[PaulineH]

Hi, just want some advice really, setting up my business in a few months time
gathering all info possible at the moment, just wondered what the general view is about accountants. Are they worth every penny or not ?All advice welcomed thanks. PaulineH...

[BDCS]

would'nt be without mine

[karygate]

just done our first year end. when started spoke to accountant he told us what to do and last week handed the receipts etc in and he will sort it out . for the £200 he is charging is it really worth the hassle doing it yourself and they do save you money.

[Dean Aspects]

An accountant will save you more money than they charge and you will be safe in the knowledge that they have been done right and its tax deductable 

Dean

[Paul Kettless]

An accountant will save you more money than they charge and you will be safe in the knowledge that they have been done right and its tax deductable

Dean

Agree 100%, if you get a good one....! don't forget we have rouges in all trades, and I know a couple of guys that have been done up like kippers by a couple.

[PaulineH]

Thanks for the replies, as i thought it is a necessary expense, but as many of you say they often cover their own expense with what they can claim back for you......PaulineH

[DavyP]

A good accountant is essential and can save you a lot in the long term, fortunately for me my wife is a chartered accountant so i save a bit more   Find one who comes recommended and you shouldn't go far wrong.

[dandandan]

Bad news is she knows what you earn,just kidding.

[PaulineH]

By the sound of your reply's you only use an accountant for your end of year returns, do you all run your own payrolls, i.e. do you all sort out your staff's wages and holidays. I've spoke to a hubby and wife team and theve quoted me aprox £700.00 to do all end of year returns and everything to do with staff, all i have to do is give them the details from a potential employee's P45 and pay the staff, the wife sends me payslips in the post with all the relevant details on,she sorts out all holidays everything. It sounds ideal for my first year as i'll have nothing to think about apart from the day to day running of my business. Sounds quite steep from what some of you have said.
What do you think.........

Thanks...PaulineH
 

[DavyP]

Spoke to my wife, she says £700 is a bit steep for whats a generally straight forward job, if you want let me know the number of staff etc and i'll get her to give you an idea of what you should be paying.  Then you'll have a bit more negotiating power.  My email is davyph@btinternet.com , outline what all you want the accountant to do and she'll work out a proper price as a guideline for you.  She's a partner in a practice that deals with loads of small business's so she'll give you good advice, and knows the best legal ways to save on tax.  She's straight down the line so she won't advise anything dodgy.

[PaulineH]

Thanks a lot for that, i'll e-mail you tonight with all the details.

Thanks again..

PaulineH