Can I Get a Free Consultation with an Accountant?

Short answer: usually yes. Most accountants, us included, offer a free first meeting because it suits everyone. You get to size us up, we get to understand your business, and nobody's out of pocket for a conversation. Here's what that first meeting is really for, and how to get the most from it.

What a free consultation actually covers

A first meeting is a chat, not a full audit. We'll ask about your business, where you're at, and what's keeping you up at night, whether that's a looming tax bill or just not knowing if you're doing things right. You can ask anything you like about how we work and what it would cost. What it isn't is free ongoing advice or a finished set of accounts. That's the paid work that comes later, if you decide to go ahead.

Why accountants offer them for free

It's not charity, and that's fine. A good working relationship lasts years, so it makes sense for both sides to check the fit before any money changes hands. We'd rather spend half an hour finding out we're right for each other than sign someone up who'd be better served elsewhere. If an accountant won't give you any time at all before quoting, that tells you something too.

How to make the most of it

Come with a rough idea of your numbers and a short list of questions. Bring your last set of accounts if you have them, or just a sense of your turnover and how you're set up. The more honest you are about the messy bits, the more useful our answers will be. Nobody's judging the shoebox of receipts. We've seen far worse.

What to watch out for

Be a little wary of a free meeting that's really just a hard sell, where you can't get a straight answer on price or you feel rushed into signing. A proper consultation should leave you better informed even if you decide not to go ahead. You should walk out knowing more than when you walked in.

If you're in Garforth or anywhere around Leeds and you'd like to talk something through, we're happy to offer a free first meeting with no obligation. Worst case, you pick up some free pointers and we part as friends.