Hi, I have recently started up my own bookkeeping business, built a website, business cards, ICB qualified, etc. I recently realised that in order to offer SA services I would need to complete the SA exam with ICB. I have ordered it for 4th Dec through there website. Has anyone any experience of doind this exam and if so, will it arrive 1 week before the 4th Dec and I'll have 1 week to complete it or will it arrive this week leaving more time to go over it.
I have ordered some guides from HMRC via there website and ordered a book from amazon called Self assessment for dummies, going to read these and should be ready for whatever the exam throughs up.
I was thinking about ways in which I might attract clients specifically for self assessment, the online filing deadline is Jan 31st, so maybe I'll do some mailing and email shots to self employed people? I was also wondering what to charge, because I guess its difficult to estimate how long a return may take to do, or are there ways based on turnover, type of business etc that can help me give a reasonably accurate quote?
The views expressed in this post are my own personal (HRA protected) views, and are not representative of any organisation I have any involvement with.
£40 sounds very cheap!! I would think a realistic price was between £100 and £150, don't sell yourself short.
Gav, I have done the SA exam, its not too bad and you do get a chance to correct some bits if not 100%, although you do pay for the privelege. If you have some experience on them, all the better but you can get the info on the help pages.
Gav, I tend to charge £100 inc vat for a simple tax return ( a bit of PAYE, pension, interest, dividend income) I really simple tax return for say a CIS self employed is usually around £150. A simple set of I & E accounts plus tax return from around £150 to £200. More in depth set of accounts with Balance Sheet plus tax return from £200 to £350. Then if accounts are needing a lot of extra bookkeeping it could go up significatly depending on how long it takes.
Rob, Philip. I hear you, but my last self assessment was from a lady who works full time PAYE, no savings, dividends or any other type of income. She previously let a flat, but sold it a few years back. She was sent a letter to complete a Self Assessment, it took me 30 minutes and I charged £40, that's £80 per hour.
The views expressed in this post are my own personal (HRA protected) views, and are not representative of any organisation I have any involvement with.
