How to Choose the Right Accountant for Your Business in Bedford

I have seen every type of accountant in Bedford. The proactive ones who genuinely support you and the ones who disappear until the week of your deadline. The cheap ones who underdeliver and the overpriced ones who do nothing more than file your accounts. When new clients come to us they often say they wish they had known what to look for before choosing their previous accountant.

Choosing the right accountant is not about finding the cheapest or the poshest firm. It is about finding someone who actually works the way you need. Below is the clearest guide I can give on how to choose the right accountant for your Bedford business.

1. Choose someone who communicates clearly

In my opinion communication is the number one factor. It does not matter how qualified they are if they take two weeks to reply to a simple email. A good accountant should:

• Reply promptly
• Explain things simply
• Speak in plain English
• Not make you feel stupid for asking questions
• Keep you updated without you chasing them

If communication is poor now it will only get worse later.

2. Make sure they understand your type of business

Your accountant should know your industry, not just accounting. I’ve seen Bedford tradespeople use accountants who have no clue about CIS or VAT reverse charge. I’ve seen e-commerce businesses use accountants who do not understand Shopify fees or marketplace VAT. I’ve seen consultants use accountants who treat them like retail businesses.

A good accountant should understand:

• Your sector
• Your tax rules
• Your challenges
• Your cash flow patterns
• Your industry-specific deductions

If they do not, you will miss opportunities.

3. Look for qualifications (it matters more than people think)

Your accountant should be properly qualified by:

• ACCA
• ACA
• AAT

I’ve seen too many businesses fail because they trusted someone who called themselves an accountant but had no qualifications, no supervision and no accountability. When something went wrong the business owner had to clean up the mess alone.

A qualified accountant is regulated, insured and trained. That protection is worth every penny.

4. Check whether the fee is truly “fixed”

Some accountants advertise fixed fees but then charge extra for:

• Emails
• Phone calls
• Advice
• CIS
• VAT
• Payroll
• Director’s Self Assessment
• Bookkeeping checks

In my opinion this is unfair because it punishes clients for needing help. A real fixed fee should include everything you reasonably need as a small business owner.

If the first thing they show you is a price list full of “add-ons”, walk away.

5. Check how proactive they are

A good accountant does not wait for you to contact them. They should be active in your financial life. They should:

• Tell you when to take dividends
• Warn you about tax issues early
• Review your structure annually
• Remind you of deadlines
• Point out mistakes
• Suggest improvements
• Explain opportunities

If your accountant is silent all year and only contacts you when the accounts are due, they are not proactive.

6. Ask how they help with tax planning

This is where the real value comes from. A good accountant should help with:

• Salary and dividend planning
• Pensions
• VAT scheme selection
• Capital allowances
• Home office
• Mileage
• Employing your spouse legally
• Trivial benefits
• Director’s Loan Account management
• Year end planning
• Avoiding higher rate tax

If they say “we’ll tell you your tax bill at the end of the year”, that is not tax planning. That is form filing.

7. Make sure they use proper accounting software

If your accountant still uses spreadsheets for everything or does not encourage digital bookkeeping, that is a huge red flag.

They should be confident with:

• Xero
• QuickBooks
• Dext or similar
• HubDoc
• MTD compliance

Clean digital bookkeeping protects you, saves time and keeps you HMRC-compliant.

8. Check their responsiveness

You can tell a lot about an accountant from their first interaction. If they take days to reply before you become a client, imagine how slow they will be after you sign up.

A good accountant should:

• Acknowledge messages the same day
• Not make you chase
• Keep communication open
• Adapt to your schedule when needed

Clients often tell me the relief they feel when they can finally speak to someone who actually answers them.

9. Make sure you feel comfortable asking questions

You should never feel embarrassed or intimidated around your accountant. If they make you feel silly for not knowing something, that is a sign you are with the wrong person.

A good accountant explains things without jargon and treats every question seriously.

10. Watch out for red flags

Here are the warning signs I’ve seen repeatedly:

• They only contact you once a year
• They don’t explain your numbers
• They never tell you how to save tax
• They do not talk about salary or dividends
• They always blame the bookkeeping
• They charge extra for everything
• They rush your accounts
• They do not remind you of deadlines
• They give vague answers
• They have too many clients and no time

If you are seeing any of these, it is a sign to look elsewhere.

11. Ask what support is included for HMRC enquiries

This is where you see the difference between a good accountant and a form-filler. HMRC enquiries are stressful. You should know whether your accountant:

• Handles HMRC directly
• Responds on your behalf
• Provides evidence
• Manages the full enquiry
• Charges extra for this

A good accountant should not leave you to deal with HMRC alone.

12. Check whether they understand multi-business setups

If you run more than one business, your accountant must understand how:

• One business affects another
• Your personal tax ties everything together
• Dividends from one company affect the others
• Pensions should be structured
• VAT interacts across multiple companies

Poor advice in multi-business setups can cost you thousands.

How Towerstone helps Bedford businesses choose confidently

At Towerstone we work hand in hand with clients. While we do not offer weekend or in person evening appointments, we do speak with clients during early evenings when needed. We focus on being clear, proactive and supportive. Our clients know they can ask anything, get a proper answer and feel confident that their business is being looked after properly.

We help clients with:

• Tax planning
• Deadlines
• VAT
• Year end
• Structure
• Bookkeeping
• HMRC enquiries
• Mortgage support
• Multi-business planning
• Long-term strategy

Choosing the right accountant should feel like a relief, not a gamble.

The Bottom Line for Bedford Business Owners

Choosing the right accountant is not about price. It is about support, communication and expertise. You should feel confident, informed and protected. If you do not feel that way now, it may be time to find someone who actually fits your business.