Accountants-High-Wycombe-1536x439
Linkedin Facebook-f Envelope

01494 439013

Thinking of changing accountant?

Whether you’re a sole trader or are running a limited company, you should be asking yourself the following questions about your accountant on a regular basis:

  • Are you happy with them?
  • Do you feel like you are getting value for money?
  • Do you feel you are always getting unexpected bills?
  • Does your accountant understand your business?
  • Is your accountant proactive?
  • Are they providing you with good customer service?

Why problems arise

Problems normally arise because there is an expectations gap between what a business owner expects from an accountant and what services an accountant expects to provide.  This oftens happens as a business grows, and suddenly you need more from your accountant than just annual accounts being completed.

You should feel comfortable enough to have a conversation with your accountant to explain how their services no longer meet your requirements.  This will  help you clarify what you expect, and they will have a better understanding of your expectations. If at this point, it’s obvious that they can’t provide you with the services you need, then, provided you give the required notice stated in your letter of engagement, you are free to change accountants. There is no limit on the number of times that you can change accountants.

Our adaptable service

At Chimes Accountancy Services Ltd we provide an initial meeting free of charge to get to know you, your business and what services you require. We will always explain fully what each service includes and will never provide you with a service you don’t need. We can provide as much or as little assistance as you see fit,  but are adaptable enough to add other services as your business grows.

We try to ensure that the expectations gap is minimised in a couple of ways. We will follow up on the initial meeting with an email detailing the services requested and the fees involved. We will then provide you with a detailed letter of engagement that confirms the services to be provided and who is responsible for what areas.

We work with clients from all walks of life, so if you are looking for a a new accountant, who can provide you with an adaptable service, get in touch to set up a free initial meeting.

More Posts

Breaking even – checking the numbers

In previous newsfeeds we have described how you can calculate the level of turnover you need to create in order to meet all your costs whether they be fixed costs (rent, rates etc.,) or variable costs (goods you need to buy to convert into goods you sell).

For example, if your fixed costs are £50,000 per annum and your variable costs are 25% of your turnover, the annual turnover you need to breakeven will be £200,000. The formula is:

Annual fixed costs divided by 25 (the gross profit)

Bereavement Support Payment

The amount of Bereavement Support Payment you can claim will depend on your relationship to the person who died and when you make your claim.

Your payments will be paid into your bank, building society or credit union account.

If you were married or in a registered civil partnership with the person who died

If you were receiving Child Benefit when your partner died (or did not get it but were entitled to it), you will get the higher rate.

This is made up of:

a first payment of £3,500;

Tax codes for employees

The P9X form is used to notify employers of the tax codes to use for employees. The latest version of the form has been published and shows the tax codes to use from 6 April 2023. The form states that the basic personal allowance for the tax year starting 6 April 2023 will, as expected, be £12,570 (£12,570 in 2022-23) and this means that the tax code for emergency use will remain at 1257L.

The basic rate limit will be £37,700 (£37,700 in 2022-23) except for those defined as Scottish taxpayers

Properties not let at commercial rates

There are special rules where a property is let at less than a commercial rate or isn’t let on commercial terms. These rules also apply if a property is occupied rent free or at less than a commercial rate, for example, a property is occupied by a family member at a reduced or nil rent.

In these circumstances, HMRC can take the view that unless the landlord charges a full market rent for a property and imposes normal market lease conditions, it is unlikely that the expenses of the property are

Send Us A Message

Registered company number: 08935446
Registered address: 173 Hicks Farm Rise, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England, HP13 7SQ