What do you expect & get from your accountant?

[Hex]

I have an accountant who just does the Company Tax Return for me and gives email support to tax related questions. I do all book-keeping, Payroll P35, VAT etc. I pay about £800 a year (no VAT).

[conned tractor]

I think I am lucky in that I have a book-keeper to sort invoices/reciepts etc, who is also quite intelligent and provides good general accountancy advice. His fee is £40/pm which includes home visits every couple of months as he is local, VAT, payroll, etc. I paid him £20 for P35 and £80 for the other P-thingy (self-assesment?). Generally it saves me having any hassle at all.

Then end of yer accounts are done by his mate, the accountant, at around £650+VAT. Also based locally and available for advice, which I've had reason to call upon recently for another business - and was gratis. He also adds onto the expenses the other things that I should be claiming for, like a portion of house etc, as accountants should.

I could possily get it cheaper but I like the ease and personal touch provided.

[Slumdog]

Is 1000-1200 + VAT per year a fair price for my accounts?

I understand the accountants have to make a living for themselves, I'm trying to visualise why the accounts costs are what they are and what the do to justify ~100 per month.

In my case as a contractor, I have 12 invoices for the year and I claim for VAT and very few business expenses. So the accountant receives this paperwork from me.

The accountant does my payroll, VAT and yearly accounts. (Self assessment was extra at £180)

Am I paying too much?


I dont get any financial/tax planning advice, pension advice etc. Should I expect this from my accountant?
Is he simply doing as he is told or is he himself just doing the minimum?
Should he be more proactive?
Should I be more proactive (problem being I dont know the questions to ask, except for reduce my tax and increase my £££'s which is what I expect an accountant to assist with anyway)

What do you get for your fee?