Is It Better to Have an Accountant Near Me or Use a National Firm?

Introduction

At Towerstone we deliver accountancy services in Bedford for Bedford clients who want their finances handled properly. We have written an article about Is it better to have an accountant near me or use a national firm? to help you weigh local support against national scale so you can choose what suits your priorities.

Choosing an accountant is one of the most important business decisions you will make whether you are a sole trader a small business owner a landlord or a company director. One of the first questions people ask is whether they should use an accountant near them or go with a national firm. From my experience working with clients across Bedford and with national and international providers the answer is not one size fits all. Each option comes with strengths and limitations that matter depending on your priorities.

In this article I explain the differences between local accountants and national firms and help you decide which is likely to be better for your situation. I cover what each offers who benefits most from each approach how fees and service levels compare and what to look out for when choosing a provider. This is practical honest guidance so you can make the right choice for your business and personal finances.

What Do We Mean by Local and National?

Before comparing the two options it helps to define them clearly.

Local accountants are practices that operate in a specific region or town. They might have a few partners a small team and they typically work with nearby clients. If you are in Bedford they are the firms you could visit in person walk into the office and meet face to face.

National firms are larger practices with offices across the UK and often internationally. They may serve tens of thousands of clients and have teams that specialise in specific sectors and services. They include well known brand names as well as large multidisciplinary firms.

Both types of provider can prepare accounts complete Self Assessments handle tax planning and offer business advisory services. The difference lies mainly in how they deliver those services and the relationship you have with them.

Personal Service vs Standardised Processes

One of the biggest differences between local accountants and national firms is the emphasis on personal service.

Local accountants often build ongoing relationships with their clients. They get to know not just your figures but your goals priorities risks and preferences. Communication tends to be direct with the partner or senior member of the team you work with. You can walk into the office or call and speak to someone who already knows your business.

This continuity matters when your situation changes quickly or when you want proactive advice rather than reactive compliance work.

National firms by contrast often rely on standardised processes and systems to handle large volumes of clients efficiently. You may benefit from wider resources and formalised procedures, but your queries might be handled by different people each time or through more structured channels. Personal continuity can be harder to achieve unless you are a larger client with dedicated senior support.

If personal attention and accessibility are important to you, a local accountant is often the better choice.

Accessibility and Face to Face Support

A practical advantage of a local accountant is that you can meet face to face when needed. For many business owners and individuals this builds trust and speeds up problem solving. Being able to walk into the office with a stack of questions and have a conversation can make complex tax or financial issues feel less daunting.

National firms also offer meetings but they may happen virtually or at regional offices further away. This works well for people comfortable with digital communication and who do not feel the need for in person contact.

The key question to ask yourself is what level of accessibility you value and how you like to communicate. Some people prefer occasional in person chats supported by digital communication. Others are happy with email or video calls alone.

Specialist Expertise vs Broad Capability

National firms often have specialists in areas such as corporate tax R&D tax credits valuation services forensic accounting and international tax. For complex corporate structures or specialised needs these resources can be valuable.

Local accountants increasingly develop sector expertise too especially in areas relevant to their client base. A Bedford practice that works with many small businesses landlords and professionals will have deep understanding of the issues that matter most to those clients.

If your needs are highly specialised and you expect to require niche services routinely a larger firm with dedicated specialists might suit you. On the other hand if your needs are typical of small businesses and individuals a local accountant can often match or exceed expectations because they understand the context and deliver advice in a way that fits you.

Cost Considerations

Fees are an inevitable part of the choice and they vary widely.

National firms often have higher fees reflecting brand, scale, and specialist capability. Their pricing can be rigid with tiered service packages that may include services you do not need.

Local accountants tend to be more flexible in pricing and can tailor services to your budget and requirements. Because their overheads are usually lower they can offer competitive fees.

Cost should never be the only factor. An accountant who saves you significantly more in tax planning, compliance avoidance and business advice than they cost is the better investment regardless of location.

Proactive Advice vs Compliance Only

One of the most valuable aspects of a good accountant is proactive advice.

