Choose and work with an accountant

Introduction

Accountants can offer your business a range of services from basic bookkeeping to specialist business advice. They can save you time and help to make your business more profitable.

You may employ an accountant simply to prepare financial statements for your end-of-year tax return or you may use one for other added-value services, such as auditing. By law, accounts must be audited each year although qualifying small companies are exempt, eg where annual turnover is not more than £6.5 million and the business' financial year began on or after 6 April 2008.

This guide will help you understand what your business accounting needs are and how an accountant can help you with them. It explains how to find an accountant that is right for your business and gives advice on how to get the most from one.

Subjects covered in this guide

• Introduction
• How an accountant can help
• Where to find an accountant
• Choosing the accountant that's right for your business
• Checklist: ten things to ask your prospective accountant
• Managing the relationship with your accountant
• End the relationship with your accountant
• Here's how I used an accountant to help me in my business

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