UK accountant comparison checklist: 18 questions to ask

1. What is the firm's legal name and trading address? 2. Which professional qualification or membership is being claimed, and can you verify it on the issuing body's register? 3. Who supervises the firm for anti-money-laundering compliance? 4. Does it hold professional indemnity insurance suitable for the work? 5. If Companies House identity checks are included, is the firm registered as an ACSP?

6. Does the firm routinely support your business type and sector? 7. Which services are included now, and which can be added as you grow? 8. Who will be your day-to-day contact? 9. Is work delivered remotely, in person or both? 10. Which accounting software and document workflow will be used? 11. Can the firm meet your next filing or payroll deadline?

12. What response time does the firm aim for? 13. Are meetings included? 14. Is the quote fixed, hourly or based on transactions? 15. What assumptions, exclusions and one-off setup charges apply? 16. How and when can the fee change? Ask shortlisted firms to quote against the same brief so the comparison is meaningful.

17. Who is responsible for records, approvals and deadlines? 18. What are the cancellation, complaint, data-processing and handover terms? Keep the final scope, fee and responsibilities in the signed engagement letter. A marketplace profile or badge is not a substitute for those checks.