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Interactive Diagnostic

Stratford-upon-Avon

13 The Courtyard
Timothy's Bridge Road
Stratford-Upon-Avon
Warwickshire CV37 9NP

01789 294484

enquiries@gjassociates.four90.co.uk

London

7-8 Stratford Place
Mayfair
London
W1C 1AY

0207 495 0304

enquiries@gjassociates.four90.co.uk

Working Smarter With Your Accountant

Making the Most of a Trusted Relationship

Accountants have long been seen as the people who handle the books, file tax returns, and keep businesses compliant. But in today’s fast-moving economy, they’re so much more than that. The best businesses don’t just use their accountants, they partner with them. With 82% of UK business owners considering their accountant a trusted advisor, it’s clear that this relationship is more than just transactional. But are you making the most of it?ies, and cost-effective pricing, making it an ideal choice for businesses needing efficient payroll management and integration with other accounting and HR software.

High Trust, High Value

Recent data shows that the majority of UK businesses place immense trust in their accountants. This trust isn’t misplaced. Accountants are crucial in navigating economic shifts, ensuring compliance, and maintaining financial integrity. But trust alone isn’t enough; it’s how you use that trust that matters. A great accountant doesn’t just look at where your business is today. They help shape where it’s going.

Your Accountant as a Strategic Partner

Gone are the days when accountants just balanced the books. Modern accountants provide valuable business insights, helping companies with cash flow forecasting, financial planning, and even growth strategies. Many small businesses already see their accountants as strategic partners, but if you’re still treating yours as just a tax filer, you could be missing out.

Are You Asking the Right Questions?

A strong partnership works both ways; it’s not just about what your accountant tells you, but also about what you ask them. To get the most value, consider these questions:

Ask Your Accountant:

  • What financial blind spots should I be aware of?
  • How can I improve my cash flow management?
  • What do my numbers say about my business strategy?
  • Are there tax efficiencies I’m not taking advantage of?
  • What tools or software could streamline my financial processes?

Ask Yourself as a Business Owner:

  • Do I see my accountant as an essential part of my decision-making process?
  • Am I regularly sharing my business goals with them?
  • Have I been proactive in seeking advice beyond compliance and tax deadlines?
  • Do I only contact my accountant when something goes wrong?

If your accountant is only part of the conversation when it’s time to file accounts, you could be underutilising one of your business’s most valuable assets. The best accountants don’t just answer questions. They help you ask the right ones.

A Partnership That Drives Success

At Grenfell James, we don’t just work for our clients. We work with them. We see ourselves as part of your team, helping you make smarter financial decisions, plan for the future, and spot opportunities you might not have considered. Our core values are at the heart of everything we do: being a team player, staying forward-thinking, and always going above and beyond.

If you want an accountant who is more than just a number cruncher, one who genuinely cares about your business and helps you stay ahead of the game, let’s talk. Because when we work together, your success becomes our success.

 

#AccountingAdvice #BusinessGrowth #FinancialStrategy #SmallBusinessTips #TrustedAdvisor #AccountantsWhoCare #CashFlowManagement #BeyondTheNumbers #BusinessSuccess #StrategicPartnership #FinanceMatters

Grenfell James Technology Adoption Index

How does your business perform against others adopting financial tech? Find out with our interactive diagnostic:

1.

How does your business receive invoices?

A)

Invoices are mainly received in paper form

B)

Invoices are mainly received by email

C)

Invoices are emailed then automatically forwarded to a designated mailbox

2.

How are purchase invoices processed?

A)

Invoices are entered manually

B)

Invoices are attached to manually raised invoices

C)

Automated software (e.g. ReceiptBank, 1Tap, HubDoc etc) collates invoices

3.

How are accounts processed?

A)

Using Excel/paper-based

B)

Using Computer-based, offline software

C)

Using cloud-based accountancy software

4.

How often is business data revised?

A)

Data is updated annually

B)

Data is updated quarterly

C)

Data is updated monthly or more often

5.

How is banking updated for your business?

A)

Banking is updated manually

B)

Banking is updated by imports

C)

Banking is updated via a live feed

6.

How are bank payments made?

A)

Bank payments are manual

B)

Bank payments are made using bulk imports

C)

Bank payments are made directly via accounting software

7.

How are bank receipts reconciled?

A)

Receipts are chased and reconciled manually

B)

Receipts are chased and reconciled automatically

C)

A third-party platform is used to chase debts and collect fees

8.

How often are management reports produced?

A)

No reports are provided

B)

Reports are provided but often too late to be valuable

C)

Reports are automated with real-time information

Score 8-12:

Curious Exploration

Your financial technology phase is Curious Exploration

% of respondent businesses are in this phase too.

Switching accountancy systems may seem like an upheaval, but can be much more straightforward than most businesses imagine. From talking to our clients, they have found moving from paper invoicing and desktop-based accounting software to the cloud and apps quickly makes the transition process a worthwhile investment of time. Digital accounting solutions bring in streamlined processes, up-to-date business data and greater confidence in the accuracy of information when making financial decisions.

Grenfell James works with your team to fully assess the needs of your business and minimise the impact of any transitions for solutions we recommend.

Find out more about App Advisory

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Score 13-19:

Measured Discovery

Your financial technology phase is Measured Discovery

% of respondent businesses are in this phase too.

Once cloud accountancy software is in place, there’s still plenty of scope to improve your accountancy processes and make sure your business is maximising the benefits of adopting a digital accounting solution. Grenfell James assesses each business to understand how any implemented solutions are being used, identify areas for improvement and the needs of the business overall to support your business goals and achieve success.

Our team of experts can discuss a range of time-saving automation and get different apps and cloud-based solutions talking to create and manage a digital accountancy eco-system to help your business grow.

Find out more about App Advisory

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Score 20-24:

Bold Innovation

Your financial technology phase is Bold Innovation

% of respondent businesses are in this phase too.

You know the benefits of accounting technology and the impact it can have on your business goals. If you want to take it a step further, our team can conduct a systematic review of your processes, apps and business goals to ensure your digital accountancy ecosystem is keeping pace with the changing needs of a growing business.