How to make sure you choose a great accountant

As a business owner, having a good accountant is essential for your financial success. But what happens when your accountant is no longer meeting your needs? I talked about 12 signs to look out for if you're unhappy with your accountant or just unsure whether you could do better by changing accountants, in an earlier blog and on our dedicated web page "12 signs you need to change your accountant". In this blog, I go into more detail about how to choose the right accountant for your business and the questions you should be asking them to make sure you choose the right one.

One of the most common searches by business owners if they are looking for new accountants is simply "Accountant near me". Despite technology enabling you to choose an accountant potentially thousands of miles away, people are looking for someone local. A friendly face, someone to talk to, proper advice from a proper person. We definitely don't want to take advice from a machine or from someone miles away who treats us like a machine. 

Whether you're a small business owner, a freelancer, or an individual in need of tax help, finding the right accountant can make a big difference in your financial success. Here are some tips to help you choose the right "local" accountant for your needs.

Define your needs

Before you start your search for an accountant near you, it's important to define what you're looking for. Are you looking for someone to just handle your taxes? Or do you need help with full bookkeeping services? Or are you looking for someone to provide advice for your business? Some accountants just want to file your returns and will not give any form of advice. Are you looking to build your business to sell or to pass on to your children? Knowing what you need will help you narrow down your search.

Ask for recommendations

One of the best ways to find an accountant near you is to ask for recommendations from others in business or local professionals such as solicitors or bank managers. If you have a professional network, such as a chamber of commerce or business association, you can also ask for recommendations there. You can look at the membership of Accountancy bodies and select a few local ones. Then back all of this up by looking at Google reviews. Probably best not to take advice from an acquaintance at the local pub.

Research potential candidates

Once you have a list of potential accountants, it's important to research them before making a decision. Check their credentials, such as their certifications and licenses. Look for reviews online and check their website for information about their services.

You can check with the online directory for ICAEW Chartered Accountants, for ICAEW‐licensed individuals, and ICAEW licensed/accredited firms, to see if the accountant is a member >> ICAEW on-line directory of members.

Check out recommendations very carefully. We recently saw an accountant with hundreds of five star reviews appear on the national news accused of over inflating expense claims. HMRC was sending clients of the firm demands for thousands of pounds of underpaid tax.

Have a meeting

Before hiring an accountant, it's important to schedule a meeting to get to know them better. (To avoid wasting your time we always start with a simple 15 minute discovery call to see if we can help you and then if we can, we will arrange a meeting). During the meeting, ask about any experience working with clients in your industry, and make sure you feel comfortable with their communication style. The professional accountant will be transparent about their services and how they charge. If you have discussed all of your needs and they confirm that they have all the relevant information to quote you should expect that written proposal within 24 hours. If the accountant only gives you a verbal figure or says "between £x and £y" then probably best avoided.

Make a decision

Once you've completed your research and meetings, it's time to make a decision. Choose the accountant who you feel most comfortable working with and who you believe will provide the best service for your needs. If you cannot decide on the basis of service and instead start comparing on price STOP and start the whole process again. When it comes to professional advice the cheapest deal is likely to be the worse deal.