Engaging an accountant for your mid-market business: What to expect and how to prepare

From your first meeting to ongoing support — how to get the most value from an accounting relationship. 

As businesses grow, their accounting needs often become more complex. Financial reporting, compliance requirements, systems and decision-making expectations all increase — and the level of support required needs to evolve. 
 

“For many mid-market businesses, engaging an accountant is not just about maintaining compliance. It is about strengthening financial processes, improving visibility and supporting better business outcomes.” – Justin Martin, National Advisory Leader

If you are considering engaging a new accounting partner, understanding what to expect can help you get more value from the relationship from the outset. 
 

Preparing for your first discussion 

You do not need to have everything perfectly organised before speaking with an accountant. However, having a clear sense of your business and your needs will help make the conversation more productive. 

Useful information to consider includes: 

• Your current business structure 
• Size and stage of growth 
• Key financial challenges or frustrations 
• What is working well today 
• Where you feel you need more support 
• Your future plans (growth, expansion, investment etc.) 

You may also be asked for access to recent financial statements, management reports or your accounting system — this helps provide a clearer picture early on. 
 

What happens in the first meeting? 

The first meeting is typically focused on understanding your business, not selling a predefined solution. 

A good accountant will take the time to: 

• Learn how your business operates 
• Understand your goals and priorities 
• Ask about current processes and systems 
• Identify any immediate risks or gaps 
• Discuss where you would like more support 

It should feel like a two-way conversation. This is also your opportunity to assess whether the accountant understands your business and communicates in a way that works for you.
 

“The first conversation should be about your business, not just your numbers — understanding your goals is key to delivering the right support.” – Justin Martin, National Advisory Leader 

 

Identifying your accounting needs 

Following the initial discussion, the accountant will usually help define what level of support is appropriate. 

For a mid-market business, this could include: 

• Day-to-day accounting support 
• Financial reporting and management accounts 
• Cash flow forecasting 
• Systems and process improvements 
• Support with compliance and regulatory requirements 
• Access to advisory input as needed 
• Tax advice 
• Virtual CFO services 
• Digital advisory 

The goal is to align the level of support with the complexity and ambitions of your business, without overengineering the solution. 

The proposed approach and scope 

You can expect a clear outline of: 

• The services to be provided 
• How the team will work with you 
• What responsibilities sit with your business vs the accountant 
• Timelines and reporting expectations 
• Pricing and fee structure 

A well-structured proposal should feel practical and transparent, with flexibility to adapt as your needs change. 
 

Onboarding and transition 

If you decide to proceed, the onboarding phase is an important step. 

This may include: 

• Gaining access to your systems 
• Reviewing existing financial data 
• Understanding current processes 
• Identifying any immediate priorities 
• Setting up reporting frameworks and communication rhythms 

If you are moving from another provider, this stage often includes a structured handover to ensure continuity and minimise disruption. 
 

“A good onboarding sets the tone for the relationship—it ensures clarity, reduces disruption and helps deliver value earlier.” – Justin Martin, National Advisory Leader 

 

Establishing an ongoing relationship 

Once established, the focus shifts from setup to delivery and continuous improvement. 

For mid-market businesses, the most effective accounting relationships typically involve: 

• Regular reporting (monthly or quarterly) 
• Ongoing communication, not just year-end contact 
• Proactive identification of issues and opportunities 
• Periodic review of processes and systems 
• Access to broader advisory support when needed 

Over time, this relationship should become more valuable as your accountant gains deeper insight into your business. 
 

“For mid-market businesses, accounting is as much about visibility and structure as it is about compliance.” – Justin Martin, National Advisory Leader 

 

Getting the most from your accountant 

To maximise value, it helps to treat your accountant as a partner rather than a service provider. 

This means: 

• Sharing information openly 
• Involving them earlier in decisions where relevant 
• Being clear about your goals and challenges 
• Using their insight, not just their outputs 

When this partnership works well, accounting becomes a key contributor to business performance, not just a support function. 
 

Considering engaging an accountant?  

With advisers in 21 offices nationally, BDO works with mid-market businesses across New Zealand to provide practical, scalable accounting support aligned to your growth and complexity. 

Talk to your local BDO adviser to discuss the right accounting support model for your business and what the transition process could look like.