How to Choose an Accountant Who Gets Your Work

A cheap accountant can become expensive very quickly if a missed deadline, incorrect CIS return or overlooked expense leaves you dealing with HMRC. When you choose an accountant, you are not simply buying a set of accounts once a year. You are choosing the person or team responsible for helping you stay compliant, keep more of what you earn and spend less time buried in paperwork.

For a sole trader, landlord, subcontractor or limited company director, the right fit is usually more valuable than the lowest monthly fee. Good accountancy support should make your working life easier, not give you another job to chase.

Choose an accountant with relevant experience

Start with the work you actually do. Tax rules apply differently depending on whether you are self-employed, work under CIS, receive rental income or run a limited company. An accountant who mainly works with large office-based companies may be technically capable, but may not understand the day-to-day reality of variable earnings, receipts from multiple jobs, late-paying customers or the expenses that matter in your trade.

A construction subcontractor, for example, needs an accountant who understands CIS deductions, monthly statements, allowable expenses and how to claim an overpayment where one is due. A black cab driver needs someone who can discuss vehicle costs, licensing, mileage and working patterns in plain English. Landlords need clear advice on rental records, mortgage interest relief, repairs versus improvements and capital gains tax when selling.

Ask who the accountant already helps. Relevant experience often means fewer explanations, better questions and less chance of an opportunity being missed.

Helpful Accountants

Check what is included in the fee

“From” prices can look attractive until you find out that bookkeeping, VAT returns, payroll, year-end accounts, corporation tax returns or HMRC correspondence are charged separately. There is nothing wrong with separate pricing, provided it is clear before you commit.

Ask for a straightforward breakdown of what the fee covers and what would cost extra. If you are a limited company director, establish whether the price includes statutory accounts, corporation tax, your personal self assessment return, payroll for directors and Companies House filing. If you are self-employed, ask whether bookkeeping support and advice on expenses are part of the service or billed by the hour.

The best value is not always the cheapest quote. It is the service that gives you the support you genuinely need without surprises when a deadline or problem arrives.

Make sure they are easy to deal with

Accountancy is technical, but communication should not be. You should be able to ask a question about tax, VAT or payroll and receive an answer you understand. If your first conversation is full of jargon, or you struggle to get a call returned before becoming a client, that is worth taking seriously.

Find out how the firm works in practice. Will you have a named contact? Can you send records securely from your phone? How quickly do they normally respond? Do they remind clients about key deadlines, or are you expected to remember everything yourself?

For busy people, friction matters. An accountant should fit around the reality of running jobs, driving shifts, managing tenants or serving customers. Short And Sons Accountants, for instance, was founded with practical working life in mind, rather than a one-size-fits-all corporate approach.

Ask about tax planning, not just form filling

Submitting a return accurately is essential, but it is only part of the job. A proactive accountant looks ahead. They help you understand your likely tax bill before it becomes urgent, keep records that support legitimate claims and identify sensible planning opportunities in time to use them.

This does not mean anyone can promise to make tax disappear. Be cautious of an accountant who guarantees an unrealistic refund or encourages claims you cannot support with records. Proper tax planning is about using the rules correctly, keeping evidence and making informed choices.

For limited companies, that may involve reviewing salary and dividend arrangements, pension contributions, equipment purchases or the timing of profits. For landlords, it may mean considering the tax position before selling a property. For sole traders, it may simply mean setting aside the right amount each month so the January payment does not come as a shock.

Confirm they can support Making Tax Digital

Making Tax Digital is changing how many businesses keep records and send information to HMRC. VAT-registered businesses already have digital record-keeping obligations, and further changes are due to affect more self-employed people and landlords.

Your accountant does not need to sell the most complicated software available. They should, however, explain what applies to you, recommend a workable way to keep records and help you avoid leaving the change until the last minute. The right system is the one you can maintain consistently, whether that means accounting software, a supported app or a clear process for providing records.

Trust your questions, then make a clear decision

Before appointing an accountant, ask how they would handle a situation that is relevant to you: a CIS refund, overdue self assessment return, first VAT registration, rental property sale or move from sole trader to limited company. Their answer will tell you far more than a polished sales pitch.

Choose someone who is qualified or properly supervised, transparent about fees, familiar with your work and prepared to explain the practical next step. When your accountant understands how you earn, you can stop second-guessing the paperwork and get on with earning.