Do you shop around for professional services?

[EddieB]

I’m asking as we have used the same accountant for three generations. When I had my last bill it struck me that we were paying a lot of money for this service so decided to get another quote.
I was quite gobsmacked that I was quoted 60% LESS than what we are currently paying.
So how often do others on here get quotes from different accountants/ solicitors/ surveyors etc?

 

[Spartacus]

We changed accountants about 8 years ago, cost us more but we got a better service and they managed to save us money, cheaper isn't always better

 

[EddieB]

I would agree that cheaper isn’t always better, but I was surprised that the people quoting came up with several new ideas which could save us money.

 

[Doing it for the kids]

Good question.

cant comment on accounts (all done in house) But lawyers and regular suppliers, i tend to keep tabs on.

it’s easier with solicitors as they charge / hr but some suppliers can fluctuate hugely with service.

there is a lot to be said for background knowledge though, depending on how complex your business is, cheapest isn’t always best

 

[EddieB]

There’s the rub, current outfit know the business well and do a fair few farms. Prospective people seem to be be on the ball in general taxation terms etc. but obviously don’t know my business. TBF it’s not terribly complex though, a fairly straightforward arable operation.

 

[Chae1]

I’m asking as we have used the same accountant for three generations. When I had my last bill it struck me that we were paying a lot of money for this service so decided to get another quote.
I was quite gobsmacked that I was quoted 60% LESS than what we are currently paying.
So how often do others on here get quotes from different accountants/ solicitors/ surveyors etc?

We changed accountants, it was cheaper but biggest difference is better service from new firm.

Looked at changing Banks, didn't look worthwhile changing.

Priced up insurance through broker a few years ago. Stuck with NFU.

 

[Nearly]

yes

and vets
and insurance
and banks

 

[EddieB]

We changed accountants, it was cheaper but biggest difference is better service from new firm.

Looked at changing Banks, didn't look worthwhile changing.

Priced up insurance through broker a few years ago. Stuck with NFU.

Potential issue with current provider is that we are a small business and they are a large firm. Perhaps the fact that I have never questioned their bills means they happily add a bit more on each year knowing that I will pay it.

 

[bobk]

Changed accountants 3 x in 10 years , got there in the end

 

[Steevo]

I am considering looking around at the moment. Accountancy service has gone downhill the last couple of years….feels like a second class service now.

 

[Chae1]

Potential issue with current provider is that we are a small business and they are a large firm. Perhaps the fact that I have never questioned their bills means they happily add a bit more on each year knowing that I will pay it.

My advice which is worth nothing, would be to speak to fellow farmers with similar sized businesses and ask who they use and are happy with.

 

[Steevo]

My advice which is worth nothing, would be to speak to fellow farmers with similar sized businesses and ask who they use and are happy with.

What we need is an online community where farmers could all get together to share experiences and seek advice…..

 

[Dry Rot]

There needs to be more naming and shaming. Then maybe there would be less need for it.

 

[toquark]

Re-priced insurance from NFU to farmers and mercantile a couple of years back, saved 30% with much better levels of cover.

 

[farmerdan7618]

See both sides of the situation here, have an off farm job as an accountant and also have a farming business.

Would never be the cheapest accountant, as you can get a compliance only service online for little money. Always aim to be the best value by keeping in touch with the farmers I look after and knowing their business to advise accordingly.

 

[Pan mixer]

I looked around several accountants, they all seem to charge a percentage of your turnover - since we are in pigs mainly, big turnover - small or non-existant profit.

Changed insurers a few years ago, 65% saving for better cover but now back to the originals who learned a lot about pencil sharpening in the meantime.

 

[ISCO]

We changed accountants 2years ago. Straight forward business accounts and reduced cost by 50%.. The old firm had been taken over several times and now large national firm. When accountant retired who had looked after us for 35 years price sored and they did not even want to see me.
All is well so far with.new small firm.

 

[Highland Mule]

We changed accountants, it was cheaper but biggest difference is better service from new firm.

Away from JC?

 

[EddieB]

I changed the agent that I used to do our annual valuation about 10 years ago. The new firm were a quarter of the price and work just as good. For some reason I hadn’t considered getting alternative accountancy quotes until now.

 

[George from SJM Planning]

We regularly check our Consultants are giving us good value and a timely service, but we always give the incumbents the opportunity to "step up" rather than toss them to the kerb at the first sign of faltering.

As for accountants specifically, when my boss started the company he just chose one of these franchised accountants to do his taxes etc but we soon found that as we grew they provided no advise at all about tax, vat, banking or anything. We spoke to a client about this and they said their account saves them more each year then they pay them, that sounded good so we switched. I. The first year they saved us three times more in tax than we paid them and pointed out that if our previous accountants had advised us we could have saved thousands over the previous three years when the business was getting going.