I spoke to a client recently… they phoned me up asking for some help, so we talked through their questions together.
During the conversation, I gave them a holistic tax saving tip. Nothing flashy, just something that came from understanding their situation properly. And that 20 minute call was worth around £2,100 to them.
Obviously I was pumped with that result, because that’s what we do. At JVCA the friendly accountants, we share our expertise to help our clients. We’re not here to just process paperwork; we’re here to look after you, and the families behind you. So it felt great to be seeing the results of our mastery.
Since then, I’ve been thinking a lot about how we serve our clients and that led me to a few musings about what makes a good accountant these days. Especially since we hear a lot of business owners say that they aren’t getting enough value from their accountants. Anyway, here are my thoughts.
You get what you pay for
We all know that if we pay peanuts, we get monkeys. So don’t ask your accountant for a cut price deal.
Yes, you need to get value for money, and we try very hard to deliver that. No, we aren’t expensive compared to other accountants in our area.
Are there cheaper accountants out there? Of course there are. But do you want a professional who knows your situation, or just a computerised service that churns out returns?
There’s a difference between an accountant who processes your paperwork and a holistic accountant who actually helps you, so bear this in mind when you’re umming and ahhing over price.
It’s not just about the numbers
A big part of the issue is what you’re actually paying for when you hire an accountant.
Yes, the tax return work is important; staying compliant with the rules matters. But what sits underneath that service is harder to value and far more important than just the numbers.
For example, with us, the value comes from:
- The trust you place in us. Trust that we earn and maintain by being genuinely on your side.
- The rhythm of conversations that take place over the months and years of building that relationship. Conversations about tax saving, business goals, succession plans, share schemes, family wealth. All those moments when you as the business owner need relevant and reliable advice, not just a number like “how big is my tax bill?”
That’s what a holistic accountant actually does.
What do we mean by a “holistic accountant”?
We talk about providing a holistic service, not because it’s a good buzzword to drop in (although yes, it is a good buzzword), but because we genuinely believe in it.
For example, being a holistic accountant means thinking about the whole picture. Not just you the director, but you the business owner, you the family behind the business. We think about your accounts processes, your tax position, your finances, your growth plans, your personal goals and plans…because everything connects.
And that’s how a 20 minute phone call ends up saving someone £2,100. Because we already understand enough about them to spot the opportunity when it comes up.
What does this actually look like?
If you want what it says on the tin, a friendly accountant who will make time to have a conversation with you, find out more about what you do, and end up giving you good, relevant, practical advice that makes a positive difference to you, your business, and your family, then that’s what we offer.
It’s not about being the cheapest; it’s about being worth it. It’s about becoming that person that you can depend on.
Want to work with a holistic accountant who actually picks up the phone and takes the time to help? Get in touch with us today, we’d love to see how we can help you. |
