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Brookson bad experience, what next?

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    Brookson bad experience, what next?

    First post on here, in my quest for answers I have found quite a bit of helpful information from this particular forum. I have used the advanced search, but I think I still like some input from you wonderful people.

    I am a sole director, one employee, limited company, who has been operating for about 9 months. Have never contracted before and as reffered by agency signed up to Brookson (I regret ths decision so much). To keep the story very short Brookson aren't doing any more 'accounting' for me, and haven't told me what they have or havent done when they decided to bail.

    I have been trialling FreeAgent and will be trying out QuickBooks too, but I think I still need a reasonably priced accountant to support with the hard bits.

    I think my RTI submissions have been done up to 1st April 2016, and I have not taken any money out of the business account since. My company year end will be in July 2016.

    I wondered if anyone could think of a solution where I pay up to £400 to get me to the end of the company year July 5th, with a view to pay a small (under £100) monthly amount for the 2nd company year?:
    - Get my information from Brookson or I can resubmit it all (I have a record of most of it in excel)
    - Year end accounts to HMRC and Companies House
    - 4th Quarter VAT return (Flat rate scheme)
    - Corporation Tax return
    - 15/16 Director Self Assessment
    - PAYE returns/Payslips/RTI
    - P60, P11D any other random forms that I don't know about?

    I've basically had enough of talking with clueless unqualified call centre agents, really hope someone can help!

    #2
    First port of call for me would be one of the favoured accountants from here. Discuss your situation and plan a way forward. There will be a cost to this, but if you agree to sign up for your next business year, you might get a deal. Good luck, you are one victim of many I suspect.
    Public Service Posting by the BBC - Bloggs Bulls**t Corp.
    Officially CUK certified - Thick as f**k.

    Comment


      #3
      I had the same situation after signing up with Churchill Knight after a pimps 'recommendation' (= kickback). Bailed and went with Forbes Young, would recommend them, drop Graeme Bennett an email/call, he sorted my car crash accounts out and is very proactive with advice and making sure you operate as efficiently as possible (disclaimer: I receive no kickbacks from Forbes Young for recommending them ).

      Comment


        #4
        Personally I use QDOS. Initially I just used them for insurance as I have issues with IPSE - though almost everyone on here recommends IPSE.

        I transferred to them a few months ago following issues with my accountant(who I had used for 28 years! what a skank!). They charged their usual fee(£95+VAT) per month - I am not sure if that was because I had their insurances already.

        As posted above, there are other accountants others on here will recommend.

        Good luck!

        Comment


          #5
          What Fred said.

          I wouldn't normally comment on this in case it looks like fishing but I thought I'd add my thoughts as we are in the process of taking two clients from Brookson at the moment and both are in a very similar situation to you.

          The first thing you need to know is that Brookson can be very slow in providing clearance information (ie, the info your new accountant needs) so you need to try to circumvent any problems by obtaining all that you can from the Brookson portal. Your new accountant will guide you on what you need but typically it will be your VAT returns, payroll records, bank transactions and expenses. You'll also need your various tax references. As you have not been trading a year there'll be no final accounts info require.

          As for a cost, both clients we took on our standard monthly package with no catch up fee. Their year ends were July and October respectively.

          And yes, Freeagent is excellent. Try to find an accountant who is a FreeAgent specialist and who will wrap up the licence in their monthly fee.

          Comment


            #6
            I'd agree with Fred & Alan here, a Freeagent accountant is the way to go (in my biased opinion).

            I'd try and get Brooksons to confirm a date when they will pass over the transfer information to the new accountant and also make sure there are no fees involved from Brooksons for providing the information. If you have all the source information yourself it should make the move easier.

            The fee level you are wanting to pay is about ball park what you should be looking to pay too.

            Martin
            Contratax Ltd

            Comment


              #7
              A bonus too is if you use FreeAgent, swapping accountants should be much easier in the future.
              Public Service Posting by the BBC - Bloggs Bulls**t Corp.
              Officially CUK certified - Thick as f**k.

              Comment


                #8
                Brookson have been bad news for a number of years so get out would be the general advice. Perhaps good advice would be for new contractors to ask why they recommend someone, it s probably not due to personal experience but more likely to personal line their pocket.

                QDOS - don't they outsource the accounting to India?
                "The budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed lest Rome become bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance." Cicero

                Comment


                  #9
                  Originally posted by Waldorf View Post
                  Brookson have been bad news for a number of years so get out would be the general advice. Perhaps good advice would be for new contractors to ask why they recommend someone, it s probably not due to personal experience but more likely to personal line their pocket.

                  QDOS - don't they outsource the accounting to India?

                  Comment


                    #10
                    The IPSE reaction is interesting
                    merely at clientco for the entertainment

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