Are you looking for a certified accountant that's right for your business and meets your expectations? Faced with the multitude of services on offer, the choice can seem long and difficult.
First of all, it's important to remember that the chartered accountant plays a vital role in the life of the business owner. His or her mission is to support the manager and help him or her grow the business in complete security.
Choosing the right chartered accountant is therefore a major challenge, right from the start of your business.
Here's a list of eight criteria to consider when approaching a firm!
Before choosing a chartered accountant, you need to make sure that he or she is registered with the Ordre des Experts Comptables. If not, he or she is not legally authorized to practice the profession and bill you for accounting services.
Before subscribing, you can check the firm's existence in theonline directory of chartered accountants.
In the course of a company's life, there are situations that require a certain reactivity. Make sure your chartered accountant responds promptly and keeps up to date with the latest tax developments.
Bear in mind that he'll be your main partner, your day-to-day adviser, so it's important that he has these qualities.
Some managers prefer direct contact with their various partners/advisors. In this case, you'll need to find a firm that is close to your company.
Others have no problem working remotely with an online accounting firm. Today, both solutions are possible. It's up to you to choose the one that best suits your profile.
Remember to check that the accounting firm's software and working methods are right for you. First of all, check whether your IT tools are compatible with those of the firm, whether it uses paperless solutions or paper instead, whether it offers automated dashboards, and so on.
Also, if the firm offers complementary services other than bookkeeping, such as handling day-to-day legal formalities or employee pay slips.
The amount of the fee should not be the main criterion for your decision. Don't hesitate to compare fees between different firms, but before you make up your mind, check the level of service and quality of advice for the proposed fee.
Before selecting a chartered accountant, you need to define your service and support requirements.
Indeed, some business sectors require specialized or technical skills. For example, if you're a lawyer, ask whether youraccountant already works with lawyers.
This means that not all accountancy firms will be able to support you in your business or in the steps you wish to take.
Trust is one of the cornerstones of the manager/accountant relationship.
We advise you either to choose a chartered accountant who has been recommended to you, or to have an initial discussion (often offered) with him or her beforehand. This will ensure that you're both on the same wavelength.
If you're a freelancer or small business, it's not necessarily a good idea to choose a large firm.
Written by our expert La Rédaction
March 10, 2020
