--- title: "Complete Guide: How to Find and Choose the Right Accountant" description: "Complete guide to choosing an accountant in Portugal. Learn when to hire, what to check and how to find the right professional for your business." lang: en json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Article", "headline": "Complete Guide: How to Find and Choose the Right Accountant", "description": "Complete guide to choosing an accountant in Portugal. 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Only these professionals are legally qualified to sign tax returns and ensure your company or activity complies with all obligations." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What are the functions of an accountant?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Many people associate accountants only with filing IRS or IRC - but their work goes far beyond that. A certified accountant can help with:" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is the right time to hire an accountant?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The answer is: the sooner, the better." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Individual accountant or accounting firm?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Both options are valid - the choice depends on your specific needs." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What to check before hiring an accountant?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "1. Are they registered with the OCC? Check on the OCC website for active registration. 2. Do they have experience in my sector? Sector experience means better knowledge of specific tax rules. 3. What services are included? Understand exactly what's covered and what may cost extra. 4. How is communication handled? Easy access by email, phone or meetings is essential. 5. What accounting software do they use? Modern, secure tools facilitate document sharing. 6. How is my data handled? Confirm GDPR compliance." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How can Grupo Your help?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "At Grupo Your, we have a team of certified accountants with experience across various business areas. We offer complete accounting, payroll and tax advisory services - adapted to each client's real needs." } } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://grupoyour.com/en" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Blog", "item": "https://grupoyour.com/en/blog" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Complete Guide: How to Find and Choose the Right Accountant" } ] } ] --- [Saltar para o conteúdo](#main-content) [![Grupo Your - Abertura de Empresa em Portugal](/assets/logo-2wXESdnX.png)](/en) Grupo YourServicesTools[Contacts](/en/contacts) 7 EN Personalized Proposal 1. [Home](/en) 2. [Blog](/en/blog) 3. Complete Guide: How to Find and Choose the Right Accountant [Back to blog](/en/blog) [Contabilidade](/en/blog?tag=contabilidade)[Guia](/en/blog?tag=guia)[PME](/en/blog?tag=pme)[Trabalhadores Independentes](/en/blog?tag=trabalhadores%20independentes)[Fiscalidade](/en/blog?tag=fiscalidade)[OCC](/en/blog?tag=occ) # Complete Guide: How to Find and Choose the Right Accountant ![Mónica Matos](/images/authors/monica-matos.png) [Mónica Matos](/en/blog/author/monica-matos) 29 March 2026· 4 min read Share ![Complete Guide: How to Find and Choose the Right Accountant por Mónica Matos - Grupo Your Contabilidade](https://xmvtahclopqwmxwnbimy.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/blog-images/grupo-your-guia-escolher-contabilista-certo.jpg "Complete Guide: How to Find and Choose the Right Accountant por Mónica Matos - Grupo Your Contabilidade") ## In this article - [What is a Certified Accountant and why is it important?](#what-is-a-certified-accountant-and-why-is-it-important) - [What are the functions of an accountant?](#what-are-the-functions-of-an-accountant) - [When is the right time to hire an accountant?](#when-is-the-right-time-to-hire-an-accountant) - [If you're self-employed:](#if-youre-self-employed) - [If you have or are opening a company:](#if-you-have-or-are-opening-a-company) - [For individuals:](#for-individuals) - [Individual accountant or accounting firm?](#individual-accountant-or-accounting-firm) - [Individual accountant](#individual-accountant) - [Accounting firm](#accounting-firm) - [What to check before hiring an accountant?](#what-to-check-before-hiring-an-accountant) - [Documents you typically need to provide](#documents-you-typically-need-to-provide) - [Frequently asked questions](#frequently-asked-questions) - [How can Grupo Your help?](#how-can-grupo-your-help) Finding a good accountant can be the difference between a healthy business and a constant tax headache. If you're looking for an accountant or [accounting](/en/accounting "Accounting Services") firm in Portugal, this guide was created for you. We explain everything you need to know - from the right time to hire, to what you should demand before signing any contract. ## What is a Certified Accountant and why is it