For years, choosing an accountant often meant looking for a firm within a few miles of your home or business. That can still make sense, but it is no longer the only sensible way to choose.
For many owner-managed businesses, the better question is not how close the accountant is. It is whether they can do the work accurately, communicate clearly and provide the level of support you actually need.
When having a local accountant can matter
Location can still be useful if face-to-face meetings are important to you. Some business owners simply prefer sitting down in the same room to talk through accounts, tax or a major decision.
A local accountant may also know other professionals in the area, such as solicitors, mortgage advisers or finance brokers. That can be helpful, although a good professional network is not limited by geography.
What matters more than postcode
The quality of the working relationship matters far more than whether the office is ten minutes away or two hundred miles away.
Look for an accountant who understands the type of work you need, explains things clearly, gives you confidence in the numbers and is straightforward about fees and scope.
It is also worth considering how you prefer to work. If you are happy using email, phone, video calls and digital records, there is little reason to restrict yourself to firms within your immediate area.
Questions to ask when choosing an accountant
Before choosing a firm, ask what work is included, who you will deal with, how they communicate, how quickly they normally need information from you and what happens if you need help outside the routine annual work.
It is also sensible to look at the type of clients they work with and whether their experience matches the issues your business is likely to face. A recommendation can be useful, but it should be the start of your due diligence rather than the end of it.
Birmingham based, working across the UK
Thames Williams is based in Birmingham and works with owner-managed businesses across the UK. Some clients value being able to meet locally. Others work with us entirely remotely.
The important thing is finding an accountant whose way of working suits your business and gives you confidence in the work.
If you are looking for an accountant and want to see whether Thames Williams is a good fit, book a call.
