Local Book Keeper or Chartered Accountant?

[Karen]

At present we are using a Chartered Accountant, but our fees have gone up from

[Brian]

Sounds like a big jump Karen. Did you ask why it has gone up so much, as would certainly not expect a rise above your expansion + inflation!
I personally would go with the chartered accountant if I were a bigger company as I have heard the IR are less likely to do an audit.
Best of to shop around with some other CA's in your area.

[Melvin]

That sort of rise is common when firms get over a certain size. They need they smaller companies when they are building up for a portfolio, but really they are after larger accounts that pay big money.

[Hammy]

You need to make a list of everything you require, such as vat returns, payrole, end of year submission etc. Once you have done this write down your turnover, number of monthly sales, number of monthly purchases, credit cards used, accounts held with suppliers and anything else showing what you do each month. Draft these figures into a letter and fax it to all of your local accountants (chartered & non) and book keepers. Sit back and wait for some quotes to compare.

[PortmanAssetFinance]

100% keeper. You do not need to pay an Accountant to day simple keeping tasks.

A good competent keeper will be able to do all the following: VAT returns, PAYE schemes, debtor analysis etc.