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/ When
do I know that I need an accountant?
Should you find yourself having difficulty managing your personal
or business finances by yourself, consider hiring the services
of an accountant. Even if your records and transaction don’t
seem especially complex, it may be too much work just to keep
them in
track. If you feel that is the case, or you just want to make sure
whether hiring an accountant is the right idea, you could try setting
an appointment with one and go over your current financial situation
with him or her.
/ How
do I go about finding an accountant?
It is straightforward enough to locate accountants. Many offer
their services and advertise on the Internet and in the Yellow
Pages, plus
they can easily be found by simply checking around your local business
district. The institutes can be approached for a directory of accountants
that practice in your city, and they commonly post this information
on their websites as well. It can also be a good idea to check
out accountants that are personally recommended to you.
/ Will
the accountant
visit me or do I go to them?
It is a good practice for both parties to visit each other’s
workplace. That way the accountant can get a better feel for
the things that happen at your business and you can also have
a chance
to get an idea of how operations are conducted at their firm.
/ What
should I bring to our first meeting?
You need to bring with you as much information as you can gather
about your business. Financial documents, records, plans, and
tax returns for example can help paint an accurate picture
for the
accountant of your financial situation.
/ How
much will hiring an accountant cost?
First visits are usually complimentary. Just the same, check
with them before meeting to avoid receiving an unexpected
bill.
/ How
much am I going to be charged?
This will be discussed during the appointment. It tends
to vary. Some have an hourly rate while others charge annually.
If you
decide to hire a full-time accountant, you can of course
offer them a
salary.
/ How
many accountants should I interview?
Just to make sure you’ve checked around enough to know
what’s
out there before hiring, interviewing around five accountants
would suffice.
/ How
do I know if an accountant is properly qualified?
They will have the one of the following acronyms on their
business card or C.V.: FCA, ACA , CA , FCCA, ACCA,
FCMA, or ACMA. These
refer to the institutes which certify accountants to
make sure they meet
the right standards.
/ What
if I am unhappy with my accountant?
You should terminate your contract with them, but making
sure first to settle all your bills. After everything
is settled,
you can
hire a new accountant immediately. As long as both
parties practice fairness
and courtesy towards each other, all should be well.
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