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How to get the most out of your accountant (and how to be a great client)
Having an accountant goes beyond tax returns and deadlines – accountants are the cheerleader in your corner, the unofficial partner who helps you make confident decisions and reduces your stress and to-do list.
Like any professional relationship, you get out what you put into it. When you know how accountants think, you’ll learn what they want to see from you – we’ve compiled a list of behaviours accountants love in their clients.
Having these behaviours in mind will help smooth the process, unlock better advice and reduce costly surprises.
Here’s how to get the most out of your accountant (and how to make their life easier in the process!).
Checklists are essential, not optional.
When your accountant sends a list of what’s required, it’s not because they love admin – it’s to collect everything they need to successfully carry out your work.
Sending everything over in a timely manner means:
When you send complete information the first time, things become quicker, clearer and more accurate as they have the complete picture with no guesswork.
If you:
Your accountant needs to know now, not 8 months later at year-end.
Small changes can have big implications for tax planning, reporting requirements and even compliance.
Early conversations help your accountant give the right advice at the right time, which could save you money in the long run.
Especially the scary ones!
HMRC notices, Companies House reminders, letters demanding money or even ones that look fake.
Accountants would always rather check them for you than you pay a scammer posing as Companies House.
This can:
If in doubt, forward it on.
If you’re changing your address, a director or trading location, make sure your accountant has your most recent details on file.
HMRC does not automatically update across departments and Companies House requires separate filings.
An incorrect address can lead to penalties or letters going to the wrong place, which means missed deadlines and extra stress.
Let your accountant know as soon as possible.
You don’t need colour-coded binders or alphabetised expense folders but a system is better than no system.
Accountants love to see:
This reduces their time spent sorting and increases their time spent on advising, which is where their real value is.
Deadlines are not flexible and penalties aren’t an empty threat.
If all clients send their info in on deadline day, you can’t expect to be prioritised – it’s always better to be early!
The best clients don’t wait to ask questions after they’ve already taken action
“Should I do this?” is always better than “I’ve already done this, is it a problem?”
This gives your accountant a chance to guide you and potentially offer a better solution rather than just tidy up after.
It’s okay to want to focus on your passion and business rather than the admin.
A good client recognises this and is prepared to ask their accountant to do the parts they don’t like or don’t have time for.
Your accountant isn’t judging, they just want to help.
Great clients don’t need to be financial and taxation experts but they do need to communicate, be organised and treat their accountant like a partner, not a box-tick.
This will all give you better outcomes, advice and a smoother business journey.
If you’re thinking about instructing an accountant for the first time, you can download a free checklist that takes you through the ‘must-ask’ questions.
Clarifying what is covered in your quote from day 1 can prevent surprise invoices and manages expectations for both parties.
Download it here:
Accountant Questions Checklist
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