Who are the best accountants in Liverpool? Well this is a hard one to answer because it’s hard to define the “best”. Watch our video to gain more of an insight into who the best accountant is for you and your business.
For example, think about cars. If you were to ask an expert what the best car in the world is, they may say a Ferrari. But, if you use your car every day to drive around three kids and a dog, a Ferrari’s no good for you. And then you might not be able to afford it either.
It’s the same with accountants – the “best” will mean different things to different people.
I’ve actually got a separate video about how to choose the right accountant for you, and it’s worth just recapping a couple things from that video now.
For example, one of the first things you should be looking for when you’re picking the right accountant for you, and the best accountant for you, is the size of the firm. You should also be looking for relative experience to you and your sector, and looking at the fees and whether they’re right for you and your budget.
If you think about it, if you’re a huge global firm like Apple, you’re not going to use a one-man band in Liverpool to do your accounts. But, similarly, if you’re a one-person business based in Liverpool, you’re not going to use PwC, a global firm of accountants with 100,000 staff.
Therefore, in picking the best accountants in Liverpool. I’m going to talk about a few of them that could be relevant to you. And, basically, when I’m looking at the best accountants in Liverpool I’m looking at accountants that provide accountancy services for small to medium size businesses.
And, for each one of them it will depend on you, because a good firm will offer the services you need at the time you need them.
Accountants for larger businesses
I’m going to start with a largish firm – a firm that is part of a global network. A firm called RSM.
We actually use RSM to outsource some work for our clients when there’s some complex tax international work – we bring them in to help with us on jobs so, when I recommend them, I’m recommending them as someone who has used them.
One of the big strengths of RSM is they can handle pretty much anything, and also advise you if you have overseas operations. They have offices all around the world as part of their network.
They are a really good firm aimed at larger businesses. They can give you that all-in service and they do it well. They’ve got a good Liverpool office with lovely views if you go and visit them – you can look down on the Liver Building but, I’m recommending them for the service rather than the view!
Accountants for medium-sized businesses
If you’re a medium-sized business, a firm I think is very good is BWM. Until recently, they were called BW McFarlane.
They’re a Liverpool firm based in the city centre. They’ve been trading for the best part of 100 years now.
I’ve got to give a mention to BWM because, I’ll admit, my wife actually uses them to do some accounts! My wife’s the Treasurer of a Trust, and they use BWM to do their accounts. They’ve always been very happy with the service. They’re a decent sized firm that’s based in Liverpool and has a good level of resource and expertise to service a medium-sized business.
Another firm in that middle tier would be Wilson Henry. Another good Liverpool firm based on Edge Lane who at small to medium business, and can give all services across the board. Again, they’re a firm I’ve had quite a lot to do with over the years and have spent some time in their office.
Small to medium businesses
There are the best part of 100 firms across Merseyside looking after small to medium businesses – businesses from start-up to annual turnover of, say, £5 million.
This is where “best” really does come down to what you’re looking for from your accountant.
A firm I really respect is Jonathan Ford & Co. They’re a very progressive firm of accountants – they’re really into cloud software and Xero, and have been at the forefront of these new technologies that really enhance the services they can provide to their clients.
As well as working for some global accountancy firms, Jonathan himself was FD of Mersey TV, so they do specialise in the creative sector. They’re a really good, really forward-thinking firm. They’ve got lots of experience – the firm’s been going for nearly 20 years – and a strong team of around 10 accountants. They can give you everything you need if you’re a smallish business and, particularly in that creative sector, they’d be an excellent choice.
Going slightly further afield, to the Wirral, is Woods Squared. They major on business growth and pride themselves on a 100% success rate in raising funding for clients. I first met Alan Woods as part of a network of accountants committed to providing more to their clients than just the standard stuff – really helping the clients to make their businesses better, and Alan really does believe in doing that. They’ve also won a lot of awards. Shame they’re on the wrong side of the water, but you can’t have everything!
Another firm I should mention, with perhaps a different expertise, is actually my ex-firm – MJF Accountancy. Where MJF are really, really good is providing straight-forward help and making sure all of the basics are done……and done very well. They’ll make sure you hit every deadline and don’t have to worry about the financial requirements of running a business.
They do give good advice on tax reduction, but in some ways it’s more of a no-frills service, but an excellent service at that. They’re absolutely reliable and, if you have a big pile of paper that needs sorting, they will fix it. They’ll sort it out, get it into a set of accounts, and then get you fixed going forwards.
I hope that gives you a feel for some of the best accountants in Liverpool. It really does depend on exactly what you’re looking for. If you would like any more information about who we are as a business and how we work, feel free to get in touch.