Find the Right Accountant for You

We are always surprised at how much business we manage to pick up from other accountants. What makes someone want to change accountant? Often, it's the small things that really count in these sorts of relationships. It could be that their accountant always forgets their name; it could be that their accountant never returns their calls.
Large mistakes have an impact too. We have to remember; small mistakes made by an accountant can have an enormous impact on the client.
When you're choosing an accountant it's crucial to get it right first time. You will be looking for someone you will trust; someone who is dependable.
So...you're looking for a new accountant. Let's take note of what to look for:

• Friendly: you will be building a close relationship with this person. They will be getting to know the ins-and-outs of all your financial dealings. Be up-front about what you want from your accountant. If you plan to call them with random questions twice a week then let them know what it is that you expect from them.
• Upfront fees: sure, accountants can't always know how much time they are going to bill you for but you need to have some ideas about their fees and, at least, you should not be going into shock moments before you pay the fees.
• Qualifications: your accountant needs to have recognized qualifications and needs to be a member of professional bodies. So many of these chain-firms employ under-qualified staff. Would you trust your tax-return with a form that hands all your details to a non-professional for processing? Thousands of people are doing this every tax season!
• Reachable: you should be able to contact your accountant easily; make sure that they check their email more than once a week, and that you can email documents to them, make sure that you can fax them and that they return your calls. In a wonderful era of e-filing and Skype it's less important that your accountant operates close to your home but this may help if you have to drop something important from them or swing by and pick something up.

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