When it comes to choosing the right accountant in Rugby, there are lots of things to consider. And, with an office in the heart of the town centre, we’re well placed to help you make the choice when starting the search – both locally, and beyond.
Here are four key questions to ask yourself when choosing the right accountants.
Does location matter?
If you’re based in Rugby or nearby, you may be thinking it’d be nice to work with an accountant just round the corner – so you can stroll through Caldecott Park on the way to meet them, or grab a quick coffee in Pumpkins Deli before getting down to the numbers.
While that’s true (and, if you’re a local client of ours, we’ll happily do that!), it’s important to ask yourself how much location actually matters when choosing the right accountant.
If your business’ success is entirely dependent on geographical factors, like an understanding of the local community or seasonal spikes in tourism (Rugby School open day, anyone?), then it might be handy to have an accountant that understands those patterns and trends.
If, on the other hand, you trade nationally, are based online, or have no real preference about meeting your accountant face to face, it may be wise to cast the net a bit further to find the best fit.
Have they worked with businesses like you?
While not the be all and end all, it can be beneficial to work with an accountant who’s experienced in supporting businesses similar to yours.
Whether you’re in hospitality or corporate finance, you’ll have specific challenges, opportunities and concerns that you need your accountant’s advice on – and that’s much easier if they’re familiar with them from the offset.
A good accountant will do more than just your tax return – they’ll be a trusted partner that you can rely on to steer your decision making. Previous knowledge of your industry – and experience to draw on and benchmark against – will help them do just that.
Can they scale with you?
Once you’ve found the right accountant, built a solid working relationship, and are happy with the service they offer, you’ll want to stick with them for the long haul.
That’s why it’s important to assess – from the start – whether you think they’ll be able to keep up with your ambitions and support you as you grow.
Consider the services they offer – from payroll to business advisory – as well as the way they conduct business. Have they embraced cloud accounting and introduced you to slick new ways of working? Can they save you time and money by helping you improve processes? Might you want to merge with or acquire another business later down the line – and do they have the skills to negotiate that deal?
Future-proofing your accountant today means you’ll be less likely to have to go hunting for a new one further down the line.
What do their customers say about them?
Like a lot of professionals, accountants have traditionally relied on word of mouth to get new clients. It makes sense – if a business similar to yours has had a great experience with an accountant, they’re usually happy to help out by recommending them to you.
So, ask around – speak to other professionals in your industry, business owners, and even friends and family to get an idea of who comes recommended, and what it’s like working with them.
Remember that referrals are digital now, too. Looking at an accountant’s website, any testimonials they have (check out our case studies), and online reviews, too, can give you a better picture of how they work.
Make the call
Now you know what to look for and questions to ask when trying to choose the right accountants, you’ll be in a better position to decide whether or not Cottons is a good match for you.
But we’ll give you an extra fifth tip: talk to any prospective accountant and see what they have to say for themselves, and gauge whether they’re the type of person for you.
If you’d like to find out more about working with us, we’d love to hear from you. Feel free to contact us today.
