Q. Why are your fees so cheap?
A. We operate a highly efficient business - we have many years experience of doing what we do, we have streamlined our business; we don't have fancy offices and the overheads of traditional high street based accountants and we pass these savings to our clients. Incidentally unlike some accountants we don't use overseas subcontractors; all of our staff are professionally qualified and based with us here in the UK.
Q. How do I start using your service?
A. Just contact us and we'll send you a simple form to complete; we do our best to keep it as simple and easy as possible. If you have an existing accountant we will also need to contact them to obtain certain details - this is standard procedure for all qualified accountants and there is no extra charge whatsoever for this.
Q. How do I pay my fees?
A. If you would like to use our pay monthly service once you have signed up with us as a client we will ask you to set up a standing order for the fixed monthly charge. Our fees are payable on the 5th of each month. Our pay monthly fees are based on an annual charge which must be paid in full by the end of your financial year so if you are part way through your financial year we just add the appropriate number of months work required to your first payment, or spread the annual fee over the remaining months in your year. So if for example your financial year runs to 31 March and you ask us to commence our work in June, your first payment in June will be for 3 months i.e April, May and June and then from July onwards you'll pay the normal monthly fee, or we can spread the equivalent annual fee over the remaining 9 months of the year - it ensures everyone pays 12 months fees for a years service. If you would like to use our year end service we'll issue an invoice which is payable in two equal instalments 50% when we commence our work and the balance in full once the accounts are completed.
Q. Would it be better for me to wait until my new financial year to start with you?
A. No, not at all - the sooner you join us the quicker you can enjoy our service.
Q. How do I send details to you?
A. You can send us records and data in the most convenient way for you - email, fax or post. If you use an online accounting package with your permission we can access the data direct and get the details we need without troubling you. If you want to post information to us we'll supply you with prepaid envelopes. We always return all original documents to you within 14 days so that you have them when you need to refer to them.
Q. Does it matter if I am not local to you?
A. No, not at all in fact we only operate online and as such have clients located all over the UK. The majority of matters are dealt with via email which we find is quick, efficient and convenient but we are always happy to speak on the phone, we keep our fees down by operating in this way. To be honest, if you are the type of person who wants to see your accountant face to face (and we appreciate some still do), My Accountant Online isn't for you.
Q. Can you help me to choose the right software if I want to keep my own records?
A. Yes of course - for most small businesses we recommend Accounts Portal and can give you discount on the already competitive monthly fee. If you want a free trial let us know and we'll set it up for you immediately. Incidentally Accounts Portal is what we use for our own accounts so we do practice what we preach!
Q. What are your office hours?
A. We are here from 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday.
Q. Is there any advantage to me using a Chartered Certified Accountant?
A. We think so it's not generally well known that anyone can call themselves an accountant - the name isn't protected in law. As Chartered Certified Accountants we've undergone many years of training, and before we can practice we have to have accumulated some practical experience. We have to ensure we have full insurance cover, undergo annual training to ensure are skills and expertise remain up to date, and have continuity arrangements in place to protect our clients.
Q. How do I stop using your service?
A. We hope you will want to stay with us for a very long time but if you do decide to leave us just let us know you no longer require our services. We don't insist on any minimum contract period. However, please do bear in mind that we won't refund any of the monthly charges as we undertake our work on a monthly basis.
For any other questions just ask and we'll get right back to you. We're always happy to help.