You’re a Limited Company contractor who enlists a freelancer accountant, but you’re not getting what you hoped from the relationship. Maybe you find it hard getting hold of them, you don’t feel they grasp your unique needs, or perhaps you’re struggling to see how they bring value to you and your business.
If you’ve got an itch to switch contracting accountants, here are five tell-tale signs it’s definitely time to move on to pastures new…
Reason to switch accounting companies no.1
THEY’RE DIFFICULT TO GET HOLD OF
You want to be able to speak to your contractor accountant when you need to, without being passed from pillar to post. You haven’t got time to explain yourself to multiple departments, or wait days for an email or call back. In an effort to cut costs, many contractor accounting firms employ few actual accountants and try to manage the bulk of the workload using admin and account management staff. This can lead to frustration due to a lack of accountability and experience.
So if you don’t have a named accountant or haven’t been given their direct contact details then perhaps it’s time to switch. Having a single point of contact not only improves communication and saves you time, but also brings peace of mind that someone is personally accountable for your business. You’ll spend time explaining your goals to that one person, and they’ll help put in place what’s needed to achieve them – we call that time well spent!
“My accountant turned out to be an ‘account manager’ who was unable to give me any technical accounting advice, so I’d end up having to wait whilst my questions and queries were passed onto someone who could help me – very frustrating!!”
Reason to switch accountants no.2
THEY GIVE YOU GENERIC ACCOUNTING ADVICE
Annual filing obligations for HMRC and Companies House may be standard, but all contractors are not the same! You have different goals and ambitions, and diverse financial and life situations. All these factors need to be considered by your specialist contractor accountant.
A specialist contractor accountant should be just that; a person who gives contractor-specific accounting advice based on your individual circumstances. It’s their job to help you run your company in the most tax-efficient way, whether that involves advising on the combination of dividends and salary to take, or which VAT treatment to opt for. And if you need a mortgage or pension, they should be able to point you in the direction of financial service products designed especially for contractors.
It’s a sure sign it’s time to switch accountants if you’re getting “one size fits all” contractor accounting advice and you feel as though you’re losing out as a result.
“I’d often be given misleading or confusing accounting advice, rather than being told what was the best option for me and my circumstances”
Reason to switch accounting firms no.3
THEY DON’T UPDATE YOU ON CHANGING LEGISLATION
You need a freelancer accountant that understands all the legislation that affects contractors and who keeps you in the loop about any updates. For instance, the best accountants for contractors take the time to explain what Making Tax Digital means for you and what they’re doing to make it a smooth transition. And then there’s IR35 legislation…
Does your accountant keep you up to date with the latest on IR35 legislation changes, offering IR35 contract advice and an open invitation to discuss concerns From April 2021, the IR35 status of contractors is determined by the end hirer in the private as well as the public sector.
A contractor accountant with IR35 expertise will be proactively supporting you in reviewing your working practices and contracts to ensure IR35 compliance, arming you with the necessary evidence for your end clients if need be.
A freelancer accountant who has your back on IR35 legislation will not just keep you compliant and confident, but also make sure you’re working in the most tax efficient way.
Reason to switch contractor accountants no.4
THEY CAN’T GET THE ACCOUNTING BASICS RIGHT
The absolute basic accounting services offered by contractor accountants are the same wherever you go; there are a number of statutory returns to be filed and deadlines to be hit with HMRC and Companies House, otherwise, you’ll incur penalties.
Your contractor accountant should have this all running like a well-oiled machine so they can spend quality time adding value to your business – not saddling you with unexpected tax liabilities, penalties and interest charges!
The process should be stress-free with clarity on what you need to do to help your accountant hit the deadlines in plenty of time. If they miss deadlines or hit them only in the nick of time, or you’re unsure of your responsibilities then it’s time to partner with a contractor accountant who takes greater pride in their job.
Basic responsibilities of a contractor accountant
Prepare and submit legally required information to the government on behalf of clients on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis.
Payroll – Salary payments to employees, including taxes and deductions, must be reported on a pay-as-you-earn [PAYE] basis and submitted via RealTime Information [RTI].
P11D – Expense payments and other non-salary benefits provided to directors and employees outside of payroll are calculated and reported via a P11D form.
Self Assessment Tax Return – Directors receiving income from any source other than PAYE must report this additional income to determine the amount of personal tax they pay.
Value Added Tax – Registered businesses are required to report the VAT payable on the supply of its services and the VAT recoverable on purchases.
Statutory Accounts – A Limited Company must prepare and report an Income Statement [P&L] and Statement of Financial Position [Balance Sheet] at the end of each accounting period.
Corporation Tax – Tax is payable in relation to the profits a company makes. A corporation tax return [CT600] is calculated and submitted for every accounting period, typically once a year.
Confirmation Statements – A confirmation statement discloses key facts relating to a limited company, including information about its directors, ‘persons of significant control’ and other administrative arrangements.
“I was always left guessing what needed doing and when. There was little to no management from my freelancer accountant and I’d frequently miss important deadlines”
Reason to switch freelancer accountants no.5
YOU FEEL RIPPED OFF BY YOUR ACCOUNTING FIRM
A sign you’re with a good contractor accountant is if you feel they’re well worth their accounting fee; that the accountancy advice they offer and value they add make a discernible difference to both the money in your pocket and your peace of mind.
