Adelaide accountant recommendations - please

[setandforget]

Hi all

I think I need to do about 5 years of amendments - the last accountant was that bad. They're supposed to spot my mistakes - not the other way around.

So I'm looking for a new one - I've had one recommendation from a friend who has similar financial structure to me, but the ball park quote - was about 4x the going rate as best I can tell - ie that accountant doesn't really want my business.

I'm pretty much to the point where I could do it myself if I had someone to help with what numbers go where. I think maybe the ATO could help with that but their etax system doesn't really help me - I find it jargon loaded and confusing.

I'm also wondering if it's possible to get the documentation that was supposed to be provided to me by the old accountant and wasn't and how I go about that.

Send me a private message if you don't want to post recommendations (or people to avoid) in open forum.

 

[burglar]

... So I'm looking for a new one - ...

Hi setandforget,

Welcome to ASF

Have you tried the Yellow Pages?

 

[setandforget]

Hi setandforget,

Welcome to ASF

Have you tried the Yellow Pages?

So how does that get me someone reliable? Can I sue the yellow pages if the accountant makes thousands of dollars worth of mistakes? I was hoping to get some word of mouth recommendations from people who believe their accountants do a good job for them - but doesn't seem to matter what method I try - face to face or internet - nobody is willing to plug their accountant.

Does that mean they're all crap?

 

[burglar]

So how does that get me someone reliable? Can I sue the yellow pages if the accountant makes thousands of dollars worth of mistakes? I was hoping to get some word of mouth recommendations from people who believe their accountants do a good job for them - but doesn't seem to matter what method I try - face to face or internet - nobody is willing to plug their accountant.

Does that mean they're all crap?

I don't have an accountant, ...
The only one I ever approached was retiring!!

 

[Julia]

So how does that get me someone reliable? Can I sue the yellow pages if the accountant makes thousands of dollars worth of mistakes? I was hoping to get some word of mouth recommendations from people who believe their accountants do a good job for them - but doesn't seem to matter what method I try - face to face or internet - nobody is willing to plug their accountant.

Does that mean they're all crap?

If you have no luck getting a genuine recommendation, I'd suggest phoning three (choose these from what they describe in their advtg as their specialties) to ask for a ten minute free consultation. Just be candid and say you are looking for an accountant and want to get a sense of whether you could work together.
I did this some years ago and there was no hesitation in the accountant agreeing. Sometimes you only need to meet someone and you know they're not what you want. Good luck.

 

[Boggo]

If you have no luck getting a genuine recommendation,...

I have been dealing with Andrew May for many years for personal tax and anything else requiring an accounting input.

Their site seems very slow at the moment but this link will give you the details.
http://accountantlist.com.au/961-Major-May--Associates.aspx