All accountants basically compete with all other accountants, yet we all do pretty well regardless of the number of accountants there are. Part of the reason is that we do a reasonably good job of applying our knowledge and experience to provide value to our clients. Some might have more experience, some have more knowledge, and some less of each but a great ability to apply what they have to add value to the client. Another important reason to mention is the relationships we have with clients to build trust. You want to trust someone dealing with your money and have a solid relationship. 

    While our clients want to know what knowledge and experience we have, they also want to know more-so how well we will do the job for them. Sometimes you cannot see this until the press of deadlines occurs, the fire gets hotter, or when ‘magic tricks’ are performed and we get the job done regardless of arising circumstances.  

    What our clients don’t want to have happen is finding out, too late, they made a bad choice in their accountant. Sure, our personalities matter and how well we get along with our clients as do the fees we charge, but these things won’t mean anything if our job doesn’t get done the way it should or in a timely manner. 

   So how do you choose the right accountant to tick all the boxes? How do you know this person is experienced enough, works well under pressure, and will also form a good relationship with you while working in a timely manner and also charging an appropriate amount? 

   First, ask yourself if location matters. It used to be important to have your company’s accountant located nearby. But today, more companies are collaborating online, using cloud-based technology to manage their business. This means that location is less of an issue. The decision about where to find your accountant really comes down to what suits your company best. Depending on how you want to handle the finances, your accountant could really be based anywhere in the world.

    Second, look for an accountant with relevant experience. You’ll need someone with experience preparing tax returns and financial documents for companies of a similar size and revenue to yours. If your company uses cloud-based software for much of its business, you’ll probably want someone who’s savvy with cloud computing. It’s even better if they’ve worked with companies in similar market sectors to yours, as that will help them understand the unique needs of your business. You might want to check to see if they have larger clients. If they do, it’s a good sign as you’ll know they should be able to handle your growing needs over time.

    Third, ask around! When searching for an accountant, the ideal candidate might be right under your nose. Start by asking any friends or family members who own small businesses if they would recommend their accountant. If so, why? And if not, why not? Bear in mind that choosing an accountant can be a personal decision, so what works for someone else may not work for you. 

    Also, look for someone that wants to help save you money. Some accountants will do little more than manage your accounts and complete your tax return forms, but the best accountants are more proactive. So before choosing an accountant, ask what they could suggest to save your business money. Furthermore, you need an accountant who knows the details of tax law so well that they’ll save you money in legal ways, but not one who takes things too far and risks causing your business to operate illegally.

    Next, find out what software is being used. Accountants often have their own preferred accounting software. The chances are they’ll have been in business for many years and may have become used to one particular brand of software. This can be a problem. If your company uses a different type of software there are potentially going to be issues sharing data. Although it might be possible to export and import data in a suitable format, it can be time-consuming and easily lead to errors. There’s also the risk of your highly sensitive financial information being read as you send the data back and forth, because email is about as secure as a postcard.

   It is also important to interview a few accountants. As with anything else in life, don’t automatically accept the first offer you receive. Arrange things in such a way that you can compare a selection of accountants with each other. Then it will be easier to determine which one is best for your business. An interview can be a powerful way to see how well you’re likely to be able to work with a person. You can not only ask questions, but also gain a sense of the person in their profession as well as who they are as a person. Are they knowledgeable? Do they seem to care? Are they friendly and easy to get along with? As mentioned, you want a good relationship with your accountant and also know they will do a good job. 

    Trust your instincts and intuition! You’re running your own company, you have experience, and you’ve got a pretty good idea of what you’re doing. It’s also likely that you get along well with people, since that’s an important part of being successful in business. So make use of those skills. Intuition is just another word for the unconscious processing that goes on in our minds. It’s not magic – it’s thought that takes place below our conscious level of awareness. Used in the right way it’s a powerful business tool in itself. When you meet an accountant for the first time, consider your intuition. Alongside logical evaluations such as location, pricing, experience and references, ask yourself if you could trust this person with the intimate details of your business. If you think you could work with them for the foreseeable future then that’s great.