How You Can Really Choose the Proper Accountant for Your Business
by Denny F. My OpinionBusiness
owners make a lot of major decisions during the course of running their
business, and it can be said that one of the most important decisions you can
make is when – and if – to hire an accountant. You may need help with financial
management and can no longer make heads or tails of your accounts, and if you
are struggling with invoices and payroll, an accountant can definitely help
you. You may also have difficulty completing and filing your tax returns and
ensuring that you are legally compliant – a good accountant can guide you
through this as well and even do it all for you. But the decision to enlist an
accountant's services is just the first step – the next steps are more crucial
because you then have to make sure that you choose the right one. Here, then,
is how you can really choose the proper accountant for your business.
Consider the location
In today's world where almost everything is done online or virtually, does location matter to you? The answer to this really depends on your needs. For instance, with accounting software, your accountant can quickly and easily share various financial data and records with you, making it unnecessary for you to meet with them face to face. But if you are thinking of having your accountant do other things for your business, such as represent you in business meetings or accompany you during conferences and the like, then you may want someone who is based nearby or is easily accessible. If you are in London, for example, and you want a financial representative who can go with you on business dealings, then you can opt for central London accountants (such as the accountants from GSM & Co.).
Think of their qualifications
You
can very well opt for an accountant who doesn’t really have the qualifications
but has just the experience, but if you want more peace of mind, then you
should go for an accountant who is duly regulated or recognised by professional
bodies or authorities. If you are in the UK, then you can choose a chartered
accountant, as they are highly qualified and have been able to complete a
higher degree of study. They will also have better work experience and will
have gone through a professional programme to ensure their competence.
If
your business is growing, it would be better to get an accountant who is
professionally qualified. On the other hand, if you simply need someone to prepare
your taxes, keep your books, or aid you in the general management of your
finances, then you may be able to settle for an accountant who isn’t chartered.
Remember this, though: if you decide to apply for a loan or if your business
goes through an audit, then you need an accountant who has the proper
professional qualifications.
Determine their level of expertise
You
would, of course, need an individual who can adequately prepare your tax
returns and other documents, so it would help if they have relevant experience
with companies similar to yours in size and scope. It would be even more
advantageous if your accountant has worked with businesses in the same industry
or sector as yours, as they will already have a good understanding of how your
business works and what it needs.
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Created on Jan 5th 2021 17:21. Viewed 356 times.