Deciding that it is finally time to look for an accountant is a big step for any growing business, but you will have to make sure that your financial information — one of the most important areas in your business — is in the right hands.
It’s important to take the time to do this carefully, and there are a few things you’ll want to consider first. You’ll need to think about issues such as the accountant’s location, the division of workload and the type of accounting software you’ll use. Consider how much you’ll have to pay the accountant, and whether they can help to reduce your business taxes.
It’s in your company’s best interests to have an experienced, capable person handling one of the most important areas of your business – your finances. The right person will save you time and money year after year. So here are some things you should consider when you’re choosing an accountant.
Location, location, location
The decision about where to find your accountant really comes down to what suits your company best. Depending on how you want to handle the finances, your accountant could really be based anywhere in the world. For example, if you’re happy to collaborate via email, phone calls, video-conferences, or secure accounting software, then you could be in New York and they could be in London. If your accountant can be anywhere in the world, you don’t need to make compromises based on their location. You can find someone who really understands the specifics of your business or industry.
On the other hand, you may prefer face-to-face contact and find it useful to have someone who’s able to go to business meetings with you. If this is the case, then you’ll need to limit your search to accountants who work nearby or are willing to travel to your premises from time to time.
Wherever they happen to be based, make sure they’re an expert in the tax laws that apply to your business.
If a virtual office is compatible with your needs, your accountant can be anywhere in the world, then the location wouldn’t matter. For best work arrangements, we recommend engaging an accountant who is cognizant of your local business taxation, regulations, and accounting laws. This is why accounting firms in Singapore are the best option for Singapore businesses.
Experts see the details you can't see, like an accountant with relevant expertise
You’ll need someone with experience preparing tax returns and financial documents for companies of a similar size and revenue to yours. If your company uses cloud-based software for much of its business, you’ll probably want someone who’s savvy with cloud computing.
It’s even better if they’ve worked with companies in similar market sectors to yours, as that will help them understand the unique needs of your business. You might want to check to see if they have larger clients. If they do, it’s a good sign as you’ll know they should be able to handle your growing needs over time.
You could also ask them for a client list that details each company’s gross revenue and number of employees. Find out how their clients have grown and developed over the years, to get a sense of whether they’ll be able to handle the evolving needs of your company.
Most, if not all, accounting firms in Singapore use one or more accounting software to facilitate work, sharing and collaboration with their clients. They would have several names for you to choose an accounting software that will fit your business needs, budget and usage. Some software can be integrated with most of your business processes and financial aspects like banks, invoicing, inventory and collections.
Workload Allocation, i mean, finances can be alot of work
Which areas of the accounting process are you going to delegate and which are you going to keep in-house? As external accountants can be expensive and charge by hours, it is customary for small businesses to outsource the more complex tasks of reviewing the results produced by the bookkeeper, generating financial reports or working on bank reconciliation and taxation while keeping the laborious bookkeeping in. You can resolve this issue and work seamlessly with your accountant by using a user-friendly cloud accounting software, which is compliant with IRAS’s technical requirements, like Xero, QuickBooks, and Financio.
Taxation Knowledge
An accounting firm must be well acquainted with the tax laws. The firm will make sure your financial filings comply with the IRAS tax regulations. If not, a penalty may prove to be costly. Improper filing of tax documents creates an immense problem. This is why it is necessary to hire a reliable accounting firm to carry out financial strategies.
Costs?
The cost of hiring an accountant should not exceed the savings you get from the services rendered. If the cost of outsourcing your accounting department to an accounting firm is less than what you are spending to maintain the said department, or if it frees you time to work on other tasks, then outsourcing is a good option for your business. The cheapest accountants are not always the best deal. Expertise, experience and industry knowledge come with a premium.
I mean, psst, check our services.
We can help your business to grow
Good accountants help companies grow, by managing complex financial work and offering advice on practical business issues. This will be guaranteed to save you money in the short and long term. The best ones will be your partner in all but name – and as long as you choose wisely, you can’t go wrong.
