Reply to: SJD accountancy?

[Colourful Contractor]

That IS usually included as far as I know, unless you have an "unusual" set of circumstances.

Thanks, I'll follow up, no unusual circumstances.

[Fred Bloggs]

And I also just got a bill for a personal tax return which I had assumed was included in the service, I should have checked that one...

That IS usually included as far as I know, unless you have an "unusual" set of circumstances.

[mudskipper]

No, not spamming! New to this game, and needed advice. Have now signed up with SJD (although not had contact from my 'contact' yet). The lady I did speak to (Jaime) was very helpful. Thanks everyone for the advice. I'm sure I'll be back with more questions very soon!

k2p2

[Colourful Contractor]

I also increasingly find that I hear from people at SJD other than my accountant, which is confusing. One person dealing with my year end paperwork, another with my VAT etc.

One final point - my personal contact generally only replies to emails once per day - just before 5pm. They also close at 5, so if you need further explanation they're usually shut by the time you realise it and try to call them...
.

I also use SJD and would happily recommend them. I recognise the post above in that they do seem to reply once a day just before 5pm, but that doesn't really bother me, I like knowing that I get a response within 24hrs and they respond the next day if I have follow up questions.

I also liked that I used to just have one person to contact but it has now crept up to 3+.

And I also just got a bill for a personal tax return which I had assumed was included in the service, I should have checked that one...

[Alan @ BroomeAffinity]

I've found that the Revenue tend to avoid large specialist firms (well us at least!) when it comes to IR35 reviews. Out of 9000 clients we have only had 1 or 2 IR35 reviews in the past 24 months

I'd guess that firms without specialist knowledge would be an easier target

It wasn't a dig at you, Simon. It was just a general observation.

[simondolan]

That thought crossed my mind as well - but I suppose it'd be just as easy and obvious to go for SJD or Nixon Williams or ClearSky. Or mine, or yours.

I've found that the Revenue tend to avoid large specialist firms (well us at least!) when it comes to IR35 reviews. Out of 9000 clients we have only had 1 or 2 IR35 reviews in the past 24 months

I'd guess that firms without specialist knowledge would be an easier target

[Alan @ BroomeAffinity]

IR35 Accountant is probably the worst name for a freelancer accountancy firm!
If Hector is looking for some IR35 cases to review, which clients do you think he will look at Andy W and Co's or IR35 Accountant's?? Think about it!!
HTH

That thought crossed my mind as well - but I suppose it'd be just as easy and obvious to go for SJD or Nixon Williams or ClearSky. Or mine, or yours.

[Tax Lord]

k2p2,

If your post is genuine and not

I recommend you do the following to any firm;

1. Ask them what salary and dividend you should receive? If they even attempt to answer it without knowing your personal circumstances, ditch them. If they come back with 'take minimum wage of £12k + dividends of £2,200 per month', ditch them even quicker! You are getting a corporate answer that's easy for them and not so easy for you.

2. Find out more about the individual dealing with your accounts, they MUST be experienced (not necessarily qualified), they need to think outside the box. Test them with a few technical questions.

3. Check for hidden costs, such as company formation costs, company closure costs, meeting costs etc

If your post is

IR35 Accountant is probably the worst name for a freelancer accountancy firm!
If Hector is looking for some IR35 cases to review, which clients do you think he will look at Andy W and Co's or IR35 Accountant's?? Think about it!!
HTH

[malvolio]

I use them, they do what is says on the tin. Never had a problem getting answers, not that I ask too many questions, and always get them in a timely manner. Perhaps different offices have different habits.

However, if you want an accountant that genuinely knows how to work with us, you could do worse that use a PCG Accredited one (which includes SJD, btw). Take a a look here:

http://www.pcg.org.uk/cms/index.php?...st&Itemid=1204

[mcskiver]

I think you'll find that SJD cost rather more than £95 per month, unless i'm being stung.

Also, I was told that meeting them in person cost something like £150 per hour after my first visit...which I wasn't impressed by. I also increasingly find that I hear from people at SJD other than my accountant, which is confusing. One person dealing with my year end paperwork, another with my VAT etc.

One final point - my personal contact generally only replies to emails once per day - just before 5pm. They also close at 5, so if you need further explanation they're usually shut by the time you realise it and try to call them...

Minor points but it seems only fair to give out all the info. The problem is that your monthly costs are covering your year end stuff, so it's not easy to just give them a try, because once you're a few months in you effectively lose cash if you move to another accountant.

[Maslins]

Accountant : Your missus has her hair done from time to time doesn't she?
Friend : Yes
Accountant : She has to look good when she is talking to patrons doesn't she?
Friend : Yes
Accountant : Then those costs can go down as expenses.

Things like that are really pushing your luck, and for the amount of tax saved basically aren't worth it IMO.

If HMRC find out about things like that, they'll have a field day, and start looking for loads of other costs which don't meet the "wholly and exclusively" test (I'm sure she'd have a haircut even if she didn't run a pub).

[sweetandsour]

Just about ready to take the plunge and set up my limited company. So I'm looking at accountants. Very impressed by SJD accountancy's website, but they're a bit dearer than a lot of other accountants. Has anyone used them? Does their service match their website?

Thanks
k2p2

Just make sure that you understand what an accountant will do for you, and what they won't do for you, before you sign up.

With some of these contractor specialist accountants it can seem like you are being processed by a machine. The truth is that if you a contractor and set up as a Limited company paying low PAYE and the rest as dividends you are already very tax efficient.

If you claim all legitimate expenses then there is not a lot more that I can think of that you can do.


A friend of mine who used to run a pub told me about a conversation that he had with his accountant that ran something like this:

Accountant : You buy CDs don't you?
Friend : Yes
Accountant : You play those CDs in the pub sometimes don't you?
Friend : Yes
Accountant : Then they can go down as expenses.

Accountant : Your missus has her hair done from time to time doesn't she?
Friend : Yes
Accountant : She has to look good when she is talking to patrons doesn't she?
Friend : Yes
Accountant : Then those costs can go down as expenses.

I don't think that most of us need that level of personal service and you won't get it with one of the big contractor specialists.

[Hex]

Try <removed>

Free Company set up and Nigel gives great personal service

But what if you're just after an accountant?

[williamdavis]

Thanks - I'll take a look at them too. Although I have to say a website with a spelling mistake on the homepage does put me off a bit! Maybe that's just me...

My advice would be to give the companies a call, I use the company you first thought of using.

I use them because I get an accountant and not some stud in a call centre, I have had an occasion to meet with my accountant, not often but nice to know I can, he always gets back to me and answers my questions and he's never **cked up on my taxes. Can't really ask anymore for £95 a month. Sure there are cheaper ones out and ones far more expensive. My mate used to use first contact until I found out he was paying £250 a month. Shocking!!!

[mudskipper]

Eeek - I'm too naive for this game!