There are numerous reasons why your small business may need to hire an accountant; from spending far too much time on bookkeeping to merely desiring to organise your business finances a little better. If this is the case, it would probably be beneficial to hire a business accountant-but where to begin? 

These five simple tips will set you on the right path to finding the perfect accountant suitable for your small business.

Understanding

You must understand every single piece of information your accountant feeds you; therefore, ensure that they speak plain English. You must remember it is still your business and you are still liable to the taxman and the rest of the authorities. If they talk too much jargon and struggle to explain things to you, do not hire them. 

Does your chosen accountant fit in?

You should choose an accountant who has experience in the size and sector you are operating. 

Above and beyond number-crunching

Provide yourself with the assurance that your accountant will be proactive and reactive. For instance, an accountant who will give advice on saving tax in legal and ethical ways and will be able to provide excellent software and lessons on how to use it! 

Check your accountant is qualified

Hiring a qualified accountant gives you access to their professional body were they to make a mistake. Look into accountants who mastered their profession through the institute of chartered accountants or association of chartered certified accountants. 

Choose an accountant who will act on your behalf

An accountant who will act as your agent can save you a lot of difficult conversations. An accountant acting on behalf of your business can negotiate discussions for you with HMRC and the taxman.

In conclusion, no matter your business’s size, there is an accountant out there ready and waiting to assist with your every need. As long as you follow the five tips above, you will be well on your way to finding someone to fit your business. If you’d like to contact Herridge Accountants about your business accounting, you can contact us here. And if you’re still undecided as to whether you actually need an accountant, take a look at our blog giving five reasons we think it’s a good idea to have an accountant.