WR Partners -Accountants

[rusty]

Does anyone have any experience of this firm. We are with Howard Worth accountants in Cheshire but they have just been taken over by WR partners. The accountant who oversaw our account has left to set up on his own. He only oversaw it for a year after he took over the task from a previous partner who left, she made a few cock ups with our affairs so wasn't upset when she moved on.

 

[goodevans]

If your happy with your new man why not move with him

 

[farmerdan7618]

Does anyone have any experience of this firm. We are with Howard Worth accountants in Cheshire but they have just been taken over by WR partners. The accountant who oversaw our account has left to set up on his own. He only oversaw it for a year after he took over the task from a previous partner who left, she made a few cock ups with our affairs so wasn't upset when she moved on.

I haven't come across them, but raising the question on here shows a bit of doubt in your mind.

I would be very happy to speak with you regarding your accountancy, I work for Old Mill Accountants during the week (farm at weekends). Send me a PM if you would like to. I may be able to help, even if it is reassuring you that their ideas are good.

 

[Sprayer 1]

Does anyone have any experience of this firm. We are with Howard Worth accountants in Cheshire but they have just been taken over by WR partners. The accountant who oversaw our account has left to set up on his own. He only oversaw it for a year after he took over the task from a previous partner who left, she made a few cock ups with our affairs so wasn't upset when she moved on.

We are also with Howard worth. I took my accounts in April and heard nothing since, usually back within 6 weeks. I haven't heard about the take over but will chase them up on Monday.

 

[Tarw Coch]

Just googled them as I hadn’t heard of them, looks like it’s Whittingham Riddell,

 

[rusty]

About 20 years ago we moved from local,in town accountant to Murray Smith in Northwich when Roy Ramsbotham was in charge. He was very good but unfortunately died. His replacement retired early due to ill health then a good young accountant took over but he died of Cancer in his 30's. There were no partners directly involved with the agricultural side and it showed so we moved to Howard Worth about 6 years ago. The partner we dealt with initially seemed very good but then gave us conflicting advice on buying out a family members share of the business. She also set up a discretionary trust to help pay school fees which actually cost us money rather than save it. The partner who took over our account from us sorted this out but never really thought he 'Got It' with our business which is slightly complicated as we operate a limited company along side a partnership. I have also just started a SIPP with them which seems to result in a lot of 'compliance type' paper work.
At the end of the day you have to have confidence in the people and that they are working 'for you' to justify their fees. Don't mind paying for good advice as it's what they save you that really matters. I expect that the person who is overseeing the account to give me confidence that they have explored all the avenues to legitimately reduce my tax bill.

 

[farmerdan7618]

The structure highlights the challenges of farming and the tax system. Ltd company to take advantage of lower corporation tax rates and particularly effective if you don't draw huge amounts for yourself, partnership to hold the land and produce forage to give shelter from Inheritance Tax. School fees trust works in a limited number of circumstances and sounds like you fell outside of these. SIPP again a useful pension planning tool, but with already having the company in place a SSAS is more flexible to achieve the same result.
Research and Development tax credits worth taking a look at in the company to scope out any ongoing projects that would qualify for additional tax relief.

I would always say an accountant should earn their fees, or be honest if something is going to cost more than the benefit. The complex business may be worth it, but your accountant should be able to show you why it is.

 

[Suffolk Serf]

Do you have to work with a local firm? I can highly recommend my ag specialist accountant, based outside Cambridge.

 

[Blue.]

Hard work with Accountants,you really have to have an idea before you go to see them.

 

[ollie989898]

Why not continue using the guy you like even if he is on his own?

 

[chaffcutter]

We were with a very good one man band agricultural accountant for some years, but in tax planning and so on he always had to bring in outside consultants, and we realised that if he was unable to work for any reason we would be in a difficult situation, something else to worry about!
so with his agreement we moved to a medium sized firm which has all the specialtys in house and backup if it’s needed.

 

[farmerdan7618]

Hard work with Accountants,you really have to have an idea before you go to see them.

Really can't like this, not a good way to work in my view, unless it's a super cheap compliance only service.

Communication both ways is needed though, everyone has a different situation and different priorities. It is very easy to pay no tax for your entire life, and none on death either. Simply use the gift aid system to give all of your profits to charity, and then leave everything you have left to charity in your Will. Won't be right for many people, but if you just say 'I don't want to pay any tax' then it fits the brief.

A good accountant should scope out your priorities and use available methods to achieve them, whether that be company/partnership structure, pensions, capital investment planning, how to extract money from the business for personal expenses, succession planning, research and development credits, trusts etc.

A good client should be open and honest in explaining their aims, at the outset and with updates as things change. That way it is possible to help you achieve them, and inform you of tax and legislation changes that could affect you.

 

[rusty]

Why not continue using the guy you like even if he is on his own?

The guy who oversees us currently has only done it for one year and have not built up a rapport with him yet.

 

[rusty]

Hard work with Accountants,you really have to have an idea before you go to see them.

My mother used to work for the inland revenue so has some idea on what's what although she did leave over 50 years ago! It's not uncommon for her too pull up the accountants on mistakes they have made or Opportunities they have missed.

 

[Blue.]

I have seen so called expert accountants give very bad advice,I’ve never been afraid to question or sack them,same as anyone I’ve paid for a service.

 

[neilo]

Has anybody on here got any experience with WR? They have several offices and appear to have a lot of Ag clients.

I ask as I was considering a move to them. PM if you prefer.

 

[Tarw Coch]

Has anybody on here got any experience with WR? They have several offices and appear to have a lot of Ag clients.

I ask as I was considering a move to them. PM if you prefer.

We used to be with them until the accountant who did our work bought the Welshpool office out and we stayed with him

 

[Kidds]

Hard work with Accountants,you really have to have an idea before you go to see them.

I'd say that was true of any professional services you employ. Someone on here replied that I was using the wrong accountants if that were the case but how would you ever know otherwise if you didn't do your own research.
The more I encounter "professional" people the more I realise how unprofessional they are. Of course there are good ones out there but even they can't possibly know everything (and in no way am I claiming that I do).

 

[neilo]

We used to be with them until the accountant who did our work bought the Welshpool office out and we stayed with him

Do you mind me asking which practice that is in Welshpool?

 

[Tarw Coch]

Do you mind me asking which practice that is in Welshpool?

Morgan’s, Gerald Morgan
Next to council offices