On the internet you will find both 100% online accounting firms and local accountants. What makes them different? Below we have drawn up the advantages and disadvantages between the two.

From the creation of your business, the entrepreneur is faced with choosing his partners in order to be supported on all tax, legal, accounting and social issues. The company’s first trusted partner is undoubtedly the accountant. The choice of your accountant is purely strategic and must take into account the specificities of your activity and the needs of your company.

The costs

Firstly, the prices of a 100% online accountant are often a little cheaper. In return, you will have at your disposal dematerialization tools allowing you to automate certain accounting work with low added value. Such as keeping accounting records.

You may be attracted by the advantageous prices of the services 100% online, but in most cases they only cover the basic offer. You will be required to carry out certain accounting assignment tasks yourself. And so you will have to train yourself on the online software that will be made available to you. This will therefore require you to spend additional time every month to correctly update your accounting. Lack of awareness or mastery of new technologies can also be a barrier to choosing an online accountant.

Due to the lower call can quickly increase with the addition of other consulting services not initially planned. The fees can then sometimes exceed the rates of a traditional accountant.price, the rates of online offices can quickly increase with the addition of other consulting services not initially planned. The fees can then sometimes exceed the rates of a traditional accountant.

Customer relations

The relationship with the customer is often limited to access to an online chat which can prove to be limited in the event of more complex questions. A local accountant maintains a privileged and personalized relationship with his clients, whether by email, telephone or appointment at the office. Physical contact reassures the manager and allows him to communicate more fluidly with his accountant. Also note that certain sectors of activity are not compatible with online accounting and that not all accounting can be automated (companies with high turnover or little digitalization).

Responsibility

One last point and not the least. Purely online firms provide a service providing accounting software billed monthly. It is then you who will be entirely responsible for the accounting assignment that you make through this software and the resulting tax declarations. A so-called local accountant will have the mission to organize and secure your accounting. EIn the event of a dispute or complaint, customers are covered by professional insurance.