Updated October 21, 2026
How people usually find accountants
Most people start with personal recommendations from friends, family or business contacts. Local networks - professional groups, community forums and online social platforms - are also common sources. Many search online by service and area, checking practice websites and directory listings to compare services and opening hours.
Another common route is to post a short task or request for proposals when you need a specific job - for example bookkeeping, annual accounts or tax filing - and then review offers. This helps if you want to compare several providers by price and proposed approach.
- Ask peers in the same trade or sector for references
- Search online by service and county or town
- Use a task post to get multiple offers for a defined job
How to shortlist and check credentials
Start by confirming the provider’s professional memberships and any public registrations they display. Membership of recognised bodies is a useful signal - check the provider’s listing or ask for confirmation. For work that requires an audit or statutory role, check whether the person or firm is authorised to perform that specific service.
Read available client feedback and look at examples of work where provided. If a profile has photos or a description of services, check whether those services match what you need. Contact the provider to confirm practical details such as business address, typical turnaround times and whether they will handle communications with tax authorities if needed.
- Confirm professional memberships or registrations the provider claims
- Request references or examples for similar work
- Verify contact details and service coverage before proceeding
What to ask before agreeing
Ask for a clear scope of work and an engagement letter or contract that sets out who does what, the timetable and how deliverables are defined. Clarify whether the price includes filing costs, advice calls and responses to queries from tax authorities, or whether those are charged extra.
Discuss communication preferences - email, phone, video calls or in-person meetings - and agree how often you will get updates. Confirm who will do the work and whether the same person will be your point of contact each year. Finally, ask how they store and protect your documents and what happens if you want to end the relationship.
- Get the scope, timetable and responsibilities in writing
- Clarify what is included in the quoted price and what is extra
- Agree communication channels and data handling
What is specific to Ireland for accountants
In Ireland the accounting market includes several professional bodies that accountants commonly belong to. When checking a candidate, ask which body they are a member of and whether they hold any specialist tax or audit authorisations you may need. For services that involve representation to Revenue or statutory audit work, check that the provider has the appropriate authorisation for that role.
Seasonality affects availability - expect higher demand around personal and corporate year-ends and near tax return deadlines. If you need work done at those times, contact providers early. English is the primary language of business across the country; if you need services in Irish, confirm that capability in advance.
- Ask about professional memberships and any audit or tax authorisations
- Plan ahead for busy periods around tax and year-end deadlines
- Confirm language needs - most business is handled in English
How quotes, billing and payments are usually handled
Accountants may quote fixed fees for standard services or estimate time-based charges for ongoing work. Always ask whether the quote is an estimate or a fixed price, and how changes to scope are handled. Many firms request an initial engagement letter and then invoice by month or after delivery of key milestones.
Ask which payment methods they accept and whether they issue itemised invoices. Some providers accept bank transfers, card payments or standing orders. On Websta, card payments from customers are paid out to the provider's own bank account through Stripe; providers set their own prices. Confirm how VAT is shown on invoices and whether any retainers or upfront payments are required.
- Clarify whether fees are fixed or time-based and how scope changes are billed
- Check accepted payment methods and invoicing frequency
- Ask about VAT treatment and any required retainers
How a Websta profile helps you compare providers
A Websta profile works like a simple central page where you can see a provider’s listed services, photos, a contact form and online booking if the provider offers that. Profiles show the services a provider chooses to list and the prices they set. The marketplace lets you post a task and receive offers from nearby providers, making side-by-side comparisons easier.
Using profiles you can check practical details at a glance - stated services, available times and how to contact the provider. That saves time in the early stages of shortlisting, but still follow up to verify credentials and to get a formal engagement letter before you agree to work.
- Compare services, photos and contact details in one place
- Post a task in the marketplace to collect offers
- Use the profile to start verification and request an engagement letter
Practical tips for the first engagement
Start with a small piece of work or a short review to see how the accountant communicates and meets deadlines. Keep records of agreements and ask for an itemised final invoice. If you change provider, request transfer copies of your records and confirm any outstanding obligations for the year in question.
If you have an urgent deadline, tell potential providers up front and confirm availability. For ongoing work, agree a review point after the first few months to check whether the arrangement is working and to adjust the scope or frequency of reporting.
- Begin with a limited task to test working style
- Keep written records of scope, fees and deadlines
- Agree a review point for ongoing engagements
Frequently asked questions
- How do I confirm an accountant’s professional membership in Ireland?
- Ask the accountant which professional body they belong to and request proof of membership. You can also ask for a copy of their membership number or a link to their online profile with the body.
- Should I ask for an engagement letter before work starts?
- Yes. An engagement letter sets out the scope, responsibilities, timetable and fees. It helps avoid misunderstandings and is a standard practice for both one-off and ongoing work.
- When is the busiest time to hire an accountant in Ireland?
- Demand tends to increase around personal and company year-ends and near tax filing deadlines. If you need work completed in those periods, contact providers well in advance to check availability.
- Can I pay an accountant by card through Websta?
- Websta supports card payments that are paid out to the provider's own bank account through Stripe when a provider chooses to accept them. Confirm with the provider which payment methods they accept for invoiced work.
- What should I do if I want services in Irish?
- Ask the provider directly whether they can conduct work or communications in Irish. Most business is handled in English, so confirm language ability before engaging if Irish is important to you.
About the numbers
Counts in this guide were read from the Websta catalogue when the text was written and are refreshed above from the live catalogue. Part of the catalogue was built from the public business register and is marked as such on each profile.
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