Find the Right Accountant
How to Choose the Right Accountant for Your Needs
Choosing the right accountant is crucial for the financial health of your business or personal finances. An accountant can provide valuable insights, help you save on taxes, and ensure compliance with financial regulations.
Many people have an acquaintance , or friend of a friend who claims they can handle your accounting.
They often don't even realise when they are making mistakes and we have spent a lot of time correcting such problems.
Here are key factors to consider when selecting an accountant:
Licensing and Regulation
All accountants should be supervised for Anti Money Laundering by one the UKs supervisory bodies.
Choosing an accountant who is a member of a professional body offers several key benefits:
Adherence to Professional Standards: Members must follow strict professional standards, ensuring high-quality service and ethical conduct.
Client Recourse and Accountability: Professional body membership provides clients with a method of recourse, adding an additional layer of accountability.
Professional Indemnity Insurance: Members are required to hold Professional Indemnity Insurance, protecting clients in case of errors or omissions.
Practice Continuity: Professional bodies mandate practice continuity, ensuring that clients are never left without support.
Professional Qualifications
The UK tax system is complex, with numerous rules and intricacies. Qualified accountants have demonstrated the knowledge and ability to navigate this system effectively. Achieving professional accounting qualifications takes years of rigorous training, and members of professional bodies are required to keep their knowledge up-to-date through mandatory Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
A common misconception is that some accounting functions are straightforward and can be performed by anyone. However, these tasks are often more complex than they appear, and mistakes can easily go unnoticed. Choosing a qualified accountant ensures accuracy and expertise, helping you avoid costly errors and optimize your financial outcomes.
Professional Indemnity Insurance
Check that the accountant has professional indemnity insurance. This protects you and your business in the unlikely event of an error or omission by the accountant that leads to financial loss.
Choosing an accountant without adequate insurance leaves you without any coverage when things go wrong.
Transparent Pricing
Nobody wants unexpected bills. When you choose a service with transparent pricing, you know what you will pay and can budget accordingly.
A good example of this is per-payslip pricing. Unexpected costs can arise when losing a team member, such as paying for their P45, onboarding their replacement, additional administrative fees, and overlap costs for extra payslips. Transparent pricing helps you manage these expenses without surprises.
While there will always be cases where a set price may increase due to unexpected complexity or additional work, knowing the costs upfront allows you to plan your business expenses properly.
Avoid the shock of receiving your Self Assessment Preparation bill only to find extra charges for every query you made. Be clear about what services are included in your fees, ensuring no surprises and better financial planning.
Who is Really Doing Your Accounts
It might be important to you that the person handling your accounts and personal information is based in the UK.
You want them to be held to UK standards and regulation
You want them to have a first-hand knowledge of the UK tax system
You want to know that your sensitive information and personal details aren't being sent around the world
Even where some companies are UK based, they may actually outsource work on your accounts to third parties all over the world.
If it's important for you to keep everything UK based, it might be worth checking if your prospective accountant outsources their work, and where to.
Why Choose SGL Services?
✅ AAT Licensed Accountants – Trusted expertise in UK tax & business finance.
✅ Fixed Pricing – Transparent costs with no hidden fees.
✅ Tailored Solutions – Accounting packages designed for your business needs.
✅ Local & Accessible – Serving businesses in Mexborough, Doncaster & beyond.
What We Offer
✔ Tax Planning & Compliance – Ensure accuracy & avoid penalties.
✔ Bookkeeping & Payroll – Keep your finances organised & employees paid on time.
✔ Self-Assessment & VAT Returns – Hassle-free tax filing & submissions.
✔ Making Tax Digital (MTD) Support – Stay compliant with HMRC’s digital tax requirements.
Who Can Benefit from Our Services?
🔹 Small Business Owners – Get expert financial guidance & tax support.
🔹 Sole Traders & Freelancers – Simplify tax filing & bookkeeping.
🔹 Limited Companies – Stay compliant with tailored accounting solutions.
FAQs – Everything You Need to Know
How do I choose the right accountant?
Look for experience, qualifications, transparency in pricing, and tailored services that match your business needs.
Do I need an accountant for my business?
While not mandatory, hiring an accountant ensures accurate tax calculations, compliance, and financial efficiency. It can cost you more in the long run if you miss any allowances, or get anything wrong.
What accounting services do I need?
It depends on your business structure. We offer bookkeeping, payroll, VAT returns, and more to suit different needs.