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. It is important to note however that not all Accountants have the same level of expertise and experience and as a result, you may not receive the advice that is most effective for your needs. If your present accountant doesn’t offer the type or quality of service you need and you would like a second opinion, then we are more than happy to offer a free consultation to offer reassurance. Should you decide to change Accountants, then the process is very straightforward – it involves just one letter from you and we take care of everything else. Oh and by the way, your existing accountant is not usually allowed to charge you for providing the normal handover information.
Q: You seem to offer a lot. Are your fees expensive?
A: No! We consider that we offer a range of services that are excellent value for money. We’re not always the cheapest and as with many things in life, the cheapest is often the most expensive in the long run. Most importantly we never undertake work without agreeing the fee arrangements in advance so you always know where you stand.
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 as opposed to ‘crisis driven’ advice. Ideally any tax planning should be carried out before the year even starts but if it has to be later than that then the earlier the better. This message applies to all areas of advice and we are committed to help you plan for the future and not just reporting what has already happened.
Q: Will you come to visit us for an initial consultation?
A: Yes. It often helps us to see your business environment and accounting records at first hand. 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.
Q: Is your fee quote guaranteed for more than one year?
A: We’re not in the business of providing low quotes just to get your business for the first year and then raising the fees. We want to enjoy a long term relationship with our clients who trust 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 always discuss these with you. In some cases, where it is clear exactly what work is involved, we can guarantee the fee for more than one year.
Q: You seem to be offering so much that I’m just not used to from my present accountant. How do I know you will deliver?
A: Our clients are our biggest asset and without them we wouldn’t be in business. Our growth has been down to keeping clients happy and delivering what we promise at an agreed fee cost – it is not in our interests to offer something that we cannot deliver. You are also more than welcome to speak with some of our existing clients who have the experience of our service.