Changing Accountants

[Craig@Clarity]

Just as an aside - I may well change my name to Emma so that clients don't get confused as to which Clare/Claire wastes their time on forums and which one works hard

I prefer Daphne or Kofi. Just to add on the "Upsell" bit further to Daphne's and Jon's post, I had a client a few years back who was seriously ill and obviously couldn't continue on his contract. The first sweaty palms moment was when I thought "Heck (clean version!), have I done my job right and at least advised him on certain protections to think about since being a freelancer." It turned out I had and he had taken on-board my advice prior to the situation. I slept peacefully that night I remember...

[Clare@InTouch]

Just as an aside - I may well change my name to Emma so that clients don't get confused as to which Clare/Claire wastes their time on forums and which one works hard

[JonNorris@Crunch]

Nothing fishy going on here I can assure you, and definitely have no affiliation to Crunch

Can confirm I have no clue who this person is!

Re: the Setup fee, we certainly don't try to hide it (mentioned in our first FAQ, here - FAQs - Crunch ), we don't list a price though as it varies depending on your situation (maximum is £60).

If you join in the first six months of your company year, your year end is included; if you join in the last six months we'll ask for a top-up to cover it, increasing depending on how close to your year end you are.

The upselling point - I can appreciate it may seem annoying, but from my point of view it's about ensuring you're covered and you know what's available.

This is so very true. Obviously can appreciate people being wary of upselling, but most of the time the stuff being recommended has a purpose, and we as your accountants are recommending you look into it.

[administrator]

I'll ask Admin to give you PM rights so that you can tackle them from another angle.

Done.

[Clare@InTouch]

Have you spoken to your accountant? Sometimes it's hard for us to know where to pitch things - we give advice when you start, but then we need input from clients to know what they need to know. Some people want to do their own research and use us as a backup, other people want to talk to us everyday. Until we get to know you, it's difficult to know what you require. If we don't know a client is unhappy it's also nigh on impossible for us to put it right.

The upselling point - I can appreciate it may seem annoying, but from my point of view it's about ensuring you're covered and you know what's available. It makes no difference to me if you have insurance in place or not, but if you didn't have it when you needed it I'd hate to be blamed because I'd never mentioned you may need it. It's your choice whether to do it, we're just making sure you know it's an option. Many people don't think about the things they miss out on when they stop being employed - sick pay being a major one of those, but also the tax relief you get from paying into a pension. Do we tell you early and risk you thinking we're only after your money, or wait six months until your mate tells you and you then think we're remiss in not informing of something that could have saved you tax? In my view it's better to do the former because then at least you know.

If you haven't had a response to an email then chase for one - we're human and sometimes we overlook things, especially at busy times of the year

[cojak]

Thanks NorthernLad,

I have no unrealistic expectations at all. I have no requirement at all for pro-activeness at the moment (I am just starting), but answers to my questions such as "the portal does not allow me to enter my expenses, can you fix please" go unanswered, whereas questions which give an opportunity to quote an additional fee to me are answered very quickly. So far I have not been able to record a single business transaction in the accounting portal they provide and feel completely on my own. Yes I could ring them but I have only just started contracting and do not want to devote my time on the client site to sorting out accounting problems. I use email as my main method of communication with them and tend to do admin outside of working hours. I consistently see my accountant answering questions on here though and am contemplating using this forum as my method of communication with them in future :/

All I really need is a friendly tool to record the normal stuff, and probably help with the end of year accounts. I am wondering if FreeAgent + Accountant for end of year is feasible...

I think that the best thing to do is to try one more time with your existing accountant as they don't like to be told that they have poor customer service on a forum and it may push them to help you out.

I'll ask Admin to give you PM rights so that you can tackle them from another angle.

[mudskipper]

As NLUK said, if switching, check if your new accountant will do your year end accounts on the basis of part year fees. Some do, some don't, some will if it's > 6 months etc, but worth checking as you don't want any nasty surprises.

[sartois]

Thanks NorthernLad,

I have no unrealistic expectations at all. I have no requirement at all for pro-activeness at the moment (I am just starting), but answers to my questions such as "the portal does not allow me to enter my expenses, can you fix please" go unanswered, whereas questions which give an opportunity to quote an additional fee to me are answered very quickly. So far I have not been able to record a single business transaction in the accounting portal they provide and feel completely on my own. Yes I could ring them but I have only just started contracting and do not want to devote my time on the client site to sorting out accounting problems. I use email as my main method of communication with them and tend to do admin outside of working hours. I consistently see my accountant answering questions on here though and am contemplating using this forum as my method of communication with them in future :/

All I really need is a friendly tool to record the normal stuff, and probably help with the end of year accounts. I am wondering if FreeAgent + Accountant for end of year is feasible...

