"It's like night and day. I'm not an accountant and I don't know what's going on at HMRC. PayStream simplify it for me in a way that's easily digestible. They answer emails promptly. If something will take two minutes to explain on the phone rather than emailing back and forth for two days they'll do that."
1. What problems did you have with your previous accountant?
He wouldn't answer emails, so I did a lot of chasing, chasing and more chasing. I'm not in prison for not paying my taxes or anything, so he did enough! But he wouldn't answer the questions I had. It got to the point where I'd get a letter from HMRC and I'd ask him: 'So what does this mean?' And he wouldn't reply.
2. What action did you decide to take?
Because of him, I thought I'd just close the company. I picked a random umbrella company - I literally Googled umbrella companies and picked one of the top ones - and went from there.
3. Why did you choose PayStream?
I got another contract and the client said: 'If you use this other company - PayStream - it's just easier for us.' I thought that a company's a company from my perspective, so I moved to PayStream’s My Max Umbrella Company.
4. What made you decide to go back to running a limited company?
Even though I fall outside IR35, when I used my previous accountant I got annoyed with all the paperwork which is why I decided to use an umbrella company. However, PayStream were just so communicative. They answered questions within two or three hours, most of the time, but always within 24 hours. They were really helpful, really nice, and I thought you know what? Let's give it another go and see if it's worth the switch back to limited. And they've been great so far.
5. How does PayStream compare to your previous accountant?
It's like night and day. I'm not an accountant and I don't know what's going on at HMRC. PayStream simplify it for me in a way that's easily digestible. They answer emails promptly. If something will take two minutes to explain on the phone rather than emailing back and forth for two days they'll do that. The human touch is very different.
Everyone’s experience is different, but at the same time there are a lot of contractors who go through a very similar process to Tristan. They choose an accountant that's cheaper however they soon realise that you get what you pay for. You can find out more about his journey by reading his case study here, or get in touch to find out how you can switch over to PayStream on 0161 929 6000 or you can email newbusiness@paystream.co.uk .
