need an accountant...a good one!

[vito]

Hi there

I m thinking to remortgage my first and only house in order to cash in some equity and re invest it in a sec on house!

I need to talk to someone professional about taxes on the equity etc etc

Can you suggest anyone??

thanx!

[HonourBloke]

I used Coman & Co on North Cross Road.

Talked me through the whole process of taxes on renting selling an so on.

They helped out and I have not had any problems since.

[tibby]

Damian vinny great accountant

[Loz]

Seconded for Ray Coman at Coman & Co.

[cslap]

Ray at coman's is a really nice guy but I couldn't in faith recommend his services, we just seem to not have the luck other's on the forum seem to get from them, it's been a string of mistakes since the start. They're expensive and not as attentive as price would demand. Has someone got contact details for Damian vinny please? Would be much appreciated. Thanks.

[tibby]

I agree Ray makes far to many mistakes

[cslap]

It's been non-stop mishap from the very start, and now he's getting aggressive over e-mail, refusing to take phone calls to sort it out. His terms and prices have randomly increased too which considering he uses a cheap and terribly outdated bug ridden automated computer program for 95% of the work seems simply unfair considering when it fails he does little or nothing to sort it at my cost. I honestly hope I'm unique because he is lovely, it's not personal - but this forum seems to hold him in an unusually high regard when all I've had mess-up on mess-up, costing me money while still paying them up to twice what others charge for the same basic service. If anyone knows an alternative option that I can change quickly and cheaply I'd appreciate a nudge, thanks. I'd rather support local business if possible.

[Pickle]

My dealings have been similar - outdated systems and approach, terrible communications, they do nothing to help clients actually understand what's being done. I deal with them through a client of mine (I'm a CA), and have been a bit bemused by all the glowing recommendations I read.

[vito]

..so...no good..

[cslap]

Urm, maybe, it's hard to tell because there are factors outside of his control so it might not be his fault, it's not fair to criticise too harshly, some things absolutely weren't his fault, but you never felt like he was doing anything to fix them, I had to constantly chase him for information. But I work in an environment with many other guys in the same situation, and they all pay quite a bit less and say they've never once had a problem in years, I don't think a single thing has gone right or easily, everything has been a battle. I've recommended him to others who also now have similar problems and that feels awful.

Like Pickle said, I'm amazed at the whitewash of amazing reviews on here for them, it was why I chose to approach them and he happened to be a few doors down from the house. The computer system is antiquated, but that aside we don't feel like we got any advice that you couldn't find on HMRC's website in 5 minutes for free or any kind of attention that warrants the large price, just added strain. Although maybe I've just been extremely unlucky, go meet him for the free advice slot he offers which is generous, maybe he's exactly what you need, although I'd suggest shopping around too.

[tibby]

Use Damien he is very good

[cslap]

Have you contact details please Tibby?

[tibby]

Crunchers accountants Damian viney

0207 326 3900

[Robert Poste's Child]

Edited to remove my original post as although I believe it was fair comment, reasonably general and included some points in Ray's favour I'm not comfortable with the way this thread is escalating. That's not a judgement on anyone else but personally I still hope he can sort things out.

[cslap]

I'd be careful what you say, he's probably reading this as he dropped me as a client leaving me in the lurch very badly within a day after I posted this fair criticism. Shortly before this he upped his rates dramatically and demanded payment in advance (2 minutes before dropping me as a client, an actual tantrum over e-mail, I hadn't even finished reading the first e-mail before getting told to find another accountant it happened that quick). I asked if this was just for me or is there a standard price for everyone - I got told he had no legal requirement to let me know the information. In his favour he is honouring certain other agreements (although is well paid for them) and I hold this to his credit but the nice guy thing is act I wish I hadn't fell for, it was my fault trusting a charming man tbh, caveat emptor. It's interesting that many others seems to be seeing the same pattern. I've spoken to a few other accountants today as time allows, I'm travelling shortly, I hope Damien is as good as people suggest, I'll post up other people who seem decent now I know a little more about choosing an accountant. I thought I was just unlucky, now it seems perhaps not. A very costly mistake. Perhaps this deserves a thread of its own.

[Sazzle30]

Contact Jeremy Mindell of

http://www.primondell.co.uk/about-2/

My dad used him to plan regarding CGT on sale of second home saved my dad thousands. Knows his stuff he used to be my boss so I would highly recommend, very professional - qualified tax man (CIOT) wife is also an accountant

[alice]

Why hasnt anyone mentioned gino long time in northcross road. He has been superb over many years and has a brilliant memoryfor detail

[jonty1494]

I use Ray Coman and he is fine for straight forward accounting and tax filing issues.

Regards Jonty

[chatterb0x]

Try Bennet and Co just off lordship lane

My aunt works there but I use them and so does my husband

020 8693 0221 ? 16 Upland Rd, London SE22 9GG

[Coman]

Right to reply

I am upset to read critical reviews on this form about our services. Because I care about the experience of clients, past and present, I am therefore taking the right to reply.

We continue to strive to provide a good service. This includes:

Clear communication about our respective responsibilities

Timely responses to client emails.

Accurate and prompt delivery of information

Identifying opportunities for tax saving where possible.

Professional and courteous approach. This will be a formal, business like approach.

Competitive rates, which have scarcely increased in five years of operation from East Dulwich.

In order that I can continue to provide an excellent service to our existing customers, it will mean that I cannot guarantee a response to every query I receive or provide a service on every request.

It is not the case that I have dropped anyone in the lurch. Far from it. Where I no longer provide a service, I will explain all that it is required well in advance, and continue to provide a service until a case can be suitably handed over. Even if I carry out these services for no charge.

As our business continues to grow, we aim to focus on delivering a good service to the hundreds of clients that we currently service in East Dulwich. It is my name on the door, as Robert Poste's Child has written.

[LadyDeliah]

Got to say we had issues with Coman too.

I thought it was just us. He was difficult to communicate with and even though he did our end of year accounts for HMRC (which contained mistakes) he didn't do the Companies House ones and wouldn't communicate with our new accountants, so we had to pay for a whole new set of accounts for the same year for Companies House.

New accountants are very helpful, happy to explain in plain English but are more expensive and based in West London.

[Coman]

Since the users on this email thread are using pseudonyms, I cannot comment individual grievances.

I have no recollection of not communicating with any new accountants. I always provide complete handover information.

I am in the process of making sure that the criticisms on this forum are genuine and not malicious.

If you consider that there is some complaint to be answered for, then I will respond to it promptly.

I am therefore offering any of our clients past or present the opportunity to make a complaint, addressed to me, Ray Coman, [email protected]

I will personally look into the matter of any shortcoming, as a matter of priority, and I will take remedial action if necessary.

[LadyDeliah]

There is a lot more I wanted to say, but I've kept it short because I'm not interested in public witch hunts.

[tibby]

I agree with what Amanda has said Ray coman is the worst

Person I've ever dealt with

[cslap]

I'm Robert Scott from cslap ltd.