Reply to: Accountant: End of year accounts.

[ittony]

I cold called an accountant for my first end of year accounts last week and had a completed CT600 and full accounts back the next day.

[up4it]

UpDate: Still haven't received the signed-off copy of the accounts yet, even though I told the accountants I needed them quickly!

I returned signed copies to them 2 weeks ago to say I was happy with the year-end accounts. At least I have the figures now.

That is 2 months and 8 days and still counting!

[AlanR]

Books and web mostly. I found the "Teach Yourself" series of books helpful. BusinessLink website is good for taxation. I found some full accounts online which were very useful as examples.

QB.

Any chance you could post the links here?

Cheers

Alan

[up4it]

Update: Evidently the year-end accounts have arrived back home!

Will peruse them over the weekend!

[QwertyBerty]

On a side note, QwertyBerty, where would you recommend as a good starting point for learning more accountancy skills?

Books and web mostly. I found the "Teach Yourself" series of books helpful. BusinessLink website is good for taxation. I found some full accounts online which were very useful as examples.

QB.

[gtr]

I use JSA as an Umbrella too, overall, a good responsive service.

On a side note, QwertyBerty, where would you recommend as a good starting point for learning more accountancy skills?

[QwertyBerty]

I decided it was less stressful to teach myself accountancy and taxation than to deal with accountants. I'm glad I did cos I quite enjoy it now!

QB.

[up4it]

BigYin: Ditto! I always found JSA were fine when I used them as a brolly (and MSC) too.

If it works then use it!

[TheBigYinJames]

I use JSA as a brolly, and find them good. You do have to chase the odd invoice but when they have made a mistake they are very quick about rectifying it. No idea what they are like as a Ltd.

Is CUK becoming the "jog my accountants elbow with some bad publicity" channel?

[up4it]

Update: I sent an email this morning chasing up the year-end accounts and have received a fairly quick response with some figures for me to confirm in order for them to finalise the accounts! Yippee!

PS: They did also point out that I had not repiad myself some earlier expenses! :-)

[up4it]

I will keep you informed of any progress or lack of progress as thecase may be!

[up4it]

Thanks for the replies.

Yes, I agree that 1 months does seem a reasonable time for them to complete the accounts.

The accountants are:-
JSA
and I have been with them for quite a few years using Umbrella, Managed Service and latterly using my own Ltd company.

Previously, I have always found their service fine. But the last year has been a nightmare as follows:-

You have to use their unreliable, over-complcated online accounting system where u have to enter all the info. ie. You do all the work!

They hardly ever answer the phone or emails. If they do answer emails it will 1 -2 weeks later! This is a problem if you want to draw dividends, have tax questions, etc..

They charge too much and offer a poo(r) service.

[xoggoth]

All accountants and solicitors are total crap. I have sent details to one of mine over three months before due date and got fined cos it wasn't in on time and he was the best I ever had!

[~Craig~]

I had mine 3 weeks after my year end!

yeah mine was about the same. Three months seems an extraordinary amount of time

[Waldorf]

I had mine 3 weeks after my year end!