The Short Answer: Yes.

The Better Question: How?

Most people think of accountants as number crunchers, sorting receipts, filing tax returns, and keeping HMRC off your back. And while that’s part of the job, a great accountant does much more.

They help shape the future of your business.

If you’re wondering whether an accountant can help you plan for what’s ahead, the answer is a resounding yes.

But how? And what does that look like in practice?

Let’s break it down.

1. Seeing the Bigger Picture (While You’re in the Day-to-Day)

Helping work “on” the business whilst you’re “in” the business.

Running a business is a constant balancing act. There are invoices to chase, employees to pay, and customers to keep happy. It’s easy to get lost in the daily grind, making decisions based on what’s urgent rather than what is important.

A good accountant helps you step back and see the bigger picture.

They analyse your financial data and show you trends, risks, and opportunities you might otherwise miss.

Instead of just telling you where you’ve been, they help you plan where you’re going.

Practical Example:

Imagine you’re a growing business with a steady stream of revenue. Everything looks fine on paper, but your accountant notices that your profit margins are shrinking.

They identify rising supplier costs and inefficient pricing strategies by digging into the numbers.

With their advice, you adjust your pricing model, renegotiate supplier contracts, and increase profitability, before cash flow becomes a crisis.

2. Turning Financial Data into Actionable Strategy

Your accounts are more than just numbers, they tell a story.

The problem? Many business owners don’t speak ‘accountant’.

A great accountant translates raw financial data into clear, actionable strategies that help you make better decisions.

How this helps:

• Budgeting & Forecasting – Not just looking at last year’s performance but building a realistic financial roadmap for the next three to five years.
• Scenario Planning – What happens if your biggest client leaves? What if sales double? Accountants help you prepare for different possibilities.
• Investment Decisions – Thinking about hiring, expanding, or launching a new service? Your accountant helps you assess financial viability and potential risks.

Practical Example:

You’re considering opening a second location for your business. It feels like the next step, but is it a good financial move?

Your accountant runs projections, considering lease costs, staffing, and expected revenue growth.

You use this information, and realise that waiting six more months, after hitting a specific revenue milestone, would reduce risk and put you in a stronger financial position overall.

3. Managing Risk Before It Becomes a Problem

Every business has risks, economic downturns, cash flow issues and regulatory changes. The key is spotting potential problems early and having a plan in place before they occur.

Whilst you cannot predict the future, you can plan ahead for certain scenarios.

An accountant helps you:

• Identify tax-saving opportunities (before the HMRC filing deadline).
• Stay compliant with changing regulations and inform you of changes on the horizon.
• Create a buffer for unexpected costs.
• Manage debt effectively, so it doesn’t spiral out of control.

Practical Example:

Your accountant notices that a large portion of your income is tied to one client. If they leave, your business could struggle.

Together, you develop a strategy to diversify your client base and reduce financial dependency on one revenue stream.

4. Planning for Growth (Without Losing Control)

Growth is exciting, but rapid unplanned growth can be dangerous. Many businesses fail not because they don’t make enough money, but because they grow too fast without the right financial structures in place.

Specifically, cash can run out in the short term, before additional profits replace it in the long term.

An accountant helps you grow wisely by:

• Ensuring you have the right funding in place, including bridging finance, if there will be temporary gaps.
• Managing cash flow to support expansion.
• Structuring your business for long-term stability.
• Helping you hire at the right time.

Practical Example:

You land a huge contract that will double your workload. Great news, right? But fulfilling it means hiring more staff and increasing overheads.

Your accountant helps you structure the growth plan so that costs don’t outpace revenue, ensuring profitability instead of financial struggles.

5. Future-Proofing: What Happens When You Step Away?

At some point, you may want to sell, retire, or hand over the reins. An accountant helps you build a business that’s not just successful, but sustainable so that when the time comes, you have exit options.

Key areas they help with:

• Succession Planning – If you want to pass the business on, they help structure it to make the transition smooth.
• Exit Strategy – If selling is the goal, they help you increase valuation and make your business attractive to buyers.
• Tax-Efficient Wealth Planning – Ensuring your personal finances are in order, not just your business finances. Helping you pass your estate onto the next generation in the most tax efficient way.

Practical Example:

You’ve built a thriving business, but it revolves around you. If you step away, operations could stall.

Your accountant helps put systems in place, automating processes, delegating key tasks, and structuring finances so the business can thrive without you.

The RedBrick Approach: More Than Just Accounting

At RedBrick, we believe your business finances should feel like home: solid, secure, and built for the long term.

We don’t just do the books; we help you make smart, strategic decisions that shape your future for better outcomes.

If you’re ready to take control of your financial future and build something that lasts, let’s talk.

For a better home for your business finances, email: hello@redbrickaccounting.com.