Freelance accountants are often seen as little more than number-crunchers. This can make it challenging to pitch your worth to and establish your position in companies big and small.
Use this guide to selling the role of accountancy in business strategy to set yourself up as essential for success and gain and retain more clients on a long-term basis.
Financial intelligence
Firstly, begin by emphasising the importance of financial intelligence and how this can be used to guide good business decisions.
Stress that accountants don’t just keep company records but are in a position to interpret this data and offer valuable insights. Examples include identifying trends and flagging areas for improvement.
Better financial intelligence will ensure strategic decision-making that allows companies to capitalise on their success and avoid common pitfalls.
Budgeting guidance
Accountants are also well placed to offer budgeting guidance given their detailed knowledge of the books and how they’re balanced.
Explain that you can play a key role in aligning financial resources with organisational goals to ensure that company targets are achieved as quickly as possible. Business owners following your direction can be certain that every pound spent supports company success and that minimal funds are wasted.
It’s also worth noting that having a tight and detailed budget demonstrates that the company is in control, making the business a more attractive prospect to external investors.
Risk mitigation and compliance
Many companies come unstuck or feel uncertain when it comes to compliance. This is because the legal obligations set by the Financial Conduct Authority such as national insurance and income tax can often be changeable and complex.
Your expertise provides reassurance for companies and helps them avoid potentially expensive errors, increasing your value to the business. Specialisms such as international tax law will make you an attractive option to corporate companies operating on a global scale.
However, remember that involving yourself in legal advice always carries an element of risk. It’s advisable to look into relevant accountants’ insurance to help protect your business in the event of a mistake on your part.
Strategic tax planning
Being well-versed in tax regulation means that you can play a key role in strategic tax planning. Make it clear that your skills go beyond simple tax filing and that you can create financial plans that align tax obligations with overarching business strategy.
Streamlining the management of tax across the business can lead to overall savings, higher productivity and client confidence in the company’s fiscal fitness.
Furthermore, UK companies with a yearly turnover of more than £200 million must publish an official tax strategy. This means that there’s scope for excellent earnings if you have the experience to compile this document on behalf of established corporations who lack in-house expertise.
