Considerations When Choosing an Accountant

Handling the finances of even a small business is time-consuming and complex, taking you away from other aspects of running your enterprise. For these reasons, it is a good idea to entrust the matter to a professional accountant. To find the right accountant, there are a number of factors to consider.

Determine Your Needs

When choosing an accountant, you must first be clear on what you need them to do. A small business or sole trader may just need basic bookkeeping and tax preparation. But many businesses will need much more, including accounting integrations and compliance regulations. Determining your requirements will help you understand which affiliation you need, such as a chartered accountant or a certified management accountant.

Location

With today’s technology, you do not need to be in the same area or even the same country as your accountant, as all business can be conducted via cloud accounting software, video conferences, and emails. However, many people prefer the personal touch of being able to meet physically, finding that it encourages greater trust and collaboration.

To find an accountant near you, do an internet search with the relevant term. For example, ‘Evesham accountants’ will give you results like www.randall-payne.co.uk/services/accountancy/evesham-accountants/.

Check Reviews

Read reviews or ask for references from existing clients before engaging an accountant. You can also check whether any complaints have been made or legal actions have been filed against them. When choosing an accountant, you want one who is reliable and reputable.

Fees

Small businesses often have a limited budget for paying for accounting services, so engage an accountant who is upfront about their fee structure. In particular, find out which accounting tasks are likely to have an hourly rate and which ones have a flat fee.

The Service

Find out everything you can about how the firm operates, such as whether one individual or a rotating team of accountants will handle your business, how you can communicate with them, and what software they use. By gaining information up front, you will be well placed to engage an accountant who is right for you.