Frequently Asked Questions
We know that choosing the right accountant for your business is a big decision, and you probably have a lot of questions. That’s why we’ve put together answers to the top 10 questions business owners ask us to help you decide if Get Smart Accountants is the right fit for you.
We’re not just here for the numbers — we’re here for the journey.
Through the highs, the lows, and every decision along the way, we’ve got your back.
If you’re looking for accountants who get it — who understand where you’ve come from and are excited about where you’re going — we’d love to hear your story.
How much are your fees?
We offer simple, transparent monthly pricing tailored to your business’s size and needs—no surprise bills, no hidden extras.
📦 Our three core packages (all prices + VAT):
| Package | From | Best for | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clarity & Control | £295/month | Essential compliance | Year-end accounts, tax returns, VAT, Companies House filings, software, tax investigation cover, mid-year and pre-year-end reviews. |
| Grow & Scale | £655/month | Growing businesses | Everything in Clarity & Control, plus budgeting, scorecard setup, quarterly management accounts and check-ins. |
| Optimise & Thrive | £875/month | Ambitious growth | Everything in Grow & Scale, plus monthly management accounts, cash-flow forecasting, and monthly strategy check-ins. |
💼 Most clients invest around £650/month
That gives them hands-on support, regular financial insight, and room to grow without worrying about the numbers.
🧾 Bookkeeping & payroll are quoted separately
These are priced based on transaction volume and number of employees, ensuring a fair cost for your workload.
💳 Payment made simple
All fees are paid monthly by direct debit via GoCardless. If you need help covering any up-front onboarding costs, we offer flexible payment options through IwocaPay, so you can spread the cost.
How can I be sure you’re the right fit for my business?
Here’s how we help you decide if we’re right for each other:
✅ Discovery call
We start with a short call to learn more about your business, goals, and current challenges. If we’re not the right fit, we’ll tell you upfront (and even recommend someone else if we can).
🎯 Strategy call
If we both agree there’s potential, you’ll then have a deeper conversation with Paul to explore your business in more detail. We’ll map out where you are now, where you want to be, and how we can help you get there. You’ll see how we work, what we charge, and exactly what’s included—so there are no surprises.
💬 No pushy sales—just honest advice
Our aim is to build long-term partnerships with clients who share our values: clarity, ambition, accountability, and honesty.
If that sounds like you, we’d love to explore how we can support your journey.
I’m worried that switching accountants will be stressful. How can you make it easier?
You’re not alone—many business owners stay with the wrong accountant far too long simply because switching feels like a hassle. That’s why we’ve designed a smooth, supportive onboarding process to take the stress off your plate.
Here’s how we make it easy:
✅ We handle the handover
Once you sign up, we provide you with a simple email template to notify your old accountant. From there, we take care of the rest—requesting all the necessary records and information on your behalf.
📋 Clear onboarding process
You’ll receive a welcome email, an onboarding call with Emma to explain exactly what to expect, and a handy checklist to keep things clear and simple. We also send you a Welcome Pack so you feel part of the Get Smart family from day one.
🔁 Seamless system setup
We’ll make sure all software is connected, your records are up to date, and everything is running properly before we take over your accounts.
💬 Constant communication
During the first few weeks, we’ll stay in close contact to answer any questions and make sure nothing falls through the cracks. You’ll never be left wondering what’s happening.
How often will we be in contact?
You’ll hear from us regularly and reliably—not just once a year when your accounts are due.
The frequency of contact depends on your package, but one thing’s always true: we’re proactive, not reactive.
📅 Standard touchpoints include:
Onboarding support: Several check-ins during your first few weeks to ensure a smooth start.
Pre-year-end review: We reach out before your year-end to review your figures and look at tax-saving opportunities.
Mid-year check-in: For peace of mind and to stay on track.
🧭 Package-based communication:
Clarity & Control (£295+):
2 planned reviews per year
Plus contact around VAT, tax submissions & queries
Grow & Scale (£655+):
Quarterly check-ins to review goals, budgets, and financial performance
Support throughout the year for planning and decisions
Optimise & Thrive (£875+):
Monthly check-ins with reports, insights, and strategic discussion
Ideal for ambitious business owners seeking high-touch support
💬 Flexible, friendly support anytime
You can contact us whenever you need via email, phone, or WhatsApp. We reply promptly (usually within 24 hours), and no question is ever too small.
Can you help with tax planning?
At Get Smart Accountants, tax planning is built into the way we work. That means:
🧾 Pre-year-end tax review
Every eligible client receives a proactive tax review well before year-end. We assess your figures and identify opportunities to reduce your tax bill legally and efficiently—before it’s too late to act.
