Business Accounting Services – Consideration of the Two Sides of the Coin

When was the last time you came across broadcast advertisements such as “Contact us for your business accounting services needs” or “We provide world class professional accounting services” on printed media or internet portals? Well, with the growing popularity of outsourcing primary accounting functions to expert third parties and service providers, it is common to find services providing firms, offering a wide range of services to global clients. The synonyms for professional accounting services may vary from user’s bookkeeping services to accounting reporting delivery services, but the areas of service delivery are the same.

There is an increasing demand for firms offering world class business accounting services and tax and finance related solutions for entrepreneurs and SMEs. The cost effective and error free services provided by the professional service providers helps business owners save time and energy spent in languishing over the books of accounts and other standardized accounting processes. It is a fact that these non core functions do not add to the bottom line and the resources saved through outsourcing the same can be utilized for more strategic and core processes, that help in generating revenues.

The limited time, energy and monetary resources are encouraging the small and medium enterprises to look towards outsourcing the taxation and accounts related work processes to professional accounting services firms. These third party experts are highly experienced and equipped with the best technologies and software to take care of all the processes related to the handling of accounts, generation of final accounts statements, filing of tax returns, management of accounts receivable and payables, planning of tax benefits and providing valuable consultancy in all matters related to all financial aspects of the client’s enterprises.

The outsourcing of business accounting services helps in cost reductions and efficiency in areas related to accounting software, vacation and sick leaves, employee turnover and training costs, locking of office infrastructure and equipment, employee incentives and medical benefits, etc. The advantages of availing professional accounting services are many and awareness about the same is leading businesses into outsourcing their primary functions to external agencies.

Along with the pros, there are certain disadvantages that have to be kept in mind by the business owners to avoid complications at a later stage. It is important to hire the services from qualified and experienced firms, as mistakes or omissions in the accounting procedures will lead to a lot of mental stress, penalties, punishments due to non compliance and legal hassles. Non timely submissions of the statutory documents and accounts to the authorities and failure to meet deadlines can lead to the loss of reputation of the firm and termination of business operations in certain cases.

The relationship between the business providers and the client establishes the grounds for the safety and confidentiality of the strategic financial information related to the client’s business. The absence of ethical measures in the processes followed by the professional services provider firms may lead to the exposure of highly sensitive data to rival companies and competitors. This leads to litigation and disputes and unnecessary legal hassles for both parties.

Business Accounting Services that Can Make Your Company More Profitable

In order to manage your business profitably it is necessary to have access to the appropriate financial data, advice and services. For small business in a very competitive market you are faced with the challenge of constantly improving profitability, the need to decrease taxes, eliminate tax surprises and free up time for other competing interests. Using business accounting services will make your company more profitable by reducing staffing cost and attaining cost savings based on expert advice.

Business Accounting Defined

Business accounting is the process in a business that tracks and communicates financial information. This consists of three basic activities: identifying, recording and communicating the economic events, such as transactions and investments of a company. Bookkeeping techniques are utilized to record these economic events. A key business practice for profitable small businesses is outsourcing business accounting.

Interpreting Business Accounting Reports: Internal Users

Data collected from bookkeeping is used by accountants to generate financial statements that are then presented to the internal and external users. Accountants can also analyse and interpret these financial statements and explain the meaning of reported data. Internal users, such as marketers and supervisors, of small businesses would need the expertise of a managerial accountant to interpret these financial statements. If such staffing is not a part of your small business it is then pertinent to gain the services of business accounting professionals with the requisite qualifications and experience who will assist small businesses in understanding the economic status of their company, and, by extension, run the company profitably. Without the expertise of accounting professionals your business could run the risk of failing to meet legal and regulatory standards, this mistake could potential eat away at your profits.

Interpreting Business Accounting Reports: External Users

The external users vary. Investors who are seeking to expand his/her investment portfolio would need financial information on an organisation as well as creditors and government agencies. Government agencies typically seek out tax accountancy information of an organisation. Small business that seek profession tax accounting services ensure that they are advised on using the most tax effective strategies so that they pay the correct amount of taxes, and are compliant according to government standards. Financial accountancy services are required to manage and produce the reports needed by the various external users. Accurate data drives profitable business decisions, and that’s why small businesses must ensure their books are in the hands of experts.

Financial Reports Produced

Business accounts are usually kept in the form of financial statements that show all of the financial resources within the organisation and how these resources are being allocated. Accounting records typically filed are balance sheets that give a snapshot of a business’s financial information from the period of the snapshot through the end of a specified accounting period. Additionally, profit and loss statements, and cash flow statement are produced along with an analysis of the business’s performance by applying ratios, benchmarks in their reports so as to enable their performance to be improved.

