Most garage and MOT centre owners have an accountant.
But many still feel:
- Unsure about cash
- Nervous about tax
- Unclear on whether they’re actually doing “well”
- Surprised when bills arrive
Which leads to an uncomfortable question:
If I have an accountant… why do I still feel in the dark?
This isn’t a criticism of garage owners — it’s a reflection of how accounting services are often delivered.
A good accountant should not just keep you compliant.
They should help you run a better garage.
This blog breaks down what a good accountant should actually be doing for a garage or MOT centre limited company — and why many fall short.
The Minimum vs the Value
Let’s start with an important distinction.
The Minimum
Many accountants provide:
- Year-end accounts
- Corporation Tax returns
- Basic payroll
- VAT returns (sometimes)
That keeps you legal.
But legality alone doesn’t:
- Improve cashflow
- Reduce stress
- Help you grow
- Prevent mistakes
- Stop HMRC surprises
That’s the minimum.
What Garage Owners Actually Need
Garage businesses are not simple.
You deal with:
- VAT
- High transaction volumes
- Stock and parts
- Staff costs
- Equipment investment
- Director drawings
- Fluctuating cashflow
A good accountant understands how garages actually operate, not just how spreadsheets work.
1. A Good Accountant Explains the Numbers (Properly)
If your accountant:
- Sends accounts once a year
- Uses jargon
- Assumes you understand everything
- Rushes through explanations
…they’re not doing their job properly.
A good accountant should:
- Explain figures in plain English
- Help you understand what matters
- Show trends, not just totals
- Highlight risks clearly
You should leave conversations thinking:
“That makes sense.”
Not:
“I’ll just trust them.”
2. They Talk About Cash — Not Just Profit
This is huge for garages.
Profit looks good on paper.
Cash keeps the ramps moving.
A good accountant should:
- Help you understand cashflow
- Explain why cash and profit differ
- Flag upcoming pressure points
- Help you plan for VAT and tax
If cashflow only comes up when you’re already stressed, that’s too late.
3. They Actively Manage Director Pay
Director pay is one of the most common problem areas we see in garages.
A good accountant should:
- Help structure salary vs dividends
- Monitor director drawings
- Warn you about loan accounts early
- Stop illegal dividends
- Plan personal tax properly
If director pay is only reviewed at year end, problems are already baked in.
4. They Reduce HMRC Risk Quietly
A good accountant isn’t dramatic.
They don’t scare you — they protect you.
They should:
- Keep records tidy
- Flag risky behaviour early
- Ensure filings are accurate
- Reduce enquiry risk
- Make HMRC interaction rare
You shouldn’t hear from HMRC often — and when you do, it shouldn’t be a panic.
5. They Don’t Let Problems Drift
One of the biggest failings we see is silence.
Problems that are ignored don’t disappear — they grow.
A good accountant:
- Flags issues early
- Has awkward conversations when needed
- Stops “we’ll fix it later” thinking
- Helps you course-correct quickly
Comfort isn’t always helpful.
Clarity is.
6. They Help You Plan — Not Just React
Good accountants think ahead.
They help you:
- Understand upcoming tax bills
- Plan equipment purchases
- Assess staffing affordability
- Make decisions with numbers, not gut feel
Bad accountants only react after the decision is made — and then tell you the consequences.
7. They Understand Your Industry
Garages are not cafés.
They’re not consultants.
They’re not online businesses.
A good accountant for garages understands:
- MOT seasonality
- Parts margins
- Labour vs parts profitability
- VAT complexities
- Real-world cash pressures
Industry understanding matters more than most directors realise.
Why Many Accountants Don’t Do This
To be fair — not all failures are intentional.
Many accountants:
- Are overloaded
- Work reactively
- Focus on compliance
- Don’t have systems for proactive work
- Aren’t set up for advisory conversations
But that doesn’t help you.
The Cost of a “Tick-Box” Accountant
A tick-box accountant may appear cheaper.
But the hidden costs are real:
- Missed tax planning
- Cashflow stress
- HMRC risk
- Director loan problems
- Poor decisions made blindly
Good advice often pays for itself many times over.
What Good Garage Owners Expect Now
Garage owners today expect:
- Transparency
- Proactivity
- Clear communication
- Industry understanding
- Support, not just submissions
The role of the accountant has changed — expectations should too.
A Simple Test: Is Your Accountant Doing This?
Ask yourself:
- Do I understand my numbers?
- Do I know what tax is coming?
- Am I confident in how I pay myself?
- Do I feel in control?
- Do I speak to my accountant more than once a year?
If most answers are “no”, something is missing.
Final Thought: Your Accountant Should Reduce Stress, Not Add to It
Running a garage is hard enough.
Your accountant should:
- Make things clearer
- Reduce risk
- Improve confidence
- Support better decisions
Not leave you guessing.
How Accounting Matters Supports Garage & MOT Centre Directors
We work with garage and MOT centre limited companies who want:
- Clear numbers
- Predictable tax
- Strong cashflow
- Fewer surprises
- An accountant who actually gets their business
If you want more than year-end compliance, it starts with a proper conversation.