Local accountants often position themselves as business partners. They look beyond basic compliance and ask questions such as:

• How can we reduce your tax bill within the rules?

• Are you taking advantage of all reliefs and allowances?

• How can we improve cash flow?

• What should you plan for next quarter or year?

National firms certainly offer advisory services but these are often more formal and may come at extra cost. Their focus can be on delivering reports and insights that are driven by processes rather than tailored to your specific context.

For many small business owners the practical value of regular tailored advice from someone who knows their business outweighs the broad insights from a distant specialist team.

Local Knowledge and Understanding

If you run a business in Bedford or the surrounding area you will find that local accountants understand the local economic environment and typical business challenges in a way that national firms cannot.

They might know the local business community, typical sector issues, local regulators and even regional tax and grant opportunities. This familiarity allows advice to be grounded in practical context not just generalised rules.

National firms can certainly apply their broad knowledge effectively, but they do not have the same embedded local perspective.

Responsiveness and Communication

If a tax query arises at an inconvenient time, how quickly do you want it resolved? Local accountants tend to prioritise responsiveness because their reputation rides on client satisfaction and word of mouth in the community.

National firms may have structured response times and triaged communication through teams. This works well when service levels are agreed in advance but may feel less personal.

Your communication preference matters. If you want rapid conversational responses a local accountant may fit better. If you prefer structured communication through a portal or service centre you may be comfortable with a national provider.

Technology and Digital Capability

It is a misconception that national firms are always technologically superior. Many local accountants have adopted cloud accounting software digital portals and online communication tools that match or surpass what national firms offer.

The real difference is often culture not size. Firms that are progressive embrace technology whether they are local or national.

When choosing an accountant ask about how they handle digital records, reporting and communication. The right technology can save you time and reduce errors regardless of the firm’s size.

Continuity and Long Term Relationship

Running a business or managing your personal finances is a long term endeavour. Accountants who know your history and strategy add value over time.

Local accountants tend to deliver continuity because they build long term relationships. They see the same clients year after year and can draw on past experience to inform future planning.

National firms may assign different people to your account over time, particularly for routine work. This can be fine if processes are consistent but it does mean you may spend time bringing new people up to speed.

For many business owners I speak to continuity and familiarity are undervalued aspects of the relationship.

Practical Examples

To make this tangible consider two scenarios:

Scenario 1: A Bedford-based small business
A growing services company needs accounts, tax planning, payroll and regular advice on cash flow and tax allowances. A local accountant can visit the business, understand its unique challenges, anticipate seasonal cash flow issues, and advise on timing of expenses and profits. Communication is direct and responsive.

Scenario 2: A complex group with international operations
A mid-sized company with subsidiaries abroad needs specialised corporate tax planning and transfer pricing expertise. A national or international firm with specialist departments may offer greater depth of resource and specific technical skills.

Neither scenario is inherently wrong. The best choice depends on your needs not the size of the brand.

What to Look for in Any Accountant

Location alone is not enough to decide. Whether local or national make sure the accountant you choose:

• Is qualified and regulated

• Understands your industry

• Demonstrates clear communication

• Offers services appropriate to your needs

• Has positive client recommendations

• Uses technology that works for you

• Explains fees transparently

I always recommend meeting potential accountants before committing so you can assess whether you will work well together.

Final Thoughts

So should you choose an accountant near you or a national firm? The short answer is that neither is universally better. It depends on what you value and what your situation requires.

If you value personalised service, local knowledge, responsive communication and long term partnership a local accountant near you is often the best fit. If your needs are highly specialised, you require niche technical expertise, or you operate at scale across jurisdictions then a national firm might be the right choice.

From my experience most individuals and small business owners benefit most from a local accountant who combines professional expertise with accessibility and tailored advice.

The most important thing is not where the accountant is based but how well they understand your circumstances and can help you achieve your goals.

Make your decision based on clarity not assumption and you are far more likely to be satisfied with the outcome.

To continue reading you may also find Is it cheaper to use an online accountant or a local Bedford one? and How to Choose the Right Accountant for Your Business in Bedford useful. For a full overview visit our Bedford Accounting Hub.