They say that behind every good business is a great accountant, and it’s true! A great accountant does far more than save you money on your tax return - although that certainly is an attractive benefit. Hiring a great accountant isn’t just about remaining compliant; it’s a big step towards improving the financial health of your business and can really help with planning for the future. Here’s how an accountant can help your small business to succeed.

One of the most attractive benefits of hiring an accountant is the relief of not having to do it all yourself. Accounting is notoriously difficult and time-consuming - there’s a good reason why qualified accountants undergo so many years of training. A great accountant will save you many man hours and allow you to get back to growing your small business.

A great accountant won’t see you pay a penny more in tax than is strictly necessary. Many small business owners, despite their best efforts, end up missing out on tax deductions or incentives. The rules and regulations surrounding taxation are complex and ever-changing, so it’s best to have a qualified professional on your side who can help you to save you as much as possible.

It’s important to maintain accurate financial records to ensure that mistakes don’t compound and spiral out of control. A great accountant will ensure that your records are impeccable so that you don’t end up with a tangled web of errors on your hands or worse, mistakes on your tax return that could come back to bite you. 

Cash flow can be very tricky to handle and it’s often difficult for business owners to get a clear picture of how much money is entering and leaving each month. An accountant will help you to manage your cash flow and ensure that there’s always enough in the bank to continue operations, even when times are tough. This helps to keep your business stable and running smoothly. You’ll be able to offer both your staff and your clients a consistent and positive experience, maintain high levels of trust and loyalty with both. 

Furthermore, a great accountant helps you to plan for the future and make sage investments at the right time. They will use their financial acumen to help you to identify areas of improvement and plot for growth, so you’re not taking a shot in the dark. 

It may not seem obvious at first that an accountant would be able to help with marketing, but they may in fact be able to advise you on where to spend your money and which practices aren’t generating a worthwhile return on investment. This allows you to focus on the marketing activities that truly drive the needle for your business and cut back on areas that aren’t serving you. Furthermore, cash flow analysis can help you decide when to launch a new campaign and get a clear picture of the results. 

Your accountant can help you to understand your financing options and weigh up the pros and cons of each. On top of this, they can help you to prepare the best possible case for potential lenders so that you get the best rates possible. All of this can be enormously helpful in terms of business growth. Furthermore, if you have existing debt, your accountant can help you to handle it in the most beneficial way possible for your business.

A great accountant is so much more than a number cruncher - they function as a partner and guide to help you make the best possible financial decisions for your business. Whether you’re in the startup phase or looking to grow your business, hiring a quality accountant is a decision you won’t regret.