📊 Director salary & dividends advice
We’ll help you structure your income in the most tax-efficient way, ensuring you stay compliant while keeping more of what you earn.
🏠 Tax advice tailored to your situation
Whether you own property, run multiple businesses, or are planning a large investment, we can provide personalised tax guidance that aligns with your goals.
💬 Ongoing support—not last-minute surprises
You won’t just hear from us once a year. Our regular check-ins mean we can make smart, timely tax decisions throughout the year—not just after the fact.
Do you offer support with software?
We support and advise on a range of cloud-based platforms, including:
💻 Xero, Dext, and FreshPay
These are our core tools for bookkeeping, receipt capture, and payroll. We help you get set up, show you how to use them, and provide ongoing support to make sure everything runs smoothly.
👩🏫 Full training and troubleshooting
Whether it’s connecting your bank feeds, raising invoices, or understanding your reports—we offer clear, jargon-free guidance tailored to your setup.
🔁 We take care of the setup
As part of your onboarding, we’ll handle software setup and integrations, including automations that save you time and reduce errors.
💬 Ongoing support
Got a question or something not working? Just message us. We’re happy to help with day-to-day queries, big or small.
Do you require a long-term contract?
We don’t use traditional long-term contracts. Instead, we ask clients to sign an annual proposal that clearly outlines the services we’ll provide for the forthcoming financial year.
Each year, we review this proposal together to ensure the services are still the right fit for your business. This gives us the flexibility to adapt to your changing needs while keeping everything clear and transparent.
How will you help my business grow?
At Get Smart Accountants, we go far beyond ticking boxes and filing returns. We help you understand your numbers, make smart financial decisions, and build a business that gives you the time and financial freedom you’re working for.
Here’s how we support your growth:
📊 Clear, jargon-free financial insights
We turn your numbers into plain-English reports, dashboards, and conversations—so you know exactly what’s working, what’s not, and where to focus next.
🎯 Regular check-ins and goal setting
Whether quarterly or monthly (depending on your package), we sit down with you to review your progress, spot opportunities, and keep you accountable to your goals.
💡 Cash-flow forecasting and budgeting
We help you plan ahead with realistic forecasts and budgets, so you can invest with confidence—whether it’s hiring staff, launching something new, or expanding.
📈 Support that grows with you
Our services are designed to flex as your business evolves. From compliance to strategy, we’ll be by your side as your team, revenue, and ambitions grow.
🤝 A true partnership
We don’t just “do your accounts”—we become part of your team. We’ll challenge your thinking, celebrate your wins, and help you navigate tough decisions.
How will I pay your bill?
We make payments simple, predictable, and hassle-free.
💳 Monthly direct debit
All our clients pay via GoCardless, a secure and trusted direct debit system. Your monthly fee is collected automatically—no need to remember due dates or manually process payments.
📆 Fixed monthly fee
Your agreed fee is collected on the 1st of each month, giving you consistent, easy-to-budget costs. No big surprise bills at year-end.
💼 Support with up-front costs
If you need help covering any initial setup or onboarding fees, we offer flexible payment options through IwocaPay. This allows you to spread the cost over manageable instalments—interest-free if paid within the agreed term.
📑 Fully itemised proposal
Before we begin, you’ll receive a clear proposal outlining exactly what’s included and what you’ll pay. If your needs change, we’ll review your services and adjust your fee accordingly—with full transparency.
I find financial information difficult to understand. How can you help me?
You’re not alone—and that’s exactly why we do things differently at Get Smart Accountants.
We believe numbers are only powerful when you understand them. So instead of bombarding you with jargon or pages of reports, we focus on clarity, simplicity, and real-life relevance.
Here’s how we help:
🗣️ We speak your language
We explain your numbers in plain English. Whether it’s profit, tax, cash flow, or directors’ loans—we’ll talk you through what it means, not just what it says.
📊 Clear visual reports
We use simple, visual dashboards and summaries so you can see how your business is doing at a glance—no accounting degree required.
💬 Regular, jargon-free check-ins
You’ll hear from us regularly (monthly or quarterly, depending on your package), where we talk through your finances and answer any questions—no question is ever too small or silly.
🧠 Ongoing support and confidence-building
We’re here to empower you. Over time, you’ll gain more confidence with your finances—and you’ll never have to pretend to understand something again.
What size or type of business do you typically work with?
We work best with limited companies that are established and ambitious—typically:
Turning over £250,000 to £3 million
Employing between 3 and 20 staff
Ready to scale and looking for clear financial direction
We don’t work with many sole traders or startups—not because we don’t value them, but because our services are designed for businesses that are ready for more strategic support, not just compliance.
