Accountant needed around North London / Herts area

[Skimpy Wan]

Hi,

Anybody know of any accountants that can advise me on what's claimable as a self-employed individual?

 

[Leesparkykent]

Most accountants will give you an hours discussion free to try and gain your custom.

 

[Skimpy Wan]

I'll be contacting a few to see what they offer etc, but wanted to know if anyone may have local knowledge of their own accountant as I don't want a knock at the door later down the line

 

[Leesparkykent]

I'll be contacting a few to see what they offer etc, but wanted to know if anyone may have local knowledge of their own accountant as I don't want a knock at the door later down the line

Ultimately the buck will always stop with you but i would find/use a chartered accountant. Where are you based?

 

[Skimpy Wan]

Based in Hitchin (halfway between North London & Cambridge). I'll be contacting chartered accountants but speaking to various individuals previously the advice changes SO much. I just want to be able to claim everything I'm permitted to do so and not claim things / allowances that could cause me problems later down the line.

At present I'm a subbie so basic items claimable, but looking at doing own work, subbie & buying a van etc in the new fiscal year (I.e. next month)

 

[Octopus]

I would do a very local search for an accountant - there are sure to be a few very close to you

 

[telectrix]

Most accountants will give you an hours discussion free to try and gain your custom.

then rob you blind for doing what you can do yourself if you can be arsed.

 

[rolyberkin]

If you can use the internet you can do your own tax return, you can do it all online a complete doddle. If you are a ltd company then yes you need an accountant, even then you can keep your costs down by keeping your papers in order and then they can just do the necessary parts.

 

[Skimpy Wan]

I have done my own self-assessments for years (for a couple of different industries), however allowances change and items previously claimable are removed (or added) etc. Furthermore, they do not do a tick-sheet that you can work through to ascertain whether you have claimed everything you are eligible for. As such, different individuals seem to claim different allowances (some of which may not to eligible and therefore may later lead to financial consequences and penalties.

As I have previously been a subbie, I have merely been claiming for mileage, tools, equipment, industry textbooks, mobile phone (as a percentage) and update courses (for qualifications already gained). Yet others seem to be able to claim things such as for food, overnight accommodation with family / friends, washing of clothes, heating, Internet, new qualifications ..... (the list goes on).

As I'm looking to purchase a van, gain more qualifications, join a scam (and therefore do some own private work, as well as being a subbie) I want advice from a qualified accountant so I don't get a letter through the door in the future asking for any outstanding money (plus, penalty amount and interest).

So what do you claim for that I am not currently claiming?

 

[telectrix]

you use a room in the house as office? so claim a % of council tax, leccy and gas bills. also if you have house insurance allowing business use, claim the difference. i find that the easiest way for your vehicle is to claim 45p/mile business use. this saves saving up all those faded fuel receipts, but you have to log your mileage.

 

[Skimpy Wan]

I claim mileage (and keep receipts as additional proof). The heating / office argument is another vague allowance, as you need to spend x amount of hours in the office for business use (which at present for me hasn't been much due to it being very limited as I subbie and don't do any work outside of this).

Does anyone have any advice from an accountant they use for daily subsistence (i.e. food bought whilst away from home / accommodation whilst staying with friends / family etc)? If so, what allowances and mileage have you been quoted?

 

[plugsandsparks]

If you can use the internet you can do your own tax return, you can do it all online a complete doddle. If you are a ltd company then yes you need an accountant, even then you can keep your costs down by keeping your papers in order and then they can just do the necessary parts.

Why? - Please expand

 

[plugsandsparks]

I claim mileage (and keep receipts as additional proof). The heating / office argument is another vague allowance, as you need to spend x amount of hours in the office for business use (which at present for me hasn't been much due to it being very limited as I subbie and don't do any work outside of this).

Does anyone have any advice from an accountant they use for daily subsistence (i.e. food bought whilst away from home / accommodation whilst staying with friends / family etc)? If so, what allowances and mileage have you been quoted?

I have done my accounts for many years and was lucky enough to have had a career in business management for a plc. The best way for you to think of this topic is to first determine I the item you are looking to offset against tax is wholly used for the support of the business, if so keep receipts.

There are a few anomalies but I still stick to that principle.

1. Training - this may or may not be claimable - HMRC give good guidance
2. Food - By nature our activities mean we have to buy food from a shop wherever we are working, this is an expense. HMRC again give guidance and I use a specific number for non-receipted food per day, but if I am working very long hours this increases with receipts.
3. Accommodation: Hotels used for training or staying away (provided the training is allowable) is claimable, staying with friends, personally I don't claim
4. Car / van - I use a private car, claim HMRC mileage rates, log miles and claim back the VAT off the fuel, very simple to operate
5. If its a proper van then this can be a company vehicle and as such , fuel, MOT, insurance, tax , maintenance are direct business expenses
6. Logo clothing, PPE and tools are expenses
7. Mobile phone is in name of business, website, internet etc etc is all for business, family use their own.
8. Running a Ltd co from home means I can claim back some expenses but I err on the side of caution here
9. Washing workwear, I don't bother claiming

Lastly, although HMRC appear to set traps wrt fines and the like, you can easily setup email alerts for key dates and they do publish more quidelines than you could read in a lifetime, lol

I use an accounting piece of software and DIY mainly because I can and it means I can take a snapshot of the business at anytime and get a good idea when to pay myself a dividend. I also do my own PAYE for 2 employees, again once you are setup its not hard and again HMRC are very very helpful if you cannot fathom some of their systems

 

[telectrix]

i use quickfile. easy to enter all invoices and purchases. send invoices byemail. log payments etc. profit and loss account etc.

 

[johnsparks23]

Nic@njb-tax back.co.uk