important? A certified accountant is a professional registered with the Order of Certified Accountants (OCC), the body that regulates and supervises the profession in Portugal. Only these professionals are legally qualified to sign tax returns and ensure your company or activity complies with all obligations. Hiring a non-certified accountant can put you at risk of fines, tax irregularities and legal problems. ## What are the functions of an accountant? Many people associate accountants only with filing IRS or IRC - but their work goes far beyond that. A certified accountant can help with: - **Tax returns:** IRS, IRC, VAT, activity declarations - **Payroll processing:** payslips, holiday management, subsidies and Social Security contributions - **Company formation:** support in choosing the most suitable legal and tax regime - **Tax planning:** identification of deductions and [tax benefits](/en/tax-benefits-simulator "Tax Benefits Simulator") - **Annual accounts** and year-end closing - **Financing support** and incentive applications - **Compliance** with monthly, quarterly and annual accounting obligations - **Responding to notifications** and Tax Authority inspections ## When is the right time to hire an accountant? The answer is: the sooner, the better. ### If you're self-employed: - When opening your activity and unsure about the best regime - When your invoicing volume starts growing - When you struggle to understand how much to set aside for taxes - When you receive a Tax Authority notification ### If you have or are opening a company: - Before forming the company - an accountant can help choose the right type of company and tax regime from the start - When invoicing grows and financial management becomes complex - When you need to hire employees and manage salaries - When you want to access financing or incentives ### For individuals: - When you have income from multiple sources - When you want to ensure you're using all available IRS deductions - When you've received an inheritance, sold a property, or have a complex tax situation Use our [IRS simulator](/en/irs-simulator-2026) to get an idea of your deductions' impact. ## Individual accountant or accounting firm? Both options are valid - the choice depends on your specific needs. ### Individual accountant Can be a good option for smaller businesses or self-employed workers seeking a closer, more personalised relationship. ### Accounting firm Offers a multidisciplinary team with specialists in different areas - tax, [payroll](/en/payroll "Payroll Services"), financial and management. A clear advantage for growing companies needing fast responses and comprehensive service. ## What to check before hiring an accountant? - **Are they registered with the OCC?** Check on the OCC website for active registration. - **Do they have experience in my sector?** Sector experience means better knowledge of specific tax rules. - **What services are included?** Understand exactly what's covered and what may cost extra. - **How is communication handled?** Easy access by email, phone or meetings is essential. - **What accounting software do they use?** Modern, secure tools facilitate document sharing. - **How is my data handled?** Confirm GDPR compliance. ## Documents you typically need to provide - Purchase and sales invoices - Bank statements - Expense receipts - Employment contracts and employee data - Company formation documents - Correspondence with the Tax Authority or Social Security ## Frequently asked questions **Am I required to have organised accounting for my company?** Yes. All commercial companies must have organised accounting signed by a certified accountant. **What if I'm self-employed under the simplified regime?** It's not mandatory but highly recommended - especially as your activity grows. **Can I change accountant at any time?** Yes. You have the right to change whenever you wish. The previous professional must hand over all documentation. **What happens if I don't comply with tax obligations?** Non-compliance can result in fines, late interest, and in serious cases, criminal tax proceedings. ## How can Grupo Your help? At Grupo Your, we have a team of certified accountants with experience across various business areas. We offer complete [accounting](/en/accounting), [payroll](/en/payroll) and [tax advisory](/en/tax-consulting) services - adapted to each client's real needs. Our goal is simple: let you focus on your business while we take care of everything else. [Contact us](/en/contacts) today and discover how we can help. _Grupo Your - Accounting, Management and Advisory at your service._ 0 0 Share ### Get the latest tax news Subscribe to our newsletter and receive articles, tax alerts and tips directly in your inbox. Subscribe I agree to receive email communications from Grupo Your. I can unsubscribe at any time. My data will be processed according to the [privacy policy](/en/privacy-policy). ### Need help with your company? Talk to us and receive a proposal tailored to your business. 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