If you’re paying an ‘all-inclusive monthly accountancy fee, you should expect all statutory returns to be included at the very minimum. The real difference comes with the extra support on offer. IR35 reviews should be included, plus unlimited access and timely accounting advice from a specialist contractor accountant. Another must is access to a user-friendly accounting system to record your financial information and offer insight for planning purposes. None of these elements should ever be seen as ‘added extras’.
If you feel you’re paying a premium rate for substandard accountancy services, or you keep getting nasty surprises in the form of unexpected hidden fees, it may be time to move on. And on that note – a decent contracting accountant will never charge you to switch your accounts, unless in very extreme cases where your existing accounts are already behind and a catch-up fee will apply.
Value-added support you should expect
Dedicated Personal Contractor Accountant – Every Intouch customer develops a strong professional relationship with one of our dedicated Personal Accountants. Intouch provides the best Limited Company accountants and high-quality expert accountancy advice relating to personal finances and limited company affairs.
Specialist IR35 Accountancy Advice – Intouch empowers clients to better understand their IR35 status. Ongoing review and discussions around working practices and contract engagements help ensure that contractors operate according to IR35 legislation and remain legally IR35 compliant.
Online Portal – The Intouch portal helps contractors stay on top of their Limited Company accounts and bookkeeping, enabling them to create and send invoices, record business expenses and monitor the performance of their company.
Management of Contractor Accounts – Monthly management accounts are generated on the portal for tax planning purposes; allowing clients to optimise their personal income, business expenses, company profits and dividend payments.
“I thought my monthly accountancy fee included everything I’d need, then I would be hit by unexpected bills for accounting services that many other accountants include for free”
“I was paying well over the odds for a very basic accounting service, and my accountant knew I was paying for accountancy services I’d never ever need or use”
How to choose a new contractor accountant
Finding the best accountants for contractors is all about doing your research and asking the right questions:
1. Are they specialist freelancer accountants?
A specialist freelancer contractor accountant will know your industry inside out and how contractors work in practice.
2. Will you have a Personal Accountant?
A one-to-one relationship and direct contact details for your contractor accountant are a must. And beware of the ‘Account Manager’ – they’re unlikely to be able to answer any but the most basic accounting questions.
3. Are they an accredited accountant?
The Freelancer and Contractor Services Association (FCSA) accreditation is recognised as the industry’s compliance gold standard. Accreditation is awarded to contractor accountants who can demonstrate the highest industry standards, so look out for member firms.
4. Do they know IR35 legislation inside out?
Understanding IR35 rules will continue to be of utmost importance so make sure they have specialist in-house knowledge that you can easily access.
5. What’s included in your accountancy service?
You know the monthly accounting fee, but watch out for additional accountancy costs that quickly add up. Specifically, make sure that IR35 reviews and accounting advice are included.
6. Trust your peers
Check out online reviews, ask your colleagues and check out what’s being said on contractor forums.
How to move contractor accountants
A great contractor accountant will save you time and money, ensure you meet deadlines and provide expert accounting advice to help you run your business in the most efficient way. But is it a massive pain to move to a new accountant?
The process is actually pretty straightforward. At Intouch, this is how it works:
- Sign up
Simply give us a call and we’ll sort out the rest. You can sign up easily over the phone and get going straight away - Set up
We’ll contact your previous accountant to arrange for ‘professional clearance’ so that we can obtain your last set of accounts, VAT returns, references, and anything else we need. - Chat & plan
That’s it! Now just get to know your dedicated Personal Accountant, share your goals and familiarise yourself with our portal.
Does it matter when in my tax year that I switch accountants?
No, it shouldn’t. There will be a bit more work for your new accountant to do when you move over, depending on where in your tax year you are. At Intouch, we see this as all part of our inclusive accounting services, but look out for other providers who may charge ‘catch up’ or ‘switcher’ fees.
Why Switch to Intouch Accounting?
Specialist support to help optimise the way you work, with your own dedicated Personal Accountant.
Is your current accountant not providing the accountancy service you expected? The best accountants for contractors will save you time and money, make sure you meet deadlines and provide expert accounting advice to help you run your business in the most efficient way.
Switch to Intouch Accounting and your dedicated Personal Accountant will support you with the day-to-day running of your business. You’ll have access to our unique IR35 support services and a range of contractor-specific financial services.
We will take care of all your Limited Company’s accounting and tax tasks for a monthly fee of £115 + VAT
- Direct line to your dedicated Personal Accountant
- Expert IR35 guidance
- 24/7 portal access (or Freeagent friendly for an additional £15 VAT/m)
- We’ll handle the switching process
- No set-up or catch-up fees
- All HMRC and Companies House returns completed and filed
- Contractor-specific mortgages, wealth and protection services
Expert IR35 guidance – all part of the accounting service
Clarity
Unlimited IR35 reviews
- Contract and working practices covered
- Practical end-hirer ready output
Protection
Switch between Umbrella to Limited Company and vice versa
- Minimum disruption – just one call
- Finances kept up to date and in one place
Support
Specialist IR35 contractor accountants and law firm support
- Advising end hirers to mitigate 2021 impact
- Keeping you up to date with IR35 legislation
Don’t just take our word for it
- 50% of all our contractors have been referred to us by a friend or colleague
- We have an ‘excellent’ 5 star Trustpilot score
- We’ve won ‘Best Contractor Accountant’ in the reader-voted ContractorUK Reader Awards for three years running
- Freelancer and Contractor Service Association (FSCA) Accreditation – recognised as the industry’s compliance gold standard.
For more information on switching accountants contact us on 01202 901952 or email enquiries@Intouchaccounting.com
