Why use a Chartered
Accountant?
A guide to choosing a
Chartered Accountant
The ‘Chartered’ title is recognised around the world as a
professional designation indicating the highest levels of
technical expertise, standards and ethical conduct. ICAS
qualified Chartered Accountants can be recognised by
the CA after their name. Here are just a few reasons
why you should consider choosing a CA as your trusted
professional adviser:
• Professionally qualified
• Undertake mandatory professional development
• Bound by a code of ethics and professional standards
• Required to have professional indemnity insurance
• Required to have a complaints procedure in place
• Subject to quality reviews of their professional practice
• Regulated by their professional body.
How can I find a
Chartered Accountant?
You can search to find a firm near you at
icas.org.uk/FindaCA
When selecting which CA firm you want to work with, ask
for recommendations from your own contacts as well as
looking at the firm’s website.
Your first meeting
Once you have selected your CA firm, you should ask
what your first meeting will cover, how long it will last,
whether it will be free of charge and what information
you should bring to the meeting.
During the appointment here are some questions you
can ask:
• Can you give me any client references?
• What experience do you have of my business sector?
• How can you help my business?
Understanding fees
and charges
CAs offer a professional service and charge competitive
market rates for their services. The actual cost of their
services will vary, so it’s worth understanding the fees you
will be charged for the service they provide. The cheapest
does not always offer the best value for money, so you do
need to weigh up the cost against the service provided. It
is also important to understand their charging structure
and what you are expected to pay for.
Some questions you can ask:
•Are the fees based on a fixed charge or an hourly rate
and when are they due for payment?
• Will you supply an estimate for the fees?
•What factors will impact the actual charge with the
estimate supplied?
•How will you keep me updated of any changes to the
final fees?
ICAS – Looking after
your interests
This leaflet has been produced by ICAS.
ICAS is a professional membership body with over
20,000 members who have all achieved the internationally
recognised Chartered Accountant (CA) qualification.
ICAS is an educator, examiner, regulator, and
thought leader.
We are committed to upholding the highest professional
standards and maintaining public confidence in the
profession of accountancy. We take this role very seriously
and record and investigate any complaint made against
one of our members. Our complaints process is clear
and transparent and further details can be found on the
ICAS website – icas.org.uk/Informationforthepublic/
HowtomakeacomplaintMORE INFORMATION
Business Finance Advice
scheme
ICAS is working with the UK Government and other accountancy bodies on a service called the Business Finance
Advice scheme which enables businesses to identify qualified
accountants who can provide independent advice on business
finance.
Firms who are members of the scheme provide advice on:
• Business plans
• Business start-ups
• Small scale equity issues
• Bank loans and overdrafts
You can use our locator to find a participating CA firm near
you.
Find a CA firm near you –
icas.org.uk/FindaCA
‘The first person we went to
was our Chartered Accountant
when we bought the majority
share in a business’
trustedinbusiness.org.uk
Cameron Grant, Director, 3X1 Public Relations
CA House 21 Haymarket Yards Edinburgh EH12 5BH
[email protected] +44 (0)131 347 0254
trustedinbusiness.org.uk
Working with business
to drive business
Starting up: turning an
idea into a business
Running a business can be a very rewarding experience,
but it can also present you with a number of challenges.
You may just be starting out and need to raise finance,
or be looking for advice on how to expand the business as
you grow.
A CA has the knowledge and expertise to help you set up
a new business venture, from writing business plans to
securing funding and giving business advice to keep your
financial and tax affairs in order. Their skills and expertise
can help turn your business dreams into reality.
Growing your business
A Chartered Accountant (CA) can benefit your business
no matter what size or stage it is currently at. A CA can
do much more than just prepare accounts.
£
A CA can help you through every stage of your
business. Here are just a few examples of the
services they can provide. For further information on
the services provided by a CA practice speak to the
firm of your choice.
CORPORATION TAX
VAT
GOING GLOBAL
START UP ADVICE
CASH FLOWS
INTERNATIONAL TAX
This guide will help you choose a CA, understand the
services they can offer and how using a CA will ensure
you get the best out of your business.
£
£
£
‘What a difference using
a CA has made’
SIMILAR BUSINESS
RAISING FINANCE
AUDIT AND ASSURANCE
OPENING NEW
GRANTS
PREMISES
FINANCIAL
PLANNING
RAISING FINANCE
TAKING ON
AN EMPLOYEE
£
GRANTS
FINANCIAL
PROJECTIONS
BOOK KEEPING
PERSONAL TAX
COMPANY SECRETARIAL
TAKING OVER A
BUSINESS PLANS
PAYROLL SERVICES
EMPLOYMENT TAXES
ACCOUNTS
Ryan James, Proprietor, Chairman,
Managing Director
Two Fat Ladies Restaurant Group
Succession planning
Helping your business
become more profitable
BUSINESS VALUATIONS
ACCOUNTING SYSTEMS
SELLING BUSINESSES
£
‘No matter how small
your business, a CA
can help you grow’
BUDGETING
INHERITANCE TAX PLANNING
BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT
CAPITAL GAINS TAX PLANNING
Todd Gordon, Singer, Concert Promoter
and Radio Presenter
MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING
TAX PLANNING
PERSONAL TAX
INTERNAL AUDIT