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Frequently Asked Questions

These are a few of the more common questions we get asked by prospective clients considering using our services

Q: How easy is it to change accountants and why should I change?

A: If your existing accountant is offering you an excellent pro-active service at a fair fee then stick with them. However, different accountants will save you different amounts of tax and provide different levels of business advice. If your present accountant doesn’t offer the type of service you want and that we do offer, then changing over to us is very easy. It involves just one letter from you and we take care of everything else. Your existing accountant is not usually allowed to charge for providing the normal handover information.

 

Q: What is the difference between an accountant and a chartered accountant?

A: By law anyone can call themselves an accountant. The title ‘chartered accountant’ and the letters ACA or FCA, however, indicates that the person has undertaken a minimum of three years in-depth training, passed a series of rigorous examinations in financial management, auditing, business strategy and taxation, and is committed to continuing professional development to keep their skills up to date.

ICAEW ( Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales) Chartered Accountants are bound by a code of ethics. They are required to hold a practising certificate and professional indemnity insurance if they offer professional services to the public.  We are an ICAEW firm of Chartered Accountants.

 

Q: I’ve just had my accounts done and don’t need an accountant until next year, so is there any need to contact you now?

A: We can’t over emphasise the importance of tax planning at an early stage, not crisis driven advice. Ideally you do tax planning before the year even starts but after that, the earlier the better. The same is applicable to all areas of advice and we are about helping you change the future, not just reporting what has already happened.

 

Q: Will you come to visit us for an initial consultation?

A: Yes. It often helps to see your business, books and records, etc at first hand and we are always happy to invest our time without charge to show you what we can do. Of course, if you prefer to visit us, that’s fine too.

 

Q: When and how soon can you come to see us?

A: When’s good for you? Let us know and we’ll do our utmost to help. If you need to see somebody urgently, we’re always out and about and can arrange to see you very quickly.  Early morning or evening appointments are not a problem.

 

Q: Is your fixed quote guaranteed for more than one year?

A: We are not in the business of providing low quotes just to get your business for the first year and then raising the fees. We want you as a long term client who trusts us to do what we say we will do. We quote what we anticipate to be a fair fee for the value provided and would only anticipate normal inflationary increases if the work stays the same. Very occasionally there may be reasons why the amount of work involved exceeded what was expected but we would sit down and discuss these with you. 

 

 

Next Step:

Please contact us if you need further advice or have any questions about our services.

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