What Should You Expect from a Good Accountant? Compliance should be the beginning of the service.
People sometimes assume that all accountants provide essentially the same service.
They prepare the accounts, submit the tax return and tell the client how much needs to be paid.
Those responsibilities are important, but I believe clients should expect more from the relationship.
Accuracy and professionalism
The starting point must always be technical accuracy and professional standards.
A client should expect their accountant to:
prepare accurate accounts and returns;
explain the information being submitted;
identify relevant deadlines;
maintain confidentiality;
remain up to date with changes affecting the client; and
provide honest and professional advice.
These are not optional extras. They are fundamental parts of the service.
However, technical competence alone does not necessarily create a good client experience.
Clear communication
A good accountant should be able to explain complicated matters in a way that the client can understand.
There is little benefit in providing a technically perfect explanation if the client finishes the conversation more confused than when it began.
Clients should understand what they are approving, why a liability has arisen and when a payment is due.
Where there are choices, they should understand the advantages, disadvantages and potential risks of each option.
The final decision may remain with the client, but it should be an informed decision.
A service that fits the client
A sole trader completing an annual tax return may need a very different level of support from a VAT-registered limited company with employees.
Some clients need bookkeeping, payroll, VAT returns, annual accounts and Corporation Tax support.
Others may also benefit from management accounts, cash-flow forecasting, budgeting or regular business reviews.
The service should reflect the size, complexity and goals of the client. It should not force every business into the same arrangement.
Proactive support
Clients should also expect their accountant to look beyond the immediate deadline.
That does not mean predicting every change or contacting the client about every possible issue.
It means paying attention to the client’s circumstances and raising relevant points when they matter.
For example, the accountant may identify that:
the business is approaching the VAT registration threshold;
cash flow could become tight before a tax payment;
costs are increasing faster than income;
the business structure should be reviewed;
additional record-keeping requirements are approaching; or
a planned decision may have an unexpected tax consequence.
Raising these issues early gives the client time to respond.
A relationship based on trust
A good accountant should also be someone the client trusts enough to contact when things are not going well.
Business does not always follow the plan. Customers pay late, costs increase and unexpected problems arise.
Clients need an accountant who can discuss those situations honestly and constructively.
They should not feel that they can only speak to their accountant when everything is going perfectly.
What I want Scipio clients to experience
At Scipio Accounting Services, my aim is to combine professional standards with an approachable and personal service.
I want clients to understand their position, feel comfortable asking questions and know that the advice they receive has been considered in the context of their business.
A good accountant should give you more than completed forms.
They should give you clarity, confidence and support.
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