Accoutant Fee Off while on Bench

[weemster]

Cheaper is by no means better. I pay £1200 to my accountant (known him or many years) and I am confident that if I was ever investigated (we have spoken about it) lots of factors come into play including the fact he is very well respected in his field (by tax officials aswell) and subsequently the whole IR35/Salary issue is about two things 1) Keeping you off the Radar and 2) The ease in which the tax man can/prove you owe money - A good accountant will do 1) and also make 2) completely cost ineffective to the tax man.

The sort of differences we are talking about here on accoutancy fees are insignificant and are easily saved by a good accountant.

[nav1]

Thanks elevantor,

do they charge extra for Contract Asessessment for IR35, any sort of letter you need from them, or any other hidden charges?

-Thanks
Nav1

[Elevator_Music]

Elevator,
could you please let me know who is that accoutant.. also do they charge separately for any sort of letter if we need... or is there any extra fee for anything else?

i think i am paying a lot £1350.00 including VAT. this is when the VAT cut down to 15%... before that it was arund £1500.00... i think i have to change now....

please let me know the reasonable accoutant... and what would be the process of transfer... does the new accoutant take care of it on its own....

Firm I use is based here: Child and Co. Based in Leeds so suits me fine.

[ratewhore]

Elevator,
could you please let me know who is that accoutant.. also do they charge separately for any sort of letter if we need... or is there any extra fee for anything else?

i think i am paying a lot £1350.00 including VAT. this is when the VAT cut down to 15%... before that it was arund £1500.00... i think i have to change now....

please let me know the reasonable accoutant... and what would be the process of transfer... does the new accoutant take care of it on its own....

I can recommend Darren at Upton Accountants. He's on these boards somewhere but the website can be found here.

[Bluebird]

All,

Just wondering what accoutant does while a person sitting on bench!. how can i ask them to don't charge me anything until i get new gig.

i have spoke to my accoutant (sjd) and they are saying that even though i am not earning they have to manage the accounts... is it really true?

-Thanks
Naveen

you pay a yearly fee which is then split out on a monthly basis to make it easier to pay.

Once you've been on the bench for 12 months, then ask them for a reduction.

[FiveTimes]

WTS.

As long as your company continues to trade then you will need accounting for the period.

Out of interest, what do people on here pay for accountants? I am paying 650 per year + VAT. Was recommended by a friend and has never let me down.

Does that include VAT returns, tax returns and payroll ?

[ChimpMaster]

Elevator,
could you please let me know who is that accoutant.. also do they charge separately for any sort of letter if we need... or is there any extra fee for anything else?

i think i am paying a lot £1350.00 including VAT. this is when the VAT cut down to 15%... before that it was arund £1500.00... i think i have to change now....

please let me know the reasonable accoutant... and what would be the process of transfer... does the new accoutant take care of it on its own....

OUCH that's a lot - I thought I was paying a lot at 900 (incl. VAT) though I must admit he doesn't do every little thing on the accounts.

[nav1]

Elevator,
could you please let me know who is that accoutant.. also do they charge separately for any sort of letter if we need... or is there any extra fee for anything else?

i think i am paying a lot £1350.00 including VAT. this is when the VAT cut down to 15%... before that it was arund £1500.00... i think i have to change now....

please let me know the reasonable accoutant... and what would be the process of transfer... does the new accoutant take care of it on its own....

[Elevator_Music]

Thanks - nice to know I am in the right ball park.

I always think with these things, yes 600 + VAT is alot of money. But for 2 or 3 days wages, its well well worth it for the 'sleep easy' factor.

[ratewhore]

Out of interest, what do people on here pay for accountants? I am paying 650 per year + VAT. Was recommended by a friend and has never let me down.

That's about right. Anything more than that and you're being ripped off!!

[Elevator_Music]

WTS.

As long as your company continues to trade then you will need accounting for the period.

Out of interest, what do people on here pay for accountants? I am paying 650 per year + VAT. Was recommended by a friend and has never let me down.

[Cheshire Cat]

rather than think of their costs as monthly "pay as you go" charges, think of it as an annual fee for doing your annual accounts and payroll, split over 12 convenient payments (interest free presumably).

[ratewhore]

In my experience, SJD will try and squeeze every penny out of you. I changed accountants, got a better service and pay about 50% less for the privilege.

In terms of not working, you are not billing. The company is still running and accounts will need preparing. Like Moscow Mule says, do it yourself or don't do it yourself.

[Moscow Mule]

is it really true?

If you really want them to do your end of year accounts and your personal tax return and your VAT returns, then yes it's really true.

If you're happy doing all of that yourself, then no, it's not really true.

[nav1]

All,

Just wondering what accoutant does while a person sitting on bench!. how can i ask them to don't charge me anything until i get new gig.

i have spoke to my accoutant (sjd) and they are saying that even though i am not earning they have to manage the accounts... is it really true?

-Thanks
Naveen