Accountants can help you understand complex legal and taxation matters, navigate regulatory changes and provide valuable guidance and support as you seek to grow your business.
So it’s crucial that you work with the right person – someone who understands you and your business, is aligned with your goals, and has the right expertise and knowledge to add value.
That’s why we’ve put together a list of tips to help you identify an accountant who can tick all the boxes for you and your firm.
Get recommendations from your peers
It can be difficult to know where to start, so it’s always a good idea to turn to friends and fellow business owners for recommendations. Tap into your network to find out who they believe might be a good fit for your business and you personally.
Work out what kind of accountant you need
Chartered accountants are more highly qualified than a regular accountant and a member of a professional body, such as the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). As a result, they can charge higher fees than regular accountants, but you also have extra consumer rights if mistakes are made.
It’s therefore really important to determine what your requirements and objectives are. For instance, the professional services of a chartered accountant may not be necessary if you only need fairly straightforward advice and services, but they could be worth the extra outlay if you want to scale up in the near future.
Meet prospective accountants
You want a good relationship with your accountant, so it’s well worth spending time getting to know them before making a final decision. In this initial meeting, you can get a feeling of whether you’ll work well together, and also be able to ask practical questions such as what type of experience they have and how they could help you.
Carry out due diligence
If you have a particular or several accountants in mind, spend time finding out as much as you can about them, such as how many clients they have and whether the fees they charge are within your budget.
You should also devote time to looking beyond what they’re saying on their website. For example, do they have reviews on sites such as Trustpilot and Google? The comments, both good and bad, from real people who’ve used their services, could be extremely valuable to you as you make your final decision.
Do you really need a local accountant?
In this day and age, many of us are engaging with professional service providers via video conferencing systems such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams. Accountants have responded to this trend by offering online appointments, which has the consequence that you’re no longer limited to a specialist based in your area.
If the accountant you believe is the best fit for you isn’t located nearby, ask yourself how much location matters. Of course, the answer will depend partly on what type of relationship you want with them, as you may prefer face-to-face meetings, but in many cases, geography simply isn’t a constraint anymore.
Set your goals and priorities
You can only pick an accountant who can deliver on your objectives if you know what they are yourself. Set clear, measurable goals and clear priorities, so you can both start your relationship on the same page and track progress over time.
If you have any questions about how best to manage your business’s finances, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us, and we’ll be happy to speak with you.