FAQs

In March 2024, TaxAssist unveiled a new look series of brands to highlight that it can advise and support clients with much more than accountancy and tax services.

We know that most clients want and need more from their accountant, and detailed customer research identified that our previous branding did not reflect the range of innovative and personalised services that we offer for both business owners and individuals.

The evolved branding maintains the personal, friendly and professional feel that TaxAssist is renowned for and incorporates a new strapline ‘We can do more for you’, to reflect the extensive services, clients can expect.

As well as a refreshed logo and strapline, the TaxAssist brand has a new vibrant colour palette which highlights the complementary brands. This can be seen across our digital presence and will be applied to shops and offices in a planned rollout across the UK and Ireland over the next two years.

Refreshing the TaxAssist brand is a key development in the evolution of our business model and we are confident that the modern and impactful design sets the network up for future growth.

The new branding is intended to increase client attraction and retention and be even more appealing to potential TaxAssist Accountants looking to grow or buy a modern, professional accountancy practice with a clearly defined suite of services.

Yes, we will be pleased to give you a copy of the draft agreement following your discovery day.

We would need your CV and Application Form to assess your suitability before giving names and contact details out. We will give you access to the whole network, after you have attended a Discovery Day, and we would encourage you to speak to at least 6 franchisees as part of your research.

We have accountants who have joined us with an existing block of clients. They made the decision to join the TaxAssist Accountants network because they could see that by utilising the TaxAssist brand and systems they could grow their practice to the next level.  

There is a reduced franchise fee of €9,975 + VAT if you join with a block of fees (subject to a minimum fee base of €50,000). We will allow the fees introduced or acquired to be kept in a separate pool and for one year there will be no Management Service Fee on these fees.

After twelve months, these fees will be amalgamated with other fees acquired during the TaxAssist Accountants Franchise term to form one pool and full Management Service Fees will be payable on the total pool of fees. 

The term of the Franchise Agreement is 5 years, but this is renewable by you every 5 years for an administration fee of €1,000, assuming you have operated the franchise as set out in the Franchise Agreement including meeting your minimum targets. In most cases we anticipate franchisees will renew the agreement to continue the franchise every 5 years until they dispose of it at some future date. We also now offer at our discretion a 10-year franchise agreement.

Yes, the client base is a considerable asset built up and owned by you. The potential sales value of the goodwill of the business may typically be between X1 and X1.25 gross fees. There are various deferred fees to consider which are laid out in our franchise agreement, which you would factor into your selling price.

You will have up until the end of your first year to find and move into a shopfront. We have franchisees who have managed to find good shop front premises when at first glance there appeared to be nothing remotely suitable. It is location, location, location translated as visibility, accessibility and affordability. This will help you to achieve the growth that we both seek.

The route to obtaining one depends on the Institute to which you belong. We would advise you to contact them direct to find out their requirements.

We understand that you would naturally wish to avoid any unnecessary duplication and expenditure but because we have correctly identified a niche in the market, our training is specifically tailored to address that niche and nothing else. Past experience has shown that even fully qualified accountants will benefit from full participation in our training course. However, if you are already an accountant in practice, it is possible, subject to confirmation of your background and qualifications, that we could offer a reduction in the training you need to attend and therefore a reduction in the franchise fee payable to us. This will be at our discretion.

You will be allocated an exclusive marketing territory defined by postcode boundaries and containing a population of at least one hundred thousand people. No other TaxAssist Accountant can market directly in your area or vice versa. When you and other franchisees carry out local advertising in publications covering more than one franchise area then the normal procedure is to share costs and divide out responses according to the geographical areas covered by you. However, should you receive a genuine recommendation from a potential client outside your exclusive marketing territory then you can act for that person.

Established in Ireland in 2009, we are the leading franchised accountancy organisation with many years’ experience of operating a substantial national network of branded offices that is well recognised and respected. 

We have a highly visible presence with 20 franchised areas operating from shop fronts around the country. The shop front brand is supplemented by the many branded cars driving around the country, national advertising, internet presence and marketing collateral. We constantly look to be at the forefront in terms of brand awareness, technical training and support for business growth. Our training courses, software packages, as well as a raft of bolt on relevant business services our franchisees can offer their clients at significantly discounted prices, means in our opinion, that we are market leaders with an offering that far outweighs the competition.

Unlike some of our competitors, we have no other business interests or our own accountancy practice to support in Ireland. This means the Support Centre can concentrate 100% of our time on our franchisees and their growth. 

We give you guidance on the level of fees that you should charge your clients but the final decision on the exact amount is up to you.

No. A clients' accounts are made up to financial year-end dates that can be at any time of the year. Many tax returns are received earlier in the year when they are issued by Revenue, but these do not have to be completed and returned until 31st October. In addition, we have strategies to ensure that cashflow is even throughout the year.

This is really down to you but we want you to build up your turnover and profits consistently, aiming for a turnover of €300,000 + after 5 years. Our training covers the staffing requirements for your business and we expect a third of your turnover to cover the costs of running your franchise, with a third payable for your staff, leaving you with a third of your turnover as net profit.

Yes, there will be an additional cost, because the franchise fee caters for only one person. We make our training course costs as reasonable as we can for partners/staff etc, because it is beneficial for both franchisee and franchisor to have a well trained network. Please ask for further details on costs on or after your discovery day.

Full and professional initial and ongoing training is provided to all franchisees. Accountancy and tax training is provided by in house staff and specialist training partners for franchisees. The initial training course is included in the franchise package fee.

We also provide further update days, operations manuals, have a support site which offers our franchisees access to technical releases, frequently asked questions, online tutorials, advice and the ability to update your own website.

In addition to your own living expenses you will need to allow for a marketing budget with a minimum annual spend of €5,000. Further capital will be needed to cover office costs, any staff and sundry costs, which may vary across regions.

If we offer you a franchise, you can reserve an exclusive postcode territory for 30 days for which we require a deposit of 10% of the Franchise Fee. After 30 days if you have still not decided if you wish to proceed to completing a Franchise Agreement we will speak to you and will return your cheque to you. We do not bank the cheque until you advise that you wish to proceed with the franchise. Please be aware that the deposit cheque will become non-refundable 2 weeks before the start of your selected training course, or when we do your official sign up if sooner. This is because of initial costs incurred by ourselves.

Whilst a background in accountancy is desirable, the main attribute we look for is the determination to develop a successful business. We recruit accountants and non-accountants alike. General business acumen is important, and people skills are essential as the franchisee will be responsible for developing relationships with existing and prospective clients, as well as looking after staff needs.