Step 1: Define your needs

• Company size and industry: Consider whether you are a small, medium or large business. The industry you operate in also matters, as some offices specialize in specific sectors (e.g., food service, e-commerce).
• Scope of services: Determine what services you expect. In addition to basic accounting, you may need support in HR and payroll, tax settlements, business consulting or even auditing.
• Reporting frequency: Consider how often you need information about the company's financial status. Will a monthly report suffice, or do you need more detailed reports?
• Availability: Consider whether you need constant contact with an accountant, or will an occasional consultation suffice.

Step 2: Gather information about potential offices

• Recommendations: Ask for recommendations from your friends and colleagues who run their own businesses.
• Internet: Search the internet, industry websites and discussion forums. Pay attention to the opinions of other clients.
• Social media: Check the profiles of accounting firms on social media. You can find additional information about the company there, as well as customer opinions.
• Register of entrepreneurs: Check whether the accounting firm is entered in the register of entrepreneurs and has the appropriate authorizations.

Step 3: Compare offers

• Scope of services: Make sure that the office's offer includes all the services you need.‍
• Prices: Compare prices for individual services and make sure there are no hidden costs. Pay attention to whether the prices are fixed or depend on the number of documents.‍
• Experience: Ask about the office's experience in serving companies in your industry and of a similar size.‍
• Technologies: Check if the office uses modern accounting tools and systems, such as e-invoices or electronic signatures.

Step 4: Ask detailed questions

• What does the cooperation look like? Ask about the process of submitting documents, the frequency of contact, and the form of reporting.‍
• What are the payment terms? Make sure that the payment terms are acceptable to you.
• How are any problems resolved? Ask what happens if there are errors in accounting.
• Does the office offer advisory support? If you need additional support, ask if the office provides tax or business advisory services.
• What is access to documentation like? Ask if you have access to your documentation online and how often data backups are made.

Step 5: Meet with an office representative

• Personal meeting: Allows you to assess professionalism and approach to the client.
• Questions: Ask any questions you have.
• Atmosphere: Pay attention to the atmosphere of the meeting and whether you feel comfortable.

Step 6: Read the contract very carefully

• Read the contract carefully: Pay attention to all provisions, especially those regarding liability, payment deadlines, termination of the contract and the amount of contractual penalties.
• Consult a lawyer: If in doubt, consult the contract with a lawyer.

What should you pay special attention to?

• Competence: Check whether the office employees have the appropriate qualifications and experience.
• Professionalism: Reliability, punctuality and discretion are important.
• Communication: Good communication with the accounting office is key to effective cooperation.
• Accessibility: The office should be available when you need help.
• Price: Price is not always the most important criterion, but it is worth comparing offers.

Additional tips:

• Don't be afraid to ask: The more questions you ask, the better you'll get to know the accounting firm.
• Trust your intuition: If something doesn't convince you, keep looking.
• Regularly verify the cooperation: Every now and then, assess the quality of the services provided by the accounting firm.

Remember that choosing an accounting office is an investment in the future of your company. If you want to know our approach and offer, contact us and we will help you choose the best solution for your company.

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Write to us: hello@pixiufin.com

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