Want To Work For Yourself?

Take your skills into account and become part of the TaxAssist network

Are you an accountant or senior finance professional yearning to work for yourself? If so, you should consider investing in a TaxAssist Accountants franchise and use your existing skills to your advantage by starting your own business, with the back-up of first class training and support.

TaxAssist is an award winning franchise that offers tax and accountancy services to small businesses and self-employed individuals. Founded in 1995, it’s the UK’s largest network of accountants specifically servicing the small business market.

The network of over 200 franchises, servicing over 65,000 clients with a fee bank of over £41 million, has seen TaxAssist soar to 21st in the Accountancy Age top 50 league of UK accountants - the only accountancy franchise to be recognised in the league table.

People who join the TaxAssist network are often looking to commute less, have greater time flexibility, leave the corporate rat race behind and spend more time with their family. They are keen to own and grow their own practice and build an asset for their future, plus want the added security and advantages being part of a successful network brings.

TaxAssist offers a simple, effective business plan coupled with proven and award winning training, marketing and support systems to enable its franchisees to take control of their futures. In essence, franchisees work for themselves, but not by themselves.

Business model

The TaxAssist franchise model is based on simple principles. By servicing the needs of small businesses, subcontractors and the self-employed, franchisees can focus on a group of clients who have traditionally been neglected.

The small business market is huge in the UK. According to the National Federation of Self-Employed & Small Businesses, small businesses accounted for 99.3 per cent of all private sector businesses at the start of 2016.

The TaxAssist business model focuses solely on this market and avoids clients who require auditing services, targeting those with a turnover of less than £2 million. This has many advantages. It keeps work relatively simple and there is much more security in operating with 400- 500 small business clients, each with a modest average annual fee, because if some of the clients leave, the risk to the overall business is negligible.

Shop concept

All franchisees are required to operate from a shop before the end of their third year. The purpose of a shop is to depart from the look and characteristics of traditional accountancy practices and provide modern, accessible and welcoming locations for small business clients or prospective clients to meet with an accountant and access services at their convenience in a nonintimidating environment.

Visibility, credibility, walk-in business and brand reinforcement are just a few of the benefits that operating from a shop brings. In addition, having a visible presence within the business community helps to integrate marketing activities and increase effectiveness.

The first TaxAssist shop opened in 2002 and the shop concept remains an integral part of the company’s business development strategy.

Training and technical support

All TaxAssist franchisees receive full initial and ongoing training and support to enable them to launch, build and manage their own businesses.

A technical advice helpline staffed by a highly skilled and experienced team is provided for franchisees and their staff, as well as on-site visits to provide advice and guidance.

Established and respected brand

With the benefit of the support centre team in Norwich and by following the proven business model, franchisees can grow their businesses far quicker and more substantially than had they gone it alone.

TaxAssist has continued to see double digit growth in and out of the recession, where the accountancy industry has often stagnated or declined.

Brian Alexander, who joined TaxAssist in 2004 and operates from a shop in Stevenage, says: “The initial training provided by TaxAssist was comprehensive. It ensured we were all up to date with the technical details, while at the same time covered all the basics of how to market the practice and sell the services we offer.

“The ongoing support is excellent. I like the fact I can ask anything on the technical side and I get a professional response very quickly. In terms of my practice, I have sought help in moving forward twice in the last 12 years and on each occasion TaxAssist has come up with the goods.

“They have pointed me in the right direction and helped me grow my practice much quicker than I had before.

“The number of small businesses being formed seems to be at an all-time high, in my area at least. The niche in which we operate is gaining in confidence by the day and we’re receiving enquiries at a fantastic rate.

“We have had a tough few years with the recession, but during that time we have not grown less than 10 per cent per annum. Today we are confident we are yet again going to reach double figure growth, as more people start their own businesses.

“Being a TaxAssist franchisee has been an excellent choice for me. I have completed 10 years and have signed on for a further 10. Following the advice and encouragement from the franchisor, I am achieving a great work/life balance, while earning a decent living and building an asset that will fund my retirement.”

TaxAssist has franchise opportunities available all over the UK and has opened up new territories in central London.