Time For A New Accountant?
Changing accountants – like ending any significant relationship – can seem like a big decision. However, you might have found that filing your latest Self-Assessment Tax Return provided the catalyst to look for ‘someone new’.
We regularly get calls in January from people who are finding it hard to get hold of their existing accountant. Either they aren’t returning their calls or, in some cases, they appear to have gone completely AWOL!
If this sounds familiar, you might have found that, even if you did make contact with your accountant, it could be you ended up speaking to somebody new every time. It’s so frustrating to basically ‘introduce’ yourself all over again on each occasion.
We are consumers too and know how frustrating it can be when your call or email isn’t returned so, here at Lewis & Co, we make sure that every phone message or email is actioned as quickly as possible. Even if we can’t answer your specific question straightaway, we will at least acknowledge it and give an estimate of how long it’ll take us to reply properly. We are also a small team, so somebody who already knows you will usually answer your call.
We’ve also spoken with potential new clients who thought they were saving money by using an online or remotely based accountancy firm but then find they miss dealing with ‘real people’. Others have come to us, as they find themselves being billed for every single question they might have or that they simply feel they aren’t getting value for money.
We recognise that you might be looking at what you’re spending across your business and this includes at what you are paying your chosen accountancy firm. We had an approach recently from a business owner asking us how much we’d charge him over a year. We sent through a quote and heard back almost immediately – apparently, we were substantially cheaper than his current accountant…
In many ways, we were offering the same service to the client – but, as a small accountancy practice with one office, our overheads were less than his existing accountant, which had a number of offices and many more team members.
Sometimes people only speak with their accountant once a year but we are here in Southborough all year round and happy to provide proactive advice about your business and personal finances.
We know you might be considering a new accountant for a number of reasons. It could be that your existing accountant is retiring or the practice has been sold and you don’t feel connected to the new team. It might be that you were dealing with somebody local but now the practice has moved to another location?
Alternatively, it could also be that you are launching a new venture or your existing business is expanding and your current accountant doesn’t offer the expertise to support your growth and change in circumstances.
We’ve been based in Southborough for many years and, if you need to see us, there’s a car park opposite our office that offers two hours’ free parking. Being long-established also means we are in a great position to introduce you to other local professionals or even to other clients if we recognise a synergy.
As with any relationship, sometimes it’s hard to work out why it doesn’t work, so we’d be happy to speak with you if you feel there’s a mismatch in communication style, general approach or goals with your existing accountant.
Please do feel free to give us a call for an initial chat on tel: 01892 513515. We are sure we’ll be able to offer you not only a cost-effective solution but excellent customer service and advice as well.