As a chartered accountant who works remotely with companies across Europe, I’ve seen the same five core questions come up again and again — and I’ve learned that the answers tell you more about the health of a business than a year of reports. This article gives you the top five questions you should ask your accountant right now, explains why those questions matter, and shows why engaging a qualified remote expert is often the smartest move for modern businesses. Read this as practical advice from someone who has helped firms of different sizes solve cash-flow problems, reduce tax surprises, and navigate cross-border compliance.
I wrote these points from day-to-day experience: the conversations I start with new clients, the errors I repeatedly correct, and the quick wins that save time and money. I won’t bury you in jargon — the goal here is straight talk so you can walk into your next meeting (virtual or in-person) prepared. If a single piece of this advice prompts a better question to ask your current advisor — great. If it changes how you choose an advisor next time, even better.
Finally, remember: asking the right questions is half the job. The quality of the answers depends on the accountant’s qualifications, familiarity with your sector and jurisdiction(s), and the tools they use. That’s why I’ll explain not just what to ask, but what to expect in a good answer and why a remote chartered accountant can deliver those answers more reliably than many local, overloaded practices.
Essential Questions to Ask Your Accountant Today
Start with the five questions I ask every client within the first conversation: 1) Are we paying the right amount of tax — not more than necessary, and not risking underpayment penalties? 2) What can we do to improve and predict cash flow over the next 12 months? 3) Are our accounting processes and controls sufficient for compliance and growth (including cross-border operations)? 4) Which tax reliefs, credits or incentives are we missing that apply to our situation? 5) How do you handle bookkeeping, reporting deadlines, and communications — who does what and when? These questions expose strategy, risk, operations and service levels in one go.
Each question uncovers different common failures I encounter. For example, the “right amount of tax” question often reveals either overly conservative advisers leaving cash on the table or risky planning that could trigger audits; a cash-flow question quickly shows whether a business relies on one major client or has predictable revenue streams; the controls question highlights weak segregation of duties in small teams. I’ll often tell clients specific stories: a growing SME that avoided a VAT penalty simply by answering question three early, or a founder who reclaimed significant R&D relief after question four led us to review eligible projects.
Practical tips for getting useful answers: insist on concrete timelines and deliverables (for instance, “produce a cash-flow forecast updated monthly” rather than “help with cash flow”); ask for worked examples or case studies showing previous results; require the accountant to document assumptions behind tax positions or forecasts. Also agree on the frequency and format of updates (dashboard, monthly call, or quarterly pack) so you can hold the accountant accountable. If answers are vague, that’s a red flag — push for specifics or seek a second opinion.
Why a Chartered Remote Accountant Is the Answer
A chartered remote accountant combines formal qualifications and regulatory accountability with modern delivery methods that suit cross-border businesses. Being chartered means I’m bound by professional standards and continuing education; working remotely means I can serve clients throughout Europe without the delays, overhead and staffing constraints of a single-location practice. For companies operating in multiple jurisdictions or hiring remote teams, that flexibility often translates directly into faster responses, more consistent reporting and lower fixed costs.
From a practical standpoint, remote practice forces disciplines that benefit clients: cloud accounting, automated reconciliations, standardized reporting packs and secure document workflows. These tools make it easier to produce timely cash-flow forecasts and to identify tax-saving opportunities quickly. In my experience, clients who adopt this workflow see fewer month-end surprises and tighter control over VAT and payroll issues that can become costly when operating across borders.
Security, communication and onboarding are the areas I treat with most care. A remote engagement succeeds when you have clear channels (encrypted file sharing, scheduled review calls, agreed SLAs), and when the accountant documents every material decision and its rationale. If you’re switching to a remote chartered accountant, expect a short onboarding phase where we map your systems, permissions, and reporting needs — after that, you’ll typically get faster, clearer answers than from a traditional local firm juggling in-person meetings and physical paperwork.
Asking the five right questions will quickly reveal whether your accounting function is strategic or merely transactional. If the answers you get are vague, inconsistent or slow, it’s worth considering a change. As a chartered accountant working remotely with firms across Europe, I can provide qualified, documented advice, real-time reporting and the cross-border know-how that modern businesses need.
If anything here resonates — a cash-flow issue, uncertainty about VAT, or the desire for a tighter reporting rhythm — let’s talk. I offer confidential consultations focused on quick wins and clear next steps: schedule a call and we’ll review the top five questions for your business and outline an immediate action plan.