Rankings and long lists tell you little about whether a firm fits your business. A short checklist of verifiable points tells you far more.
Check what they are licensed to do
- Ask for the trade licence and read the listed activities. Auditing and tax consultancy should appear if you want those services.
- If your free zone keeps an approved auditor list, ask the firm to show its place on it.
- For tax agency work before the FTA, ask whether the firm or its tax agent is registered.
- Ask who signs your work and what qualifications they hold.
Test the scope and the fee
- Insist on a written scope that lists deliverables, deadlines and what you must provide.
- Compare fixed fees, not hourly guesses, and ask what triggers extra charges.
- Ask how many people work on your file and who answers your calls.
- Look for plain language explanations rather than jargon.
Our promise
We put the scope and fee in writing before work starts, and we tell you up front if an authority will not accept our report.
Look at fit and follow through
Services under one roof
A firm that handles bookkeeping, VAT, corporate tax and audit can share facts between teams. Make sure audit independence is protected when it also keeps your books.
Technology and reporting
Ask which software it uses and how often you receive management reports.
References and responsiveness
Ask for references in your sector and note how quickly the firm replies to your first enquiry. That is the best preview of the relationship.
Key takeaways
- Verify licences, approvals and signatories before anything else.
- Demand a written scope and a clear fee.
- Judge independence, reporting quality and responsiveness.
Frequently asked questions
Should my bookkeeper also audit my accounts?
Usually no. The firm should protect auditor independence, so the audit may be done by a different team or firm.
Is the cheapest firm the best value?
Rarely. A rejected report or a missed filing costs more than the saving.
Talk to a chartered accountant
Questions about your own situation? Reach us directly and we will reply with clear next steps.
This article is general information and not advice for your specific circumstances. Rules and thresholds change, so confirm the current position before you act.
