- Ask what's included before you compare fees, because scopes differ.
- A named, qualified accountant with set reply times beats a shared inbox.
- Get the fee basis, extras and exit terms in writing before you sign.
The questions to ask an accountant before hiring come down to what’s included, who you’ll deal with and how you’re charged. Whether you’re talking to a limited company accountant online or a local firm, the answers show how the relationship will work once you’ve signed.
This checklist groups the questions by what they reveal, so you can take them straight into your next call.
What should you ask an accountant before hiring them?
If you’re short on time, start with these five. They’re the questions for a new accountant that tell you the most about the service before you commit, and they’re the fastest way to learn how to choose an accountant you’ll stay with.
- What exactly is included in the fee, and what costs extra?
- Who will I deal with day to day, and how quickly do they reply?
- Is the fee fixed, and what would make it change?
- Which software will I use, and can I see my own figures at any time?
- If I leave, how do you hand over my records?
Still weighing up whether you need one at all? Read do I need an accountant for a limited company first.
What should you ask about what’s included?
Scope is where most disappointment starts. Two quotes can look alike until you find one covers year-end accounts only and the other covers the whole year.
Which filings and returns are covered?
Ask for a list of every return the fee covers. Useful questions include:
- Do you prepare and file my annual accounts and Corporation Tax return?
- Is my confirmation statement included?
- Will you handle my VAT returns, or is that a separate service?
- Are payroll and my director’s Self Assessment return part of the package?
If VAT is a big part of your business, our guide to choosing a VAT specialist accountant covers the extra questions worth asking.
Is bookkeeping included, or do I do it?
Some firms expect you to keep the books and only step in at year end. Check the difference between a bookkeeper vs accountant before comparing quotes, because it changes what you’re paying for.
Do you advise, or just file?
Ask whether you can call before a decision, such as taking dividends or hiring your first employee. When you’re choosing an accountant for a small business that plans to grow, that advice is where they earn their fee.
Who will you deal with day to day?
Poor communication is one of the most common reasons business owners switch accountants. If you’re unsure what to look for in an accountant, start with how they communicate during the sales process.
Ask these before you sign:
- Will I have a named accountant, or will my questions go to a shared inbox?
- Is that person qualified, and who checks their work?
- How quickly do you reply, and how do I reach you?
- What happens when my contact is on holiday or leaves the firm?
A specific answer is a good sign. “We’re always available” usually isn’t one.
How will you be charged?
Clear pricing sits near the top of what to look for in an accountant. Hidden extras are what turn a reasonable quote into a frustrating year.
Questions about the fee itself
- Is it a fixed monthly or annual fee, or do you bill by the hour?
- Are setup or onboarding costs included in the quote?
- What happens to the fee if my turnover or transaction volume grows?
Questions about extras
- Which jobs sit outside the fee?
- Will you tell me the cost before doing extra work?
The lowest quote can still be the right one, as long as it covers the same work as the others. Get every answer in writing, and check our accounting FAQs for the questions clients most often raise once they’ve signed up.
What should you ask about software and your data?
Your accountant’s software decides how much of your own finances you can see between filings. Ask:
- Which accounting software do you use, and do I need my own licence?
- Can I log in and see my figures whenever I want?
- Who owns the data, and can I export it if I leave?
- Do you use AI or automation, and who checks what it produces?
That last question matters more every year. If AI prepares part of your figures, you want a qualified person reviewing them and a record of what was changed.
What should you ask about switching later?
Nobody signs up planning to leave, but the answer tells you how a firm treats clients. Ask:
- How do you take over from my current accountant?
- If I leave, what do you hand over, and how quickly?
- Is there a notice period or a minimum term?
The same questions for a new accountant apply whether it’s your first or your third. If you’re already planning a move, our guide to changing accountants walks through the handover step by step.
How Sleek helps with choosing an accountant
Sleek answers these questions before you sign. You get a named, qualified accountant for your limited company, a quote that sets out what’s included, and same-day replies to your questions.
Every plan runs on SleekBooks, with Xero available as an add-on, so you can check your figures whenever you like. AI handles routine preparation, your accountant reviews it, and the audit trail shows you exactly what was done.
If you’re still working out how to choose an accountant, use this checklist with every firm you speak to, including us. Our accounting services cover bookkeeping, year-end accounts, tax returns and payroll, so the answers stay simple when you’re choosing an accountant for a small business.
An accountant who answers every question upfront
FAQs on questions to ask an accountant before hiring
Should my accountant be qualified?
Yes. Look for membership of a recognised professional body such as ICAEW, ACCA, AAT or CIOT. “Accountant” on its own isn’t a protected title in the UK, so membership is the clearest sign of formal training, ethics rules and ongoing professional development.
Is an online accountant as good as a local one?
An online accountant can give you the same qualified service as a local firm, often with faster replies and live access to your figures. A local firm may suit you better if you want regular face-to-face meetings. Our comparison of online vs local accountant options sets out the trade-offs.
What is an engagement letter, and should I get one?
An engagement letter is the written agreement setting out what your accountant will do, what you’re responsible for and how fees work. Accountants who belong to a professional body normally issue one before work starts. Read it closely, because it’s the document you’ll rely on if there’s ever a disagreement about scope.
Do accountants have to be supervised for money laundering?
Yes. Businesses providing accountancy services in the UK must be supervised for anti-money laundering, either by a professional body or by HMRC. Ask which supervisor covers the firm, and expect them to ask for ID and company details before taking you on.
Should an accountant have professional indemnity insurance?
Yes. Professional indemnity insurance covers the cost if your accountant’s mistake leaves you out of pocket. It’s reasonable to ask for confirmation that the firm holds it before you sign.
What should I bring to a first meeting with an accountant?
Bring your company number, your most recent accounts and tax returns if you’ve filed any, and access to your bank statements and bookkeeping records. If you’re switching, add your current accountant’s contact details so the handover can start quickly. A short note of your plans for the next year helps them suggest the right level of support.
Can an accountant help my business grow, or only keep it compliant?
A good accountant helps with both. Beyond filing, ask whether they’ll support cash flow forecasts, pricing decisions, funding conversations and when to take money out of the business. Those conversations free you up to focus on finding and keeping customers.
