Accounting Franchise UK TaxAssist Accountants - Franchises

Run your own Accountancy Practice
and build an asset for the future

Are you tired of working for someone else and want to branch out on your own? Maybe you’re worried about going it alone and the risks associated with it.  If so, then why not consider running your own accountancy practice with an award winning franchises which will give you brand credibility from day one, mixed with professional training and full support for you and your practice.

If you are a qualified accountant or hold tax qualifications then running your very own TaxAssist Accountants practice can offer you the challenge you have been looking for with the support you need.   We also find that bank managers, finance managers and audit managers make great franchisees too and we have various routes for getting you where you need to be to run a successful accountancy practice. If you aren’t a qualified accountant then employing qualified accountants is essential whilst you concentrate on building the business. 

The proven business model of TaxAssist Accountants is straightforward – take on hundreds of small business clients with relatively uncomplicated work whilst being based in visible, accessible and friendly shop front premises.  And while you are building a valuable asset you will be obtaining an ongoing income.  When you are ready to sell your practice, we can help you realise the value of your asset and you have the knowledge that you will be able to sell at industry multiple norms and beyond.  
By adhering to the business model and taking a proactive approach to marketing in your territory, you can be attracting clients at a considerable rate. Client acquisition will be facilitated by our unique and innovative approach to marketing which will significantly help the build-up of your fee-bank. Alongside this we deliver nationally acquired leads which clearly separates us from other accountancy franchises.

TaxAssist Accountants are viewed as a ‘Funding Friendly’ franchises by all of the bfa accredited banks and attract interest in lending in order to get your venture up and running and supporting you in the early stages.  

Background and the business model in action

Founded in 1995, TaxAssist Accountants has become the UK’s largest network of accountants specifically servicing the small business market.

Our network of over 185 franchised practices services over 40,000 clients with a combined fee bank in excess of £25.5 million putting us 29th in the Accountancy Age top 50 league of UK Accountants, the only accountancy franchises to be recognised in the league tables.

With the support of the Support Centre team in Norwich and by following our proven business model, our franchisees are able to grow their business substantially and far quicker and more sustainable than without us. A selection of our franchisees are currently achieving the following (as of 1st January 2012):

• Darren Tomlinson (Hull) opened November 2010 currently has 154 clients
  
• Renee Mackay (Edinburgh) opened March 2010 currently has 196 clients
  
• Denis Day (Caterham) opened August 2009 currently has 257 clients
  
• James Sheard (Stalybridge & Stockport) opened March 2009 currently has 288 clients
  
• Gary Richards (Larkfield) opened September 2008 currently has 353 clients
  
• Alasdair MacLean (Edinburgh) opened November 2005 currently has 725 clients
  
• Debbie Corbett & Vince Dalaimo (Central London) opened July 2005 currently have 953 clients

We have continued to see double digit growth in and out of the recession where the accountancy industry has often stagnated or declined.  Make sure you are joining the right franchises during these tough economic times.

Initial Training Course

Training is designed and delivered by our in house team of qualified accountants, tax experts and marketing trainers in conjunction with specialist training partners. The courses are residential and TaxAssist Accountants pays for all meals and accommodation so you will be well catered for during your time with us.

The Training Programme runs for 6 weeks and consists of:

• The first three weeks cover all aspects of accounts production and taxation for sole traders and partnerships and CCH software training   
• For the fourth week you will be working from home. You will be given relevant case studies to work through
• The fifth week covers practice management and social media training
• In the last week you will receive sales, marketing and recruitment training

Beyond the Initial Training Course

Once you have completed the initial training course you will then come back after three months and again after six months as part of our nurture programme.  These follow up courses allow you to focus on business development, HR and client acquisition.   They are designed to help you learn more about your individual practice and for us to steer you in the right direction in the early days of starting your business.

The Ongoing Support

The Support Centre offers a complete range of professional, experienced and qualified personnel to fully support your business endeavours. Full training, support and guidance are given to operate your business under the TaxAssist Accountants brand name.

You will receive:

• An exclusive marketing territory
• Fully integrated accounts and tax software suite
• Complete ongoing training programme (technical, marketing, software, administration)
• Comprehensive operations manuals
• Technical advice helpdesk including access to our technical support website, support material and visits from our technical experts
• Regular contact with our Franchisee Development Manager to monitor and discuss progress
• Technical updates
• Inbound and outbound lead generation services including 25 free leads
• National marketing campaigns and internet optimisation generating inbound leads
• Local PR Support from external PR agency
• Initial stationery and marketing materials including your own personalised website
• Marketing, publicity and brand building
• Regular regional training and development for you and your staff
• A support site with adverts, guidance, stationery etc
• First year’s membership of a networking group such as BNI or 4Networking
• Telephone answering service for first year
• A Support Centre dedicated to you with no other business interests than growing and supporting your business

An award winning franchise

In 2010 The British Franchise Association (bfa) awarded TaxAssist Accountants the highly coveted Gold award at the Franchisor of the Year Awards 2010 beating some major high street brands. This award win follows two Silver place wins for the small business accountancy specialists. Recent awards and accolades for TaxAssist Accountants include:

• 2012 Accountancy Live Top 60 league – 26th position
  
• 2011 Best Franchise Award – Best Training & Support
  
• 2011 Accountancy Age Top 50 league – 29th position
  
• 2011 EDP Business Awards – Business Development Award
  
• 2010 bfa / HSBC Franchisor of the Year – Gold Award
  
• 2010 2020 Innovation Group – Marketing Person of the Year (Sarah Robertson, Business Development Director)
  
• 2010 Interactive Media Awards – Best in Class for Financial Services
  
• 2010 Accountancy Age Top 50 league – 34th position
  
• 2009 bfa / HSBC Franchisor of the Year – Silver Award
  
• 2008 bfa / HSBC Franchisor of the Year – Silver Award
  
• 2007 2020 Innovation Group – Marketing Person of the Year (Sarah Robertson, Business Development Director)

These awards prove our support to the network and business development practices are second to none within the franchising industry and shows our growth within the accountancy industry is continuous.

Financial information – The franchises packages

We offer two entry levels to the franchise:

The first package is called the ‘Rural 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 us to find out what areas are included.  Please note this package is not available in the Republic of Ireland.

The second package is the ‘Full Package’ and costs £34,450 + 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 allowing your business to grow faster.

As the owner of a TaxAssist Accountants franchises you will enjoy the profits whilst building an asset for you to sell when you are ready to exit and with the TaxAssist Accountants brand name this is proving to add a premium to the value of the business when you decide to sell.

We still have territories available across the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland so if you would like to attend a Discovery Day then please contact us today to learn more.  Once you have attended a Discovery Day we will provide you with a full list of our franchisees for you to speak with and we make this an essential part of the research process you must undertake.