In brief: Choosing a chartered accountant in Morocco requires verifying their registration with the Order of Chartered Accountants (OEC), assessing industry expertise, and ensuring they use modern tools. Upsilon Consulting, a Casablanca-based firm, offers accounting, audit, and tax services to local and international clients.
Upsilon Consulting is a chartered accounting firm in Morocco. A member of the Order of Chartered Accountants, Upsilon Consulting has a multidisciplinary team capable of assisting you with your bookkeeping, payroll management, and legal and tax matters.
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Upsilon Consulting — Chartered Accountants
Casablanca Office
CAF Office, Bd Abderrahim Bouabid, Corner of Boulevard Omar Al Khayam 20 000 Casablanca, Morocco
Google Maps listing.
Email: [email protected]
Tel.: + 212 522 202 568
Get to know our team.
Our Best Tips for Choosing an Accounting Firm / A Chartered Accountant in Morocco
Once you have decided that it is time to hire an accounting firm, the next step is to choose which firm to engage.
It is important to take the time to do this carefully, and there are a few things you will want to consider first.
You should think about questions such as where the accountant is based, how the workload is divided, and what type of accounting software you will use. Consider how much you should pay the accountant and whether you can optimize your tax exposure.
It is in your company’s best interest to have an experienced and competent person handling such a critical area as your finances. The right person will save you time and money year after year. Here are some factors to consider when choosing an accountant.
Ask Yourself Whether Location Matters
It was once important for your company’s accountant to be nearby. But today, more and more businesses collaborate online, using cloud technology to manage their operations. The location issue is therefore less significant.
The decision about where your accountant is based comes down to what works best for your business. Depending on how you want to manage your finances, your accountant can be based anywhere in the world. For example, if you are happy to collaborate via email, phone, video conference, or secure accounting software, you could be in Marrakech, Paris, New York, or London, and find someone in Casablanca who truly understands the specifics of your business and industry.
“Upsilon Consulting, a chartered accounting firm in Casablanca, handles the accounting of subsidiaries of multinational companies that do not have physical teams in Morocco.” Salaheddine Yatim, Chartered Accountant.
On the other hand, you may prefer face-to-face contact and find it useful to have someone who can accompany you to business meetings. If so, you should limit your search to accountants who work nearby or are willing to visit your offices from time to time.
Wherever they are based, make sure they are experts in the tax laws that apply to your business.
Choose a Chartered Accountant Registered with the Order of Chartered Accountants in Morocco
In Morocco, the accounting professions are regulated by professional bodies that oversee accountants’ qualifications and strive to maintain high professional standards.
A chartered accountant in Morocco is a highly qualified professional who has completed university-level studies, gained professional experience, and passed a professional competency program.
With a minimum of 7 years of higher education (and at least 5 years of experience), a chartered accountant in Morocco can add value to your business from the very start. And if you expect your business to grow, it is better to hire a professional accountant early rather than later.
Of course, it is possible to use accountants who are neither certified nor registered, but this could prove to be an unwise business decision.
Tasks such as bookkeeping, tax preparation, and general financial management may not require a certified or chartered accountant.
“Using an unqualified professional for your accounting is like going to a healer. Sometimes, you may get better. But when you have a serious illness, it could cost you everything.” Abdelhakim Soudi, Chartered Accountant in Morocco.
Look for a Chartered Accountant with Relevant Expertise
You will need someone with experience in preparing tax returns and financial documents for businesses of a similar size and revenue to yours.
In Morocco, late filing of tax returns can quickly result in penalties. The tax system is quite complex, and you should have a qualified professional by your side.
Discover some tax-specific topics on our blog:
- VAT Credit Refund in Morocco
- Tax Representation in Morocco
- Corporate Tax (IS) in Morocco
- Withholding Tax on Foreign Service Providers in Morocco (Hotel Case Study)
It would be significantly better if the accountant has previously worked with businesses in market sectors similar to yours. Indeed, this will help them understand the unique needs of your company. You may also want to check whether they have larger clients. If so, that is a good sign, as you will know they are capable of meeting your growing needs over time.
Discover the business sectors in which Upsilon Consulting’s clients operate.
You can also ask them for a client list detailing the gross turnover and number of employees of each company. Ask about the growth and evolution of their clients over the years. This will help you assess whether they will be able to meet your company’s changing needs.
Decide How to Split the Accounting Workload
Accountants can handle all aspects of bookkeeping and accounting.
In most cases, you can bundle your invoices and statements, hand them over, and they will take care of the rest. In this case, it is referred to as a bookkeeping engagement. However, this is not always the best approach.
Alternatively, you can choose to enter your basic accounting data in-house, then hand over the rest of the work to your accountant. They will then handle the more complex tasks: bank reconciliation, filling in tax return forms, payroll calculations, capital depreciation calculations, and so on. In this case, it is referred to as an accounting supervision engagement.
Quality accounting software will make it easy for you to participate in your accounting process. It will simplify tasks such as invoicing, automatically sending the invoice and recording its content at the same time. Moreover, if the accounting software is cloud-based, you can give your accountant secure access to your accounts with a single click.
Choose Someone Who Is Proactive About Saving You Money
Some accountants will do little more than manage your accounts and fill in your tax return forms. However, the best chartered accountants are more proactive. So, before choosing a chartered accountant, ask them what they could suggest to save your company money.
For example, what proportion of your operating expenses do they think you could offset against taxes? If you are a sole proprietor, can you offset a percentage of your phone bill…? What are the implications? Your accountant should guide you and warn you about potential pitfalls.
Always keep in mind that in most countries, there is a difference between tax optimization and fraud. Tax optimization, unlike fraud, is legal. You will need a professional who knows the details of tax legislation well. Indeed, they will save you money legally. Avoid a professional who would go too far and risk running your business illegally.
Ultimately, be very cautious on this matter. In case of problems, liability falls on the manager and shareholders.
Discover the Software Used by Your Chartered Accountant
Accountants often have their own preferred accounting software. Choose a chartered accountant who adapts well to technology.
If your business uses a different type of software, data sharing can be problematic. While import and export capabilities exist, your accountant must still be proficient with the relevant IT tools.
Our teams have the necessary experience in data processing. We are highly proficient in mass data processing (Excel, Access, Visual Basic, SQL…) and have the ability to adapt to any software.
In conclusion, it is preferable that you agree to use a market-leading accounting software. Indeed, it will be easy to use. It will also ensure that only properly encrypted files are exchanged.
Frequently Asked Questions
What criteria should I use to choose a chartered accountant in Morocco?
Key criteria include registration with the Ordre des Experts-Comptables, relevant industry experience, responsiveness and communication quality, use of modern technology, fee transparency, and the ability to handle your specific needs. A good chartered accountant should also be proactive in advising you on tax optimization and regulatory changes.
How does a chartered accountant differ from a regular accountant in Morocco?
A chartered accountant (expert-comptable) holds the DNEC and is registered with the professional order, while a regular accountant (comptable) may not have this qualification. Only chartered accountants can certify financial statements, perform statutory audits, and represent clients before the tax administration. The level of expertise and legal authority is significantly higher.
Can a chartered accountant in Morocco handle international clients?
Yes, many Moroccan chartered accountants, including those at firms like Upsilon Consulting, work with international clients. They can assist with cross-border tax planning, transfer pricing documentation, IFRS reporting, and compliance with both Moroccan and international regulations. Partnerships with specialised firms worldwide further enhance their international capabilities.
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