Those you choose to represent and advise you can make, or break, your chances of succeeding in business. Choose them wisely: these are
people you must feel comfortable with in good times. And, perhaps more importantly, in bad times too.Make appointments to meet several people in each professional field. Don't settle for first professional advisor you come across, unless you've known that person for some time already. Remember that your professional advisors are there to help you at beginning of your business and perhaps for many years to come.
In beginning you are likely to need: a bank manager, accountant, solicitor.
Bank Manager
A bank manager is likely to be first professional you meet in your new business. He's also likely to be your most regular contact in future. Look for someone you like and feel you can relate to. If you already have a bank manager and are satisfied with service you've received in past, ask for an appointment to meet that person if you haven't done so already.
Most banks have Small Business Advisors who can help with all aspects of starting and running your own business. A massive selection of free business start-up advice is usually available. Meetings with Small Business Advisors are almost always free of charge, aim being to obtain and keep your future business. Make an appointment to visit your local advisor soon.
Accountant
What you need from an accountant and what he thinks you need are two very different things. While you expect him to provide basic services of audit, taxation and general accountancy, he's got business planning on his mind, and project feasibility studies, maybe designs on altering your entire business set-up. The message is: there's more to your accountant than meets eye and choosing right man or woman to represent you can save your business far more in taxes and running costs than you're ever likely to pay in fees.
