1st accounts consultation - what to expect?

ecaf

We are going to go to see two accountants as a 1st consultation next week. We are about to start a new business, and need to have an accountant for set-up advise and doing the books at the end of the year.

I'm not sure as to what to expect from these meetings. What's involved in these consultations? I am presuming these are FOC? Sorry for these seemingly silly questions, we had said we would see an accountant after we got the contract sorted out with the company my OH will be driving for (haulage), but now that we've got to this stage and thought about it, I'm not fully sure what we should be asking or discussing.

Thanks.

marizpan

They will ask you both for your drivers license/passport and utility bill to photocopy. Ask you to sign a contract of service and go through what your business will require. ie. if they will be doing the bookkeeping or if you will be hiring someone to do it etc. Fairly straightforward, shouldn't take very long generally

ecaf

Ok thanks for that, lucky you said about the bills etc. because we will be travelling back to his home town to do this and I wouldn't have thought of bringing it.

Just in terms of signing the contract of service, why would we do this if we are only going to a consultation? We have got a few names of accountants to visit, we haven't choose one yet?

marizpan

Sorry,
You will only need id & bills when you agree to go with one of these accountants, otherwise your just getting quotes which i highly recommend you do. Prices can vary a lot

c.m.l

Hello there
I am an Accountant and run my own business.I do not charge for a 1st
consultation.I would just go over the needs of ones business and ways
that I am able to assist.I will give the quote based on such.
Shopping around is very important now and you should expect good value for money.
Ciaran

ecaf

Thanks for the advise, hopefully we will get to two this week.