Choosing an accountant or bookkeeper in Turkey as a foreigner: questions to ask
A guide for foreigners who set up a company or earn income in Turkey on choosing an accountant: who is authorised, how to check a licence, the difference between bookkeeping and certified accounting, what the engagement contract should say, questions to ask, documents needed at the start and warning signs.
One of the first things a newly arrived investor needs is an accountant who speaks their language. But in Turkey the word "accountant" covers several jobs, and some of them may only be done by licensed professionals. This guide sets out what to look for and which questions to ask when choosing the right accountant or bookkeeper in Turkey.
Who is authorised?
In Turkey, keeping books on someone else's behalf, preparing tax returns and advising on tax require a Certified Public Accountant (SMMM) or Sworn-in Certified Public Accountant (YMM) licence. These licences are granted under Law No. 3568, and every licensed professional must be registered with a professional chamber.
- SMMM: bookkeeping and statutory books, tax returns, payroll and social security filings, financial advice.
- YMM: in addition, certification work such as VAT refund reports. A YMM may not also keep the books of a company whose figures they certify.
To check a licence, ask for the professional's name and chamber registration number and confirm them with their chamber (in Istanbul, İSMMMO) or with TÜRMOB.
Bookkeeping and certified accounting are not the same
| Task | Who may do it |
|---|---|
| Issuing invoices, recording bank and cash, tracking customers and suppliers (bookkeeping) | The company's own staff or the accountant |
| Statutory ledgers and e-Ledger | The certified accountant (even with an in-house accounting team, responsibility and signature stay with the accountant) |
| VAT, withholding, advance and annual tax returns | The certified accountant, electronically under their own authorisation |
| Payroll and social security filings | The accountant or a person authorised by the company |
| VAT refund certification report | YMM |
Employing an in-house bookkeeper is possible and common in growing companies; in that case the division of work should be agreed in writing: Monthly accounting service and changing accountant · Accounting system set-up and staff training
Questions to ask at the first meeting
- Language: In which language will emails, monthly reports and meetings be held? Will you receive summaries of tax returns and official letters in your own language?
- Scope: Are company formation, monthly bookkeeping and returns, payroll, VAT refunds, year-end closing and group reporting included?
- Reporting: Which monthly reports will you receive (trial balance, income statement, cash and currency position)? If the parent company abroad requires a specific format, can it be met?
- Calendar: By which day each month must you hand in documents? When will you be told about filing and payment dates? Current dates: Tax calendar
- Document flow: How will invoices and bank movements be sent? Can the accountant work with the bookkeeping software you use?
- Notifications: Who will monitor the tax office's electronic notification box, and how quickly will incoming letters be forwarded to you?
- Assessments: After each return, will you receive the assessment slip and the amount payable?
- Authorisations: Who will hold the e-signature, financial e-seal and e-Government (e-Devlet) access? e-Signature, financial e-seal and KEP
- Handover: If you worked with another accountant before, how will the records be taken over?
What the engagement contract should say
- The professional's name, title and chamber registration number
- The scope of the service and what is outside it
- Fee and payment period (professional chambers publish an advisory fee schedule each year)
- Document deadlines and the language of communication
- Term, termination and the handover of records on termination
Documents usually requested at the start
Once the company is set up, the accountant usually asks for:
- Trade registry gazette, signature circular, tax certificate
- Passports and tax numbers of shareholders and managers: Tax numbers for foreigners
- Office lease agreement
- Bank account details and access to account movements
- For companies with foreign shareholders, E-TUYS authorisation: E-TUYS filings
If you have not set up a company yet: How do foreigners set up a company in Turkey? · For personal matters: First-year checklist
Warning signs
- Reluctance to sign a written contract
- No licence or chamber registration number shared
- Assessment slips not sent after returns are filed
- Requests for the company's e-Government or bank passwords
- Records and ledgers not handed over to the company
Legal basis: Law No. 3568 on Certified Public Accountants and Sworn-in Certified Public Accountants, arts. 2 and 12; Tax Procedure Law No. 213, art. 227.