How Can I Verify If an Accountant in Birmingham Is Legitimate?
Do you want to get your finances in order? Or
if you want to manage your business in a better way without stressing over
minor setbacks, then it's time to hire an experienced accountant for your
business. The one that can manage all your financial woes at one place without
stressing you out. But, with so many accountancy firms and individuals claiming
to be the best advisors, how would you separate the genuine ones from the
questionable? So, if you are in the hunt for the best accountants in Birmingham,
then it's time to wrap up those glossy reviews and flashy webpages, instead
read this blog. The right ones will have the credentials, will comply and build
trustable connections with their clients. Let's understand various factors that
can help you find the real deal before you are knee-deep into a stressful
relationship with your finances.
Ways to verify the legitimacy of an accountant
in Birmingham
● Check Professional Qualifications
Firstly, before finding any type of client or
service, you need to check professional qualifications. A legitimate company
will always be registered with a recognised accounting body including:
●
ACCA - association of certified chartered
accountants
●
CIMA - chartered institute of management
accountants
●
ICAEW- institute of chartered accountants in
England and Wales
●
CIPFA - Chartered institute of public finance
and accountancy
To check the credibility of the accountancy
firm, you can contact the authorities directly or check their registration. If
they claim to be the best accountants that are registered or Chartered then it
indicates the red flag. So, always remember that the best accountants in
Birmingham will always showcase their professional qualifications proudly on
their business cards and their website. Here- transparency is the key.
Immediately walk away if there are red flags
● Confirm Registration with HMRC or a Supervisory Body
Secondly, you can check with the registration
body or the HMRC itself for confirmation. Unlike UK anti-money laundering
practices, a reputable or any accountancy firm needs to be supervised by an
authority. This can be anybody that is mentioned above or some of them are
directly linked with the HMRC. For the verification process, you can follow few
simple steps such as:
●
Asking for their company AML supervision
details
●
Or checking with the body directly through
mail or contact numbers.
●
If you don't want to take a risk, then
visiting the page is also advised.
If you don't find them in any of the websites,
then you are recommended to not engage with either of them as they don't have
authority to offer these services.
● Look for a Registered Business Address
The third alternative to check the legitimacy
of any accountancy firm is to find the registered business address. The best
accountant in Birmingham will always operate from a registered office
space like in Edgbaston, Digbeth or even the Birmingham City centre. Finding
the best accountants in Birmingham can never be an easy task, hence you should
look for their office address. For example:
●
They will be in the company house if that is a
limited company
●
Will have a full fledged Google Business
profile with proper reviews and photos.
●
Along with that, you can find them in the
professional directories like ICAEWs or use a chartered accountant finder app.
Lack of verification or official space is a
clear sign of fraudulent activities. So, don't ever rely on anyone that works
through the messaging applications or via emails.
● Ask for Client References or Case Studies
The next best way to find the right accountants
in Birmingham is to ask your known ones or clients for references. Referrals
are the best alternative as they are trustable and share testimonials can
indicate happy clients. If any company doesn't provide you with any proof of
happy clients especially in this sector - then it's a big warning sign. For
checking the references, you can:
●
Read the testimonials and reviews on the
websites
●
Google and Trust pilot along with LinkedIn
reviews are another good option.
●
Along with that, any good accountant in
Birmingham will have their case studies published on the website itself.
So, if you are looking for the best
accountants in Birmingham then word of mouth references are the best
alternatives. Along with that, you can also ask local owners for recommendations
which can be a good surprise loaded with trusted names.
Conclusion
It takes more than simply picking the most
eye-catching logo or the lowest estimate to get the best accountants in
Birmingham. Verifying qualifications, examining supervision, establishing their
presence in the local business community, and ensuring clear and professional
communication are all important. You
have an abundance of options in a city like Birmingham, which is one of the
main business and financial centres of the United Kingdom. However, if you do your research, you'll
discover an accountant who is not only trustworthy but also a good fit for your
company's objectives. After all, you wouldn’t hand your house keys or car to a
stranger right, so why do the same with your finances?
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