{"id":8223,"date":"2020-11-05T17:14:25","date_gmt":"2020-11-05T17:14:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/?p=8223"},"modified":"2026-01-15T14:54:07","modified_gmt":"2026-01-15T14:54:07","slug":"accountant-huge-difference-business","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/accountant-huge-difference-business\/","title":{"rendered":"How an accountant made a huge difference to my business"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMoney Matters<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tHow an accountant made a huge difference to my business\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\tStacey McIntosh<\/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\n\n

At the moment, we’re living through uncertain times \u2013 but for business owners, uncertainty tends to be a constant affair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You might have set up your business<\/a> to follow one of your passions. Perhaps you saw a gap in the market and decided to fill it with a product or service that adds value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But running a company has its challenges \u2013 and none more so than dealing with business admin, especially if it\u2019s not your speciality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So who better to reach out to than the experts?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People who know what they\u2019re doing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People who can save you time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People who can offer expertise that helps you with difficult topics, such as taxes<\/a>, legislation and staying on top of the numbers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s where accountants come in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Occasionally, they\u2019re viewed as people who can transform a shoebox of receipts<\/a> and into something useful \u2013 but your accountant (if you have one) can work wonders for your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From filing tax returns<\/a> to helping you manage your cash flow<\/a>, and using insights to generate ideas for new revenue streams, they can be a valuable asset to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And with the impact of coronavirus<\/a> (COVID-19) presenting huge challenges for businesses, having experts offer advice around the numerous government financial support schemes will have been beneficial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Download your free guide, 7 ways to take control of your business, and take steps now to master your business admin <\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Celebrating the work of accountants<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

On 10 November, it\u2019s International Accounting Day. To celebrate the work that accountants do, a number of business owners (and a couple of accountant advocates) have taken the time to say thank you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Below, they salute the people who have helped them \u2013 either over the past few months or beforehand \u2013 with their business challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s what they have to say\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ray Woolhead, Divine Gin<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ray is the owner of a drinks company based in Holmfirth, just outside Huddersfield, and he has some kind words for the accountants at Finlayson & Co<\/a>…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/video><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jen Stirrup, Data Relish<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI don’t think my small business would have survived the pandemic if it was not for my accountant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe’ve suffered numerous problems with late payers, such as customers trying to rewrite purchase orders after they have been signed so they can save money, and it’s been harder to find projects during this time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCharlotte Little and the team from Pocket Accounts have provided wise advice to help steer us through the problems of negotiating late payments, and have helped us to deal with HMRC over VAT assistance during the pandemonium of the pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you Pocket Accounts!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Steve Johnson, Graphite Web Solutions<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

“While I do my own accounts almost every week, and hence know I\u2019m up to date, I\u2019m a web designer not an accountant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Therefore, when it comes to doing my tax return, I leave it to Corinne at Graham Edwards<\/a> because she knows what she\u2019s doing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShe knows the (ever changing) rules. And not only does she reduce my tax due, she also saves me hours of my own time and a whole load of stress \u2013 which is, frankly, priceless.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chris Downing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Chris, from Sage, has nothing but praise for Sam Mitcham at SJCM Accountancy<\/a>…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/video><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jo Booth, Social Media Makes Sense<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur accountant Kelly, of Greenhalgh Accountancy<\/a>, has been an invaluable asset in growing my business since it was established six years ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cApart from helping at the beginning with management reports, her support really came into its own at the beginning of lockdown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cUnasked, she produced a report of all the government schemes, from the \u00a310k grant to the furlough scheme, with the relevant links to where to go for help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis made it so much easier to decide what to do and weather the storm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe were lucky. Our business was able to keep going, and Kelly\u2019s help was a huge asset in making that happen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd she managed all that working from home<\/a> and teaching her children at the same time!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conrad Ford<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen I was building my first business, it was our finance director who told me about R&D Tax Credits, and a specialist tax accountant who helped with our claims.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cR&D Tax Credits are an HMRC tax break for innovation, and proved a crucial source of cash flow help in our early years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Steve Watmore<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Steve, from Sage, has lots of good things to say about Claire Brown from MHA Tait Walker…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/video><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jeremy Corner, Blue Eyed Sun<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBlue Eyed Sun\u2019s accountants at Merranti<\/a> have been a fantastic help through the coronavirus period, advising on human resources, tax and business opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey finished our accounts and tax returns early this year so we could track how we were doing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey even share some of our social media posts online, helping to generate more coverage of our new eco-friendly gift brand Green Magpie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“It\u2019s worth finding good accountants for your business as it saves you money in the long run.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Download your free guide, 7 ways to take control of your business, and take steps now to master your business admin <\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

How to find an accountant and get value from them<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you have an accountant, no doubt those anecdotes are likely to resonate with you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But if you don\u2019t have one and need support with your business and your finances, finding an expert who can offer you excellent advice will be a good move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Want to find an accountant<\/a> for your business? Here are four tips to help you make it happen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Speak to fellow business owners<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Recommendations are a great way to find an accountant \u2013 especially one who is a good fit for you and your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get in touch with other business owners (perhaps via networking events or even on the likes of LinkedIn), and people in your industry, to see who they are using and what benefits they\u2019re seeing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Opting for an accountant who understands your industry is important \u2013 they may have insights that can help your business thrive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Create a shortlist of accountants and get talking<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Once you\u2019ve got a few names together, create a shortlist then reach out to your list of accountants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Set up some calls and take the time to understand what they can offer your business and how they can provide value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This will help you determine whether they understand your challenges and are a good fit for what you require.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Check out their fees<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While you\u2019re speaking to the accountants \u2013 or perusing their websites or marketing literature \u2013 make sure you check what their fees are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Part of getting the right accountant for your business is knowing how much they\u2019ll charge you for the work they’ll do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But remember, cheaper isn’t always better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may find you pay a little more for the services of a particular accountant because they specialise in your industry or can offer the best value for your business and its needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Choose your accountant and start working with them<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Finally, select an accountant and begin to work with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make the most of your relationship by taking their advice on board, actioning their insights, and providing them with the details they require.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using cloud accounting software<\/a> will help. Doing so will mean your accountant can see what\u2019s happening with your finances in real time and offer relevant, up-to-date advice that keeps your business moving forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using software will also be beneficial for your record keeping and tracking of financial data. Understanding your numbers is key \u2013 and your accountant can help you with this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Final thoughts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Accountants can make a real difference to businesses. It\u2019s definitely worth having one as part of your team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They shouldn\u2019t just be seen as unsung heroes but as celebrated trusted advisers<\/a> who can truly help businesses thrive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How has your accountant made a difference to your business? Share your stories in the comments below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Want to know how you can boss it at your business? Read this guide for top tips to help you master your business admin and truly take control.<\/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\tDownload 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\"\"\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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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\tSubscribe 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\"\"\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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