Your first meetingOnce you have selected your CA firm, you should ask what your first meeting will cover, how long it will last, whether it will be free of charge and what information you should bring to the meeting.

During the appointment here are some questions you can ask:• Can you give me any client references?• What experience do you have of my business sector?• How can you help my business?

Understanding fees and chargesCAs offer a professional service and charge competitive market rates for their services. The actual cost of their services will vary, so it’s worth understanding the fees you will be charged for the service they provide. The cheapest does not always offer the best value for money, so you do need to weigh up the cost against the service provided. It is also important to understand their charging structure and what you are expected to pay for.

Some questions you can ask:• Are the fees based on a fixed charge or an hourly rate

and when are they due for payment?• Will you supply an estimate for the fees? • What factors will impact the actual charge with the

estimate supplied?• How will you keep me updated of any changes to the

final fees?

Why use a Chartered Accountant? The ‘Chartered’ title is recognised around the world as a professional designation indicating the highest levels of technical expertise, standards and ethical conduct. ICAS qualified Chartered Accountants can be recognised by the CA after their name. Here are just a few reasons why you should consider choosing a CA as your trusted professional adviser:• Professionally qualified • Undertake mandatory professional development • Bound by a code of ethics and professional standards • Required to have professional indemnity insurance• Required to have a complaints procedure in place• Subject to quality reviews of their professional practice • Regulated by their professional body.

How can I find a Chartered Accountant?You can search to find a firm near you at icas.org.uk/FindaCA

When selecting which CA firm you want to work with, ask for recommendations from your own contacts as well as looking at the firm’s website.

‘The first person we went to was our Chartered Accountant when we bought the majority share in a business’Cameron Grant, Director, 3X1 Public Relations

ICAS – Looking after your interestsThis leaflet has been produced by ICAS. ICAS is a professional membership body with over 20,000 members who have all achieved the internationally recognised Chartered Accountant (CA) qualification.

ICAS is an educator, examiner, regulator, and thought leader.

We are committed to upholding the highest professional standards and maintaining public confidence in the profession of accountancy. We take this role very seriously and record and investigate any complaint made against one of our members. Our complaints process is clear and transparent and further details can be found on the ICAS website – icas.org.uk/Informationforthepublic/HowtomakeacomplaintMORE INFORMATION

Business Finance Advice schemeICAS is working with the UK Government and other ac-countancy bodies on a service called the Business Finance Advice scheme which enables businesses to identify qualified accountants who can provide independent advice on business finance.

Firms who are members of the scheme provide advice on:• Business plans• Business start-ups• Small scale equity issues • Bank loans and overdrafts

You can use our locator to find a participating CA firm near you.

Find a CA firm near you – icas.org.uk/FindaCA

CA House 21 Haymarket Yards Edinburgh EH12 5BHenquiries@trustedinbusiness.org.uk +44 (0)131 347 0254

trustedinbusiness.org.uk

A guide to choosing a Chartered Accountant

trustedinbusiness.org.uk

Working with business to drive businessRunning a business can be a very rewarding experience, but it can also present you with a number of challenges. You may just be starting out and need to raise finance, or be looking for advice on how to expand the business as you grow.

A Chartered Accountant (CA) can benefit your business no matter what size or stage it is currently at. A CA can do much more than just prepare accounts.

This guide will help you choose a CA, understand the services they can offer and how using a CA will ensure you get the best out of your business.

Growing your business

££

START UP ADVICE

BUSINESS PLANS

GRANTS

RAISING FINANCE

BOOK KEEPING

ACCOUNTS

PERSONAL TAX

£ CASH FLOWS

CORPORATION TAX

VAT

COMPANY SECRETARIAL

AUDIT AND ASSURANCE

TAKING ON

AN EMPLOYEE

OPENING NEW

PREMISES

TAKING OVER A

SIMILAR BUSINESS

GOING GLOBAL

PAYROLL SERVICES

EMPLOYMENT TAXES

FINANCIAL

PROJECTIONS

FINANCIAL PLANNING

£ RAISING FINANCE

INTERNATIONAL TAX

£ GRANTS

£

ACCOUNTING SYSTEMS

BUDGETING

BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT

MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING

TAX PLANNING

INTERNAL AUDIT

PERSONAL TAX

Helping your business become more profitable

BUSINESS VALUATIONS

SELLING BUSINESSES

INHERITANCE TAX PLANNING

CAPITAL GAINS TAX PLANNING

Succession planning

Starting up: turning an idea into a businessA CA has the knowledge and expertise to help you set up a new business venture, from writing business plans to securing funding and giving business advice to keep your financial and tax affairs in order. Their skills and expertise can help turn your business dreams into reality.

A CA can help you through every stage of your business. Here are just a few examples of the services they can provide. For further information on the services provided by a CA practice speak to the firm of your choice.

‘No matter how small your business, a CA can help you grow’

Todd Gordon, Singer, Concert Promoter and Radio Presenter

‘What a difference using a CA has made’Ryan James, Proprietor, Chairman, Managing Director Two Fat Ladies Restaurant Group