How our method works

Step 1: what we know about your business

You type your company name and we look it up on Companies House. That gives us the type of company, when it was set up, the type of accounts it files and whether any filings are shown as overdue. You can correct how long the business has been trading, or choose a different company. Then you answer questions about your size, what you do, who helps you now and what is changing. We ask for ranges, not exact figures.

Step 2: seven kinds of finance support

We look at seven kinds of support. A small business may only need the first two. A larger or more complex one may need more. We chose these seven to cover the jobs a finance function does, from keeping records to leading finance decisions. Why these seven explains the basis for each.

The seven kinds of finance support we check

Support	What it means
Bookkeeping and systems	Day-to-day records kept up to date, usually in accounting software.
Accounts, tax and VAT	Annual accounts, tax returns and VAT returns filed on time.
Monthly management information	Figures each month or quarter that show how the business is doing.
Planning and cash forecasting	A forecast of cash and profit for the months ahead.
Financial controls and approvals	Clear rules for who approves payments, who signs off invoices and who checks the bank figures.
Finance leadership	Someone responsible for finance decisions, such as a part-time finance director.
Specialist support	Experience in one area, such as online selling or selling abroad.

Step 3: comparing what you have

The rules are of three kinds, and we keep them apart:

• Legal requirements: for example, filing annual accounts and tax returns on time, registering for VAT over the threshold, and having an audit when a company must.
• Good practice: for example, figures during the year once a business reaches a certain size, or a forecast when it borrows. These come from published guidance and lenders' requirements.
• Our judgement: where we combine your answers into a suggestion. These are draft, and will be tested with practising accountants and business owners.

For each kind of support, your result shows one of five states: in place, partly in place, not in place, not needed yet based on your answers, or not sure.

What the method cannot see

We only know what you tell us. We cannot see how well your current support is done, whether it is on time, or what you have agreed with your accountant. A gap in your result is something to discuss with your accountant, not a sign they are falling short.

Step 4: your result

Your result is one of eight suggestions:

• Keep: your current support appears to cover the main areas we check.
• Improve: it may be worth asking your current accountant for more.
• Add: you may benefit from extra support alongside your accountant.
• Step up: you may benefit from more forward-looking financial support.
• Specialist: one area may need specific experience.
• Switch: it may be worth comparing other firms.
• Find: you may benefit from an accountant, and here is what kind.
• Further review: your answers need a closer look before we suggest anything.

Your result comes only from your answers. It is not an audit of your business, a view on your accountant, or a score.

Step 5: firms that fit, only if you ask

If your result says you need a firm, you can ask to see which firms taking part fit. We first remove any firm that cannot do the work: it does not offer the service, does not take businesses of your size or type, lacks a permission you need (such as audit), or has no space for new clients. From the firms left, we look at experience in your sector, the software you use, and whether you want someone local.

We show up to two participating firms: the one that meets the most of the criteria above (we call it the closest match), and one alternative. This is not a rating or a recommendation, and it says nothing about how good the firm is. Each comes with the reasons it matches and anything that may not suit you. If no participating firm matches, we say so. We do not fill the gap with firms we have not checked. How we break ties and how far our panel reaches will be set out here before introductions start.

Step 6: an introduction, only with your agreement

Before anything is shared, we show you the firm's name and exactly which of your answers it will see. Each introduction goes to one firm at a time. Your details are never sold to several firms.

Step 7: checking how it went

We plan to ask you, if you agree, after 30 and 90 days whether the firm replied, whether you took them on and whether it is working. How and when we ask will be set out in our privacy notice before introductions start.

What we do not do

• We do not rate or score firms. We show up to two participating firms that meet the most of the needs you gave us.
• We do not check whether an accountant is competent, qualified or suitable for your business. "Checked" and "Spoken to" mean we have checked what a firm says it does.
• We do not give tax or accounting advice. We help you work out what kind of help to look for.
• We do not let payment change which firm we show you.

Reviews and changes

Each version of the rules is reviewed by a paid practising accountant before release. Reviews will be listed here with the date and the version reviewed. No review has taken place yet.