Accountants for chartered accountants in Auckland page 3 of 3

How to choose an accountant in Auckland

Anyone in New Zealand can call themselves an accountant and prepare tax returns. The title Chartered Accountant (CA) is protected: it means the person is a member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, which sets education, ongoing training and ethics rules, and members who offer services to the public need a certificate of public practice. Many accountants are also registered with Inland Revenue as tax agents, which usually gives their clients more time to file. Check the CA ANZ register.

1. Ask for a fixed annual fee in writing, and what it covers: annual accounts, tax returns, GST returns, software and phone or email questions.
2. Check whether they are a Chartered Accountant (CA ANZ member) and a registered tax agent with Inland Revenue.
3. Ask who will actually do your work, and how quickly they reply.
4. If you own rentals, a trust or a company, ask how many similar clients they look after.
5. Ask how extra work is billed, such as an Inland Revenue review, and at what hourly rate.

Get at least two written quotes for the same job, and read recent Google reviews rather than relying on the star rating alone. A listing here is not a recommendation: “Listed” businesses have not yet been checked by LocalsBest.

Our full guide to choosing an accountant.