A good accountant should fit the way your business operates, not simply produce a set of accounts once a year. Before appointing a firm, compare the people, service, expertise and responsibilities behind the quote.
Start with the help you actually need
List the work you want support with before requesting quotes. That might include annual accounts, Corporation Tax, Self Assessment, bookkeeping, VAT, payroll, management reporting or general advice. Clear requirements make competing proposals easier to compare.
Look for relevant experience
Ask whether the accountant regularly works with businesses of your size, structure and sector. A restaurant, property business, ecommerce retailer and consultant can have different accounting issues. Relevant experience can make conversations more useful and reduce the time spent explaining how the business works.
Understand qualifications and regulation
Ask about the professional qualifications and memberships of the firm and the individual who will handle your work. Where a professional body is mentioned, you can verify membership with that organisation. Also ask about professional indemnity arrangements and how complaints are handled.
Find out who you will deal with
The person who sells the service may not be the person answering your questions each month. Ask who your regular contact will be, how communication works, typical response times and whether meetings or reviews are included.
Review software and working style
If you already use bookkeeping, EPOS, payroll or ecommerce software, ask whether the accountant is comfortable with your systems. If they recommend changing software, understand the reason, the cost and who owns or controls access to the data.
Read the engagement letter
Before work starts, you should understand the agreed scope, responsibilities, fees and termination arrangements. Keep a copy of the engagement terms and ask about anything that is unclear before accepting the service.
This guide provides general information for UK businesses. Tax and accounting circumstances vary, so seek appropriately qualified professional advice where you need guidance for your specific situation.