If you are looking for an accountancy practice for your small business. Or, you are looking for a practice to help you create an action plan for your future. What must you consider when narrowing down your options, and how can you find the right fit? What questions must you start asking, and what are you looking for in a practice?

An accountant that understands you

It is very important that an account understands you and your needs. If you do not get an accountant that is on the same wavelength as you, then meetings and consultations can feel like hard work. To establish if an accountant understands you, take time to communicate with them. See if they can accommodate your situation and requirements. If you do not feel that an accountant is not particularly interested in you or your situation, then do not hesitate to move on.

Specialist firms

To select a firm, you may wish to look at those that are offering specialist advice and areas of practice. Not all accountants will offer the same guidance or advice, and this is something you need to consider. If you require an accountancy firm that handles business transactions as well as personal finances, then make this clear. Or, if you need an accountant who is knowledgeable about a specific industry or sector, then make this clear too. Specialist firms may cost more, but they will give you the convenience and clarity you need.

Narrowing down your search area

You want to be able to visit an accountant in a stress-free manner, and sometimes at short notice. To ensure this happens, you will need to narrow down your search area. When you do this, you can solely look for accountants in and around your local area. For example, you may want to start looking for a Chartered Accountant in Rotherham if this is near to you. Some practices can cover multiple areas and counties, so also look at this, as it might widen those search areas.

Communication and contact

You will need to communicate with your accountant at multiple points; if communication is not easy or simple, it will feel draining and take up a lot of your time. It is important that you can communicate easily and effectively with an accountant and firm. If you are struggling to build the lines of communication you want, and you feel like you are frozen when making contact (and keeping contact), then make this known. You shouldn’t have to pick up an accounting book to be able to understand what your accountant is saying.

Considering more than just cost

Accountancy practices and firms can vary when it comes to the prices that they charge. Their fees may depend on your accounts’ complexity or the number of hours worked involved. When you are narrowing down your options, it is important to look at more than cost alone. If you base your decision on cost alone and go for the cheapest around, you may be disappointed with the service. So, always take into account reviews and recommendations of others too.