Income tax in Ireland and the UK is paid under the self assessment system. This means that the tax payer is responsible for returning their taxes to Revenue. From a legal point of view then Brookfield simply can't make you use a specific accountant unless Brookfield are willing to indemnify you against any mistakes that the accountant might make. YOu are respnsible for filing the tax return so if the accountant fails to do it Revenue won't care. The bailiff will arrive at your door and not your back street accountant's.
Putting large amounts of money into a pension solely for tax planning purposes is a nonsense. Also you can assume that the maximum commission on each pension contribution is being taken by your "advisor".
A reputable frim should charge a fee on a flat rate basis. There is the same amount of work and administration involved for a captain as a cadet and they should both be charged the same amount for accountancy and tax advice.
Last edited by Gobnet; 5th May 2009 at 13:19.