18 August 2026 · 7 min read · Bruce Thomas
Choosing an accountant is one of the few supplier decisions a business owner makes that lasts for years. Once records, software and history sit with a firm, moving is possible but rarely done casually. It is worth spending an hour getting the decision right.
The difficulty is that most accountancy websites say the same things. Everyone is proactive, everyone is friendly, everyone offers a free consultation. What follows is a way of separating firms that will actually help from firms that will simply file.
Start with what you actually need
A sole trader with straightforward records and one income source needs a competent, affordable Self Assessment service and someone who will answer the phone. A limited company with staff, VAT and machinery needs considerably more, and paying for the cheapest option is usually false economy.
Write down what you need before you speak to anyone: which filings apply, whether you want the bookkeeping taken off you, whether you need monthly figures, and how often you would like to talk to somebody.
Questions worth asking
- Who will actually do my work, and who will I speak to when I call?
- What is included in the fee, and what would be charged separately?
- How quickly after my year end will the accounts be ready?
- Do you work with businesses like mine, and can you explain what is different about them?
- What software do you use, and would I have to change?
- How do you communicate — email, phone, portal, or a mix?
- Are you registered with a professional body, and are you covered by professional indemnity insurance?
Local matters more than people expect
Accounting can be done remotely and often is. But an accountant who works with businesses in Scunthorpe and North Lincolnshire tends to understand the commercial context — the industrial supply chain, the contracting culture, the payment terms that come with it, and the sectors that dominate local employment.
There is also a practical benefit. When something significant is happening — a funding application, a succession plan, an HMRC enquiry — sitting round a table is materially better than a video call.
Warning signs
- No written engagement letter setting out scope and fees
- Reluctance to give a fixed price, or vague hourly estimates
- Accounts routinely filed close to the deadline
- Advice that sounds aggressive rather than simply efficient
- Nobody able to explain a figure without going away to check
Fees: cheap is not the same as good value
A low fee usually means low involvement. That may be fine if all you need is compliance, but if you had hoped for advice, the two are rarely purchased for the price of one.
Ask what a year of service actually looks like. A firm charging a little more but reviewing your remuneration, capital allowances and VAT scheme each year will normally be cheaper in total than one that simply files what you send.
Changing accountant is easier than you think
You do not need to have an awkward conversation. Your new accountant writes for professional clearance and requests the records; you sign an authority and the handover happens between the two firms. It can be done at any point in the year, not only at the year end.
If you would like to talk through what a change would involve, our consultations are free and there is no obligation attached.
This article is general guidance for business owners in the UK and does not amount to advice for your particular circumstances. Tax rules change and the right answer depends on your figures — please take specific advice before acting.
