Small business owners rely heavily on their accountants to keep the financial side of their businesses up-to-date and running smoothly at all times. But many accountants can fail to complete even simple bookkeeping tasks, leaving small business owners frustrated by their slow responses to the simplest queries about their financial situation. In the worst cases business owners are left stressed and traumatised due to their accountants leaving important work until the last minute before a deadline and, in some cases, missing the deadline altogether. In today’s digital age accounting shouldn’t be this stressful or time-consuming.
Situations such as the above often occur due to accountants reacting to situations and playing catch-up, rather than taking a pro-active approach to accounting. To overcome this problem accountants must keep on top of their work and be able to turn around a job quickly and efficiently – causing minimal disruption to your business. We like to call this ‘Anytime Accounting’. Here’s why we think an anytime accountant could help your business achieve its goals:
What an Anytime Accountant looks like
Provides an all-inclusive service
Online accounting makes managing your accounts easier than ever, meaning accountants today are able to offer a more all-around service. An all-inclusive accounting service should aim to minimise the burden of administration for clients, from VAT returns to business planning. For example, here at Approved Accounting we take care of everything our clients need us to, such as:
- Bookkeeping, including online accounting
- VAT returns
- Year-end accounts
- Self-assessment tax returns
- Tax planning
- Business startup advice
- Payroll
- Business planning and budgeting
They’re easily contactable
Slow responses or, worse, no response at all shouldn’t be the case with modern technology. Emails, Skype and mobile devices make it easier than ever for communications between accountants and clients – failing that there’s always the old-fashioned telephone or face-to-face meeting.
An anytime accountant should be easily contactable (we’ve been known to answer emails on Christmas Day, but don’t tell our families that) and flexible enough to work according to the times and methods that are best for you. For example, we regularly hold Skype calls with our clients, who are often too busy running their business to head out for a meeting.
Take a pro-active approach
Historically accountants would leave matters such as VAT returns until the last minute, partly because older accounting systems wouldn’t allow the data to be entered before a particular date or because they were not acting in a pro-active manner. With online accounting making accounting simpler than ever there is no excuse to leave it until the last minute. With a little forward planning, an accountant should be able to get items such as year-end accounts and self-assessment tax returns submitted as early as possible.
Hassle-free service
With the choice of online accounting suppliers available, such as Xero, FreeAgent, QuickBooks and KashFlow, accounting today should be completely hassle-free. The task of managing business finances is simpler than ever and with the added help of your accountant you should have more time to focus on the important task of running your business.
Provides you with better information
These new platforms allow accountants to provide their clients with better information with which to run their business finances. Not only this but, with the time saved from using the new platforms, they should become more than your accountants, offering valuable financial and business advice to help support you and your businesses journey.
If your accountants are failing to meet your expectations contact Jon or Trevor at Approved Accounting in Havant now for a free, no obligation discussion about how we can help you. Call us on 01730 823000 or Email Jon or Email Trevor.
