Has your company grown, or do you feel that everything related to accounting is becoming overwhelming? If so, it may be the right time to work with an accountant. An accountant can help ensure that your financial records are accurate, up to date, and provide a solid basis for making business decisions.

When outsourcing accounting to an external provider, it is important to clarify expectations from the beginning. A good collaboration starts with clear agreements about what will be delivered, how the work will be carried out, and what it will cost.

What Can You Expect from an Accountant?

Many people think of accounting as simply recording income and expenses. In reality, an accountant can assist with much more than that—from payroll and reporting to authorities to advice on financial management and internal routines.

For that reason, it is important to understand which services are included in the collaboration and what you are actually paying for.

Clarify the Pricing Model

Before entering into an agreement, you should receive a clear explanation of the pricing structure. Accounting firms often use different pricing models, such as:

• fixed monthly fee
• price per voucher or transaction
• hourly billing

Ask for clear explanations of what is included in a fixed or per-transaction price and what may be billed separately. Lack of clarity in this area is a common cause of misunderstandings and disputes later on.

The better you understand the pricing model in advance, the easier it will be to control costs.

Which System Will You Use?

Another important question concerns which accounting systems will be used in the collaboration.

Some accountants work in systems where only they have access, while others use collaborative systems where both the accountant and the client work in the same platform.

Today it is common for responsibilities to be shared between the parties. Many businesses issue invoices themselves in the system, while the accountant handles bookkeeping, reconciliations, and reporting.

Having access to the system yourself also gives you better insight into your company’s finances and allows you to follow the financial development more closely.

Ask for a Review of the Services

The accountant is the professional expert and should be able to explain which services may be relevant for your business.

Ask for a review of:

• which services they offer
• which services your company actually needs
• how the work is carried out in practice

This is particularly important for services billed hourly, so you understand what may influence the cost.

Statutory Compliance and Controls

Accountants are subject to regulations related to, among other things, regulatory compliance and risk-based customer due diligence.

For you as a client, this means the accountant must carry out certain checks related to your business. If your company operates in a high-risk industry, additional follow-ups during the year may also be required.

These controls are required by law, so it is helpful to understand what they involve and how they may affect the invoices you receive.

Set Clear Expectations for the Collaboration

Once you understand the pricing model and how the accountant works, the next step is to define expectations for the collaboration.

A successful partnership requires effort from both sides. The accountant depends on receiving documentation on time and in good quality in order to perform their work correctly.

When these conditions are in place, you can also set clear expectations for the services you receive.

Expectations You Should Set

Up-to-Date Accounting

The accounts should be kept continuously updated. Clarify how often the accounting will be updated and how quickly transactions will normally be recorded after documentation is received.

Up-to-date accounts make it easier to follow the financial development of your business and provide a better basis for financial decisions throughout the year.

Knowledge

An accountant should have solid professional expertise and stay up to date with regulations related to accounting, tax, and VAT. At the same time, it is beneficial if the accountant also understands the industry your company operates in.

This makes it easier for them to provide relevant advice and identify factors that may affect the company’s finances.

Professionalism

Professionalism includes structure, clear communication, and reliable delivery.

You should expect your accountant to respond within a reasonable time, provide clear feedback, and follow agreed deadlines.

A professional working relationship creates trust and reduces the risk of misunderstandings.

Proactivity

A good accountant does more than record historical numbers. They also help highlight factors that may affect your business.

This may include changes in regulations, suggestions for improved routines, or observations in the accounts that should be followed up. When an accountant works proactively, accounting becomes an active management tool rather than just historical reporting.

It can also be valuable to schedule regular financial review meetings during the year. In these meetings, the accountant should review the profit and loss statement and the balance sheet, explain what the numbers actually mean for the business, and highlight how the company has developed since the previous period.

Such discussions can help you better understand operational performance, identify cost developments, and evaluate whether profitability is moving in the right direction. For many businesses, this type of insight forms an important foundation for better decision-making.

If your accountant is unable to meet these expectations, it may be necessary to reconsider the collaboration to ensure the company is not spending money on services that do not provide sufficient value.

Also read: Annual Financial Statements 2025: How to Make Them a Useful Management Tool in 2026

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