What’s the typical turnaround time for common tasks—VAT, payroll, management accounts?
We pride ourselves on being proactive and punctual—so you’re never left chasing us or guessing where things stand.
Here’s what you can expect:
📆 Bookkeeping
Completed weekly, so your numbers stay up to date and you’re always working from the latest figures.
💷 Payroll
Processed at least 3 days before payday, giving you time to review and approve before staff are paid.
🧾 VAT Returns
Completed 3 weeks before the payment deadline, giving you peace of mind and time to plan your cash flow. You’ll also receive monthly VAT updates to avoid surprises.
📊 Management Accounts
For clients on our management reporting packages, monthly or quarterly reports are provided within 10 working days of month-end, depending on your package.
📈 Year-End Accounts
Finalised and submitted within 60 days of your year-end, assuming bookkeeping is up to date.
Why do I have to pay an onboarding fee?
The onboarding fee covers the time, care, and setup required to get everything running smoothly from day one—and to ensure your experience with us starts on the right foot.
Here’s what it includes:
⚙️ Full software setup
We’ll set up or optimise your accounting systems (like Xero, Dext, and payroll software), connect bank feeds, and ensure everything is integrated and ready to go.
📂 Clean handover from your previous accountant
We handle the transition—chasing records, checking data, and making sure nothing is missed—so you don’t have to.
📞 Onboarding call and support
You’ll have a Zoom call with Emma to walk through the process, answer questions, and make sure you know what to expect.
📦 Welcome pack + personalised setup
We don’t do generic. You’ll receive a full welcome pack, and we tailor our systems and reports to fit your business goals.
📋 Process mapping and task automation
Behind the scenes, we create your bookkeeping schedule, automation rules, reporting structure, and communication workflows—so you get maximum value from day one.
In short:
The onboarding fee is a one-time investment to ensure we hit the ground running—saving you time, avoiding disruption, and giving you clarity and confidence from the start.
And if the upfront cost is a concern, don’t worry—we offer flexible options through IwocaPay to help you spread the cost.
How do you calculate how much I need to pay for bookkeeping and payroll?
We tailor our bookkeeping and payroll pricing to match the size and complexity of your business, so you only pay for the support you actually need.
🧾 Bookkeeping fees are based on:
The volume of transactions (bank lines, sales, purchases)
Whether you need weekly or monthly processing
Additional requirements like managing credit control or multiple bank accounts
The quality and timeliness of your records (e.g. are you using Dext or uploading receipts manually?)
We’ll review your current systems and talk through your day-to-day operations to give you a fair, fixed monthly fee.
👥 Payroll fees are based on:
The number of employees or subcontractors
Pay frequency (monthly, fortnightly, or weekly)
Whether you need pension submissions, CIS returns, or other extras
The complexity of your payroll (e.g. variable hours, bonuses, holiday tracking)
What measures do you take to keep my financial data secure?
Protecting your data is a top priority at Get Smart Accountants. We take security and confidentiality seriously—because we know how important your financial information is.
🔒 Cloud-based, GDPR-compliant systems
We use secure, industry-leading platforms like Xero, Dext, Pixie, and FreshPay, all of which are fully GDPR-compliant and use encryption to protect your data.
🧑💻 Two-factor authentication (2FA)
Wherever possible, we enable 2FA on all systems and encourage you to do the same. This adds an extra layer of protection to your accounts.
🖥️ Secure IT infrastructure
We work with WV Computers, a trusted IT provider, to ensure our internal systems are fully protected with:
Anti-virus and malware protection
Encrypted devices
Regular security updates and monitoring
🔐 Restricted access
Only authorised team members have access to your financial data—and only to the specific systems and files they need to do their job.
🧾 Data sharing protocols
We never send sensitive documents over unsecured email. All data is shared through encrypted platforms or secure portals, so your information stays confidential.
Do you offer support in case of HMRC queries or investigations?
Yes—we’ve got your back if HMRC ever comes knocking.
🛡️ Tax investigation support is included
All our core service packages include tax investigation insurance. This means that if HMRC opens an enquiry into your accounts or tax returns, our professional fees to support and represent you are fully covered—with no extra cost to you.
👥 Experienced representation
We’ll deal directly with HMRC on your behalf, explain what’s happening in plain English, and guide you through every step of the process—so you’re never left dealing with it alone.
📂 Accurate, timely records reduce risk
Because we keep your bookkeeping up to date and your submissions accurate, you’re already in a strong position if HMRC ever makes contact.
Get Smart Accountants – helping people to live their best life