Business accountancy should be outsourced for small businesses as there is a variety of financial expertise required for tracking and communicating analysing and reporting financial information about the business. Typical service

Is It Easy to Change From My Current Accountant to Another Small Business Accountant?

When you run a small to medium business, your accountant plays an important role. As well as helping you stay on top of your BAS and tax obligations, your accountant should be able to help you create a plan to grow your profits and secure the future of your business.

If you do not feel as though your accountant is giving you the right guidance to optimise your financial performance and financial position, you may want to consider changing accountants. You can change accountants at any stage during the financial year.

Why change to another small business accountant?

Your accountant plays such an important role in your business and should be working with you on the below:

Business forecasting – To help you plan ahead and create budgets and cash flow forecasts
Profit dissection – By examining your revenue streams, your accountant can identify where to focus on increased income
Expense analysis – Break down the costs of running your business to see where you can potentially save money
Asset advice – Which areas of the business should you spend money on and how can you make your assets work for you?
Liability analysis – What parts of your business are holding you back financially?
Regular financial health checks – A good accountant will keep in touch with you throughout the year, not only at tax time, to make sure you are on a budget and on track to achieve your goals
Education – To allow you to clearly understand what is going on with your numbers
Future planning – You and your accountant should work towards forming a strategy for the business in the long term, including selling the business or winding it down so you can retire
If your accountant is not covering the points in the above table, it is likely there are a number of areas where your business could be improved financially. In this case, it is a good idea to consider a new accountant.

Before you look for a new accountant, take the time to do some research. As well as meeting the above criteria in terms of the day to day management of your finances, there are some things to ask yourself about what you want from your accountant:

Communication requirements – Do you expect your accountant to respond to your calls quickly?
Expertise – are there areas of your business you need your accountant to focus on?
Reliability – will your new accountant meet deadlines for deliverables?
Technology – does your accountant use software which will integrate easily with your systems?
Values – what are the values of the accountant? Are they aligned to yours?
How to switch small business accountant

Before you move to a new provider, ideally you want to tie up all your loose ends with your current accountant.

Select your new accountant before you move on as they will need to communicate with your previous accountant.

From there, it is time to break the news. You may choose to give your current accountant a call and explain that you’re moving on. If they are professional they will part with you on good terms and wish you all the best.

It is the responsibility of your new accountant to get in touch with your previous accountant to request a transfer of your financial information. In Australia, it is ethical best practice for your old accountant to comply and hand over the information.

Once your new accountant has your figures and financial statements, make an appointment for the both of you to review your business. Now is the time to explain your trouble points. Talk about your business and personal goals so your accountant has a clear picture of what you are striving for.

Small Business Accountants: Top Services Available

Whether you are a small business or start-up business owner one of the main worries you will no doubt face is taking care of those finances and managing the costs as best as possible. On top of running your business, managing employees, ensuring optimum results and planning for growth; as a business owner you must keep your finances in the best state possible in order to ensure that your organisation strives.

Dealing with a growing business is a lot for anyone to contend with which is why when it comes to finances, dealing with the specialist advice and support of an accountant can help. The right accountant can not only ensure that your finances stay in prime condition but help you save money and allow you the freedom to concentrate on the things that matter.

For many small business and start-up business owners however, there is often a major drawback. In an attempt to manage costs, the seemingly excessive fees of an accountant can be considered unnecessary. However there are many accountants out there who not only work on a fixed fee basis but offer a range of vital services that can give your business the fighting chance it deserves.

Below I have listed a few of the services the right accountant can offer, in an effort to keep your business in the best condition…

Bookkeeping- Bookkeeping is the task of recording all financial records and is a legal obligation that all businesses must comply with. An accountant can help maintain accurate and detailed records of all incoming and outgoing expenditure, records of accounts, records of cash expenses and details of business expenses.

Year End Accounts- Year End is a daunting prospect that all businesses must deal with however with the right accountant you can finalize your Year End accurately, review your company performance and financial forecasts and ensure that all accounts, business and personal tax returns are filed on time.

VAT Returns- One of the most complex issues any business owner will have to face is the VAT return however an experienced small business accountant can normally deal with the majority of the process, freeing you from the hassle. Accountants will often work with you to ensure you are registered, your return is accurately complete and submitted on time and any possible future reductions are planned for.

Payroll- Whether a small or start-up business, you will naturally have employees that will need to be paid. An accountant with payroll experience can keep on top of employee salaries, ensure all tax and national insurance deductions are made, ensure that PAYE submissions are made to HMRC on time and students loans, sick pay and maternity cover is accounted for.
The above are just a few of the services that the right accountant can offer. With the right fee and the right experience, allowing an accountant to deal with the above issues amongst others can provide you with the ease and security of knowing your finances are in the best possible hands and even save you time and money.

Whatever your views on cost saving; putting your business in th

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