Reply to: Accountant Selection Advice

[kal]

FTFY

Haha, yes

[northernladuk]

Never got as far as year end as had had enough . Joined after being recommended by the agent for my first contract (I know I was young and naive back then, he obviously got a kickback). They were expensive at £140 + vat. My lists of complaints: Never spoke to the same person twice, CK took days of chasing to get any responses back to my questions (they all seemed to be accounts clerks and admin people) , got basic remittances wrong (i.e. forgetting to account for expenses, even though I had to scan and email over receipts). No record of dividend vouchers (even though they were supposed to be sorting it). In the end I got fed up and left (and yes paid the £200 odd quid to do so). Am now with Forbes Young, fill in a nice easy spreadsheet, get prompt replies and pro-active tax advice from an actual account and my LTD is saving £65 a month into the bargain!

FTFY

[kal]

Hi... notice you moved from Churchill Knight as you felt they c0cked up, was it anything specific? I've been with them a while and do have to say things more than once sometimes, but other than that don't really have a problem.

I would, however, be more concerned about "end of year" kind of c0ck-ups and accuracy.

Never got as far as year end as had had enough . Joined after being recommended by the agent for my first contract (I know I was young and naive back then, he obviously got a kickback). They were expensive at £140 + vat. My lists of complaints: Never spoke to the same person twice, CK took days of chasing to get any responses back to my questions (they all seemed to be accounts clerks and admin people) , got basic remittances wrong (i.e. forgetting to account for expenses, even though I had to scan and email over receipts). No record of dividend vouchers (even though they were supposed to be sorting it). In the end I got fed up and left (and yes paid the £200 odd quid to do so). Am now with Forbes Young, fill in a nice easy spreadsheet, get prompt replies and pro-active tax advice from an actual account and am saving £65 a month into the bargain!

[Qdos Contractor]

I'll be very surprised if that happens

Me too.

[Martin at NixonWilliams]

Although they might be hard to get hold of for awhile I after QDOS kick the tulip out of them on the footy pitch later this month

I'll be very surprised if that happens

[simondolan]

You have to say my name 3 times and click your heels twice....

That "number 1" thing is a nonsense. We know the site it is from very well, and suffice to say we won't allow our name to be on it. The fact that the major ones aren't even listed says a lot too....

S

IMO go SJD. They have 8 offices in and around London, not that you will ever have to travel to them. They are contractor specialists that know how we work and are the biggest contractor accountants around at the moment. Say his name three times and the owner may even appear on here to say hello to you.

Looking at the F0rbes site it says they are number 1 accountants which isn't true now and looking at the list they were number 1 in I don't see SJD or InTouch listed at all and NW at 96. That would make me highly suspicious so would disregard that.

They are only mentioned on these boards twice as well with no feedback so would also not really bother with them on that fact alone.

[northernladuk]

I use Nixon Williams and find them first class.

Although they might be hard to get hold of for awhile I after QDOS kick the tulip out of them on the footy pitch later this month

[Waldorf]

Hi

I am looking for a good accountant in London to do my accounts of my LTD company. Searching the web I found a company called Forbes Young.
They seem to have offices all over the country not just in London but I cant seem to find many reviews about them?

Does anyone know anything about them or have any personal experience working with them?

My alternative to them was going with 1st Contact, but I feel that Forbes are more of an accountancy firm where 1st Contact are a company doing some accountancy services.

All comments welcome

Thanks in advance

As has been said, Forbes Young are all old SJD people who are trying the same model, using Regis ghost offices around the country.

1st Contact seem to mainly be used by Aussies etc, so if you are one perhaps they have some angle on that area?

Someone mentioned Churchill Knight, I once worked with someone who used them, they were not happy and when they tried to leave, they were told to pay an extra £250 or they would not pass their details to his new accountant.

I use Nixon Williams and find them first class.

[northernladuk]

Lol, somebody's been doing their research. I'm sure you've recommended SJD more than 4 times, Mojito's just posted fewer spammy "Ask your accountant"/"Use the search function" posts

I think(!) I know who mojito is...no relative or connection other than being a client for a few years.

Ouch!! That was a low blow

[Maslins]

Well mojito thinks you are as he has recommended you in 4 out of only 35 posts... Fancy that hey

Lol, somebody's been doing their research. I'm sure you've recommended SJD more than 4 times, Mojito's just posted fewer spammy "Ask your accountant"/"Use the search function" posts

I think(!) I know who mojito is...no relative or connection other than being a client for a few years.

[eud]

+1, I moved to Forbes Young from Churchill Knight, very happy with the level of service, prompt replies to emails, supplied spreadsheet is very easy to maintain on month by month basis. No errors with regards to any of the paperwork/returns (and I check everything with a fine tooth comb, was bitten with Churchill Knight who c0cked up at every available opportunity!) and pro-active tax advice to book. Fees are average IMO, recommended

Hi... notice you moved from Churchill Knight as you felt they c0cked up, was it anything specific? I've been with them a while and do have to say things more than once sometimes, but other than that don't really have a problem.

I would, however, be more concerned about "end of year" kind of c0ck-ups and accuracy.

[northernladuk]

I hear they're awesome...you should definitely check them out

Well mojito thinks you are as he has recommended you in 4 out of only 35 posts... Fancy that hey

[Maslins]

As for the accountant I use Maslins - local to me, although I've only needed a face to face once - who respond to emails and phone calls usually in a few hours.

I hear they're awesome...you should definitely check them out

[Mojito]

Online vs Offline Accounts

A key consideration for me was FreeAgent and getting an accountant that worked with that. Not only does it allow you to do all your accounts stuff online - bank account management, expenses, payroll, invoicing, divis - it also gives you a realtime view of your company tax position, employee SA position and it integrates with HMRC to file VAT & RTI online.

Maybe its cheaper to go with a spreadsheet rather than the uplift the FreeAgent fee introduces to your monthly accountancy charge, but the ease of use and one-stop-shop nature swing it for me.

As for the accountant I use Maslins - local to me, although I've only needed a face to face once - who respond to emails and phone calls usually in a few hours.

[DirtyDog]

More Simon wanabees They'll never be as good as the original

Ah, how sweet