Reply to: Experiences on switching accountant

[TheFaQQer]

rjs4 = https://www.linkedin.com/pub/roshon-...cca/2a/b74/aba

What's an accountnant?

[JB3000]

Clare, I completely see your point and I agree that sometimes workload is an issue. But I wouldn't say to a client that things will be handled shortly while for all the three returns I submitted so far I had to chase them, and I waited for two weeks I'd been happy if they told me that their workload was heavy and there could be delays. After all you must trust your accountant and what better than transparency helps to gain trust? We're all professional and we know that sometimes workload may cause issues.

The guy from the firm I'm considering replied saying that they could possibly take care of the switch for the current year for me. If it wasn't for the replies here I wouldn't think about asking him... thanks for having shared your experience.

That said - I completely agree with what somebody said previously (on the phone so can't check the author!) about not bad mouth the (maybe soon to be) old accountant. Things don't always work for different people but that doesn't mean they are necessarily incompetent or whatsoever.

2 weeks just to get a flat rate scheme VAT return done! After you have taken all that time to complete the spreadsheet! That is totally unacceptable and unprofessional. A simple flat rate scheme VAT return should be done on the same day as the submission of the spreadsheet (or worst case scenario the next day). Anyway, who still uses spreadsheets for bookkeeping in 2014? If you were on Free Agent the VAT figures appear in the VAT section immediately at the end of your bookkeeping for the quarter. Free Agent also prepares dividend vouchers which should be kept together with your personal tax data.

I don't think you are dealing with an accountancy business. It sounds like you are dealing with a sweat shop, i.e. 1 person dealing with 200+ clients who simple can't handle the workload and is drowning.

Sir, I would strongly recommend that you change firm before things get worse. If I was you I would move accountants who can deal with your returns (VAT, RTI, annual, corporation, self assessment, P11D, etc) promptly. Ideally get your new accountant to do the old year (because you will not be a priority for your old accountant; they couldn't even be bothered to offer you a good service while you were a loyal fee-paying client). Imagine how bad your old accountant will be now that your leaving. You certainly do not deserve this treatment as you are paying their salaries. If your old accountant fails to hand over any of your information approach their professional body immediately.

Not all accountants are that bad. I hope your new accountant restores your confidence in the profession.

[northernladuk]

He also used to be a director of a company called RBS Enterprise Ltd which just happens to have it's head office in Bonnington Bond. Dunno if that is a coincidence or not.

ROSHON JUDGE SINGH director information. Free director information.

[Alan @ BroomeAffinity]

rjs4 = https://www.linkedin.com/pub/roshon-...cca/2a/b74/aba

Indeed. Wonder if Ricky Steedman knows.

[Alan @ BroomeAffinity]

I'm from near Edinburgh - Bonnington is a place, but I'm not sure Bonnington Place is. Anyway, he's been banned. Incidentally, the registrant of the website has initials RJS - just like the poster.

[Batcher]

The website registrant appears to be an employee of a firm based in Edinburgh who specialise in small businesses - not necessarily contractors. Maybe this is a new brand for them, or maybe the guy is moonlighting. Who knows? And who cares really - it was a blatant spam post anyway.

rjs4 = https://www.linkedin.com/pub/roshon-...cca/2a/b74/aba

[Martin at NixonWilliams]

I haven't heard of a Bonnington Place in Edinburgh and it seems Google hasn't either.

I did the same, I found something with a similar name but it looked like residential property :|

[Batcher]

I haven't heard of Contractax before and although their website says Contractax Ltd and that they are based in Edinburgh, I cannot find them on Companies House?

I haven't heard of a Bonnington Place in Edinburgh and it seems Google hasn't either.

[Alan @ BroomeAffinity]

The website registrant appears to be an employee of a firm based in Edinburgh who specialise in small businesses - not necessarily contractors. Maybe this is a new brand for them, or maybe the guy is moonlighting. Who knows? And who cares really - it was a blatant spam post anyway.

