20 Questions Your Accountant Wants You to Ask — How Many Can You Answer?
Most business owners only talk to their accountant about tax returns and year-end accounts. But the questions that actually protect and grow your business go much further. Flip through 20 essential questions and rate each one: do you already know the answer, or is it a blind spot?
How to use
Each card shows a question your accountant should be helping you answer. Tap the card to flip it and see why that question matters. Then rate it: do you know the answer, or is it a gap? At the end, you will see your score and a list of all your blind spots with explanations.
Understanding Your Results
Every question on this list is something a proactive accountant should be helping you with. The questions cover tax efficiency, cash flow, compliance, performance, and planning. If your current accountant has never raised these topics, it may be worth asking why — or considering whether your accountancy service is focused on compliance alone rather than genuinely helping your business grow.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I expect from a good accountant?
Beyond filing returns, a good accountant should proactively advise on tax efficiency, review your business structure annually, provide management accounts, forecast your tax liability throughout the year, and flag risks before they become problems. If you only hear from your accountant at year-end, you are getting a compliance service, not an advisory one.
How often should I speak to my accountant?
At minimum, quarterly. Monthly is better for growing businesses. The conversation should cover upcoming tax deadlines, year-to-date performance, cash flow forecast, and any changes in your business that could affect your tax position. Waiting until year-end means opportunities to save tax are missed.
What is the difference between a compliance accountant and an advisory accountant?
A compliance accountant files your returns on time and keeps you legal. An advisory accountant does that plus proactively helps you save tax, improve cash flow, understand your margins, and make better financial decisions. Advisory services cost more but typically save or generate significantly more than the extra fee.
How do I know if I am paying too much tax?
If you have never had a tax planning conversation, if your salary and dividend split has not been reviewed in the last 12 months, or if your accountant has never suggested pension contributions, R and D credits, or capital allowances, you may be paying more than necessary. A tax review is a good starting point.
Should I change accountant?
Consider switching if: you only hear from them at year-end, they are slow to respond, they have never proactively saved you tax, they cannot answer your questions about cash flow or margins, or they do not use modern cloud software. Switching accountant is straightforward and most new accountants handle the transition for you.
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Book a Free Discovery Call© Imperial Consulting Limited, trading as Grosvenor.Solutions. Registered in England. This tool is for educational and illustrative purposes only. It does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult a qualified professional for decisions affecting your business.