ACCOUNTANT VS. APARI ‒ WHEN TO USE AN ONLINE, TAX ACCOUNTANT
APARI’s tax software was developed to replace your accountant so you can submit digital self-assessments directly to HMRC, saving time and money. But things aren’t always that simple!
There may be some instances when using an accountant can be the best move and others when it is better to use APARI’s tax software.
Throughout the course of this article we are going to explore those two options in some detail. There are times where an in-person specialist is a good choice, especially if you have multi-level or complicated taxes. There are other times where APARI can not only provide you with a suite of tools for your own benefit, but also provide a variety of services similar to an online, tax accountant, giving you a more convenient solution.
WHAT IS THE APARI SOFTWARE?
If you are reading this article then you probably already know what an accountant is (who doesn’t?) but you may not be as familiar with the APARI tax software.
At APARI, we see it as our job to make tax simpler and more doable, whilst also providing a host of other services that make it easier for you to manage your finances in the age of Making Tax Digital. Our goal is to go beyond the role of an online, tax accountant, and to provide you with a platform that is genuinely useful for your needs. From helping you manage income, expenses, contracts, tax submissions, and a lot more – our software is designed to be the ultimate tax companion for landlords and self-employed professionals alike.
When should I use an accountant?
Despite us having designed our APARI software to be a comprehensive suite for tax, there are times when you may still want to use an accountant.
1. You have multi-level complicated tax affairs
If you earn income from a variety of businesses, properties, capital gains, inheritance, and so on, you may have a very large and complicated tax portfolio. This is one of the times where you may prefer an accountant, as having an accountant look after it all may bring you more peace of mind and allow you to make use of tax efficiencies across a particularly complex portfolio.
2. You have Tax Planning Schemes in play
At APARI, we aim to provide as much useful information as possible through our Community pages and our software is designed to tell you what information you need to include in your tax return. That being said, the APARI software cannot help you with your tax planning. Complicated or long-term planning would require you to speak to an accountant (either in-person or via an online tax accountant), especially if we are talking about big money!
3. You Struggle to stay organized
Keeping records of income and expenses can be hard work without the right software or system in place! Sometimes it just feels easier to send everything to your accountant and let them take care of it for you, especially if you are short on time.
4. You have a great relationship with your accountant
If you have a good relationship with your accountant, then why rock the boat?! You could, however, reduce your accounting fees and make their life easier by keeping your records on APARI’s software before having your accountant look at the figures before submission. It’s quicker and easier but still maintains that great relationship!
When should I use APARI?
Our software is designed to be a fully comprehensive and inclusive companion to your tax return.
1. You’re new to tax self-assessment
More people than ever have either had to, or chosen to, become self- employed over the last couple of years, taking up roles as delivery drivers or setting up side businesses to subsidise their income.
Using APARI makes it easy to understand and to complete and submit your first self-assessed tax return directly to HMRC. This means you don’t need to get entangled with trying to find an appropriate online tax accountant, as we will provide you with everything you need to complete your taxes online, in one easy to manage piece of software.
2. You want a real time view of your tax position
If you want to know your current tax position so you can make the most of your annual allowances, you may not get a quick answer from an accountant.
APARI’s record keeping software provides an overview of your current tax position and liability in real-time (assuming your details are up-to-date), meaning that you can stay on top of your accounting at all times.
3. Time is precious
It’s time-consuming to download bank and credit card statements, identify relevant transactions, add them to your records, complete the calculations, and submit your paperwork.
APARI will save you a lot of time – simply upload transactions from your bank account or a spreadsheet and tag relevant transactions. The software will then do all the calculations for you, saving you time and money!
4. APARI is FREE to try!
Unlike with a financial professional or online, tax accountant, you can start using APARI today for free!
5. You’re tax confident!
Ever get the feeling that you’re doing all the work and your accountant is just submitting your return? Then APARI may have the solution for you. Through using our APARI software, you might find yourself doing less work than you would with an accountant, while saving yourself some hard-earned money. Our easy to use software means that, if you are tax savvy, you will have everything you need at your fingertips to submit a self-assessment tax return to HMRC.
MAKING TAX DOABLE: AN ONLINE, TAX ACCOUNTANT ALTERNATIVE
APARI’s tax software makes it easy to keep records, providing a real-time overview of your current tax estimate and helping you save time and money.
Our goal isn’t just to make it possible for you to complete your tax return and submit it to HMRC. Our goal is to make tax more humane, to simplify it, whilst providing you with a suite of tools designed to make it easier to manage your finances – knowing exactly what you owe and when, whilst remaining compliant.
By using the APARI software, you only need to use an accountant if you want to use an accountant, or if you have an incredibly complex situation where an accountant may be easier. For all other situations, our software is able to help.
Eventually, the majority of self-employed people and landlords will have to use software to keep records and submit accounts to HMRC as part of the upcoming MTD regulations. So, why not start now and simplify your tax?
Want to know more about self-assessment? We created the Ultimate Guide to Self-Assessment Tax Returns for YOU!
