🕒 Estimated reading time: 3 min.
TaxAssist Accountants is a well-known brand with a wide variety of tax and accountancy services, so it is definitely one to consider if you want to partner with a successful franchisor and benefit from an established business model. For this month's Franchisor Q&A, we sat down with Daren Moore FCCA, Group Commercial Director at TaxAssist Accountants, to get a deeper insight into what makes the business continue to thrive on the British high street.
What makes TaxAssist Accountants unique to other businesses?
We are the largest network of accountants focused on the small business market in the UK. TaxAssist Accountants has proven to be a game-changer for both the accounting industry – and for small businesses – in the way we ‘retail’ tax and accountancy services through open and welcoming shops.
A large percentage of our network is now operating from shop fronts, which has seen a growing awareness of the TaxAssist Accountants brand among small businesses and self-employed communities nationwide. This traditional fee base has been increasingly complemented by clients attracted by the friendly, professional and un-intimidating environment offered by our shops. As the number of self-employed and small businesses grow, this simple doctrine has proved invaluable.
Do you think the accounting sector has changed since the business began and if so, how has TaxAssist adapted the business to meet this change?
Over the years, there have been wholesale changes in the way we all do business and accountancy is no exception.
The accounting sector is currently going through an unprecedented change – technology, software, automation, digitalisation and regulation are all impacting upon the way small practices work.
We are also seeing client expectations slowly change, as they start to see how they can use technology to help them understand more about their businesses, tax affairs, etc. The challenge our sector faces is using technology to help develop client services, improve efficiency and generate increased profitability and value.
We know from our experience in the accounting sector that many small practices are struggling with this. However, our network is ideally positioned to take advantage of these changes – we see this very much as an opportunity, not a threat.
We have invested heavily in our technology suite and brand in recent times and continue to develop services to help attract and support clients. This, combined with our unique model of highly visible and client-friendly practices across the country, firmly positions us as the accountancy, tax and advisory provider of choice for small businesses and individuals in the UK.
What qualities do you think are important for running a successful franchise?
To be a successful franchisee you need a number of key traits including interpersonal skills, the ability to follow a proven business model and take advice, as well as a desire to work hard. Couple this with ambition and drive and you should be on your way to running a successful franchise.
How long does the process of becoming a TaxAssist franchisee take?
This varies from person to person and will depend on when the initial enquiry is made, as we hold four training courses that are spread throughout the year.
An enquiry about the franchise will result in an initial telephone or email conversation. Suitable candidates will then be invited to attend a discovery day at our support centre in Norwich. After this, we work closely with successful candidates on their business plans, raising the necessary funds and assisting them with research and premises searches.
We pride ourselves on making sure that help is available throughout the whole process, to ensure it runs as smoothly as possible.
Find out more about a franchise opportunity with TaxAssist Accountants by clicking here.