It’s one of the most common questions we hear from new clients in Crawley: "How often should I actually be speaking to you?"

If you’re like many business owners, the answer has traditionally been "once a year." You hand over a bag of receipts or a digital folder in January, have a brief panic about your tax bill, and then don't speak again until the following year.

But in 2025, that "once a year" model is broken. With the speed of economic change, rising costs in West Sussex, and constantly shifting tax rules, speaking to your accountant annually is no longer enough. It’s likely costing you money.

So, what is the right frequency? And how can you turn these meetings from a "compliance box-tick" into a profit-generating session?

The Short Answer… At Least Quarterly

For most ambitious small businesses in Crawley and the surrounding Gatwick Diamond area, quarterly meetings are the gold standard.

Why quarterly? Because 90 days is the perfect cycle for business planning. It’s long enough to see trends in your data (like a dip in sales or a spike in supplier costs) but short enough to fix them before they damage your annual profit.

Meeting quarterly allows you to:

• Predict your tax bill: No more nasty surprises in January. You know exactly what you owe and can save for it gradually.
• Spot profit leaks: Are your Manor Royal office costs creeping up? Is a specific service line becoming unprofitable? We can spot this in Q1, not Q4.
• Manage cash flow: Especially important for seasonal businesses in West Sussex. We can help you build a buffer for the quiet months.

What Is An Accountancy Support Workshop?

At Curve Accountancy, we believe that a quick coffee and a chat about the weather isn't enough. You need a deep dive into your numbers.

That’s why we don’t just "do meetings." We run Accountancy Support Workshops.

These are hands-on, interactive sessions led by our founder, Chris Irving, specifically designed for business owners who want to get under the bonnet of their company.

What Happens in a Curve Workshop?

These sessions take place in our Crawley office, centred around our legendary whiteboard.

We strip back your finances and look for the gaps that standard accounting misses. It’s not just about looking at what you did spend; it’s about planning what you should spend.

In a single workshop, we often:

1. Find "Hidden" Cost Savings: For example, we could help a crawley construction firm identify £12,000 of unclaimed capital allowances on their van fleet just by reviewing their assets properly.
2. Fix Pricing Models: We map out your gross profit margins on the whiteboard. Often, we find clients are busy but not profitable because their pricing hasn't kept up with inflation. We fix that in the room.
3. Plan for Growth: Want to hire your first employee or move to a bigger unit? We run the numbers live to show you exactly when you can afford it.

When Should You Start Having Accountancy Workshops? 

Not every business needs the same level of contact. Here is a quick guide to help you decide what’s right for you:

1. The Startup (Turnover <£50k)

• Frequency: Bi-annual (Every 6 months)
• Focus: Getting your systems right (Xero/QuickBooks setup) and ensuring you are saving roughly 20-25% of income for tax.
• Why: You need to keep costs low but ensure you don't fall foul of HMRC early on.

2. The Growing SME (Turnover £100k - £500k)

• Frequency: Quarterly (Every 3 months)
• Focus: VAT returns, management accounts, and tax efficiency.
• Why: You are now at a size where efficiency matters. Small tweaks to your tax structure (like the salary vs. dividend mix) can save you thousands. This is the ideal stage for our Workshops.

3. The Scaling Enterprise (Turnover £500k+)

• Frequency: Monthly
• Focus: You essentially need an outsourced Finance Director. We look at budgets, forecasts, and strategic expansion plans.
• Why: At this level, you are making expensive decisions daily. You need real-time data to support them.

Is Your Current Accountant Too Quiet?

If you haven't heard from your accountant since last year's tax return, you are likely missing out on opportunities to save tax and grow your business.

In the fast-moving economy of Crawley and West Sussex, you need a partner, not just a scorekeeper.

Don't wait for year-end. Book a quarterly Accountancy Support Workshop with Chris and let's find those cost-saving opportunities together.