Choose an accountant for your business

Different accountants can help your business in different ways, so think about what you are looking for before choosing an accountant.

Once you have drawn up a shortlist of potential accountants who would be suitable, arrange to meet them to make sure they are the ideal choice for your business. You should take your business plan and other useful information about your business to the meeting.

Questions to ask when hiring an accountant

To make sure you get the best value for money, there are things you should find out about any prospective accountant:

• what are your qualifications?
• how many partners are there in the practice, and who will look after my business on a day-to-day basis?
• have you dealt with businesses of a similar size and at a similar stage of growth, and how could you help develop my business?
• what are your estimated response times?
• will  your service be proactive eg will you remind me when I need to submit accounts?
• do you offer any additional services eg inheritance planning or advice on information systems?
• what services will you charge for and how and when do I pay for them?
• will I have easy access to the data held about your business?

Chartered Accountants Ireland have further information on the role of chartered accountants and provide a directory of accountants that you can use to source the right accountant for your business needs.