{"id":5314,"date":"2018-08-07T16:34:51","date_gmt":"2018-08-07T15:34:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sagestaging.wpengine.com\/en-gb\/blog\/?p=5191"},"modified":"2026-01-29T10:34:30","modified_gmt":"2026-01-29T10:34:30","slug":"get-the-most-accountant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/get-the-most-accountant\/","title":{"rendered":"How to get the most from your accountant"},"content":{"rendered":"<header class=\"entry-header has-dark-background-color entry-header--has-illustration entry-header--has-illustration--generic\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__row row align-center\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-lg-7 col-xlg-6 entry-header__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"component component-single-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__misc text--subtitle text--uppercase text--small\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/category\/strategy-legal-operations\/\" class=\"entry-header__link\">Strategy, Legal &amp; Operations<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-title-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"entry-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tHow to get the most from your accountant\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"entry-header__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"single-post-details container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2018-08-07T16:34:51+01:00\">7 August, 2018<\/time><\/span><span class=\"reading-time\"> min read<\/span>\n\t\t<button\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\tclass=\"social-share-button button button--icon button--secondary js-social-share-button\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-title=\"How to get the most from your accountant\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/get-the-most-accountant\/\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-text=\"Please read this interesting article\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__share-label\">Share<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-label\" hidden>Copy Link<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\" hidden>Copied<\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/header>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-author has-dark-background-color alignfull\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"co-authors\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-author-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"entry-author\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/author\/keirthomasbryant\/\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"40\" height=\"40\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/keir-short-hair-350x350.jpg\" class=\"entry-author__image\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/keir-short-hair-350x350.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/keir-short-hair.jpg 760w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 40px) 100vw, 40px\" \/>\t\t\t\t<span class=\"entry-author__name\">Keir Thomas-Bryant<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>A good, experienced accountant could save your business thousands and even help you find new ways to grow. But if they need to spend most of their time sorting out messy paperwork and making sense of your accounts just to file a mandatory tax return, you will not be getting that value for money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you learn to work with accountants in a productive way, on well prepared books, you could benefit from their experience of helping businesses tackle similar problems to the ones you face and get more from the fees you pay them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, how do you get the maximum value from your accountant? Here are seven suggestions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-1-shop-around-to-find-the-right-accountant-for-your-business\"><strong>1. Shop around to find the right accountant for your business<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re hoping for something more than checking the books and filing the tax return, then it\u2019s a good idea to get the best fit for your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The big firms will have more resources but it\u2019s also worth checking out smaller players who understand your industry. If you work in quite a specialist field, this means you avoid having to repeatedly explain the basics, so you get more value from their time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2-ask-for-help-early\"><strong>2. Ask for help early<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s no good engaging an accountant two days before your tax return is due. They may be able to provide some help in that time but to make a real difference, they can help you set up professional bookkeeping and financial management so they can offer the best guidance throughout the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-3-be-clear-about-what-you-need\"><strong>3. Be clear about what you need<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Give your accountant some guidance on what you\u2019re looking for. Is it the statutory requirements, or strategic financial advice? If you don\u2019t ask, you\u2019ll probably end up with the minimum service. If you want more than that, you need to understand what they can offer and what you need from them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-4-make-sure-the-books-are-in-order\"><strong>4. Make sure the books are in order<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><mark class=\"highlight-and-share\">If the books are in a mess, your accountant will spend time sorting them out, rather than analysing your business<\/mark> and giving you valuable advice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There\u2019s no point paying their fees only to have them spend the day adding up receipts. If you don\u2019t have time to sort the books out yourself, a more cost-effective way is to find a bookkeeper (rather than a qualified accountant) to do it for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There\u2019s plenty of software available to help you keep the books up to date. The latest tools <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/moving-your-practice-to-the-cloud\/\">work in the cloud<\/a> so you can, for example, scan and file receipts whether in the office, at home or on the move using tablets and smartphones as well as the office computer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-5-respect-their-experience-and-learn-from-them\"><strong>5. Respect their experience and learn from them<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>An accountant probably won\u2019t know your business or industry as well as you do, so you may find they start with some basic questions. They may also make comments about the way you manage your finances that you don\u2019t agree with. Try to resist being defensive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re paying for their advice, it\u2019s because they have knowledge and experience that\u2019s useful to you. Hear them out, as there may be something valuable you can learn from them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-6-stay-in-touch\"><strong>6. Stay in touch<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Don\u2019t think the job is done for another year once your accountant has filed the tax return. If you\u2019ve been efficient in your dealings with your accountant and given them up to date, easy-to-read books, they should be able to give you ongoing tips on how to save money and run the business better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Quarterly follow-up calls can help keep your plans on track between annual visits. If you\u2019re using <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/accounting-software\/\">cloud-based accounting software<\/a>, you can give your accountant access to it from anywhere, so they can check the latest figures and offer advice without having to visit your office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-7-break-out-the-fancy-biscuits\"><strong>7. Break out the fancy biscuits<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Lastly, <mark class=\"highlight-and-share\">make sure your accountant feels welcome in your office<\/mark>. Don\u2019t shut them in a cupboard full of dusty old files or give the desk in the corner. Believe it or not, accountants are people too. Talk to them and share some news about the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Making them comfortable and at home will encourage a spirit of good will. Remember, they have lots of contacts in your area or industry, which you could find useful. A nice biscuit or two can go a long way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"single-cta gated-content\">\n\t<div class=\"single-cta__positioner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__wrapper has-dark-background-color\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"single-cta__title h3\">10 things to look for in small business accounting software<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Using the right technology can give you the time and space to make your business a success. This guide offers 10 points to consider when looking for the right accounting software for your company.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"#gate-20bdb5ca-e469-46ca-aff9-2d563f2d983b\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"single-cta__button button button--primary\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>Get your free guide<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"999\" height=\"666\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2018\/06\/SAGE_MSA_051217_BB_268_All-Uses.jpg\" class=\"single-cta__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2018\/06\/SAGE_MSA_051217_BB_268_All-Uses.jpg 999w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 33vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"single-cta\">\n\t<div class=\"single-cta__positioner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__wrapper has-dark-background-color\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"single-cta__title h3\">Subscribe to the Sage Advice newsletter<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Join more than 500,000 UK readers and get the best business admin strategies and tactics, as well as actionable advice to help your company thrive, in your inbox every month.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"#gate-b1a63862-3fa0-4a5e-bb67-c76b88bbc6b8\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"single-cta__button button button--primary\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>Subscribe now<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1073797282-1-1440x810.jpg\" class=\"single-cta__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1073797282-1-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 33vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Accountants can seem expensive \u2013 but they can play a vital role in your business\u2019s [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":280,"featured_media":5526,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_sage_video":false,"post_featured_image_hide":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[124],"business_type":[4],"lilypad":[],"context":[],"industry":[],"persona":[73,74,75],"imagine_tag":[109],"coauthors":[369],"class_list":["post-5314","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-strategy-legal-operations","tag-business-support","business_type-small-business"],"sage_meta":{"region":"en-gb","author_name":"Keir Thomas-Bryant","featured_image":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2018\/11\/206250_25480_1200x600.jpg","imagine_tags":{"109":"Small business"}},"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"Sage Advice 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