As a small business owner, choosing an accountant can seem like a daunting decision; but it doesn’t have to be if you follow these 4 simple tips.

1. What are your business needs?

This is perhaps the most important factor in choosing an accountant. You need to be able to identify what your business requires. Does your business need the services of a Certified Practising Accountant, or perhaps you require bookkeeping services to assist with daily transactions and business practices, or maybe you already have Xero software installed but need some assistance with tax or reporting requirements?

By identifying what your requirements and objectives are, you’ll ensure that you find the right service for your business.

2. Do your homework

Now that you know what services you require, it’s vital to research any prospective accounting firm. Find out as much information as you can about the firm; what experience the firm has, how long the firm’s been in business, does the firm have the capacity to assist you with the services you need and, importantly, do they have experience with small businesses?

3. Does your prospective accounting firm have a good reputation?

You want to ensure that previous clients have been happy with the service provided; a good way of doing this is to have a look at Google and Facebook to read reviews about a prospective firm. Read as many reviews as possible and look for things such as how many reviews the firm has received, how long ago they received them, and if previous clients are leaving positive feedback.

4. Make sure you understand how you will be billed

It’s vital to understand how your business is going to be billed by a prospective accounting firm as there are a wide number of billing structures which vary greatly. Some firms charge by the hour, whereas others charge flat rates per service, so it’s crucial that you understand how you are being charged.

By contacting Propeller Advisory, a specialist virtual accounting and bookkeeping firm based in Melbourne, you can trust that you’ll be receiving the very best expert advice, without having to pay the normal exorbitant costs associated with receiving a premium service.

So let Propeller Advisory assist you with your accounting and administrative needs so you can focus on managing your business.