The things people ask before they join.

Our initial consultation is an opportunity for us to understand you, your business and your future plans. We'll discuss your current accounting arrangements, any challenges you're facing and where you'd like your business to go.

From there, we can advise on the areas where Echo may be able to support you and recommend the right solution for your needs. We'll also build your proposal with you, live on the call, so you'll see exactly what each service includes and what it costs before you decide anything. No obligation, no pressure.

Within one working day a named person gets back to you, by email or phone, whichever you gave us. If you asked for an instant estimate you already have the figure, and the call turns it into a proposal. Nothing is set up and nothing changes with your current accountant until you say yes.

If it is urgent, ring 020 8087 3107 and skip the wait.

We'll provide a clear onboarding checklist based on the services you require. This may include previous accounts, tax information, bookkeeping records, company details, proof of ID for our anti-money-laundering checks and access to relevant software.

Don't worry if your records aren't perfectly organised. We regularly help businesses bring everything up to date and create a better process going forward.

Once you decide to work with Echo, we'll guide you through each step. The timeframe depends on the services you require and the complexity of your business, but we aim to make onboarding as smooth and straightforward as possible.

You'll receive a welcome email outlining what happens next, who your key contacts are, and what you can expect from us. If you're moving from another accountant, we handle that handover for you. There is more on that under Switching to Echo.

Once you join Echo, we begin the onboarding process and get you set up on our systems, including Xero with your bank feeds connected so your numbers stay live and up to date.

We then prepare your personalised business strategy. This helps us understand where your business is today, identify opportunities, and agree priorities for the future: tax planning, improving financial visibility, cash flow management and supporting your growth plans.

For limited companies, this proactive approach continues throughout the year, including a dedicated advisory review in Month 9 of your trading year, while there's still time to act on what we find, rather than after your year has closed.

No. A single Self Assessment is a proper piece of work and we treat it as one. Plenty of clients started with one return or one property and grew from there.

Your estimate only includes what you need, so a small business gets a small fee, not a scaled-down version of someone else's package.

No. While accounts and tax compliance are an important part of what we do, our aim is to become a trusted adviser for your business.

We want to help you understand your numbers, make informed decisions and plan ahead, rather than only contacting you when deadlines are approaching.

Communication is a key part of our service. We believe your accountant should be accessible throughout the year, not just when your accounts or tax return are due.

The level of communication depends on your requirements, and we'll agree the best approach with you when you join. For many clients that includes scheduled advisory reviews built into the year, so the important conversations are already in the diary. You won't have to chase us for them.

We aim to respond to all client queries as quickly as possible. Our standard response time is within one working day, and urgent matters are always prioritised where possible.

We believe accountancy should be about more than compliance. Our role is to help business owners understand their finances, identify opportunities and make better decisions.

In practice that means three things. We're proactive: we come to you before the deadline does. We're tech-led: automation and Xero handle the routine work so our people can focus on advice. And we're genuinely personal: you're dealing with people who know your name and your business, not a call centre.

Through proactive advice, regular communication and a personalised approach, we aim to become a long-term partner in your business journey.

Because a published price list can only ever be an average, and averages are unfair. Your fee should reflect your business: its size, complexity and the services you actually need.

So we price every proposal individually. During your discovery call we build your proposal with you, line by line, so you never pay for someone else's complexity. If you want a figure before the call, the instant estimate takes a minute. There is more on how we price.

Yes, on your very first call. We build your proposal live with you during the discovery call, and you take it away in writing. There's no obligation and no pressure.

Most of our services are on fixed monthly or annual fees, so there are no surprise invoices. Some flexible support options are priced per day or per project, and we'll always confirm the basis with you up front. If your needs change, we review the fee with you first.

Yes. Most clients spread their fees monthly by direct debit. Annual payment options are also available. We'll cover this on your call.

That's fine. Some clients need the full package; others just need a Self Assessment or a one-off review. Your proposal only includes what you need. See everything we do.

Absolutely. Your business will evolve over time, and your accounting requirements may change with it.

We regularly review our clients' needs and can adjust our support as your business develops, whether that means adding services, improving processes or providing more strategic advice. For businesses that need finance capability but aren't ready to hire, our flexible support scales up and down with you.

No. Talk to us first. Nothing happens to your existing arrangement until you decide to move.

If you do move, we handle the handover: we write to your previous accountant for professional clearance and your records, and there is no gap in your filings. Most people find the conversation is the easy part.

Less than you'd think. We handle it for you. Once you've joined, we write to your previous accountant for the professional clearance and request your records directly. It's a standard process between accountants, and we manage it entirely.

All we need from you is your previous accountant's contact details and your authority for us to contact them on your behalf. You won't have to chase anything yourself.

Yes. Many businesses come to us precisely because their records aren't where they want them to be.

We can organise your bookkeeping, bring your records up to date, however many months or years need untangling, and introduce better systems and processes to make managing your finances easier going forward.

You can switch at any time. That said, moving well ahead of a deadline, rather than in the final few weeks before a year end or tax return is due, gives us the most room to add value from the start. If you're mid-year, that's often an ideal time to make the change cleanly.

Whenever you move, we'll make sure nothing falls through the gap between your old accountant and us.

It might already. Making Tax Digital for Income Tax became mandatory in April 2026 for sole traders and landlords with qualifying income over £50,000. The threshold drops to £30,000 in April 2027 and £20,000 in April 2028.

Importantly, it's based on your gross income, your total rent or turnover before expenses, not your profit, which catches a lot of people out. If you're not sure where you stand, the two-minute checker will tell you, and we can handle the whole thing if it applies.

Yes. That's the baseline of everything we do. We track your deadlines and file on time in the background: year-end accounts, corporation tax, VAT, payroll, Self Assessment and confirmation statements, as they apply to you.

You won't be chasing us, and you won't be caught out by a deadline you didn't know about.

We're a Xero firm, top to bottom. As part of onboarding we set you up on Xero, including your subscription, chart of accounts and bank feeds, so your numbers are always live and up to date, and ready for Making Tax Digital.

If you're currently on different software or spreadsheets, we'll manage the move across for you.

No. We're based at Stockley Park in Uxbridge, on the western edge of London, serving Hayes, Uxbridge, Hillingdon and West London on our doorstep, and we work with clients across the UK. Because we're cloud-based, distance is never the issue. Your numbers are accessible wherever you are, and we're only ever a call, video or message away.

Your data is handled with care and stored securely. We work through Xero and secure, access-controlled systems rather than loose email attachments, and we're registered with the ICO and bound by our professional obligations on confidentiality and data protection.

We'll only ever share your information where you've authorised us to, for example when requesting records from a previous accountant on your behalf.

You'll have a named point of contact from the start, introduced in your welcome email, so you always know who you're speaking to. Behind them sits the wider Echo team, so there's always someone who knows your business. You're never just a number in a queue. Meet the team.

The best way is a free discovery call. It's a relaxed conversation, not a sales pitch. We'll get to know your business, answer your questions and build your proposal with you live on the call. You'll leave knowing exactly where you stand, whether or not you decide to go ahead.

Book a call and we'll take it from there.