Accounting firm in Rabat: How to make the right choice?

Are you considering setting up a business in Rabat? Or are you a Rabat based company that is considering outsourcing its accounting and payroll? If you can identify with one of these situations, calling on an accounting firm may be wise.   

In any case, it is preferable to entrust a seasoned accounting firm with the proper managementof your accounting, tax returns, and employee payroll. Whatever your sector of activity, it is imperative that you handle these tasks properly to ensure the sustainability of your business and compliance with the various regulations in force in Morocco.  

With so many accounting firms in Rabat, finding a chartered accountant can be more complicated than expected.  

But before addressing this issue, let's first examine the region's assets, which has continued to strengthen its attractiveness and economic competitiveness on a national level in recent years.    

Doing business in Rabat, a city full of opportunities  

With an urbanization rate of 81% and a population of more than four million, the region, encompassing Salé and Kenitra, is the second-largest region of the country. The capital and its surroundings are indeed a trendy destination for investors, encouraged by the firm and growing industrial demand.

For a total of 30 billion DH, the various commissions organized by the Regional Investment Center of the region have enabled the validation of 156 investment projects for the year 2018. The result is visible and translates into the creation of nearly 40,000 direct and stable jobs. The sectoral distribution of companies set up in this part of the country shows a predominance of the services sector at 62%, followed by the trade sector.   

The construction sector completes the podium. However, it is noticeable that the tourism sector strengthened considerably last year. Now that you have a sneak peek of the potential of the region. Let's speak about company establishment procedures.   

First, be aware that it is possible to create your company within one week in Rabat, if you have by your side the right trusted advisor. This professional will handle on your behalf all the steps and formalities.  

It includes, among other procedures, the company name registration (negative certificate), the drafting of your articles of association, the registration before the tax authorities, trade court, and social security. 

Setup a company in Rabat: What are the steps to follow?   

In case you don't know, there are many steps to start a business in Morocco. But don't worry, whether you are new to this, it is possible to create a company in Rabat without too much hassle.  

Here are some tips on this subject. Once you have the negative certificate of your business in hand, make sure you make three identical copies. You will then have to proceed with legalizing the incorporation documents before registering your company while respecting the expiry date of the negative certificate, which is valid for three months. You will be able to legalize your incorporation documents at the Rabat Regional Investment Centre.   

For information, the negative certificate is issued by the Moroccan Office of Industrial and Commercial Property (OMPIC) upon request. It is the first step in the formation of your company. After receiving this document, make sure you also find a location for your head office.

You can choose between a lease contract or a domiciliation contract if you are not able to rent premises. If you do rent premises, consider drawing up six lease agreements. They will be useful to complete the incorporation file of your company.  

In any case, the city's administrative authorities have rethought all these steps by setting up an online company creation system that should allow you to avoid bureaucratic headaches.   

There is another more efficient way to save time to start a business in Rabat with the least amount of hassle. No magic formula. This practical solution consists of getting this done by an accounting firm. 

The advice of a seasoned professional will be handy in all your dealings in Rabat. In other words, the success of your business will inevitably depend on the advice of your chartered accountant. So, think about taking the best that can, in concrete terms, help you get off to a good start.  

A good accountant must be able to advise you in a multitude of areas ranging from accounting to taxation, including payroll management, organization, legal, and foreign exchange regulation.   

Accounting firm in Rabat: a trusted advisor critical for your project’s success 

There are other reasons why you should choose a good accountant in Rabat. As you may already know, when you hire an accounting firm, you are taking a long-term view. And, with time, they should become your trusted advisors.   

As a result, nothing of your business is beyond the reach of the accounting firm that works for you. Personal taxation, strategy, pricing, or even family aspects, you are a big open book in front of your accountant. With a suitable adviser on board, you can get on with doing what you do best – running your business! 

Accounting firm in Rabat: how to find the best fit? 

To find the right fit, you will need to meet with several chartered accountants. You will then have to find the right accounting firm that understands your expectations and match your personality as a leader. However, you can still optimize your search by choosing only experts in the field where you need assistance.   

An accountant specialized in the professional sector will not be of much use to you if you are looking for someone to help you with your accounting. Indeed, the services dedicated explicitly to professionals differ from those offered to companies.   

Also, make sure to compare the fees of several accounting firms before making your final decision.  Another essential step must follow, which is to ask for references. This simple check will allow you to make the right choice.   

Another vital aspect is making sure of the level of digital maturity of the firm of your choice. Since most of the compliance formalities (Tax, social security, and trade court) are digitized, the chartered accountant in question must offer its clients a dedicated digital portal.   

This digital platform must include, among other features, the transmission and backup of accounting documents or real-time communication with the team in charge of your accounts.  

We hope that this article will help you make the right choice when choosing your chartered accountant in Rabat but also in Casablanca or other cities in the kingdom. That said, are you aware that there is now in Morocco an alternative to traditional accounting firms? 

It is called online accounting and translates into more reliable, transparent, and with a better value for money, accounting services, all accompanied by the daily support of dedicated accountants. 

In any case, we will be delighted to assist you in your project in Rabat or elsewhere in Morocco. Please do not hesitate to contact us by email on [email protected] or to request a free quote by clicking here. 

Starting a business or company in Rabat : Some useful links  

Rabat-Salé-Zemmour-Zaër Regional Investment Centre: The mission of the Rabat-Salé-Zemmour-Zaër Regional Investment Centre, a one-stop-shop set up in 2002, is to support project owners wishing to launch their activities in Rabat and its surroundings. They can be of great help for anyone wanting to develop a business in this part of the country.  

Agence Marocaine de Développement des Investissements et des Exportations (AMDIE) : The AMDIE is a governmental body whose mission is to implement the Moroccan kingdom's strategy in terms of development, incentive, and promotion of national and foreign investments. Its purpose is to accompany all economic actors throughout their life cycle.