Who has changed accountants and for what reason or reasons

This is a spin off from" how much does your accountant charge to do your accounts".Here are some of the possible reasons /outcomes that I can think of for changing. I am sure there are many more , including you just did not like him or herDid you change because you considered the costs to high?The costs increased year on year disproportionate to the level of work that you were asking your accountant to do. ( in other words they thought you would just pay regardless)After changing was your costs any lower?Did they remain lower or creep up?Was the service any better?Did your new accountant reduce your tax liability?Did you change accountant following recommendation?Did you contact several and ask for a budget cost based on info you provided?I am in a bad place when it comes to accountants. My wife has been working as a PA to one for the past 21 years. It is a large concern and my wife is very well paid plus she and gets all sorts of perks. So when I started out on my own I felt obligated to support her employers business. My worth to his business is next to zero, but if I changed I know it would go down like a led balloon.From talking to other one man band gardeners I know I could reduce my accountants bill by nearly half. With my small uncomplicated business i would have thought that any qualified accountant would arrive at the same result. But, just to try and find out if all accountants (for very small businesses) are actually the same or not I have asked the above question.

Hi Andrew

Have a chat with Gerry Sims (he's a member here) http://www.petersonsims.com/gerry-sims-chartered-accountant.html

I've spoken to him today about LJN matters and I have to say the advice he gives is always clear and professional.

Good luck

Phil

Andrew @ The Outsidedge said:

Bump.

I have been thinking about this for sometime.

I have no grievences with the quality of their work, but I think or hope with changing I can reduce the fee, and secondly I feel uncomfortable talking to and discussing the business with them.

Perhaps I am expecting too much from an accountant, but I do feel I could gain more advice and guidance from changing practices.

Has anyone else changed recently, and did the change in accountancy practice meet your expectations?

Did you move from a large practice to a smaller one, or visa versa?

Replies

Kieran Ray November 24, 2009 at 5:38pm

I changed accountants as my old one was ment to sort everything out for me, come Jan of this year my end of year self assesment was not completed, even though he stated he would do it, for the dead line he was on holiday in swizerland! he annoyed many clients, due to this I changed to a new accountant, by recomendation, many people I knw use her company and although my accounting costs have increased I feel much more secure with my new accountants, one of the reasons it is more is due to sorting out the mess the old guy left me in, according to revenue and customs I owed them £4000, in my 1st 18 months! I know I didnt do that well.

My old accountant now lives in Belgum another reason I left. He thought I would continue using him posting stuff to and frow!
PRO

Andrew @ The Outsidedge March 25, 2013 at 3:14pm

Bump.

I have been thinking about this for sometime.

I have no grievences with the quality of their work, but I think or hope with changing I can reduce the fee, and secondly I feel uncomfortable talking to and discussing the business with them.

Perhaps I am expecting too much from an accountant, but I do feel I could gain more advice and guidance from changing practices.

Has anyone else changed recently, and did the change in accountancy practice meet your expectations?

Did you move from a large practice to a smaller one, or visa versa?
PRO

Nick @ NM Garden Services Ltd March 25, 2013 at 3:33pm

I moved over 6 years ago from a one man band to a small firm.

I have been delighted with the move, even though I now pay £1200 plus Vat for the preparation of the company accounts (and Self Assessment). My previous accountant charged in the region of £200 (no Vat) for the Self Assessment.

The firm is (I feel) very knowledgeable to answer any questions I can throw at them and have been extremely helpful in keeping my income tax levels down as well as exploiting known methods of transferring cash out of my Ltd company without attracting tax liabilities or the attention of the tax man.
Chris Auld March 25, 2013 at 4:46pm

Andrew i have a good accountant based in Lisburn, if your interested let me know and i'll PM you his details.

Andrew @ The Outsidedge said:

Bump.

I have been thinking about this for sometime.

I have no grievences with the quality of their work, but I think or hope with changing I can reduce the fee, and secondly I feel uncomfortable talking to and discussing the business with them.

Perhaps I am expecting too much from an accountant, but I do feel I could gain more advice and guidance from changing practices.

Has anyone else changed recently, and did the change in accountancy practice meet your expectations?

Did you move from a large practice to a smaller one, or visa versa?
PRO

Phil Voice March 25, 2013 at 5:00pm

Hi Andrew

Have a chat with Gerry Sims (he's a member here) http://www.petersonsims.com/gerry-sims-chartered-accountant.html

I've spoken to him today about LJN matters and I have to say the advice he gives is always clear and professional.

Good luck

Phil

Andrew @ The Outsidedge said:

Bump.

I have been thinking about this for sometime.

I have no grievences with the quality of their work, but I think or hope with changing I can reduce the fee, and secondly I feel uncomfortable talking to and discussing the business with them.

Perhaps I am expecting too much from an accountant, but I do feel I could gain more advice and guidance from changing practices.

Has anyone else changed recently, and did the change in accountancy practice meet your expectations?

Did you move from a large practice to a smaller one, or visa versa?
PRO

Gary RK March 25, 2013 at 5:01pm

Andrew,

Two comments :

- most Accountants can/will negotiate on providing a fixed cost. Never feel awkward about discussing costs with them. They would expect you to be doing this & subject to this anyway. After all it is 'business'.
- if you feel uncomfortable with them - do you know why ? No business support, Personality, image, lack of empathy etc ?

I have followed our Accountant from a small practice to being swallowed up by a large practice and then moving to a new small/medium practice and have remained 100% happy.

If its the latter, perhaps a move would benefit you. Look for an Accountant who is small business literate and ideally can act as a business advisor (to a limit). Make sure they are experienced and qualified.
PRO

Andrew @ The Outsidedge March 25, 2013 at 5:27pm

Thanks everyone for the replies.

I currently deal with a large firm with a number of partners. My parents have used this same firm for 20 plus years for their business, and that was the reason why I chose them to begin with.

I use a different accounting partner than my parents.

I guess the main issue is that I am looking someone who I can have have a rapport and feel comfortable dealing with, as well as a business advisor.

I will submit my 12/13 accounts to them next month, and once that is signed off, I will look to change.

Cheers guys.
Richard Boyd March 30, 2013 at 11:29am

I changed recently after spending time trying to educate myself on what an accountant should really do and become aware that the old company was just compiling year end accounts and that was it. The advice was minimal and I also found that they had missed off various aspects that meant I was paying more tax than necessary and also missing out on aspects that I could claim for.

Did you change because you considered the costs to high? No
After changing was your costs any lower? Yes
Did they remain lower or creep up? No sure yet, I expect them to go up as I will be asking them to do more work, than the old accountants.
Was the service any better? Oh yes
Did your new accountant reduce your tax liability? Instantly and I suspect there will be more to come.
Did you change accountant following recommendation? Yes
Did you contact several and ask for a budget cost based on info you provided? No, just the one.