How To Choose An Accountant – A Brief Guide

Taking the time to choose the right accountant to handle your businesses accountancy requirements is essential as a great accountant will save you both time and money and support your business for years to come.

If you are lucky, you may be able to find a great accountant through a personal recommendation or word of mouth, but this is not always possible.
So, rather than choose the nearest accountancy firm or the first one you come across advertising on-line, use these simple tips to help you find the ideal accountant who will tick all the right boxes for your business.
Make sure your accountant is suitably qualified
Don’t make any assumptions when it comes to qualifications. An individual who is advertising their accountancy services may not necessarily be properly qualified or registered with a professional organisation for accountants.
Most accountants will clearly display their professional qualifications on their website, but if you are not sure, it is essential to make appropriate enquiries. Don’t be afraid to ask for references from previous clients and verify them if necessary too.
Choose an accountant who has experience of working with similar businesses to your own
Try to choose an individual or firm specialising in businesses like yours. If yours is a small business for example, find a company that is familiar with the needs of small business owners.
Compare fees
Even if you are on a tight budget, it rarely makes sense to choose the cheapest service you can find. Request detailed quotes from several different companies and compare them like for like.
Communication is essential
The majority of accountants will offer you a free first consultation to discuss your requirements. Set up meetings with several companies you are considering using and use this opportunity to see how they come across in person. It is essential to feel at ease with your accountant, as you will be discussing personal information with them.
Over time you would hope to build a healthy working relationship with your accountant so if it is apparent in the first meeting that they are not on the same wavelength as you, they are unlikely to be a good match.
Excessive use of accountancy jargon can leave many clients feeling baffled so make sure you find someone who explains things clearly in layman’s terms.
Be sure to examine the level of customer service you receive at this stage. If standards are poor in the beginning with a potential new client, this should ring alarm bells.
The End Result
Ideally, having done your homework you will have identified a reputable and experienced accountant who fully understands the needs of you and your business and cares about its success.
The right accountant will become a fundamental key to the success of your business and have the ability to offer knowledgeable information and business advice to point you and your business in the right direction. Neil Houghton Accounting – a firm based near Bristol in South West England are an example of a firm used to dealing with companies of various sizes. However, identifying the right person or company to take care of the financial side of your business is not always a quick process but you can guarantee that it will be time well spent so don’t choose the first one you come across!