I need an accountant

[smckay]

Can anyone give a recommendation of a decent accountant in the Sydney Hills district? Parramatta to Hornsby?
Understand this is a loaded question but I need an accountant this is across small businesses, Family trusts, investments (property, shares) and can aggressively maximise the tax rebates. I don't want illegal, but I do want as much as can be taken that is allowed.

I'm searching for a new one and want to speak with as many as possible. The new bloke/ette will be able to converse and analyse with clients and is not afraid of asking questions. They understand small business and can give clear plain advice on how to improve a set of accounts.

Reason for asking on AFF? If I get more tax back then I take more flights. Simple.

 

[haydensydney]

Hi OP, I can't help - but I too am looking for suggestions of a "good" accountant in Sydney (North Sydney > City/CBD).

However mine is mainly for personal, not business and I'm wanting to maximise my deductions Any suggestions?

 

[Andyzx]

Hi I’m a CA but no I’m not what you are after! I have someone do my tax returns

A couple of suggestions for you.
Personal Tax,
You need look at value, most tax accountants will charge $450-$1000 for the return. My return is usually $600 or so. If you can do it yourself and get $500 back and a tax accountant can get you $1000 back (extra $500) I dont see the point. But if you have investments, CGT issues, trusts etc then this can be difficult so worth spending the money to get it correct rather than getting more money back – Value. If your not wanting to spend this the corner store tax people are usually sufficient

Small business
The CA and CPA websites list their accountants with public practice certificates and tax accountants try there. Stick with these people they usually know what they are doing.
Suggest that you have some questions to ask them like, how long have you been doing this, how up to date are they do they go to public practce conference etc, type of clients (look for similar small businesses), who is going to do your work the partner or the junior, what are their charge rates and dont go for the cheapest, what do they provide in terms of additional benefits, newsletters, client alerts, seminars etc. If you business turnover is less an $5-10m then look for smaller low overhead firms, 1-3 partners but this is a general rule. If you have more complex issues (foreign investments, blind trust and lots of money) look for larger 2[SUP]nd[/SUP] tier firms with experts
If you know (or just ask) anyone in a similar business, tax and accountants usually get a fairly emotive comment and you can work out the good and bad. I also suggest that you spend an hour or two charge out rate to have them take a look at your business onsite, there is a lot of information that you don’t get from the clients discussions or the numbers

At the end of the day you sign the tax returns not them so ask the questions you are paying for it