How to check and control an accountant

Remember the joke about the director who asks the accountant, "How are our finances?" And the accountant replies, "You know, everything's so complicated here that even the tax office can't figure it out!" Funny, right? Unless that's the reality of your business.

How can you vet your accountant so you can sleep soundly and avoid the fear of surprise audits? Let's figure out how to avoid turning your company into a financial detective while still being confident that your money is in safe hands.

Verification of qualifications and experience

First, assess the specialist's competence. Ask to see diplomas and certificates. But don't be too quick to admire the pretty credentials. What's more important is how this knowledge is applied in practice.

Ask about their experience. Accounting for a construction company is very different from that of an IT startup. Make sure your financial wizard knows all the pitfalls of your specific business.

Comparison table of qualifications and skills of accountants:

Criterion Junior accountant Accountant Chief accountant
Education Secondary vocational or incomplete higher education Higher economic Higher economic education, preferably a master's degree
Experience 0-2 years 2-5 years More than 5 years
Knowledge of legislation Basic knowledge of fundamental laws Good knowledge of tax and accounting legislation Deep knowledge of all aspects of financial legislation, including international standards
Software skills Basic skills in 1C and Excel Confident proficiency in 1C, Excel, and specialized programs Advanced skills in working with all necessary programs, the ability to configure and optimize them
Accounting areas Work in individual areas under the supervision of Maintaining multiple accounting areas independently Control of all areas of accounting
Reporting Assistance in preparing reports Preparation of accounting and tax reports Formation and analysis of all types of reporting, including management
Analytical skills Basic analytical skills Ability to analyze financial indicators Deep financial analysis, ability to make recommendations to management
Management skills Not required Possibility of managing junior staff Accounting management, task setting, execution control
Tax planning Not participating Basic tax optimization skills Developing effective tax planning schemes
Interaction with regulatory authorities Not participating Preparing responses to requests Representing the company's interests before tax authorities and undergoing audits
Knowledge of foreign languages Not necessarily Basic knowledge of English is desirable. A good knowledge of English is often required, especially in international companies.
Responsibility For your area of work For the correct maintenance of assigned accounting areas Full responsibility for the company's financial statements

Assessment of knowledge of tax legislation

And now the most interesting part: taxes. Yes, that's the real headache for every entrepreneur. Checking tax calculations isn't just a matter of reconciling figures. It's a true art.

Ask your accountant to explain the latest changes in tax legislation. Pay attention to how tax optimization analysis is conducted. A good accountant will always find legal ways to reduce your tax burden. But remember: optimization is not tax evasion. It's a fine line, but a crucial one.

If you need a good accountant, we are ready to help.

Analysis of the quality of accounting

Now let's take a look at the holy of holies—the accounting books. An accounting audit is like a detective investigation, only instead of fingerprints, it's numbers and transactions.

  • Start by checking your source documents. Is everything in place? Are there any strange invoices or suspicious delivery notes? A clean slate is already a good sign.
  • Pay attention to the timeliness of transactions. If the accountant constantly does everything at the last minute, this can lead to errors and penalties.

Testing skills in working with accounting software

Make sure the specialist is comfortable using modern accounting software. Ask to see how they generate reports and enter data. If they sweat nervously and struggle with the buttons, that's cause for concern.

Soft skills assessment

Pay attention to your accountant's communication skills. Can they explain complex financial issues in simple terms? This is important, especially when interacting with clients or tax authorities.

Assess their stress tolerance. Accounting involves constant deadlines and a great deal of responsibility. If a specialist panics at the slightest change in schedule, it can lead to errors.

Audit of financial statements

Start by checking your reports. Are all reports submitted on time? Are there any discrepancies between different forms? Even a small error can lead to big problems.

Pay special attention to payroll audits. This is an area where "errors" and "misunderstandings" often occur. Ensure that all accruals and deductions are processed correctly.

Monitoring interactions with tax authorities

Check your correspondence with tax authorities. Are all requests processed in a timely manner? Are there any unanswered letters or unfulfilled requests?

Pay attention to how tax audits are conducted. If each audit turns into a battle for survival, it's time to question the competence of your specialist.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of tax planning

Last but not least, tax planning is a real money-saving tool.

Ask your accountant to describe your company's tax planning strategy. What optimization methods are used? How does this impact financial performance?

Assess how effectively tax incentives and special regimes are being used. A good accountant will always find legal ways to reduce your tax burden.

Conclusion

Auditing an accountant isn't a one-time event, but an ongoing process. Regularly monitoring financial discipline and accounting oversight will help you feel confident in your accountant and confident in your company's finances. Don't be afraid to ask questions and delve into details. After all, it's your business and your money.

And finally: if you suddenly discover your accountant isn't as good as you thought, don't panic. There's always a solution—for example, getting an audit or even replacing the accountant. The main thing is to stay aware of the problems and act promptly.

If you need a good accountant, we are ready to help.

Our prices for accounting services

Form of activity 1 - 10 textures 11 - 30 textures 31 - 50 textures 51 - 100 invoices Over 100 textures
JDG From 250 zł netto From 450 zł netto From 650 zł netto From 850 zł netto Individual assessment
SP. z O.O. From 450 zł netto From 650 zł netto From 850 zł netto From 1000 zł netto Individual assessment
Personnel management 50 zł netto / 1 person

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26/08/2025

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26/08/2025

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03/08/2025

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15/07/2025

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14/07/2025

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11/07/2025

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11/07/2025

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