Force 4 Computing Ltd

A case in point: all accountants are not the same

 

“I quickly took to Nick personally and professionally,” says Mike. “He wasn’t staid or starchy like many accountants but was keen to listen and genuinely inquisitive as to how he might help me. To cut a long story short, he offered me a far lower fee but tremendously superior service from what I was used to. In the first year alone he clawed back £7,000 for me. He also helped me to structure my business when I started to employ people.”

 

Nick adds: “Mike had been paying his accountant to calculate and return VAT on a quarterly basis. A business turning over under £150,000 per annum is entitled to make annual returns. For his business, it makes perfect sense.”

 

Keeping it in the family

 

Mike and his partner Sue also took Nick’s advice when they decided to invest in a buy-to-let property in Cardiff where their daughter studied.

 

”Nick gave us sound advice on the structure of the finance, calculating expenses against revenues and working out the best way to minimise tax. His advice cost us far less than the amount we saved in tax. He also gave us great insights in to how to fund our children through university. At no time was he clock-watching: he really wanted to help us.”

 

Aware of Mike’s mother’s failing health, Nick proactively but gently intervened. “Mum was German and her annual tax returns were complicated. After she passed the ensuing paperwork was also rather tricky to complete,” says Mike. “I hadn’t realised this but Nick stepped in to help, as he had experience of international tax liabilities. It was another great relief during a time of sadness and stress.”