Is It Better to Have an Accountant Near Me or Use a National Firm?
Choosing between a local Bedford accountant and a large national firm is something a lot of business owners struggle with. I get asked this question more than almost anything else. The truth is that both options have strengths and weaknesses and the right choice depends entirely on how you like to work, how much support you need and what kind of relationship you want with your accountant. In this guide I break down the differences honestly, based on what I’ve seen first-hand over the years.
When you are running a business it is natural to wonder whether a local accountant will give you a more personal service or whether a big national firm will be more advanced or professional. I’ve seen clients switch in both directions. Some leave national firms because they feel like a number. Some leave local firms because they had no systems or structure. Both can work brilliantly and both can be a disaster depending on who you choose.
In my opinion the biggest mistake people make is thinking that location alone determines quality. It doesn’t. What matters is communication, support, experience and how well the accountant understands your business. I want to break down the differences clearly so you can decide what genuinely suits your needs.
The Benefits of Using a Local Bedford Accountant
Local accountants offer certain advantages that can make your life easier, especially if you value personal connection.
A local accountant usually:
• Understands Bedford’s business landscape
• Knows the local industries, councils and networking groups
• Is easier to contact personally
• Offers a more human, relationship-led service
• Grows with you because they know your history
• Supports you in a way that feels more tailored and hands on
I’ve noticed that local accountants tend to be better at supporting new or smaller clients who need guidance rather than just compliance. You are not just a number on a client list. You are someone they speak to regularly. That personal connection matters for a lot of business owners.
The Downsides of Local Accountants
As much as I support local firms, I have to be honest about the weaknesses too.
Smaller local accountants sometimes:
• Are slow with communication
• Do not have structured processes
• Do not specialise in your industry
• Do not offer proactive tax planning
• Use outdated software
• Take on too many clients
• Only contact you once a year
I’ve seen many business owners struggle because they chose a local accountant who simply was not set up to support a modern business properly. Being local does not automatically mean they are good.
The Benefits of Using a National Firm
Big national firms have their strengths too, and I’ve seen clients benefit from them when they are run properly.
A national firm usually offers:
• Larger teams
• Dedicated departments
• Fast turnaround
• Strong software systems
• Scalability for growing businesses
• More specialist knowledge
• Extended operating hours
If your business is growing quickly or you need a range of services such as payroll, VAT, bookkeeping and advisory all under one roof, a national firm can sometimes deliver that efficiency very well.
The Downsides of National Firms
However, big firms are not perfect either. The most common issues I see include:
• You feel like a number rather than a client
• You get passed between staff
• Your emails get lost
• Advice feels generic
• They do not understand your industry properly
• You rarely speak to the same person twice
• They upsell additional services constantly
A national firm can sometimes feel more like a call centre than a partnership. Some clients hate that. Others don’t mind it at all.
Which Option Gives Better Tax Planning?
This depends completely on the individual accountant rather than whether they’re local or national. I’ve seen:
• Local accountants who are brilliant
• Local accountants who do the bare minimum
• National accountants who offer excellent planning
• National accountants who give template advice and nothing else
Tax planning is personal. If your accountant does not know your goals, your income needs, your family setup or your business structure, they cannot plan properly. That is why the relationship matters more than the postcode.
Should You Meet Your Accountant in Person?
Some people like in-person meetings. Some don’t care. Modern accounting is mostly digital now. Most clients prefer phone calls, video calls or WhatsApp messages because they are quicker and easier.
The only real question is:
Do you prefer face-to-face meetings or are you happy working remotely?
If you prefer face-to-face, a local accountant makes more sense.
If you don’t care, the whole country becomes an option.
How to Choose Based on Your Style
If you want:
• Personal support
• A close relationship
• Someone who knows Bedford businesses
• Hands-on guidance
Then local is usually better.
If you want:
• Fast responses
• A larger team
• More automation
• Less emotional connection
• Scalability
Then a national firm can work perfectly well.
The Honest Truth (And the Part Most Accountants Won’t Say)
I have to be completely honest here because most accountants will never admit this.
As much as I would like to attract lots of new clients locally in Bedford, if an accountant in Luton or London can give you everything you need and you don’t care about physically visiting them, then in my opinion it does not matter whether they are local or remote or national.
What matters is:
• How well they communicate
• How proactive they are
• How clearly they explain things
• How much they help you save tax
• How easy they are to reach
• How well they understand your business
Local vs national is far less important than choosing someone who actually supports you properly.