by Steffen Kemmerzehl – The Accounting Hub
A lot of business owners stick with the same accountant for years without really thinking about it.
Others manage everything themselves because that’s what they’ve always done.
Neither is automatically wrong. But things change over time, and it’s worth occasionally asking a simple question:
Is this still working for me and my business?
At Friendly Assist Accountancy, we work with sole traders, landlords and small businesses who are often in exactly that position. If you want to see how we help in practice, you can take a look at our Accounting Services page.
Why more business owners are starting to change accountant
There has been a noticeable shift in how small business owners think about their accountant over the past few years.
Accountants are still trusted and valued, but expectations are higher than they used to be. Business owners no longer just want someone who files tax returns and keeps them compliant. They want someone who is available, responsive and able to help them make better day to day decisions.
What tends to come up again and again is not dissatisfaction with accounting itself, but with the experience around it.
Some business owners feel they only hear from their accountant at key deadlines. Others feel they have to chase for answers or wait longer than they would like for a response. A common feeling is that they are not entirely sure what support they are actually getting for the fee they pay.
Research in the sector reflects this change in expectation. Most small businesses still say their accountant is important to them, but many also say they would value more regular communication and more practical advice throughout the year rather than purely compliance work.
When businesses do decide to switch, it is rarely because of one big issue. It is usually a gradual build up of smaller frustrations. A delay here, a lack of clarity there, or a sense that advice only comes when it is specifically asked for rather than being offered when it would be useful.
Over time, that can lead business owners to start looking for something different. Not necessarily a more technical accountant, but a more accessible and supportive relationship where they feel comfortable asking questions and confident that someone is keeping an eye on things with them.
That is often the point where they decide it is time to make a change.
At Friendly Assist Accountancy, this is something we understand well. Most people who come to us are not looking for complicated solutions. They are looking for clarity, consistency and someone who takes the time to explain things properly and be there when needed.
Why some people never get an accountant in the first place
This one comes up a lot as well.
Some people worry about cost.
Some think their business is too small.
Others have been doing their own books for years and feel like they’ve managed fine so far.
And a lot of people assume software will take care of most of it anyway.
The reality is, software is useful, but it doesn’t really tell you what the numbers mean or what you should do next. That’s usually the bit people get stuck on once things start getting busier.
If you’re not sure where you stand on it, our Guide to Choosing an Accountant might help.
Things are getting more complex, not less
It’s not just about tax returns anymore.
Most businesses are dealing with more digital systems, more record keeping, and more regular reporting than they used to.
Making Tax Digital is part of that shift, but even beyond that, things are just becoming more structured and more ongoing.
For a lot of business owners, that’s the point where DIY stops feeling quite as easy as it once did.
If you want a simple breakdown of what’s changing, we’ve put some notes together in our Making Tax Digital Hub.
What people actually want from an accountant
Most business owners aren’t looking for anything complicated.
They just want:
- Someone who replies
- Someone who explains things properly
- Someone who doesn’t talk in jargon
- Someone who’s there when something comes up, not just once a year
- Someone they feel comfortable asking “silly” questions to (there aren’t any, by the way)
That’s really it.
When that’s missing, even a technically “good” accountant can still feel like the wrong fit.
How we approach things at Friendly Assist Accountancy
We try to keep things straightforward.
We’re called Friendly Assist Accountancy for a reason.
Friendly because we genuinely think you should be able to ask questions without feeling awkward about it.
And Assist because we’re not just here to tick boxes and disappear until next year.
We’re here to help people understand what’s going on with their numbers and what it actually means for their business.
We also know things like Making Tax Digital are still developing in parts. We’re keeping on top of it, but we’re also honest with clients when something is still evolving rather than pretending everything is already set in stone.
So is now a good time to review things?
Honestly, for a lot of people, yes.
Not because there’s anything “wrong” necessarily, but because businesses don’t stay still.
A quick way to think about it is:
- Do I get answers when I need them?
- Do I understand what’s going on with my finances?
- Do I feel supported or just processed?
- Could I be spending my time better?
If any of that doesn’t feel quite right, it might be worth having a conversation somewhere.
No pressure attached to that.
At Friendly Assist Accountancy, we’re always happy to chat things through properly and see if we’re a good fit.
If you want to take that next step, you can visit our Services, read in our Accounting Hub, or get in touch.
Either way, hopefully this gives you a bit of clarity on where you stand.