An accountant is an important investment and when you find you simply don’t have to the time to keep on top of your incomings and outgoings, then you should definitely consider hiring one. If you find the right individual, they can manage as little or as much as you like. Some people simply send their paperwork such as receipts and invoices to the accountant and they take care of the rest, whilst some accountants may ask that you provide all of the information on an excel spreadsheet of some sort.
It really depends on the level of service you require, but if you’re seriously contemplating getting an accountant, do your homework first. Prices can vary considerably and you do need to have a good idea on the package you need. Perhaps if you’re self-employed, you will just need the yearly self-assessment service, but bare in mind you will still need to be organised and ensure you have all of the information they need to hand.