Questions to ask an Accountant before hiring them
Choosing the right accountant can make a huge difference to your business. A good accountant will save you time, money, and stress, while a bad one could leave you paying more tax than necessary or struggling to keep up with financial obligations.
Before hiring an accountant, ask these key questions to ensure they’re the right fit for you and your business.
Do you specialise in Accountancy support in my industry?
Not all accountants can provide support to all business structures. Some focus on freelancers and self-employed individuals, while others work with larger limited companies or specific sectors like construction, e-commerce, or medical professionals.
- Ask: Have you worked with businesses like mine before?
Why it could matter: Industry-specific knowledge ensures they understand relevant tax reliefs, deductions, and compliance requirements. Good accountants will be honest with their strengths and let you know if they feel they wont be able to support you and your business needs.
What Accounting services do you offer? (full-service vs. compliance-only Accountants)
Some accountants only file tax returns, while others provide ongoing financial advice, bookkeeping, payroll, VAT management, and business strategy support.
- Ask: Do you provide full-service accounting or just end-of-year tax returns?
Why it matters: A good accountant adds value all year round, not just at tax time.
How will you help me reduce my tax bill? (Best Tax-Saving strategies for Business Owners)
One of the biggest reasons to hire an accountant is to reduce your tax bill legally.
- Ask: What tax-saving strategies do you typically recommend for businesses like mine?
Why it matters: A proactive accountant finds ways to save you tax and automatically supports you to be in the best tax position possible.
Do you outsource any of your work? (keeping your business data secure)
A number of bookkeeping and accounting practices outsource bookkeeping, tax preparation, or payroll processing to third parties in the UK or even overseas. This can come with risks such as data security concerns, communication issues, and lack of accountability plus the biggest challenge, not understanding the client’s business enough to apply the right methods.
- Ask: Do you handle all work in-house, or do you outsource tasks like bookkeeping or payroll?
Why it matters: If sensitive financial tasks are outsourced, you need to ensure data security and quality control are in place. Plus you need the trust that if your accounting or bookkeeping is going to be outsourced that they will know enough about you and your business to provide the right level of support.
How do you support clients with records management? (Best Practices for Bookkeeping & Compliance)
Managing financial records correctly is essential to stay compliant and make tax filing easier.
- Ask: Do you provide guidance on record-keeping and help with bookkeeping software?
Why it matters: The right accountant ensures you maintain accurate, HMRC-compliant financial records.
How do you handle payroll for business owners? (Payroll Compliance & PAYE Management)
Payroll is more than just paying wages – it comes with a lot of legal requirements. Your accountant should:
- Ask: Do you manage payroll in-house, and how do you ensure compliance with PAYE and auto-enrolment?
Why it matters: A professional accountant ensures payroll is processed correctly, avoiding penalties from HMRC.
How do you prevent me from getting HMRC fines? (Avoid Late Filing Penalties & Compliance Issues)
A great accountant makes sure you avoid fines for missing important tax deadlines.
- Ask: How do you track tax deadlines and help me stay compliant with HMRC?
Why it matters: Late filing penalties start from £100 and can escalate quickly – a good accountant gives you all the support you need to prevent this from happening.
How will you keep me updated on my financial performance? (Real-Time Insights & Management Accounts)
Your accountant shouldn’t just do the numbers – they should help you understand them. They should:
- Ask: How often will I receive financial reports and insights on my business performance?
Why it matters: Regular updates help you stay on top of cash flow, profits, and tax planning.
What Accounting software do you use? (Best Accounting Software for Small Businesses)
Modern accountants use cloud-based accounting software like Xero, QuickBooks, or FreeAgent to manage finances efficiently.
- Ask: Do you use software that integrates with my business systems?
Why it matters: The right software can streamline financial management and give you real-time insights.
Will I have a dedicated Accountant? (Personalised Service vs. Large Accountancy Firms)
Some accounting practices assign a dedicated accountant, while others rotate clients between a team.
- Ask: Will I be working with the same person each time?
Why it matters: A dedicated accountant understands your business better and provides more personalised advice.
Can you help with business growth & financial strategy? (Best Accountant for Scaling Your Business)
Beyond tax returns, a great accountant helps you grow your business through financial planning, cash flow forecasting, and profitability analysis.
- Ask: Do you provide business advisory services, or just compliance work?
Why it matters: An accountant who offers strategic insights can help you make smarter financial decisions. However, it is important to then ask some follow up questions business advisory services are different to business growth support. Very few accountants can offer business growth support, but most advertise business advisory services (which is often just explain your financial reports – helpful but not growth advice)
How do you handle HMRC investigations? (dealing with tax audits & compliance checks)
While no one wants an HMRC investigation, it’s important to know how your accountant will support you if it happens.
- Ask: What experience do you have with HMRC investigations, and how would you assist if I were investigated?
Why it matters: A good accountant knows how to navigate HMRC audits and disputes professionally
Can you provide client testimonials or case studies? (how to find a trustworthy Accountant)
A reputable accountant should have a track record of helping businesses save money and improve financial health.
- Ask: Do you have reviews, case studies, or client testimonials I can see?
Why it matters: Positive feedback from existing clients shows trust and reliability.
How to choose the best Accountant for your business
The biggest indicator that you’ve found the right accountant…. you shouldn’t have to ask all these questions – they should already be taking the lead.
A great accountant will:
- Walk you through everything you need to know about their services.
- Explain how they work, what challenges could arise, and how they’ll support you.
- Outline how your working relationship will look and what to expect.
- Provide a detailed, professional proposal that clearly sets out the next steps.
By the end of the meeting, the only question you should be asking is: When can we start?
Looking for an accountant who goes beyond tax returns?
Get in touch today and let’s see how we at BAS Associates can help your business thrive!
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