We have taken this article from the FreeAgent website as it is a bit light-hearted, but also has a serious message and gives a couple of tips which can really help us to help you!

These are their top five tips on how to become our favourite client….. failing that biscuits always go down well!

1. Share information as soon as you can

Please send or bring your records in promptly after your year-end or after the VAT quarter, bring them to your accountant as soon as you can – don’t wait until the last minute.

2. Use accounting software

Or, better still, use the software that your accountant recommends for you to prepare your records and get those records to your accountant.

3. Don’t be afraid to challenge your accountant

If you’re concerned that your accountant’s made a mistake, then ask them. Remember, accountants are only human, we do make mistakes too.

4. Keep your accountant in the loop

This one is really important – if you’re thinking of doing something a bit out of the ordinary in your business, for example, buying a big asset, opening a new branch, opening to different markets, going into partnership, then do speak to your accountant before you do that.

When forewarned, your accountant can potentially give you tax planning advice that could save you thousands of pounds of tax.

Leave it until after the event to tell your accountant and there will almost certainly be nothing they can do to save you any tax.

So, if you’re not sure whether you should ask your accountant about something, ask them!

5. Be nice to your accountant

Please, please be nice to your accountant.

Return their phone calls, return their emails, pay their invoices on time.

Please don’t ignore their letters telling you, for example, how much tax you have to pay and when, and please don’t get annoyed with your accountant when they tell you how much tax you’ve got to pay – they’re only doing their job!

Article taken from FreeAgent website