Reply to: Nixon Williams increase rates

[cojak]

We have read this forum post with interest and would like to highlight a few points regarding us, TaxAssist Accountants.

Just to add clarity and dispell a few myths other accountants like to write about us:

.......

Kind regards

James Mattam
National Marketing Manager

Hi James!

Thanks for clarifying and welcome to CUK

While there is healthy competition between accountants here, you will find only banter on the forums. Our regular posters understand the T&C's of the forum and (99.9% of the time) abide by them.

I look forward to you joining us.

[simondolan]

Hi James,

I for one admire your company - the growth you have shown has been very impressive. To sell 189 franchises in any market is a true success story

Well done.

S

We have read this forum post with interest and would like to highlight a few points regarding us, TaxAssist Accountants.

Just to add clarity and dispell a few myths other accountants like to write about us:

We were formed by an FCA qualified Accountant in 1995 with the specific remit to service small business clients. We look after businesses under £1m turnover which does range from self employed individuals right through to companies employing up to 10 members of staff.

Since forming we have developed a network of 189 franchisees (who between them hold 289 relevant Tax & Accountancy qualifications and employ over 700 staff) who service over 38,000 small business clients (plus one off tax return work) and have £24million in Gross Recurring Fees across 220 locations in the United Kingdom. We also have 1 master operation in Ireland who in the past two years has developed a network of 14 franchisees.

We have an initial 6 week residential training programme covering accounts, tax, software, case studies, sales and marketing. Each accountant, and their staff have direct access to our highly experienced and qualified helpdesk who hold a combination of FCA, CTA and ACCA qualifications and bring with them practice & industry experience. All TaxAssist Accountants receive technical visits/audits from our own qualified team to ensure service standards and compliance are maintained plus we ensure each accountant completes their continued professional development programme each year. As you can imagine, we also share a great deal of information within the network to share best practice and are truly able to specialise in small business accounts and tax.

The unqualified franchisees who joins us only join on the basis that they must employ qualified accountants.

We ourselves are full members of the British Franchise Association (British Franchise Association - promoting and accrediting excellence in franchising - Bfa) and in 2010 won the Franchisor of the Year Award for the support we give to our network plus the business growth we achieved during the recession.

This year saw us included in the Accountancy Age Top 50 again and we reached number 29 which we are very proud of. We are not ashamed of our growth and we are there on merit and continue to grow even in these tough trading times.

We do not expect our competition to like us, it wouldn’t be within their interest to however we do expect a level of professionalism from them as we would and do extend to them.

We would welcome all of those involved in this discussion to come and learn more about us either by visiting our websites or attend a discovery day at our Support Centre in Norwich. We are a friendly team and recruit friendly accountants into our franchise who know how to grow their business and give good customer service.

Please do get in touch if this is of interest to you.

Kind regards

James Mattam
National Marketing Manager

[prozak]

prozak: Hi Taxassist, I have a question. What is all this talk about the 24 month rule with regards to claiming travel expeneses?

taxassist: Let me make sure I get this right. You are asking, What is all this talk about the 24 month rule with regards to claiming travel expeneses?

prozak: yes. that is correct.

taxassist: great I just had to make sure I got the question right so I could ask the help desk.

prozak: helpdesk?

taxassist: yes. I have no qualifications myself so I get help. I'll get back to you shortly.

[Taxassist Accountants]

We have read this forum post with interest and would like to highlight a few points regarding us, TaxAssist Accountants.

Just to add clarity and dispell a few myths other accountants like to write about us:

We were formed by an FCA qualified Accountant in 1995 with the specific remit to service small business clients. We look after businesses under £1m turnover which does range from self employed individuals right through to companies employing up to 10 members of staff.

Since forming we have developed a network of 189 franchisees (who between them hold 289 relevant Tax & Accountancy qualifications and employ over 700 staff) who service over 38,000 small business clients (plus one off tax return work) and have £24million in Gross Recurring Fees across 220 locations in the United Kingdom. We also have 1 master operation in Ireland who in the past two years has developed a network of 14 franchisees.

We have an initial 6 week residential training programme covering accounts, tax, software, case studies, sales and marketing. Each accountant, and their staff have direct access to our highly experienced and qualified helpdesk who hold a combination of FCA, CTA and ACCA qualifications and bring with them practice & industry experience. All TaxAssist Accountants receive technical visits/audits from our own qualified team to ensure service standards and compliance are maintained plus we ensure each accountant completes their continued professional development programme each year. As you can imagine, we also share a great deal of information within the network to share best practice and are truly able to specialise in small business accounts and tax.

