn't just come on here and say, "What's a limited company?", "What is a dividend?". I had seen some search results about SJD, but not regarding their varying net/gross calculations, nor their 'time to sign' up. So I don't believe my questions were repeated - do correct me if I'm wrong.

I did try my best to read through forums, contact the tax office and so forth. The problem arose with those confusing figures from SJD, which I tried to clarify, along with some annecdotal evidence regarding their quality of service. From the figures I had found, I coulnd't find any way to get anywhere neart 80%. The best I could do was around 67% with a 10k salary, and the rest dividends.