There are different qualifications that an individual can take to become a professional accountant, depending on which area of accountancy they wish to work and at what level of expertise.

Most commonly, you’ll find that an accountant is a member of a professional body such as the Institute of Chartered Accountants, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, and the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy. 

Ask for details of your accountant’s qualifications, and be confident in asking for an explanation of the services that he or she is authorised to provide. By exploring all the services on offer, you may find other areas of expertise that could benefit your business.