G04E - Accountants

The need for accountants 
Home owners and foreign residents in Portugal must register with the Portuguese tax authorities. Every year they must present a tax declaration if they have taxable income. (See Bulletins T01 to T07). For some people the necessary forms are very simple and can be done by themselves. However, most will require some assistance from accountants and tax advisers. The accounts of companies must be signed by an officially certified accountant. It is advisable to seek professional advice, from a qualified accountant, before any business is started. Individual accounts and tax submissions generally do not require certification by an accountant but if you do not understand the language or the forms, it is advisable to have a professional doing it for you.

Types of accountants 
Officially certified accountants are registered with Ordem dos Contabilistas Certificados (OCC). They hold the certificate of Contabilista Certificado - CC. The minimum qualifications to apply are a university qualification, or equivalent, and appropriate experience. However, there are other accounting qualifications, and not all members of an accountant's staff need to be certified accountants. 

Accountants provide some or all of the following services: 

• General accounting in accordance with national and international accounting standards in accordance with the official accounting system (SNC, Sistema de Normalização Contabilística), for companies and individuals. 

• Management of accounting for businesses and associations for the analysis of costs and revenues from different activities. 

• Consulting services especially in relation to taxation, and the establishment and management of companies or associations. 

•  Processing of Salaries. 

Certified accountants, who are members of OCC, will make a minimum charge for their services. However, accountant's offices will also provide services for individuals, smaller companies and associations at much lower rates depending on the amount of work required. 

Where to find an accountant 

The usual classifications are: 

• Contabilistas Certificados 

• Contabilidade - Escritórios e Serviços 

• Consultores 

Two of the main accountants' associations in Portugal are Ordem dos Contabilistas Certificados, (OCC) and Associação Portuguesa de Técnicos de Contabilidade (APOTEC). 

Source of material: José Martins Vieira (CC) Lagoa.