August 2023 – A checklist on a good accountant for your business
Chairman Colin Tapscott may have been absent at our August 2023 Breakfast Networking due to training commitments but there was still the usual great turnout for breakfast.
FWD Accounts: Why your accountant should be part of your business
Speaker Jason Ford of FWD Accounts explained how your accountant should be part of your business.
Finding a good accountant should be about more than sorting out tax payments, Jason said.
At the very least, beyond helping minimise your payments, they should be helping you understand the numbers and update you on any changes to the tax rules.
The best accountants, he said, should act as a sounding board before the end of the tax year and help with your tax planning.
They should be checking that you are claiming all the expenses to which your business is entitled, introducing you to potential clients and available to answer questions by phone and email promptly.
What you should and shouldn’t expect from your accountant
Warning signs that you aren’t getting the best from your accountant include having to call them repeatedly close to the deadlines for filing tax returns but, otherwise, they very rarely speak to you. Other red flags are surprise bills and not having a dedicated principal contact for you.
Jason said his company, FWD, offers fixed quotes, your own account manager and no charges for questions by phone or email. They offer tax explanations and meetings before the year-end and make a point of being friendly, helpful and ‘can do’.
FWD is about to launch a service for Limited companies for a fixed monthly fee which will offer proactive services. These include making sure the right amount of tax is paid, insights and regular management accounts for larger firms.
FWD can also offer payroll, VAT and cash flow forecasts using cloud software.
Updates about current and future Chamber members
In Colin’s absence, Jo Moss made several announcements, outlining some of the benefits offered to members,such as:
- breakfast and coffee morning events at lower rates,
- entries on the website,
- member pricing for MSBE (the Chamber’s annual business exhibition), and
- a Facebook group – Chamber Chat – with helpful business advice on key topics.
Colin will be doing a half marathon in September to raise money for St. Nicholas Hospice in memory of former chairman Allan Scott who died recently.
Applications for the Allan Scott Founder’s Desk at the Innovation Labs are now also open, she said.
She also mentioned the December festive coffee morning, when there will be stalls available for those who have items to sell.
For the future
Chairman Colin Tapscott is always happy to receive any suggestions for what members want to see the Chamber doing in the future. Please send your ideas (and your wish lists) to [email protected]
Dates for your diary:
Please check the website in case of any last-minute changes.
| September Coffee | September Breakfast |
| The Green Room The Old Tannery Square, Station Road, West Stowmarket, IP14 1EF |
The Mix Stowmarket 127 Ipswich Street Stowmarket IP14 1BB or on Zoom |
| Friday, September 1 | Friday, September 15 |
| 10.00 am to noon | 7.15 am to 9.00 am |
For more information contact Keely Taylor
by phone: 01449 770965 or e-mail: [email protected].
Anyone who has a story to publicise or you’re a Member who hasn’t yet been featured in a Member Spotlight on the website, please contact publicity officer, Alison Withers: [email protected].
