How to Choose an Accountant for Your Small Business

The right accountant saves you tax, time and stress; the wrong one costs you all three. Here’s how to choose well, whether you’re hiring for the first time or switching.

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1. Check they’re properly qualified

Anyone can call themselves an “accountant” in the UK, because the title isn’t protected. Look for a recognised qualification such as ACCA/FCCA or ACA (ICAEW). It means rigorous training, ongoing CPD, professional indemnity insurance and a code of conduct. (YF Accounting is run by Yoni Finke FCCA and is ACCA-accredited.)

2. Decide between fixed fees and hourly

Fixed fees give you certainty and let you ask questions without watching the clock. Hourly can work for one-offs but discourages the regular contact that prevents problems. For most small businesses, a fixed monthly fee wins.

3. Make sure they’re cloud-software fluent

Modern accounting runs on Xero or QuickBooks, with receipts captured on your phone and real-time numbers. With Making Tax Digital for Income Tax now phasing in, digital record-keeping isn’t optional. Check they’re certified in the software you use (or want to use).

4. Test responsiveness and communication

You want plain English, not jargon, and a reply within a day or two, not radio silence until year-end. Ask how support works: is there a named point of contact, or will you get a different person each time?

5. Look for proactivity

A good accountant flags opportunities and deadlines before they arrive (the optimal salary/dividend split, a pension contribution, an approaching VAT threshold) rather than just filing what’s put in front of them.

6. Check how easy switching is

If you’re moving from another accountant, the right firm handles professional clearance, records transfer and HMRC re-authorisation for you, free, at any time of year. (Here’s how switching works, and it takes you about 10 minutes.)

Questions to ask before you commit

Are you ACCA/ACA qualified, and are you insured?
Is the fee fixed, and exactly what’s included?
Who is my day-to-day contact?
How quickly do you respond to questions?
Which software do you use, and is it included?
Will you proactively advise on tax planning, or just file?

Frequently asked questions

Does my accountant need to be local?

Not necessarily. Many firms (including ours) work fully digitally with clients UK-wide. But a local firm that’s also digital gives you the best of both: someone who knows the area and can meet, plus cloud convenience.

What’s the difference between a bookkeeper and an accountant?

A bookkeeper records day-to-day transactions; an accountant prepares statutory accounts and tax returns and provides advice. Many firms do both under one fixed fee.

Should I choose ACCA or ICAEW?

Both are highly respected chartered-level bodies. What matters more is fit: qualifications plus fixed fees, responsiveness and proactivity.

See if we’re the right fit

If you’d like to see whether we’re the right fit, book a free call, and if we’re not right for you, we’ll say so honestly. Or explore our services.

Two things worth weighing before you decide: how much an accountant costs in Manchester, and whether an online or a local accountant suits you better.

Want an accountant who ticks every box? Let’s talk.

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Or call 0161 531 0959 · Manchester & UK-wide.