Choosing and Using an Accountant

2. Where to Start Looking

2.1 Start with the basic sources of information, to investigate the options in your area:

• Ask business friends and contacts if they would recommend their own accountants.
• Ask professionals who work with accountants all the time, such as solicitors and bank managers.
• Ask your local business support organisation, Chamber of Commerce or Enterprise Agency.
• Contact the four accountancy bodies (see box). Ask for a list of accountants in your area, plus information about the expertise each type of accountant has to offer.

2.2 Ask people what their recommendations are based on.

• What have they used the accountancy firm for?
• What are the firm's strong and weak points?
• How expensive is it?

2.3 Choose an accountant with suitable qualifications.

• Qualified accountants are answerable to their professional bodies and must comply with education, disciplinary and insurance requirements.
• Unqualified accountants are restricted by law in the type of work they can do.
• Remember, you are responsible for the accuracy of your records.

2.4 In general, businesses tend to prefer using accountancy firms comparable to themselves in size and sophistication. Most small businesses use small or medium-sized accountancy firms. The advantage, compared with a large accountancy firm, is that they usually:

• Specialise in small business work.
• Charge less for their partners' time and other costs.
• Give you direct access at short notice to an experienced partner when you need advice.