Top Tips For Working With an Accountant
Working with an accountant for the first time can seem daunting, but it doesn't need to be and we are generally a friendly bunch who want to help you and see your business succeed. But here are some tips to help make it so much easier for everyone involved:
Get Organised
Keep your paperwork is some sort of order and if you really, really can’t then get help to keep it in order. Coffee stained, crumpled receipts are no fun for anyone, plus a lot of them fade if they are left in the sun! Even better - use receipt capture software (Apron, Hubdoc etc) and link that to your accounting software so they are all in one place. Or even just scan and have an online filing system (Dropbox, OneDrive, iCloud etc).
Read Your Emails
We don’t write them for fun, if we send you something then it’s for a reason, read it, digest it, ask questions. Don’t just file it away without looking and then email us 2 months later asking the same question - you might get the same email from before pinged back to you!!
Reply to Your Emails
If we ask for something, it’s because we need it so please reply on a timely basis, it keeps to do lists shorter and means your accountant isn’t constantly picking up and putting down your work.
Listen to Our Advice
We actually know more than your mate down the pub (unless they are also an accountant, then they might have a valid point.) We studied (lots and hard) and have to keep up to date with changes in accounting standards and legislation (try sitting through some HMRC webinars... paint drying is more exciting!) So basically, we do know what we are talking about even if you don’t like what we have to say.
Take Responsibility
It is YOUR business, not ours and at the end of the day, it is up to you to make sure you sit aside the money for your tax bill. We do appreciate you are busy running a business (but so are we) so get help if you need it and put reminders in your diary for things – find a system that works for you!
Don’t Ask us to Make Up the Numbers
They are what they are! We always ensure that you claim what you can, that you are taking advantage of the right allowances but at the end of the day if you have tripled your sales, your tax bill isn’t going to go down! Look at the bigger picture – you’ve tripled your sales... that’s AWESOME!
Remember, You Aren’t The Only Client
Most accountants will have hundreds of clients and the work that we do is carefully planned and slotted in to ensure we are working efficiently and that deadlines for everyone are met. So don’t say “but the deadline is ages away” when we ask for something, it may be but if we have 100 of you with the same deadline it takes planning and management to make sure you all meet that deadline!
Pay on Time
It goes without saying... you don’t like it when you are paid late... neither does your accountant!
Respect The Out of Office
If it says we are on holiday... then don’t keep sending emails every day, they won’t get answered and definitely don’t call! Time out is important to all of us so please let us sit and relax for those few weeks of the year we don’t work.
Say Thank You
Yes, you pay your accountant to do your accounts and tax work, but a thank you is always appreciated!!
And why would you want to?
Well, as with everything in life – we all remember the ones who say please, who say thank you, the stranger who held the door open when your hands were full, the person who helped you carry the pushchair up the stairs when the lift was broken. These small things make a difference to people’s lives and help put smiles on people’s faces.
And if we have two clients who need something urgent doing out of the blue (it happens to all of us at times) who are we more likely to find the time to help... you’ve guessed it... the nice client who keeps us happy!!
Rachael