How to choose a local accountant
In a nutshell while choosing the right accountant is far more important than choosing the most local accountant, convenience does count for a lot. It certainly can't harm to be able to drop the tax records off en route for the weekly shop at Tesco!
But how do you choose the right local accountant?
For our money there is no better test than personal recommendations. True quality advice and great customer service is what clients look for — and boy does it make a difference!
Your tax bill is likely to be the biggest bill you face — and it happens year in year out. So you need to get the right local accountant on side to help.
That's why Choose Your Accountant provides ebay style independent ratings written by clients on the local accountants on this site. You can see who sent the extra mile to really help their clients. That is why we strongly recommend all our users check the feedback ratings too of any local accountant tendering for their business.
Place an ad on this site on our site and find someone who is willing to help a little more and go the extra mile.
Beyond the information we provide many users therefore ask us how should they choose a local accountant — what things to look for. Our tips are as follows
What type of fees do they charge — can you fix your accounting bill ahead of time. Some accountants charge by the hour — this can lead to unexpected bills. So get a fixed formal accounting quote.
How much do they know about your industry and the claims you can make. This is key. Don't underestimate the effect a good local accountant can have on your business. The wrong accountant will try to do the tax man's job for them: they won't tell you want you can do, they'll just tell what you can't. The attitude of a decent and commercially astute local accountant is completely different, and their advice will probably save you countless thousands of pounds in your tax bill.
It is for this reason that it doesn't always work out just going with a cheap local accountant. While they can be good, the question you need to ask them is how much time will they give to not just producing your tax return and accounts but really getting to grips with your affairs. Low fees might limit the amount and quality of advice you can get. While our ebay style feedback forms helps ask about similar businesses who have used their services, and if the local accountant can provide references.
Some online accountants give a very good and efficient level of service too. We suggest you ask them similar questions too: examples of similar clients, take references and what sort of advice they can give. Why they may not be local to you they can provide a decent level of service.
Remember using our form to place an ad is free, quick and simple. We'll provide you with all the information you need to make the right choice. We do have a fovour to ask: that you in time write a review on who ever you have chosen. Tell the world what they were like!