[northernladuk]

There is a common misconception with the new guys that the accountant is at your service 24/7 and will proactively communicate with you and run your company for you. Unfortunately this couldn't be further from the truth. Just look at the amount you pay them. It may seem a lot but not to an accountant so they have to be pretty ruthless with the time and will expect you to know a certain amount. They can be very reactive as well. One common complaint is they didn't tell you that you can claim your phone or some wangle with some property you have. This is pretty frustrating but again, this seems to be the way. We have various stories about length of time to get back which you would also understand with so many low paying customers... but only to an extent. I have had 4 accountants at SJD, one got back to me everyday without fail, the current one is a day or so which I can live with but he will answer the phone if he is in.

If you have read the above and your accountant doesn't fall in to this and you genuinely think he is ignoring you then I would ask him why first and then, quite rightly, leave. There are plenty more good ones out there. A good accountant will save you money so worthwhile getting one you gel with and respect.

With regard to leaving Stek is right. The monthly cost is normally a pro rata'd year one. The 30 days notice sounds promising but maybe check with them.

Keep on top of your old one, if he doesn't transfer your details over to the new guy it can cause some headaches as I am well aware. You can report them for this but better to just keep on his case.

Another thing to check with Crunch, when joining accountants mid year they sometimes don't include your first return in the costs in your first year. He may pro rata you for the rest of the year and then charge for the first return. Subsequent full years will have it included.

[sartois]

Ok, this has a supreme piscean odour about it but are you sure you current accounts will let you just walk? I rather suspect you've signed up for a years worth at least unless you are from Crunch and this is a rather poor shill.....

£25 is nowt, are you sure you're cut out the be a shill? Did I say shill? I meant bona fide contractor of course....

Heh... and I thought I was the cynical type!! Nothing fishy going on here I can assure you, and definitely have no affiliation to Crunch and am not really sure I want to at the moment.

I am well aware that £25 is not much, but at least I am up front about how much I charge for things.... Crunch don't even have it in the small print... and if they hide this little charge then maybe there are bigger hidden charges.

At this stage all I know is that a) I am miffed with current accountant and b) want to move somewhere else before too much paperwork has been filed. I've looked at the T&Cs of current accountant and 30 days notice is required for cancellation.

[stek]

Hi all,

Very new to contracting, set up with a Contractor specialist Accounting firm but feel I have made a mistake. The only time I seem to get a response to my questions is when there is an opportunity to upsell me from my "everything included fixed price per month". The questions that I have asked that I need help with that do not have an opportunity to sell me something seem to be mostly ignored. Even more irritating is that when I come on here to browse through the forums I find that they have had plenty of time to answer questions on here for non paying customers!

Anyways...I know they are just trying to generate more income etc, but they could have at least waited until my first invoice had been raised before all the upselling! Anyway, that is my gripe out the way and I have made up my mind to switch and go with Crunch I think - I tried a demo of their software and it is leaps and bounds ahead of the one provided by current accountants, which my 12 year old nephew could have done a better job with. Surprisingly Crunch have a "joining fee" of £25 :/ Anyone here using them who could share their referral code please... £25 Amazon voucher available for if you do , and for me too which mitigates the joining fee

Thanks

Ok, this has a supreme piscean odour about it but are you sure you current accounts will let you just walk? I rather suspect you've signed up for a years worth at least unless you are from Crunch and this is a rather poor shill.....

£25 is nowt, are you sure you're cut out the be a shill? Did I say shill? I meant bona fide contractor of course....

[sartois]

Hi all,

Very new to contracting, set up with a Contractor specialist Accounting firm but feel I have made a mistake. The only time I seem to get a response to my questions is when there is an opportunity to upsell me from my "everything included fixed price per month". The questions that I have asked that I need help with that do not have an opportunity to sell me something seem to be mostly ignored. Even more irritating is that when I come on here to browse through the forums I find that they have had plenty of time to answer questions on here for non paying customers!

Anyways...I know they are just trying to generate more income etc, but they could have at least waited until my first invoice had been raised before all the upselling! Anyway, that is my gripe out the way and I have made up my mind to switch and go with Crunch I think - I tried a demo of their software and it is leaps and bounds ahead of the one provided by current accountants, which my 12 year old nephew could have done a better job with. Surprisingly Crunch have a "joining fee" of £25 :/ Anyone here using them who could share their referral code please... £25 Amazon voucher available for if you do , and for me too which mitigates the joining fee

Thanks