Top 3 considerations when hiring an accountant

Hiring an accountant can be a fantastic business decision, but you’ll need to make sure you choose wisely. There are some key influencing factors you’ll need to think about, and here are the top three that should help you with your research.

1. Qualifications

Your accountant will be a fundamental part of your business, so getting someone who knows what they’re talking about and understands the industry is absolutely crucial. Not only could the wrong person cost you dearly, but you could be missing out on information that could help you become more tax efficient and financially stable.

You need someone who is going to bring a high level of skill and expertise to your company, so check what qualifications they have, training certification, and which professional bodies they are a member of. The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, and the International Federation of Accountants are all bodies which enforce high practice standards.

2. Location

You’ll need to have at least monthly meetings with whoever you hire, so the convenience of being able to do get to them is a top priority. If you have to spend hours travelling to them, one meeting could end up taking an entire day, which could be used to visit clients, sign contracts or deliver products to customers. 

Proximity is important, so you shouldn’t go for the best if they live at the other end of the country. Just Accountants have a quick and easy search function designed to make finding accountants in your area a simple task. You’ll be matched based on your industry and requirements, so your results will only show the best people for the job.

3. Recommendations

A service provider can have all the shining qualifications and be right on your doorstep, but their customer service and attention to detail in reality can be appalling. Given how important this position is to your business, look for recommendations online for the accountants you’ve shortlisted, and don’t be afraid to contact them for references. If they’re worth the money, they should have plenty to give you, and be happy to provide them.

Another way of judging them before committing to a contract is via a consultation. Most accountants will provide new clients with a free initial meeting to discuss their business needs, so get in touch with them and get a one-to-one impression before making your final decision.