Choosing the Right Accountant

It’s never easy, is it? Choosing the best accountant for you and your business can be a long and laborious process. There are literally hundreds of accountancy firms to choose from, online and in your local region. But just how important is it to find the right one?

Well if you take the time to find a good accountant, they can actually save your business a lot of time, effort and expenditure. Failure to carefully select an appropriate accountant can have the opposite effect. It doesn’t matter how fresh or how small your business is, if you’re paying for a service you expect first-class. Otherwise, you might as well just do it yourself, right?

Top Things to Look Out For

Here are some of things you should be looking out for and asking yourself when searching for a new accountancy firm:

·         Does the firm have the right expertise for your tax matters?

·         Does the firm deal with companies similar in size to your own?

·         Do they have experience advising similar clients in your niche area?

·         Do they have a good reputation in tax planning York?

·         What qualifications do they have?

Choose a Certified or Chartered Accountant

Always choose an accountant that is regulated by a professional body or recognised by the UK government. Chartered accountants are at the top of their trade. They represent highly-skilled professionals who have completed higher-level study in the field of accountancy. They will have lots of workplace experience and a professional competence programme in place too.

For complete peace of mind, always used a certified accountancy service! You will have no choice if you’re audited or wish to take out a loan. By hiring a certified accountant, you can add value to your business right from the very get-go!

How Much Do They Charge?

Another important question to ask yourself is – how much do they charge? Cost is a very important factor for many businesses, no matter how large or small. If you cannot afford the more expensive companies at this moment in time, then perhaps its best to consider someone else in your price range?

Does Location Matter to You?

Location can also be a deciding factor for many people. Do you want the convenience of being able to see your accountant whenever possible? Choosing one that is miles and miles away will not do you then. It is probably best to look on your local high street or perform a local search online for accountancy firms that are closer and better suited.

Does Your Potential Accountant Have Similar Experience?

If you’re a window cleaner, does your potential accountant have experience working with other window cleaners? Familiarity is extremely important for many businesses, especially those who offer incredibly niche products and services. Sometimes its best hiring an accountant who already has an idea of what you do, so that you can both hit the ground running.

Read Your 'Letter of Engagement' Carefully

When you’ve finally chosen your desired accountants York, they will provide you with a letter of engagement. This fancy term is what accountants call a contract. It basically outlines the terms and conditions of the service they will provide to you. This is essentially the small print of your agreement. Read this carefully! It will explain everything in full detail so that you know exactly what you’re getting.

Most accountancy firms will be completely transparent in their approach and offer a tailored professional service. This is certainly the case at Franks Accountants, who help clients in North Yorkshire realise their business ambitions and reduce their tax liabilities.