The weekend drizzle had cooled the city just enough for a cozy cup of adrak chai. Astraea was scrolling through emails when Vardaan walked in, balancing a box of kaju katli and a question on his mind.
“Astraea, I’ve been thinking,” he said, “I’ve finally decided to hire an accounting firm. But I have no clue what to expect. What should they actually be doing for me?”
Astraea looked up with a smile. “Good call, Vardaan. Outsourcing your accounts is a smart move. But yes, knowing what to expect is key—because not all firms are created equal.”
Why Hiring an Accounting Firm Is a Strategic Move
Vardaan poured himself some tea. “I mean, it’s not just for tax filing, right?”
“Exactly,” Astraea nodded.
“A professional accounting firm is not just a number-crunching vendor. It’s a financial partner that helps you:
- Maintain clean, accurate books
- Stay compliant with laws like GST, TDS, and income tax
- Make informed business decisions with timely insights
- Focus on growth while they handle the back-end”
What Should You Expect from a Good Accounting Firm?
Astraea held up five fingers. “There are five core services any serious accounting partner should offer you.”
1. Bookkeeping & Data Entry
“Clean records are the foundation. They should handle categorizing income, tracking expenses, reconciling bank statements, and managing ledgers—all with precision.”
2. Tax Filing & Compliance
“You shouldn’t have to worry about missing a GST or TDS deadline ever again. A good firm will handle:
- Monthly GST filings
- Quarterly TDS returns
- Annual income tax filing
- ROC compliances if you’re a company”
3. Financial Reporting
“They must provide regular reports like Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow. These aren’t just for show—these are what you’ll need to raise funds, get loans, or understand your own business better.”
4. Advisory Support
“This is where the real value lies. Whether it’s budgeting, tax planning, or navigating a notice from the IT department—a good firm advises you with clarity, not jargon.”
5. Technology & Tools
“In today’s world, they should offer cloud accounting, dashboards, and real-time data access. You deserve visibility, not spreadsheets emailed once a quarter.”
Red Flags to Watch Out For
Vardaan raised an eyebrow. “What if I choose the wrong one?”
“Then you’ll end up chasing your accountant instead of your goals,” Astraea said seriously.
“Watch out for:
- Poor communication or delayed responses
- No clarity on pricing or deliverables
- Over-reliance on manual work
- Lack of experience in your industry”
What Makes 21DEGREES Different?
Vardaan leaned back. “And where does 21DEGREES fit in this landscape?”
“At 21DEGREES, we’ve built our services specifically for founders and small businesses like yours,” Astraea said confidently.
Here’s what you get:
Full-Spectrum Accounting: From bookkeeping to tax filing to audit prep—we’ve got every financial detail covered.
Strategic Guidance: Need help with pricing, budgeting, or tax-saving decisions? Our advisory team simplifies complex choices.
Modern, Tech-Enabled Experience: Access your books, dashboards, and reports anytime with our smart cloud tools.
Human Support, Always: We’re not bots. You’ll always have real people, proactive communication, and a single point of contact.
Vardaan nodded slowly, impressed. “So it’s not just about paperwork—it’s about having a trusted financial partner who grows with me.”
“Exactly,” Astraea smiled. “An accounting firm should make your life easier, not harder.”
Visit 21degrees.in and discover what it feels like to have a professional accounting partner that’s built for India’s ambitious small businesses—investor-ready, tax-compliant, and cash-smart.
