Why Become a TaxAssist Accountant?

TaxAssist Accountants is the largest network of accountants in the UK specifically servicing the small business market.

The business model of TaxAssist Accountants is fundamentally simple - to take on hundreds of small business clients - with relatively simple work, whilst being based in visible, accessible and friendly shop front premises.

Many of our franchise owners were fed up with the daily commute, bored or were frustrated with working hard to make others rich! They realised that taking on a franchise, which offers a service that has been and always will be in demand, could be the answer. They saw the business model made financial sense, with the potential for taking a good salary whilst creating a real asset for their long term future.

Fee banks are very saleable (there are more buyers than sellers) and the TaxAssist Accountants brand name can add a premium to the value of the business when you decide to sell. By adhering to the business model and taking a proactive approach to marketing in your territory, you should be attracting clients at a considerable rate. Client acquisition will be facilitated by your shop front presence, your marketing and networking activity.

Are We Compatible?

You will be the principal of the business employing accountants leaving you free to focus on business development and managing your practice. Franchise owners do not need any formal accountancy qualifications as full training is given, but we do look for key abilities and attributes. High levels of commercial acumen and finance and business awareness are essential as we look for franchise owners who are determined to build a sizeable business.

TaxAssist Accountants Training and Support

BPP Professional Education, the UK's leading provider of accountancy and taxation tuition, provides our accountancy and taxation training. Training is carried out at our Support Centre in Norwich by qualified personnel in an informal atmosphere. The courses are residential and TaxAssist Accountants pays for all meals and accommodation.

Full training, support and guidance are given to operate your business under the TaxAssist Accountants brand name.

You will receive:

• an exclusive territory
• comprehensive training
• 6 month nurture programme focusing on business development, recruitment and client acquisition
• comprehensive operations manuals
• continuous guidance and support
• technical advice helplines, support website, support material and visits from our technical team
• access to specialist advice/in-field back-up
• regular contact with our Franchisee Development Manager to monitor and discuss progress
• lead generation service
• initial stationery and marketing materials including your own personalised website
• national marketing and brand building
• first year's membership of a networking group
• telephone answering service for first year

The five week training programme consists of:

• the first and second weeks cover all aspects of accounts production and taxation for sole traders and partnerships
• the third week covers software training on Taxation and Practice Management
• for the fourth week you will be working from home and you will be given relevant case studies to work through
• in the last week you will receive sales, marketing and recruitment training

The Franchise Package

We offer two entry levels to the franchise. The first entry package costs £29,450 + VAT and allows you to work from a commercial office and then move to a shop front by the end of your third year. Alternatively you can also open up a shop front from day one.

The second package is called the 'Lifestyle Package' and costs £19,950 + VAT. We are offering this package in limited rural areas. This package has been created on the back of the increasing desire among many to escape the confines of city practices and the costs of city living through the purchase of a practice in a new location such as smaller market towns or rural areas. We have selected various locations around the country where we wish to offer this package, and it would also be relevant if a reduced size territory is all that is available in a certain area. Please speak to the recruitment department to see what areas are included.

This package also requires the franchise owner to work from a commercial office and then move to a shop front by the end of their 3rd year. It also allows franchise owners to open a shop front from day one if they wish.

About Us

TaxAssist Accountants was founded in 1995. The company has been set up to provide a national network of trained, experienced personnel, offering a professional and personal service in accountancy, taxation and business services to small businesses.

The company's founder, John Westgarth, is an experienced and innovative Chartered Accountant. It was whilst working in practice in 1995 that he saw an opening in the market place. He realised that small businesses would need help with their accounts in the wake of self-assessment, and he anticipated that the demand for such a service would be ideal for a franchise network. TaxAssist Accountants was formed on the back of this realisation.

Many small businesses find they don't get the service they deserve from their present accountant and resent the large fees they have to pay. Therefore they are often willing to change to an accountant that specialises in offering a complete range of services specifically for small businesses. Our target market is the sole trader, partnership or small limited company.

When you join TaxAssist Accountants, you will be making a commitment to operate your franchise from shop front premises within 36 months of joining. Our Franchisee Development Managers will be able to assist you when considering location, and they can help you locate suitable premises within your territory.

In 2010 the British Franchise Association (bfa) awarded TaxAssist Accountants the highly coveted Gold award at the Franchisor of the Year Awards 2010. TaxAssist Accountants faced tough competition from the seven other shortlisted finalists including household names such as Dominos and McDonald's. This award win follows two Silver place wins for the small business accountancy specialists. Winning an award for a third consecutive year at this prestigious event confirms that TaxAssist Accountants continues to be one of the major players in the Franchise world.

We operate in a lucrative market and provide a service, which is, and always will be, in demand and where the rewards can be substantial.