Help us name our accountancy business please

[OneToThree]

The name we can go with is your normal thing BGS Accounting (initials changed). But want to think of something more imaginative. Any clever ideas Mumsnetters?
Thank.

Tbh, I always think simpler is better for businesses like yours. Nobody wants a punny accountant. They want someone trustworthy and reliable and professional.

Something like "BGS Accounting & Book-keeping Ltd" is clear, straightforward and easy.

BGS, you can count on us.

Personally, I think "jazzy" names are crap for accountants. Accountancy is a serious profession and calling your firm "Tangerine", "Numbers R Us" etc looks amateur. Just look at some of the firms that have started from nothing and grew enormously, recently bought out for millions by venture capital firms - SJD Accountancy, Nixon Williams, etc - not "Fishface". Jazzy names are fine for cutting edge firms like internet marketing or for new clothing brands, but accountancy by it's very nature is staid. Accountancy practices grow by word of mouth, personal referrals, etc., i.e. all down to quality of service, not a fancy/naff name - something personal, i.e. your initials or last name or locality would probably sit better with potential clients. Personally, I don't see anything wrong with BGS Accounting, but if you live on say, Grove Street, why not Grove Accounting, or if you can see the seaside, why not Bay View Accounting?

I'm an accountant. I do think it depends on your target market. If your area is a little bit more hip than you might want to go with something but fits in with that aesthetic. If it's just your standard individuals and small businesses in your local area then go for basic and classy. Without knowing a lot more personal details without you I wouldn't be able to offer any suggestions.

Personally I think initials are quite hard to go with and you might be better with whole names. Initials are hard to remember. So when people want to Google you they might be Googling bgs or BSG.

That’s all really helpful thank you. I agree with maybe a word is better than initials.

Accountable

What about Grant Thornton? Then work like buggery as large multi-national companies come through the door and sod off to Mexico before ya get sued.

I want accountants to have a sensible name!

KPMG and PWC have done OK on initials
(I know these are abbreviations of longer names, but they are commonly used).

I'm another who thinks a straight forward name is what works for professional services.

I do like the idea of including the "bookkeeping" word. Not every small business even knows what to do when it comes to bookkeeping.

There's a few accountants near me who advertise themselves as "tax accounting" etc what does that actually mean? They only deal in tax, what about payroll do I need somebody else to help with that?

There's a few accountants near me who advertise themselves as "tax accounting" etc what does that actually mean? They only deal in tax, what about payroll do I need somebody else to help with that?

Lots of people, especially those new to business or having to do a tax return for the first time, just want someone to sort out their "tax" - they don't know if they need "accounts" and don't know what kind of professional they need. The word "accountant" tends to conjure up an image of someone who prepares accounts, which the average non self employed taxpayer doesn't need, and which your average new start up self employed tradesman or contractor doesn't know if he needs or not. The common need is sorting out tax, hence why lots of accountants use the word "tax" in their name/title etc. Also with new developments, such as making tax digital, and personal tax accounts, there's actually less need for "traditional" accounts to be prepared - more and more these days is worked from the "cash basis" simplified book-keeping. Website searching history also shows that more people look for professional help using the keyword of "tax" than "accounts". The term "accountant" is no longer really that relevant to what work they do and what clients are looking for - it's all about tax these days.

I was self employed for a few years. I had no idea if a a "tax" person would do everything I needed them to do. Or do Tax people only deal in filling out Tax Returns?

Every company l'd ever worked with had an Accountant / Accounts dept or Finance Dept

So may be a name a list of services might be the way to go ie

Jo Bloggs Accountants & Tax Advisors
Traditional Accountant
Book keeping
Tax Returns
Payroll.

What about with the location as part of the name, like Bank Street Accountants, for example?

Prime Numbers Accountacy