Switching & working together
What questions should I ask before hiring an accountant?
By Pick My Accountant Editorial · Updated 8 July 2026
Credentials and fit
Which professional body are you regulated by, and do you hold a practising certificate and professional indemnity insurance? How many clients like me — same size, same sector — do you act for? Who will handle my account day to day, and what happens when they're on holiday? A firm confident in its answers will welcome these; hesitation is data.
Money and scope
What exactly does the monthly fee include, and what triggers extra charges? How do you handle HMRC enquiries — included, insured, or hourly? When did you last raise prices and by how much? Will you tell me before doing chargeable work outside the package? Get the answers reflected in the engagement letter, not just the sales call.
Ways of working and exit
Which software do you support, and who owns the subscription? How quickly do you respond to emails, and do you offer calls or meetings? What do you need from me each month or quarter, and when? If I leave, what does handover look like and is there a notice period? Asking about exit up front is not rude — it's the question that keeps everyone honest.
People also ask
Should I meet more than one firm?
Yes — two or three quotes reveal the market rate for your situation and make differences in scope obvious. Comparing only one quote means comparing against nothing.
What's a red flag in a first meeting?
Guaranteed tax savings, vagueness about what's included, no engagement letter, reluctance to name their professional body, or pressure to sign before you've seen terms in writing.
What information should I bring?
Last year's accounts and tax return if you have them, rough turnover and transaction volume, VAT and payroll status, and your software. Accurate inputs get you an accurate fixed quote rather than a teaser rate.
This article is general information for UK businesses, not tax, legal, or financial advice, and thresholds change — confirm current rules on GOV.UK or with a qualified accountant before acting. Fee figures are indicative benchmarks from ourmethodology.