Accountant for contractor who also sells software?

[inpots]

Hi,
So, just 4 months after last searching for an accountant (and starting contracting), I'm looking again (turns out my last one took exception to the constructive suggestion of encrypting emails with personal information in them!).

I'm a Ltd Company, 1 director/employee etc. I do consulting, but also write software which I try and sell (one sale so far!). I'm not anticipating huge numbers of sales - a hundred a year if I'm super lucky.
There are plenty of suggestions for contractor-dedicated accountants here, and I've found a lot online, but what about ones who will also accommodate the (hopefully burgeoning) software-sales part of my business? I've seen a few that also cover small businesses:
* Clever accounts
* Accountsnet
* Crunch (referenced here a few times including in the sticky)


Oh, and I'm also concerned about privacy, so don't want a crappy accountant who's going to bail if I have to ask them to encrypt emails (although ideally I wouldn't need to ask...).
Does anyone have any thoughts on this topic?

[Fred Bloggs]

Is it normal to expect accountants to encrypt emails? I don't recall any sensitive information being sent by email. Don't they generally upload documents to an on line repository?

[VectraMan]

Does anyone encrypt emails? I remember all the hype about PGP decades ago, but practically nobody every used it.

Why do you think it's necessary for an accountant to accommodate your software sales business? You think an accountant is only going to do part of your accounts?

[SueEllen]

Is it normal to expect accountants to encrypt emails? I don't recall any sensitive information being sent by email. Don't they generally upload documents to an on line repository?

No it's not normal.

Payslips, accounts etc aren't very sensitive when government agencies, pension providers and other financial institutions have the right to see them.

Also anything particularly sensitive with accountants, lawyers etc will be said verbally as anything written down can be seen by another party.

[northernladuk]

Constructive suggestions don't tend to start if with 'I'm dissapointed' do they?

[Fred Bloggs]

No it's not normal.

Payslips, accounts etc aren't very sensitive when government agencies, pension providers and other financial institutions have the right to see them.

Also anything particularly sensitive with accountants, lawyers etc will be said verbally as anything written down can be seen by another party.

I agree and regards accounts, pay slips etc.. my experience is that the accountant uploads the documents to an online repository in the name of Your Co for which you have a password. Probably not 100% secure, but certainly pretty private. Regarding PGP and the like, I have only seen it used in the nuclear industry for sending communications to contractors or subbies.

[northernladuk]

I wonder if the OP is going to take this feedback on and change his opinion on the matter?.... Or not

[inpots]

I wonder if the OP is going to take this feedback on and change his opinion on the matter?.... Or not

The OP was hoping for more constructive responses and is not seeking to be a victim of identity theft. It is for me to decide whether my personal information should be private or not (although the data protection act has a "Secure" principle).
E-mail is tantamount to a post-card - how many of would be willing for your pay information to be delivered on a postcard? Or a better idea - to all those unconcerned about the issue, please post all of the following to prove it:

Full Name,
Address,
Salary,
NI number
Tax-Code

because that's what's on the payslip, and if it's in an email, it's just that public, and with the other personal information that transacts with an accountant is more than enough for identity theft (Date of Birth, UTR (which the govt documentation clearly says to keep confidential), etc).
[the above is rhetorical - I hope no-one is actually going to do to do that.]

So, back to my original question - which accountants are there suitable for a contractor that also sells software?

[inpots]

Does anyone encrypt emails? I remember all the hype about PGP decades ago, but practically nobody every used it.

Alas no. Well, except the NHS and public sector in general - they have secure internal networks and communications.

Why do you think it's necessary for an accountant to accommodate your software sales business? You think an accountant is only going to do part of your accounts?

I'm afraid I don't understand the question. I was wondering if there were different accountancy requirements for software sales than just contractual work, hence the question. I believe different accountancies specialise in different areas. Sorry, maybe I wasn't clear on that part.

[SueEllen]

The OP was hoping for more constructive responses and is not seeking to be a victim of identity theft. It is for me to decide whether my personal information should be private or not (although the data protection act has a "Secure" principle).
E-mail is tantamount to a post-card - how many of would be willing for your pay information to be delivered on a postcard? Or a better idea - to all those unconcerned about the issue, please post all of the following to prove it:

Full Name,
Address,
Salary,
NI number
Tax-Code

because that's what's on the payslip, and if it's in an email, it's just that public, and with the other personal information that transacts with an accountant is more than enough for identity theft (Date of Birth, UTR (which the govt documentation clearly says to keep confidential), etc).

Heard of the Royal Mail?

While it's illegal to tamper with the post many people do so.