Accounting Tips For You

Tips For Choosing an Accountant

Do you run a business in South Wales? During difficult times choosing the right accountant is more important than ever. There are so many to choose from, take Bridgend as an example just an average sized town yet there are many accountants to choose from. There are accountants of varying types including accountants with no qualifications, book-keepers, accounting technicians, Chartered Certified accountants and Chartered Accountants. It can be difficult and confusing to choose the right accountant. As such we suggest the following tips which may be of assistance when choosing an accountant in Bridgend, or anywhere else for that matter:

1. Consider what qualifications the accountant holds. All accountants are not equal! Alarmingly the word “accountant” is not a protected term in the United Kingdom. The result of this is that anybody can call themselves an accountant! Or for that matter a tax consultant or business adviser! As such many of the firms that call themselves accountants are being run by individuals without any professional accountancy qualification. What is even worse, often many of these firms and individuals are not regulated. That’s right, you could open up tomorrow as an accountant with no training, qualification or even professional indemnity insurance! I am sure if you were buying a house you would want a qualified lawyer to handle your affairs, or similarly if you needed an important operation you would want a qualified surgeon to carry out the procedure. So it is sensible to conclude that you should get a qualified accountant to look after your tax and business affairs.
2. Consider what expertise the accountant has, do they specialise in small businesses, medium business etc? Have they got experience in dealing with businesses in the same sector as yours?
3. How are their fees calculated? Are fixed fees available so you know exactly how much their advice and expertise is going to cost?
4. Can any of you peers recommend a good accountant?
5. Who will you be dealing with in the firm, will it be a qualified partner or will you after the first meeting be dealing with the first year trainee?
6. How easy is it to contact the accountant? Do they use and regularly check email?
7. Are their offices easy to get to? It is worth considering not only where they are located but also how easy is it to park your car. It is normally better to travel a further 10 minutes and park outside the accountants office than to struggle to park and have a very long walk with potentially heavy books and records.
8. Is the accountant someone that you consider that you will be able to build a good professional relationship with? This is an important point and one that is easily overlooked.

A good accountant will be able to help you save tax and improve your business. Choosing a bad accountant could not only be a waste of your time but maybe a very costly mistake. So choose wisely!

Harries Watkins Jones, South Wales Chartered Accountants with offices in Bridgend and Pontypridd.
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