Unsure about my accountant

[monkeyBoy32]

Hello - I was recommended an accountant who has been really slow getting back to me. I eventually manage to speak to him and, as a newbie to all this, I had a load of questions for him including a few on IR35.

He told me that most contracts will fall inside IR35 and it's only when there's more than 1 of you working on a project through the Ltd company that you can work outside of IR35.

Now - from what I've read, many people here seem to be working outside of IR35 - is this because you have good accountants who know the ins-and-outs of IR35 or you make sure your contracts are outside ir35?

I'm also thinking to ditch this accountant as use one of the bigger companies mentioned on this board.

Any advice would be most appreciated.

Thanks

[BA to the Stars]

IR35 is concerned with working practices, not the number of people on a project. It would seem that your accountant may not be up to speed re this (does he do the accounts of many contractors). It may be safer to go with an accountant that specialises in contractors.

[monkeyBoy32]

Thanks for your advice - I was looking at sjd - they seem to be clued up and well respected.

How quickly do you think I could get set up with them? I've just registered my ltd company using the other accountants - presumably I'll need to get them to transfer all the details to me...

[TheFaQQer]

Sounds like your accountant wants an easy life - if he can convince you to pay IR35 then he gets it!

I'd see how many other contractors he has, or do a bit of research and then ask him about it in more details.

[Gonzo]

Hello - I was recommended an accountant who has been really slow getting back to me. I eventually manage to speak to him and, as a newbie to all this, I had a load of questions for him including a few on IR35.

He told me that most contracts will fall inside IR35 and it's only when there's more than 1 of you working on a project through the Ltd company that you can work outside of IR35.

Now - from what I've read, many people here seem to be working outside of IR35 - is this because you have good accountants who know the ins-and-outs of IR35 or you make sure your contracts are outside ir35?

I'm also thinking to ditch this accountant as use one of the bigger companies mentioned on this board.

Any advice would be most appreciated.

Thanks

I would suggest that you join the PCG because they have a lot of information on IR35 for the uninitiated. I would not necessarily expect your accountant to have all the information on IR35, especially if they they do not look after a lot of contractors, so I don't think that is a reason to ditch the accountant on its own.

I am with one of the big contractor accountancy firms, I ask them accounting questions, business and contract terms questions I take elsewhere.

[monkeyBoy32]

Thanks - I guess I would be better off going with someone who specializes in I.T. contracts.

I know there's been a few accountants mentioned here - SJD, DanBro.. But - are theses firms good at getting back to you quickly? I can't have someone who, when I ask them a question on Monday, I'm still chasing them up come Friday afternoon.

Thing is - I got my current accountant to register my Ltd Company for me - how easy is it going to be to get the paperwork from them and then transfer the company (or at least register) to another accountant - I understand that it's better to have your Ltd Co. registered at your accountants?

Thanks

[monkeyBoy32]

I would suggest that you join the PCG because they have a lot of information on IR35 for the uninitiated. I would not necessarily expect your accountant to have all the information on IR35, especially if they they do not look after a lot of contractors, so I don't think that is a reason to ditch the accountant on its own.

I am with one of the big contractor accountancy firms, I ask them accounting questions, business and contract terms questions I take elsewhere.

Just joind the PCG - got the PCGPlus membership.

(I find their site a little difficult to navigate tbh!!)

Anyway - cheers.

[Ravello]

I know there's been a few accountants mentioned here - SJD, DanBro.. But - are theses firms good at getting back to you quickly? I can't have someone who, when I ask them a question on Monday, I'm still chasing them up come Friday afternoon.

Thing is - I got my current accountant to register my Ltd Company for me - how easy is it going to be to get the paperwork from them and then transfer the company (or at least register) to another accountant - I understand that it's better to have your Ltd Co. registered at your accountants?

Thanks

I can only comment first hand on SJD, but they're very good at getting back to you quickly (same/next day usually).

When you say that your ltd is registered at your accountants, what exactly do you mean?
Have you set it up with the accountants' address as your registered co. address? Asked the accountant to act as co. secretary? Just agreed that they can act as an agent on your behalf for tax? Any of these things would only require a form to be completed to change the details if that's what you wish.

[Old Greg]

If you email SJD before 4 p.m., I believe they will reply the same day or refund the month's fee. They always get back to me pdq.

[monkeyBoy32]

I can only comment first hand on SJD, but they're very good at getting back to you quickly (same/next day usually).

When you say that your ltd is registered at your accountants, what exactly do you mean?
Have you set it up with the accountants' address as your registered co. address? Asked the accountant to act as co. secretary? Just agreed that they can act as an agent on your behalf for tax? Any of these things would only require a form to be completed to change the details if that's what you wish.

Yeah - sorry, they have just registered the company address as their address - the rest is all my info - my wife as my secretary etc...