Your accountant can be one of the most valuable people in your business, yet many owners still treat them as a once-a-year filing service. In my experience as an accountant and entrepreneur, the business owners who thrive are the ones who build a genuine working partnership with their accountant. They share information openly, ask for advice early and respect deadlines. The result is lower tax bills, fewer penalties, better cash flow and faster growth.

The good news is that getting more from your accountant does not require a bigger budget or a finance degree. It comes down to a handful of practical habits. Here are five principles that will help you get the best from your accountant and turn them into a real asset for your UK business.

Good communication

If there is only one rule for working with an accountant, it is this: keep the lines of communication open. Your accountant is not an external supplier who pops up at year end; they are a member of your team. The more context they have, the better their advice will be.

Share your business goals, your concerns and your numbers, even when they are not where you want them to be. There is no benefit in hiding a cash-flow squeeze or a bookkeeping mistake. If your accountant knows early, they can help you manage the situation, negotiate time-to-pay arrangements with HMRC or restructure your costs. Honesty saves both money and stress.

Agree a regular rhythm for contact. A monthly or quarterly catch-up, combined with cloud accounting software such as Xero, QuickBooks or FreeAgent, keeps everyone looking at the same figures in real time. With Making Tax Digital now in place for VAT and expanding to Income Tax Self Assessment, clean digital records are essential. Provide bank statements, invoices and receipts promptly, and flag anything unusual as soon as it happens.

Ask for advice, not just compliance

Accountants do far more than file tax returns. A good accountant can review your business plan, identify tax reliefs, forecast cash flow, help you apply for funding and benchmark your performance against similar businesses. If you are only using them for compliance, you are probably missing opportunities.

When I started my accounting firm in London, my own business experience was limited and I faced plenty of challenges. Seeking advice from mentors, local growth hubs and organisations such as the Chamber of Commerce made a real difference. Talking to people who had already achieved what I wanted gave me practical ideas and the confidence to keep going.

Of course, not all advice is equal. Before acting, ask whether the person giving it has relevant expertise, whether they practise what they preach and whether they have any conflict of interest. A second or third opinion is sensible for major decisions. Trust matters too: if you find yourself second-guessing your accountant on every point, the relationship is unlikely to be productive. Take time to evaluate it and either move to a higher level of trust or look for someone who is a better fit.

Respect deadlines

Running a business is absorbing, and tax deadlines can feel like a distraction from the work that pays the bills. But missing them is expensive, and it makes your accountant’s job far harder than it needs to be.

Key UK dates to keep in mind include the Self Assessment deadline of 31 January for online returns and payments, 31 October for paper returns, company tax returns due 12 months after your accounting period ends, and Corporation Tax payments due nine months and one day after the period ends. VAT and PAYE also have their own regular deadlines. Your accountant should provide you with a tailored calendar at the start of each financial year.

If your business operates under the Construction Industry Scheme, the monthly return must reach HMRC within 14 days of the end of each tax month. Late CIS returns attract penalties: £100 if you are one day late, £200 at two months, and £300 or 5 per cent of the CIS deductions on the return, whichever is higher, at six and twelve months. Further penalties can apply if the return remains outstanding beyond a year. Sending your subcontractor payment records, invoices and bank statements on time helps your accountant file accurately and protects you from these charges.

Use their network

Accountants often sit at the centre of a wide business community. They know solicitors, financial advisers, bankers, investors and other business owners, many of whom could become clients, suppliers or collaborators. In B2B especially, a personal introduction from a trusted adviser can open doors that cold outreach cannot.

Ask your accountant about the networks they belong to and whether they can make useful introductions. Combine this with your own networking through women’s business networks, local Chamber events, the Federation of Small Businesses or industry groups. Your accountant’s contacts plus your own efforts create a powerful marketing strategy.

Give open feedback

A good accountant-client relationship improves through honest conversation. If you do not understand something, say so. If you need faster responses, clearer explanations or more proactive advice, ask for them. Constructive feedback helps your accountant tailor their service to your needs and shows you are engaged.

Schedule an annual review of the relationship itself. Are the fees fair for the value you receive? Are deadlines being met? Is the advice helping you move towards your goals? If the answer is no, raise it early. If things do not improve, it may be time to switch. Your business deserves an accountant who is as committed to your success as you are.

What has worked for you when working with an accountant? I would love to hear your tips and experiences in the comments below.