[Martin at NixonWilliams]

Hey go to contractax, they will sort you needs

I haven't heard of Contractax before and although their website says Contractax Ltd and that they are based in Edinburgh, I cannot find them on Companies House?

[rjs4]

Mod snip : missed this one..

[manubbo]

Clare, I completely see your point and I agree that sometimes workload is an issue. But I wouldn't say to a client that things will be handled shortly while for all the three returns I submitted so far I had to chase them, and I waited for two weeks I'd been happy if they told me that their workload was heavy and there could be delays. After all you must trust your accountant and what better than transparency helps to gain trust? We're all professional and we know that sometimes workload may cause issues.

The guy from the firm I'm considering replied saying that they could possibly take care of the switch for the current year for me. If it wasn't for the replies here I wouldn't think about asking him... thanks for having shared your experience.

That said - I completely agree with what somebody said previously (on the phone so can't check the author!) about not bad mouth the (maybe soon to be) old accountant. Things don't always work for different people but that doesn't mean they are necessarily incompetent or whatsoever.

[Clare@InTouch]

Thank you all for the replies.

My take on what your replies is that some accountants could still do your current tax year accounts if they're able to get that information from your old accountant - hence if I switch before the end of the tax year and I ask them to deal with my old firm they should be able to do that. I'd be happy in case to chip in some extra money for stuff like self-assessment, after all better spend some money for peace of mind (and I take it as part of costs of properly running a business).

I'm quite surprised though as the firm I'm with now is very recommended on this forum and I thought I didn't have any problems. I know sometimes I maybe too meticulous, but after all I pay good money for a service and if after I submit a spreadsheet I have to wait 2 weeks then chase to get my VAT return, then I pay HMRC but for another week they haven't submitted the VAT return unless I chase them... well I think there are some problems.

I will try to be in touch with the guy to see whether they can handle this year accounts and my self assessment for me.

Sometimes it's purely a workload issue, and as long as the VAT return gets done before the deadline there won't be a problem. We have that too sometimes - a client will submit something and chase the next day, not realising we've had 200 people who submitted before they did and that it takes time to work through everything.

That being said, there's nothing wrong with meticulous and if you're not confident in your accountant then you should absolutely think about moving to another.

[manubbo]

Thank you all for the replies.

My take on what your replies is that some accountants could still do your current tax year accounts if they're able to get that information from your old accountant - hence if I switch before the end of the tax year and I ask them to deal with my old firm they should be able to do that. I'd be happy in case to chip in some extra money for stuff like self-assessment, after all better spend some money for peace of mind (and I take it as part of costs of properly running a business).

I'm quite surprised though as the firm I'm with now is very recommended on this forum and I thought I didn't have any problems. I know sometimes I maybe too meticulous, but after all I pay good money for a service and if after I submit a spreadsheet I have to wait 2 weeks then chase to get my VAT return, then I pay HMRC but for another week they haven't submitted the VAT return unless I chase them... well I think there are some problems.

I will try to be in touch with the guy to see whether they can handle this year accounts and my self assessment for me.

[Batcher]

The only time I changed over, it all went smoothly.

My original accountants started to get more and more expensive and the customer service got a lot worse. I imagined it was really hard to move but I spotted an advert on the PCG website for an small accountancy firm close to where I live.

They had been through the PCG process of being approved by them (can't remember what they call it) so it seemed a good idea to go with them. I had one face-to-face meeting and I signed a document giving them permission to contact my old firm to request all my paperwork. The old firm contacted me to confirm I wished to move and after that it was all done over the next few months. I didn't miss any submission dates.

I've since only met my accountant a couple of times, everything is done online and I pay them to do extras such as my self assessment. I know it's easy enough to do but they've saved me money in the past by claiming something I wouldn't have known about myself.

Better to pay a professional to take the strain so I can concentrate on the business of making money