happy_pt

Not sure if you are still looking, but I've used RHJ Accountants with decent results, after lots of crazy quotes they offered fairly 'local' rates and have an office in UK and Porto, so they understand the two countries well. For me that experience was pretty important having been massively overcharged before for the simplest of tasks (if you could read governmental level Portuguese)

Sri Pete

I am looking for an English-speaking accountant in Porto. I sent a message to RHJ via their website and in three business days have received no response. So I am writing them off and would appreciate other recommendations...

macliam

If you are expecting a reply to an email, let alone in a matter of days, then I think you might have issues in Portugal..........

Rule 1) Don't expect things to be as you expect.
Rule 2) Never ask the same question of two officials and expect to get the same answer.
Rule 3) Never ask the same question twice of the same official and expect to get the same answer.
Rule 5) If there is no complaints book, make a complaint.
Rule 4) Deixe lá

Sri Pete

Thank you, macliam. I am learning!

macliam

The last is the most important.... it is the Portuguese equivalent of mañana and it applies to everything.

If you use the expression "speed is of the essence" you will get a blank, or perhaps pitying look, you may be told "of course"...... and then absolutely nothing will happen for a plethora of reasons.....

Your email is awaiting an answer, but, deixa-lá....... it's early, lunchtime, late, Friday . Monday ,close to a feriado, almost August, nearly Christmas, etc., etc.

Sri Pete

I finally did get a response from RHJ. And since I have come up with no other candidates, I am going to try them.

Alan PT

Got a new accountant this year, as our previous one was fully booked(!). After initial discussion, she had been out of contact for a couple of weeks so I sent a WhatsApp, then a few days later an email, then a few days later another WhatsApp... Three messages over the course of nine days, but just a friendly "Hello, all OK? Need any more info?" as I learned that displays of impatience at lack of action are not always productive!

Finally got a reply at 11:30 last night to say "Hello, I started work on it but have not finished yet, I'll let you know soon"

SgtTroy

Us poor people don't need no accountants

Second consecutive tax return done all by myself, with modest refund of some of the tax retained at source

Alan PT

I'm fairly confident I could do it if I had to, we don't have anything complex. But I'm happy to pay the princely sum of 30 euro for some professional reassurance

SgtTroy

The accountant getting it wrong - priceless 😎

ldnporto

Out of curiosity, what were the 'local' rates they offered in the end? I'm about to start talking to them about an upcoming move (not entirely straightforward, as I'll still be working for the UK) and it would be great to know a ballpark of what to expect, if you don't mind.

ldnporto

For anyone curious, the rates initial rates quoted from RHJ are €95/month for a 'full service package' kind of offering (dedicated accountant etc). €450 to apply for NHR. All plus VAT of course

happy_pt I wonder how those compare to the 'local' rates you were able to get them down to?

dingg

450 to tick a few boxes on the financas portal

They're pulling your pants down, so if they're pulling your pants down on that, then they'll pull your pants down on everything, all imo.

Nhr applicatiin is literally a few clicks on a website that takes 5 minutes

ldnporto

dingg

Yes, I thought that NHR fee seemed high.

The monthly seems OK though — it's about what I'd expect to pay an accountant here in the UK, provided there are no sneaky add-ons when it comes to tax-return time — but perhaps it's inflated vs the portuguese market

MilkyMilky

Definitely stay away from RHJ, they will really stiff you. They wanted Euro 350 for a simple online submission to the Financas. On top of all the monthly fees. It felt like I was working for them rather than myself..!
They've also screwed up multiple times and I have had to fix it up. This is the same experience I have had with four accountancy companies here.