How to find a good accountant

Last Modified 16th of February 2021

If you’re looking for someone to handle your financial accounts, then you need to ensure that you’re getting excellent service. There are many accountants to choose from and it is imperative that you do research before choosing one, because they’re not all the same. Good accountants can help small businesses grow; you should never underestimate the importance of keeping good records and being financially organised, especially when it comes to paying taxes.

Gather your options

The first thing to do is collect a list or database of potential accountants, whether they are companies or individuals. There are a great many ways of looking, and the more the better; that way, you’ll get a better view of the market. Not all accountants will advertise in all locations, so you need to give yourself the best opportunity of finding a good one. Aside from searching online, or looking in directories, there will be people that you can ask to recommend a good accountant. If you have any financial planners or advisors, they may be able to help you find one, or may know a good company from previous experience. If you’re part of an industry association, they may also be able to help, and if you know any businesses in your sector that you don’t compete with, they should be able to give some advice.

Narrow down the candidates

Once you’ve got several options, it’s time to begin the process of finding out which one is best. Many accountancy firms will have websites with all of the necessary information, but if they don’t, you may need to talk with them over the phone to get all of the details. They may also be able to send you an information pack, which should include pricing. It’s also beneficial to find out about the company’s experience in your industry, their previous clients, qualifications and credentials.

Find the best

When you’ve got a good overview of the companies you’ve looked at, you should choose two or three for an interview. These should be the companies who have already given good service, and have satisfactory credentials and fees. This will give you the opportunity to find out which of the accountants you want to give your business to. In this interview, you can find out more detailed information about how they will manage your account. This can include the number of people that will work for you, and the systems and processes used in the company.

Usually, one candidate in particular will stand out as the ideal choice. This will be an accountant or firm who meet your expectations, financial requirements, and you believe will benefit your business. Remember that a good accountant is one that will help guide your company, and most importantly, help it to grow through good financial practice.