The unqualified franchisees who joins us only join on the basis that they must employ qualified accountants.

We ourselves are full members of the British Franchise Association (British Franchise Association - promoting and accrediting excellence in franchising - Bfa) and in 2010 won the Franchisor of the Year Award for the support we give to our network plus the business growth we achieved during the recession.

This year saw us included in the Accountancy Age Top 50 again and we reached number 29 which we are very proud of. We are not ashamed of our growth and we are there on merit and continue to grow even in these tough trading times.

We do not expect our competition to like us, it wouldn’t be within their interest to however we do expect a level of professionalism from them as we would and do extend to them.

We would welcome all of those involved in this discussion to come and learn more about us either by visiting our websites or attend a discovery day at our Support Centre in Norwich. We are a friendly team and recruit friendly accountants into our franchise who know how to grow their business and give good customer service.

Please do get in touch if this is of interest to you.

Kind regards

James Mattam
National Marketing Manager

[simondolan]

I believe it's under review... So much to do, so little time....

Although I'm sure the team would appreciate a critique from your side of the fence that might help them move it in the right direction

Be more than happy to.....

[malvolio]

All I'd add to that is to say the the accreditation simply means you've been on a course about IR35 - it does not mean you are a good accountant. I do think this is something the PCG should look at as I think it is an opportunity wasted as it stands, and can backfire royally (Mr Upton for example)

I believe it's under review... So much to do, so little time....

Although I'm sure the team would appreciate a critique from your side of the fence that might help them move it in the right direction

[simondolan]

AIUI the idea is they train a lead accountant who then ensures the knowledge is passed to anyone in the practice that may have to give an opinon or advice. The members generally (but not invariably) use practices rather than individual accountants, after all. Also IMHO where companies have multiple office locations, each one should be accredited individually. Not sure if that actually happens...

All I'd add to that is to say the the accreditation simply means you've been on a course about IR35 - it does not mean you are a good accountant. I do think this is something the PCG should look at as I think it is an opportunity wasted as it stands, and can backfire royally (Mr Upton for example)

[Clare@InTouch]

It might be worth adding to your profile on the IT website?

Good point - it's on my LinkedIn profile but hadn't thought about the website. Same for Craig, he took and passed at the same time (and same firm!) as I did.

[TheFaQQer]

I also passed the PCG Accreditation scheme, oddly though the accreditation stays with the firm rather than the person who passes the course (you'll have to ask Mal about the logic of that one).

It might be worth adding to your profile on the IT website?

[Clare@InTouch]

AIUI the idea is they train a lead accountant who then ensures the knowledge is passed to anyone in the practice that may have to give an opinon or advice. The members generally (but not invariably) use practices rather than individual accountants, after all. Also IMHO where companies have multiple office locations, each one should be accredited individually. Not sure if that actually happens...

Thanks Mal

[malvolio]

... I also passed the PCG Accreditation scheme, oddly though the accreditation stays with the firm rather than the person who passes the course (you'll have to ask Mal about the logic of that one).

AIUI the idea is they train a lead accountant who then ensures the knowledge is passed to anyone in the practice that may have to give an opinon or advice. The members generally (but not invariably) use practices rather than individual accountants, after all. Also IMHO where companies have multiple office locations, each one should be accredited individually. Not sure if that actually happens...

[psychocandy]

Now there is an admittance and a half

Fail!

Oops. 'with an accountant' I meant.

[Clare@InTouch]

I don't use InTouch but I think the contributions from yourself and Craig on this forum are great.

Thank you, that's very much appreciated

[Wanderer]

I'm not sure I'm arrogant enough to call myself brilliant, no

I don't use InTouch but I think the contributions from yourself and Craig on this forum are great.

[Clare@InTouch]

Clare, I assume you would place yourself in the second category?

I'm not sure I'm arrogant enough to call myself brilliant, no

I'm AAT qualified, so a member of a professional body which means I'm regulated and clients could complain to that body should they have a problem. I also passed the PCG Accreditation scheme, oddly though the accreditation stays with the firm rather than the person who passes the course (you'll have to ask Mal about the logic of that one).

InTouch itself is a firm of Chartered Accountants, regulated by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales (ICAEW), so I'm regulated by their rules too.