How much should you pay for an accountant?

So as it’s the silly season time of year - pesky tax returns (not that fat bloke in a red suit) time

then the amount of new enquires and clients I get increases - and one of the first questions I’m asked is “how much will it cost”?

Well how long is a piece of string?

If you have most of your numbers ready and you need a sense check or don’t want to complete the return then my fee will be considerably less than it would be if you gave me a box of receipts and your bank statements.

The first is a 10 minute job, whereas the second could be a 6 hour job. Am I going to charge the same fee - of course not!

If you come to me the day before the filing deadline then it’s perfectly reasonable to expect to pay a premium - is it going to be an extortionate premium - no - but it would generally mean something else I’m doing has to be moved around to a different date. If it’s a quick job then the premium will be negligible - If it means me doing another all nighter then it will cost. It’s simple logic really.

A lot of my clients send me information monthly and they get up to date info on their expected tax bill so that they can squirrel away some cash in the dusty shoe box ready to pay HMRC. My fee basis is very different for them.

I (like most business people) prefer to have repeat customers as it’s soo much easier in many ways - I’ve never believed in trying to fleece somebody - a long term business arrangement is always better as long as both parties feel happy. Unlike a lot of accountants I do not charge extras for phone calls or emails and the such like.

I also do friends tax returns for nothing , as well as the whole bookkeeping, accountancy and tax planning for a charitable organisation that is close to my heart - I am a softie after all!

Like a lot of people I gave up working from an office a long time ago - I therefore have zero overheads so do not to charge extra like a lot other accountants.

The other thing to consider - how much is your sanity and stress worth to you? Getting a professional to do it right first time with the right tools can be worth my fee alone!

So back to the original question - there is no set price and ultimately it all depends.

What I do promise is that I will be more cost effective than others and offer a quicker more professional service.