![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
This is a quick checklist of a few things that you, as a new business, should expect to ask your accountant (or potential accountant).
1. What will you do to help my business?
2. What guarantees do you offer?
3. Do you offer fixed prices?
4. How long will it take you to prepare a set of accounts?
5. Can I expect to have a tax planning meeting before my year end?
6. Will you recommend my business to others?
7. Can you show me some testimonials / case studies from existing customers?
8. How often can I expect to see / hear from you?
9. Can you refer other people who can help my business?
10. Can I expect to receive proactive advice?
Answers / explanations ? what you should hear when you ask these questions.
1. They should list a number of things, possibly even answering some of the other questions. A good response would include, introducing you to other professionals, potential customers and networking groups; referring your business to other customers of theirs; proactive advice and support ? recognising that you might not know the right question to ask, so they shouldn't wait until you ask to offer advice where relevant.
2. Again expect several, around services standards, turnaround time for work etc.
3. Yes.
4. 30 days (60 max)
5. Yes, as standard (and included in fee)
6. Yes, its our policy to do so.
7. Yes, they should have a selection. (The fact that they ask for them will also tell you something about the type of firm they are ie forward thinking, proactive)
8. This should be more than once a year! You should at least expect newsletters, occasional invitations or recommendations even if you don't have any work done during the year.
9. Yes, they should have a network of reliable professionals who can help you.
10. Yes, should be matter of course, see 1.
© Copyright Julia McDaid 2003 www.startupright.co.uk
Julia McDaid is a business coach and author, specialising in helping business start ups. For more information on these issues or on coaching for new business owners, see http://www.startupright.co.uk or enrol on Julia's unique Start Up 101 ecourse, where you can go into each question in a lot more depth. Julia also publishes a free ezine 'Secrets of the Successful Entrepreneur' ? to sign up just send an email to [email protected]
You're busy with your business today, aren't you?You're pushing your... Read More
Looking for a manufacturer or supplier of home furnishings in... Read More
Authors/publishers are great at getting their books written. Entrepreneurs know... Read More
1. Outsource what takes you too long to doWhen you... Read More
Are the endless lists of Top-7's and Top-10's taxing your... Read More
Business etiquette is essentially about building relationships with colleagues, clients... Read More
In Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen's original "Chicken Soup... Read More
1. Focus on the other Being known as a... Read More
Buckling under the weight of chronic corporate restructuring, and frustrated... Read More
Have you ever found yourself having to scramble to organize... Read More
Imagine if you were going to address a stadium full... Read More
Never in history have more entrepreneurs launched more new businesses!... Read More
1. Combine Emotion and LogicConsumers buy because the want to... Read More
Let's put to rest the fallacy that success, in sales... Read More
How do you focus on your urgent e-mail and organize... Read More
1. Use subheads throughout your ad copy.Subheads are great to... Read More
Only one of every 5 businesses makes it to its... Read More
Every event you hold can be extremely successful. Apply these... Read More
You need sales and you wanted them yesterday. Here are... Read More
Many people find it really hard to write for business... Read More
Cash is king-so they say. If you work for yourself... Read More
Clarity is an absolutely essential ingredient for you to achieve... Read More
Most people have at least one favorite quotation from a... Read More
Proofreading may not be terribly fun, but it's one of... Read More
10. Procrastination Condemnation - Lose the Labels! All those things... Read More
It has been said you can lift the Rock... Read More
How much is your data worth to you? In this... Read More
Which one are you? An effective IT project manager, able... Read More
Millions of people start new small businesses in the United... Read More
As the holiday season starts to settle in, the workload... Read More
If you don't possess the time, money or inclination to... Read More
Ever lost a sale you thought was in the bag?... Read More
1. Maintain regular working hours and stick to them.2. Get... Read More
The lack of strong boundaries is one of the chief... Read More
In my career, I have had a total of 3... Read More
Did you know that there is one critical difference between... Read More
If you have a business on the Internet you should... Read More
Are you scratching your head after business events wondering why... Read More
My husband and I were enjoying our dinner meal one... Read More
Almost daily, newspapers, business magazines, radio and television carry reports... Read More
Only one of every 5 businesses makes it to its... Read More
Here are a few ideas to get you started, all... Read More
Attraction marketing is about making a customer for life not... Read More
The 2004 election is over--at least in the minds of... Read More
Here are some simple tips to help you improve your... Read More
Advertising executive Alex F. Osborne first coined the word "brainstorming"... Read More
Cross cultural differences can and do impede upon communication and... Read More
1.) Brainstorming for an idea - You must select what... Read More
One way to manage your time more effectively is to... Read More
You have seen their ads and you may have wondered... Read More
Top Quick TipsTop Quick Tips |